Chapter : 1

Helloooo, everyone! It's me, Avril Kallista Preston, daughter of Duke Raymond Kallisto Preston—aka the Duke of Lakehart.

Yes, Lakehart, the southern duchy known for being ridiculously beautiful. Seriously, people call it The Blue Land, like something straight out of a travel brochure.

Now, let's get something straight—I'm not an only child, unfortunately. I've got a sister and a brother, and let me tell you, they're about as enjoyable as a pebble in your boot. They fight. All. The. Time. It's like they're training for some sibling-bickering championship. Like, come on, can't a lady have peace ?! But nope, I have to be the responsible one, basically their third parent, because, well, my actual parents are always busy running the duchy and doing fancy Duke and Duchess stuff, leaving me to play Parent 2.0. Because why not, right? Who needs a social life when you can referee family squabbles?

But hey, at least I've got my two besties who actually cherish me. Not like these people I'm supposed to call family.

Wait a minute… OH CRAP! I WAS SUPPOSED TO MEET THEM TODAY! And I'm late, again—Lord, why?! I'm late, like, super late! They'll kill me, LORD PLEASE SAVE ME THS ONCE !

(Cue internal screaming)

"Maids!" I yelled, sprinting around my room like a headless chicken. "Forget the fancy dresses, I don't have time for all that 'Lady of the Duchy' nonsense! Get me something for horse riding, STAT! I'm already late enough to be declared legally missing!"

Sophie, my poor, long-suffering maid, gave me that 'I-can't-believe-I-deal-with-this-daily' look, but still bowed like a professional. "Yes, my lady," she said, probably questioning her life choices, before getting the others to prep my riding clothes.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity of chaos, I was dressed and ready to go. I leaped onto my horse, feeling like the wind itself. "HEII HAHHHH!" I shouted, galloping out of the duchy faster than a royal decree on a bad day.