Playmates

Home sickness

In the countryside of Esteria, where big estates and old chateaus sat among rolling hills and quiet forests, a carriage bumped along a winding path. Inside, Roku (Six), a spirited nine-year-old girl, looked a bit worried and unsure.

Just two weeks ago, her parents had told her she was going to stay with Grand Duke Elrod's family. Her job? To make friends with his son, Mono Montgomery Elrod, who was ten years old and usually kept to himself.

Roku wasn't happy about this news. Mono was known for being quiet and hardly ever played with other kids. Her parents had talked up the grand Elrod chateau, its tall towers standing against the blue sky, and the wealth and fancy lifestyle there. But Roku, who loved her home comforts and being with her family, could only think about how much she'd miss everything.

As the carriage rumbled over the bumpy road, Roku couldn't stop thinking about Hartley Manor—her mom's warm embrace, the cozy fireplace, and the giggles she shared with her older brothers. She felt homesick already, even though the green and gold scenery of Esteria flashed by outside the carriage windows.

But Roku knew she had to do what her parents wanted. Grand Duke Elrod had promised a lot of money to make sure Roku and Mono became friends—a deal that left a sour taste in her mouth, but one her parents couldn't refuse.

So, as the big Elrod chateau came into view on the horizon, Roku took a deep breath and fiddled with the lace on her dress. Little did she know, inside those old walls and quiet gardens, waited not just a summer of being Mono's friend against her will, but also the start of an adventure that would change her life in ways she never imagined.

As the carriage finally rolled to a stop in front of the grand Elrod chateau, Roku stepped out onto the gravel driveway, her eyes wide with awe at the sheer size of the place. The chateau loomed before her, its stone walls adorned with ivy, and its windows glinting in the late afternoon sun.

A footman in a smart livery hurried forward to assist her, bowing slightly as he offered his hand to help her down from the carriage. "Welcome, Miss Roku," he said with a polite smile. "The Duke and Duchess are expecting you. If you would follow me, please."

Roku nodded, her heart beating a little faster as she followed the footman through the massive front doors. Inside, the foyer was just as grand as she had imagined, with a sweeping staircase leading up to higher floors and marble statues standing sentinel along the walls.

They ascended the staircase to the second floor, where the footman showed her to a spacious bedroom overlooking the gardens. The room was elegantly furnished with a four-poster bed draped in fine curtains, a polished wooden desk with parchment and quill, and a cozy sitting area by a large window.

"Your belongings have already been unpacked, Miss Roku," the footman informed her, gesturing towards a wardrobe and dresser where her clothes and personal items had been neatly arranged. "If there is anything else you require, please do not hesitate to ask."

"Thank you," Roku replied softly, feeling a mix of gratitude and apprehension. She watched as the footman bowed and quietly left the room, closing the door behind him.

Alone now, Roku wandered over to the window and gazed out at the sprawling gardens below. The sun was beginning to set, casting a warm glow over the manicured lawns and flowerbeds. In the distance, she could see children playing—a reminder of the reason she was here.

With a sigh, Roku sat down at the desk and picked up the quill, her thoughts drifting back to Hartley Manor and the family she had left behind. She missed them already, but she knew she had a job to do—to befriend Mono and ease his loneliness, as her parents had asked.

As twilight deepened outside her window, Roku resolved to make the best of her stay at the Elrod chateau. Tomorrow, she would meet Mono and begin her unexpected adventure in this new and unfamiliar place.

I'm sorry if this first part was really short. This is my first time writing a legit story so I hope you guys enjoyed these first few paragraphs! Thx for reading :D