Hajin set an extra plate beside the breakfast bread, leaving the child free to choose where she wanted to sit.
The comforting aroma of freshly baked sourdough bread, melted butter, and simmering blackberry compote filled every corner of the ground floor.
The child walked down the stairs wearing an oversized wool sweater, her brown curls bouncing lightly against her shoulders.
Hajin stood at the cutting board with an apron tied around his waist, slicing generous portions of hot bread for the morning meal.
"Good morning, early bird," the young lord greeted her, gesturing toward the counter with a friendly, welcoming smile.
"Come and choose your breakfast before the feline scouts wake up and clear the platters!"
The young girl approached the cutting board with cautious steps, her eyes scanning the crusty loaf with quiet wonder.
Usually, in the palace scullery, she received only the burned ends and moldy scraps that the senior cooks threw onto the floor.
