BAM! BAM! BAM!
A pillow slammed right into my face like a soft, feathery explosion. I groaned and flopped deeper into my blanket burrito, determined to remain a part of my bed.
"Hey, you dust mite, it's already noon! Get up!" My brother's voice pierced the peaceful silence like a loud ringtone you regret setting.
"Ugh….I'm still sleepy, stop being annoying," I mumbled without opening my eyes, swatting blindly in his direction.
"Yeah, yeah, keep dreaming. It's not like you have a super important job interview or anything today," he said, with the smugness of someone who knew exactly what button to push.
Wait… what?
I shot up like a vampire waking from a centuries-long nap.
"OH MY GOD. Today's the day! Crap! I totally forgot! What time is it?!"
"Eight. In the morning. Sharp," he said with an evil little grin. "Interview's at nine, right?"
I bolted from my bed so fast I almost left my soul behind. "Why didn't you wake me up earlier?! You are the worst brother in existence!"
"I tried," he said, crossing his arms. "But you were like, 'I'm still sleepy, don't bother me~'" he mocked me in a squeaky voice.
"Out! Get out of my room!" I screamed, hurling a sock at him as he cackled on his way out.
I slammed the door shut and speed-ran through my morning routine like a contestant in Survivor: Bathroom Edition. If I missed this interview, I was done for. Game over. No respawns.
Why was I up all night again?
Oh right. Reading that stupid addicting novel. Curse you, cliffhangers!
I skipped breakfast, clumsily shoved my feet into mismatched socks, and zoomed past the kitchen.
"Bye, Mom! Love you!" I yelled, planting a quick kiss on her cheek mid-run.
"You're not eating?" she asked, holding a spatula like a mic.
"She's gonna be late, good thing too," my brother said from behind her, still in maximum annoying mode.
"Tell Dad I left! Byeee!" I called out again.
"Good luck, sweetheart!" Mom's voice followed me as I flew out the door like the anime protagonist I always knew I was.
---
By some miracle, I made it on time.
Panting like a marathon runner at the finish line, I stood in awe before the place I hoped to work at—the Commonwealth of Lyndenhold Royal Palace.
Yes. That palace.
The Commonwealth of Lyndenhold Royal Palace rose before me, a breathtaking vision of white marble and gold accents that shimmered under the midday sun. Its sheer scale was overwhelming—ceilings so high they seemed to vanish into the heavens, the air thick with the hushed reverence of a sacred space. Sunlight streamed through tall, arched windows, illuminating dust motes dancing in the air like tiny, glittering stars. The polished marble floor, cool and smooth beneath my shoes, reflected the light in dazzling patterns. The scent was intoxicating—a blend of subtly sweet lavender, the crisp freshness of linen, and a faint undercurrent of something metallic and indefinably regal, like freshly minted coins mingling with the scent of aged, polished wood.
"Whoa," I whispered to myself, my voice echoing slightly off the gold-trimmed marble.
Am I dreaming? Is this a drama? Did I just become a side character in a royal rom-com?
The receptionist gave me a kind smile and led me into an elegant office where I was interviewed by one of the palace's HR staff. I sat stiff as a breadstick but answered all the questions the best I could, trying not to fangirl over the fact that I was in a real palace.
Then, like a K-drama twist…
"Do you have a lot of patience? This job really needs someone with a lot of patience. Are you that kind of person?"
I didn't even hesitate—I answered right away. That's how obsessed I was with getting the job.
I sat up straighter, My spine lengthening as if I were suddenly several inches taller. Meeting the interviewer's gaze directly, I answered,
"Yes, ma'am! I'm patient with everything. You could ask me to clean an entire palace or give me the toughest tasks imaginable,I'd still keep my cool." A small, confident smile played on my lips.
Then I thought, What the heck am I saying? Clean an entire palace? Really?
"Great! Congratulations. You've been accepted," the HR lady said calmly.
My brain short-circuited. "Wait… I got the job?!"
"Yes," she said, handing over a folder. "You'll be working directly under the royal family."
I almost fainted. "As in… the royal family?"
"You'll be the personal secretary to the Prince. He returns next month, so until then, consider yourself on standby. Be ready anytime, okay?"
I nodded so hard I think I almost dislocated my neck. "Yes, ma'am!"
"If you have any other questions, read the contract. Everything's in there."
"No questions! Thank you so much!" I stood, bowed like I was in a historical drama, and exited the office with the biggest grin plastered on my face.
I stepped outside the palace gates like a girl walking away from her destiny—with sparkles in my eyes and dramatic background music playing in my head.
I'm finally employed.
No longer the family freeloader. Mom, Dad, your baby girl is going places!
Suddenly, my phone rang. Of course—it was my eternal nuisance of a brother,Neven. Two years older, 100% more annoying.
"Hey, dust mite. Done with your interview? Should I pick you up or are you planning to move in with the royals?"
"I'm done. Come get me."
"Don't wander off! I don't want to play Where's Wally again."
"Yeah, yeah. Just hurry up."
Fifteen minutes later, his old hoodie and beat-up sneakers appeared by the palace gate, behind the wheel of Dad's car.
"About time," I said, hands on hips. "I've been aging out here."
"Excuse me, Your Royal Highness. I had to wrestle with traffic," he replied dramatically as I slid into the passenger seat.
"Tsk. Took you forever."
"So?" he asked as we drove off. "How was it?"
I didn't answer. Instead, I let my face fall, eyes glassy like a drama heroine about to cry. I bit my lip for effect.
"Wait. Did you not get it?" he panicked. "Hey, it's okay, Nixie. Their loss. They just passed on the smartest, most hard-working girl ever. Seriously, they're dumb—"
"HAHAHAHAHA!" I burst into laughter. "It's a prank, dumb-dumb. I got the job!"
He blinked at me, deadpan. "Is that supposed to be funny?"
"Come on, you almost cried. That was priceless!"
"You're so annoying."
"But you love me~"
"No, I don't."
"To celebrate, buy me bao buns!"
"I don't have money."
"It's just bao buns! Pretty pleaaase~?"
"Your face is a bao bun."
"Neveeeeen, pleaaaase!"
"You know, I was actually really worried you wouldn't get it. You've been glued to that stupid novel all week, I thought you'd forgotten the interview completely! I was ready to write your apology letter for you." He then adds with a smirk, "But hey, good job, dust mite. Don't screw it up."
He sighed in defeat and pulled over at my favorite bao bun shop. Ten minutes later, I had a warm paper bag in my hands and pure joy in my stomach.
"Mmmmmm. This is heavenly," I said, chewing like a happy hamster. "You're the best brother ever. So generous. So handsome. So charming—"
"You're just buttering me up, you parasite."
"Still love you," I grinned with puffed cheeks.
"So when do you start?"
"They said they'll call. The Prince isn't back yet."
"Ohhh. So no more freeloader status for you, huh?"
"Tsk. I was never a freeloader."
"Sure, sure. Princess of Sleepovers and Novels."
---
We got home, and Neven immediately collapsed on the couch like he had climbed Mount Everest.
"Wow. You drove for ten minutes. So exhausting," I said.
"Mentally. You're mentally exhausting."
Just then, Dad stepped out from his room.
"Oh! Sweetheart, how'd it go?"
I held up the contract like a golden ticket. "I got the job!"
"That's my girl! I knew it!" Dad beamed like I just won a medal.
"Where's Mom?"
"In the kitchen. Go tell her!"
I ran in and found her stirring a pot.
"Mom!"
"What happened? How'd it go?"
"I GOT IN!"
She squealed and hugged me tight, spoon still in hand. "I'm so proud of you, honey! Tonight, we celebrate! Fancy dinner it is!"
"Yes!!"
I marched upstairs, my bao buns in one hand and dreams in the other. I flopped onto my bed with a dramatic sigh.
My cheeks hurt from smiling, my heart was racing from excitement, and my mind was spinning with questions.
What's the Prince like? Is he old? Is he cold? Is he—please, God—handsome?!
All I know is, this my dream my dream job.
This is the start of something big.
Something dramatic.
Something royal.
BAM! BAM! BAM!
A pillow slammed right into my face like a soft, feathery explosion. I groaned and flopped deeper into my blanket burrito, determined to remain a part of my bed.
"Hey, you dust mite, it's already noon! Get up!" My brother's voice pierced the peaceful silence like a loud ringtone you regret setting.
"Ugh….I'm still sleepy, stop being annoying," I mumbled without opening my eyes, swatting blindly in his direction.
"Yeah, yeah, keep dreaming. It's not like you have a super important job interview or anything today," he said, with the smugness of someone who knew exactly what button to push.
Wait… what?
I shot up like a vampire waking from a centuries-long nap.
"OH MY GOD. Today's the day! Crap! I totally forgot! What time is it?!"
"Eight. In the morning. Sharp," he said with an evil little grin. "Interview's at nine, right?"
I bolted from my bed so fast I almost left my soul behind. "Why didn't you wake me up earlier?! You are the worst brother in existence!"
"I tried," he said, crossing his arms. "But you were like, 'I'm still sleepy, don't bother me~'" he mocked me in a squeaky voice.
"Out! Get out of my room!" I screamed, hurling a sock at him as he cackled on his way out.
I slammed the door shut and speed-ran through my morning routine like a contestant in Survivor: Bathroom Edition. If I missed this interview, I was done for. Game over. No respawns.
Why was I up all night again?
Oh right. Reading that stupid addicting novel. Curse you, cliffhangers!
I skipped breakfast, clumsily shoved my feet into mismatched socks, and zoomed past the kitchen.
"Bye, Mom! Love you!" I yelled, planting a quick kiss on her cheek mid-run.
"You're not eating?" she asked, holding a spatula like a mic.
"She's gonna be late, good thing too," my brother said from behind her, still in maximum annoying mode.
"Tell Dad I left! Byeee!" I called out again.
"Good luck, sweetheart!" Mom's voice followed me as I flew out the door like the anime protagonist I always knew I was.
---
By some miracle, I made it on time.
Panting like a marathon runner at the finish line, I stood in awe before the place I hoped to work at—the Commonwealth of Lyndenhold Royal Palace.
Yes. That palace.
It looked like it had jumped straight out of a K-drama. The sheer size alone screamed money. My eyes did a full 360 sweep. The ceilings were high enough to host a hot air balloon. The walls were so white, they glowed. Even the scent in the lobby smelled rich—like lavender mixed with royalty and freshly printed cash.
"Whoa," I whispered to myself, my voice echoing slightly off the gold-trimmed marble.
Am I dreaming? Is this a drama? Did I just become a side character in a royal rom-com?
The receptionist gave me a kind smile and led me into an elegant office where I was interviewed by one of the palace's HR staff. I sat stiff as a breadstick but answered all the questions the best I could, trying not to fangirl over the fact that I was in a real palace.
Then, like a K-drama twist…
"Do you have a lot of patience? This job really needs someone with a lot of patience. Are you that kind of person?"
I didn't even hesitate—I answered right away. That's how obsessed I was with getting the job.
I sat up straighter, My spine lengthening as if I were suddenly several inches taller. Meeting the interviewer's gaze directly, I answered,
"Yes, ma'am! I'm patient with everything. You could ask me to clean an entire palace or give me the toughest tasks imaginable,I'd still keep my cool." A small, confident smile played on my lips.
Then I thought, What the heck am I saying? Clean an entire palace? Really?
"Great! Congratulations. You've been accepted," the HR lady said calmly.
My brain short-circuited. "Wait… I got the job?!"
"Yes," she said, handing over a folder. "You'll be working directly under the royal family."
I almost fainted. "As in… the royal family?"
"You'll be the personal secretary to the Prince. He returns next month, so until then, consider yourself on standby. Be ready anytime, okay?"
I nodded so hard I think I almost dislocated my neck. "Yes, ma'am!"
"If you have any other questions, read the contract. Everything's in there."
"No questions! Thank you so much!" I stood, bowed like I was in a historical drama, and exited the office with the biggest grin plastered on my face.
I stepped outside the palace gates like a girl walking away from her destiny—with sparkles in my eyes and dramatic background music playing in my head.
I'm finally employed.
No longer the family freeloader. Mom, Dad, your baby girl is going places!
Suddenly, my phone rang. Of course—it was my eternal nuisance of a brother,Neven. Two years older, 100% more annoying.
"Hey, dust mite. Done with your interview? Should I pick you up or are you planning to move in with the royals?"
"I'm done. Come get me."
"Don't wander off! I don't want to play Where's Wally again."
"Yeah, yeah. Just hurry up."
Fifteen minutes later, his old hoodie and beat-up sneakers appeared by the palace gate, behind the wheel of Dad's car.
"About time," I said, hands on hips. "I've been aging out here."
"Excuse me, Your Royal Highness. I had to wrestle with traffic," he replied dramatically as I slid into the passenger seat.
"Tsk. Took you forever."
"So?" he asked as we drove off. "How was it?"
I didn't answer. Instead, I let my face fall, eyes glassy like a drama heroine about to cry. I bit my lip for effect.
"Wait. Did you not get it?" he panicked. "Hey, it's okay, Nixie. Their loss. They just passed on the smartest, most hard-working girl ever. Seriously, they're dumb—"
"HAHAHAHAHA!" I burst into laughter. "It's a prank, dumb-dumb. I got the job!"
He blinked at me, deadpan. "Is that supposed to be funny?"
"Come on, you almost cried. That was priceless!"
"You're so annoying."
"But you love me~"
"No, I don't."
"To celebrate, buy me bao buns!"
"I don't have money."
"It's just bao buns! Pretty pleaaase~?"
"Your face is a bao bun."
"Neveeeeen, pleaaaase!"
"You know, I was actually really worried you wouldn't get it. You've been glued to that stupid novel all week, I thought you'd forgotten the interview completely! I was ready to write your apology letter for you." He then adds with a smirk, "But hey, good job, dust mite. Don't screw it up."
He sighed in defeat and pulled over at my favorite bao bun shop. Ten minutes later, I had a warm paper bag in my hands and pure joy in my stomach.
"Mmmmmm. This is heavenly," I said, chewing like a happy hamster. "You're the best brother ever. So generous. So handsome. So charming—"
"You're just buttering me up, you parasite."
"Still love you," I grinned with puffed cheeks.
"So when do you start?"
"They said they'll call. The Prince isn't back yet."
"Ohhh. So no more freeloader status for you, huh?"
"Tsk. I was never a freeloader."
"Sure, sure. Princess of Sleepovers and Novels."
---
We got home, and Neven immediately collapsed on the couch like he had climbed Mount Everest.
"Wow. You drove for ten minutes. So exhausting," I said.
"Mentally. You're mentally exhausting."
Just then, Dad stepped out from his room.
"Oh! Sweetheart, how'd it go?"
I held up the contract like a golden ticket. "I got the job!"
"That's my girl! I knew it!" Dad beamed like I just won a medal.
"Where's Mom?"
"In the kitchen. Go tell her!"
I ran in and found her stirring a pot.
"Mom!"
"What happened? How'd it go?"
"I GOT IN!"
She squealed and hugged me tight, spoon still in hand. "I'm so proud of you, honey! Tonight, we celebrate! Fancy dinner it is!"
"Yes!!"
I marched upstairs, my bao buns in one hand and dreams in the other. I flopped onto my bed with a dramatic sigh.
My cheeks hurt from smiling, my heart was racing from excitement, and my mind was spinning with questions.
What's the Prince like? Is he old? Is he cold? Is he—please, God—handsome?!
All I know is, this my dream my dream job.
This is the start of something big.
Something dramatic.
Something royal.
Something probably filled with chaos.
And I was so ready for it.
is this good chapter is this catchy? isn't boring?
Something probably filled with chaos.
And I was so ready for it.