-THIS IS AN ADD-ON
Maxine's POV
In the morning after breakfast, Sebby, Ray, Rowen, and I began the task of cleaning out the extra room in the Leopard Palace to transform it into my art room. There were lots of boxed things inside the room. The things inside the room were either junk or treasure to be restored.
It's kinda like thrift shopping. Although I could have tasks for the servants to clean it out I chose not to. I, myself, wanted to do this, to find what goodies might be inside.
Rowen was outside, washing the old, dirty furniture we had laid out in the yard. Inside, Sebby, Ray, and I delved further into the cluttered storage room.
"Ray ray, move that table out of the room for Rowen to wash. I want that in my art room," I instructed, and Raymond nodded.
"Alright, I'll go tell Rowen to clean it." Ray hefted the dirty table and left the room, heading outside to place it for Rowen.
As Sebby and I continued, I noticed the room was a bit dark with some of the windows covered by old, dark curtains. "It's a bit dark," I commented to Sebby.
I walked forward, past him, and tried pulling off the old curtains draping on the floor, but they were stuck.
"Here, let me help, Bunny," Sebastian offered, stepping in to assist. He too struggled with the stubborn fabric.
"Sebby, just pull the curtain off. They're old anyway, and I already told Caius we needed new ones. I wanted those light blue curtains, they'll look nice in here"
Sebby nodded and, with a bit more effort, yanked harder. Bam! The old curtains came down, sending dust into the air. We both coughed as dust bunnies floated around. "So much dust," Sebby remarked, waving his hand in front of his face to clear the air.
With the curtains down, bright sunlight streamed into the once-gloomy room, illuminating every corner. The windows in the palace were huge, with intricately carved marble frames and a crystal displayed at the top center of each. As I took in the view, I saw a familiar figure on the other side of the hall.
It was Caius, accompanied by his guards and other orcs, presumably lords and merchants from small tribes. They seemed to be making deals or connections with him.
I noticed a glass door leading to a small balcony, and as I stepped outside, Caius spotted me. I smiled and waved at him. His usually nonchalant expression softened into a smile as he waved back.
The orcs around him, seeing his smile, turned to look at me and began talking to Caius more. However, Caius's smile faded as if offended by something they said. His guards blocked the orcs as Caius walked alone down the palace halls.
Returning to the room, I opened the door and saw something brown and fluffy at my feet. I looked down to see one of my cubs, Sean, with his face squished against the glass door, trying to get to me. I giggled as he growled at the glass, using his small body to push against it, his cheeks squished adorably.
He even tried biting the glass, but it didn't work. I opened the door slowly, and Sean gleamed with excitement, purring as he rubbed his head against my feet. I picked him up, showering him with kisses on his cheek.
When I returned to Sebby, I saw him with Sage, my other cub, lying on the floor, teasing Sebastian by laying on his feet or on the boxes Sebby wanted to move. Sam, my youngest cub, was curious about the activity, standing next to Sebby.
"Sage, out," Sebastian said to his son.
Sage, however, just frowned and lazily stayed put, his small jaguar form curled around his father's legs. Only to have transformed into his cub form. His messy brown hair and sparkly pink eyes were shown as he was playing around.
Sam looked on curiously, walking between Sage and Sebastian. I set Sean down, and he joined Sage, wanting to play with their father.
Raymond returned, lifting boxes I had sorted into a corner. "Ray," I called out, "those in that pile, you and Rowen can go ahead and get rid of them. I don't think we can restore or clean them since there are stains."
"Alright, Maxi. Rowen's already done cleaning the old drawers," Ray replied, taking another box outside for Rowen to clean.
I turned and picked up Sam, who was now behind Sebastian's feet. With Sebby moving and Sage clinging to his legs, I didn't want Sam to get stepped on.
"Sami, watch out, baby," I said, placing him on a chair to sit and watch us work. Sean laid under the chair, not budging to join his brother.
Sage, our little troublemaker, still clung to Sebby, treating him like a ride. Both his small arms and feet wrapped around his father's leg.
I continued sorting out small items in a box when I noticed Sebby standing still for a couple of minutes.
"Sebby, are you alright?" I asked, sensing he was daydreaming about something.

YOU ARE READING
My Shining Star
RomanceA young charismatic girl struggling to survive life. Keeping up with bills to pay, stuck up friends, and a dead end job as her last hope. Her high expectations to a bright future got her nowhere. A life with no spark besides an angry landlord yellin...