My Idyllic Life

Chapter 1

"Kampuchea is a protectorate of the Great Feve Empire. We serve as a central trade point in the East for our Western overseer. Fishing and fruits are staples of our economy. Our neighbors to the North and sister islands - Adelaide? Are you paying attention?"

A young, shadowy figure groaned. They were clad in a high-quality lavender dress and were seated at a long, oak table. A book on the history of Kampuchea was in front of them and an esteemed tutor was in front of a chalkboard.

"Young lady, as the only child to the Cherie household, you must take your studies more seriously."

"Ugh, but it's so boring!"

"Adelaide!"

The young, shadow child hopped out of her chair and dashed out to the hall. The tutor called out to her but did not bother to give chase. Adelaide giggled to herself and kept running until she reached her room. Tossing the doors open, she called out to her maid.

"Kunthear!"

A young girl jumped as she was startled. Her hair and eyes were a deep, almond brown, and her skin a warm caramel. Unlike the shadow girl, this girl was most certainly human. Kunthear had been folding some linens for her mistress's bed when Adelaide rushed in.

"Is everything alright, Mistress Adelaide?"

"Not at all! Classes were so boring. Come here and comb my hair."

Kunthear obliged her mistress as Adelaide flopped onto a chaise lounger in her room. Kunthear went to the vanity and pulled a finely crafted hair brush from the drawers. Then, she walked over to Adelaide and gently took hold of the shadow's hair. The hair felt like the soft sand one finds at a beach, but instead of falling apart, it kept its shape. As Kunthear combed Adelaide's hair, the young shadow started speaking enthusiastically about something she had heard from the villa staff.

"Have you heard of the ghost that lives in the attic?"

Kunthear shivered.

"Ghost?"

"Yes! A shadow's ghost that haunts the attic. We should try and catch it!"?

"That sounds scary, mistress!"

"Don't be a baby, let's do it!"

There was a hesitant look on Kunthear's face. She certainly did not want to go ghost hunting! But, Adelaide wouldn't take no for an answer. As the maid finished combing the noble lady's hair, there was a knock at the door.

"Adelaide? Come on out."

"Yes, maman."

Adelaide stood up from the chaise and adjusted her dress before heading to the room's door. Kunthear opened the door for Adelaide and kept her head bowed as a sign of reverence for the Lady of the House, Adele Cherie.

"I heard you ran from your tutor again, dear."

"I know, maman, but it was so boring!"

"Adelaide!"

"Sorry, maman..."

"Go back to your instructor immediately!"

Glumly, Adelaide left her room and trailed behind her mother's back to the villa library. This was a regular day for Adelaide. She'd spend it studying and chatting with Kunthear. There were not many Shadow folk in Kampuchea so she did not interact much with others of her kind. The day passed by slowly for Adelaide as she listened to lectures. Finally, her studies would be over for the day and dinner would come and go. At last, she'd be in her room, plotting with Kunthear for their hijinks that night. Kunthear had prepared a candlelit lamp for them and a 'weapon' in the form of a duster. Adelaide was ecstatic to start their adventure. They were waiting for midnight to strike on the clocks around the villa.