Alice woke up later than usual, but she didn’t realize it right away. She stretched lazily under the warm covers, blinking against the soft sunlight filtering through the window. It felt like any other morning to her, so she yawned, pushed herself out of bed, and slowly made her way downstairs, still half asleep.

In the kitchen, the comforting smell of freshly baked bread filled the air. Sara, her mother, was busy at the stove, humming a quiet tune while stirring something in a pot. Alice rubbed her eyes and walked in, smiling sleepily.

“Good morning, Mom,” Alice mumbled, her voice still thick with sleep.

Sara turned, her eyes twinkling with amusement. She chuckled softly. “Morning? Oh, my dear, it’s almost noon!”

Alice blinked, her mind still foggy. “Uh huh,” she muttered, not really processing her mother’s words as she sat down at the kitchen table.

A few moments passed, and then suddenly, Alice’s eyes flew open wide in shock. She jumped up, nearly knocking her chair over. “Wait, what? Almost noon?” Her voice was high with disbelief. “How? Why didn’t you wake me up?”

Sara laughed again, this time a little louder. “I thought about it, but you were sleeping so nicely that I just couldn’t bring myself to do it. Is there a problem?”

“Yes, there’s a problem!” Alice said, her words tumbling out in a rush as she paced around the kitchen. “I had a meeting with John planned! He wanted to show me his sword practice before anyone else got to see it!”

Sara waved a hand, trying to calm her daughter. “Oh, don’t worry, dear. John came by earlier this morning and said he’d be busy today.”

Alice stopped mid step, frowning. “Busy? When did he say that?”

“This morning, right before your father went out for his hunt. John showed up and asked if he could go with him. They left together.”

Alice’s frown deepened, a mixture of confusion and frustration crossing her face. “But why would he go hunting today of all days?”

Sara turned back to the stove. “I’m guessing it’s because he heard that Kevin the merchant is coming today. He probably wants to sell some things in the village and make some money to buy something.”

Alice huffed, crossing her arms. Sara noticed and continued, “The other kids must be busy too. I didn’t hear them playing this morning.”

Sara shrugged, a soft smile still playing on her lips. “So, what will you do now? Help your mother with some chores?”

Alice shook her head quickly, already heading for the door. “I’ll probably just go back to bed and wait for Dad to come home so we can go see Kevin the merchant together.”

But before she could escape, Sara turned around, holding a basket filled with fresh berries and warm baked goods. “Not so fast, young lady.” She placed the basket in Alice’s hands and smiled sweetly. “I need you to take this over to John’s grandmother, Mary.”

Alice groaned, glancing longingly at the stairs leading back to her bedroom. “But, Mom...”

“No buts,” Sara said, her voice firm but kind. She gently pushed Alice toward the door. “It’s a beautiful day. You’ve already had a long rest. Now go and help your mother.”

Grumbling under her breath, Alice took the basket and stepped outside into the warm midday sun. She sighed, feeling the cool breeze on her face. “I guess it’s not such a bad day to be outside after all,” she muttered, starting down the path toward Mary’s house.

While walking through the village, Alice glanced around, noticing a few of her friends busy helping their parents. She spotted Elena just outside her house, holding a basket in her hands. Alice paused and approached her.

“Hi, Elena!” Alice greeted her cheerfully. “What are you doing?”

Elena gave a small sigh, her expression a bit downcast. “Hey, Alice. I’ve got to go to Lucas’s house to pick something up for my mom.”

Alice tilted her head. “Oh, that doesn’t sound too fun. I’m on my way to John’s house. Mom told me to bring this basket of berries and baked goods to his grandma.”

Just as they were about to continue their conversation, Elena’s mother called from inside the house. “Elena, stop dawdling! You still need to help me when you’re back!”

Elena rolled her eyes playfully and sighed again. “Guess I better get going.”

“Yeah, I should go too. See you later!” Alice waved as Elena hurried off, both girls parting ways to finish their errands.

After a short walk, Alice arrived at John’s house. She knocked on the door and called out, “Miss Mary, it’s Alice!”

A few moments later, the door creaked open, and Mary, a warm, gentle woman with soft gray hair and a welcoming smile, appeared. “Well, hello there, Alice! What brings you here, dear?”

Alice held out the basket. “My mom wanted me to bring you some fresh berries and baked goods. She thought you might like them.”

Mary’s eyes lit up as she accepted the basket. “Oh, that’s so kind of your mother. Tell her I said thank you, will you?”

Alice nodded, turning to leave, but Mary stopped her. “Why don’t you come inside for some tea and a snack? It would be nice to share these delicious treats.”

Alice hesitated for only a moment before smiling. “Sure, I’d love to!”

Once inside, they sat at the small wooden table, nibbling on the baked goods Alice’s mother had made and sipping on warm tea. The kitchen was cozy, filled with the smell of fresh herbs and the comforting crackle of the fire in the hearth.

“So, Alice,” Mary began, her voice curious, “what do you want to be when you grow up?”

Alice beamed. “I want to be a princess, just like the ones in my storybooks!” she declared proudly.

Mary chuckled softly. “That’s wonderful. Dreams are important.” She took a sip of tea before continuing. “John has his own dream, too. He’s set on becoming a knight, you know.”

At that, Alice’s eyes grew wide. She could easily imagine John as a knight, but hearing Mary talk about it made the idea feel even more real.

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Mary smiled as she noticed Alice’s excitement. “Yes, he works so hard every day, practicing his sword fighting and doing exercises. He wakes up earlier than anyone in the village to train.”

Alice blinked in surprise. She had no idea that John did so much every day.

“And not just that,” Mary continued, “after his training, he helps me around the house. He even helps out other villagers when they need it. And let me tell you, he doesn’t neglect his studies either. John knows that you can’t become a knight if you can’t read or write.”

Alice felt a little embarrassed, thinking about how she spent her days. Sleeping in, playing with her friends, reading books... She enjoyed it all, but compared to John’s dedication, it seemed so simple.

Noticing the change in Alice’s mood, Mary reached over and gently patted her hand. “Don’t be sad, Alice. You’re still young, and you have your whole life ahead of you. If you want something, and you’re willing to work for it, there’s nothing you can’t achieve.”

Alice looked up, a small smile forming on her lips. “You really think so?”

“I know so,” Mary said warmly. “Everyone starts somewhere. And if you dream of being a princess, who’s to say you can’t be?”

The two continued chatting for a while longer, sharing stories and laughter. Eventually, Alice finished her tea and stood up to leave. “Thank you for the tea, Miss Mary. I’ll tell my mom you said thank you.”

Mary smiled, walking Alice to the door. “You’re welcome, dear. And remember, keep dreaming, but don’t be afraid to work for what you want.”

“I won’t forget,” Alice said with a bright smile before waving goodbye.

As she made her way back home, Alice’s mind was full of thoughts. John was already working so hard to achieve his dream of becoming a knight. Maybe it was time for her to start thinking about what she really wanted and how she could make it happen.

After geting home Alice looked at the time it was some time past noon. Her mother asked her if she delivered the basket to Mary. Alice said yes and also said that Mary said thank you for it.

After returning from her visit to Miss Mary’s house, Alice found her mother still bustling around the kitchen. Sara turned to her and said, “Now, Alice, don’t go wandering off anywhere. Your father will be home soon, and you’ll be heading out together to see Kevin the merchant.”

Alice’s eyes lit up with excitement. She plopped down on the nearest chair, her legs swinging back and forth as she eagerly waited for her father to return. The thought of visiting Kevin the merchant filled her with anticipation. He always brought interesting things—tools, trinkets, and sometimes even rare and strange items from distant places. Alice couldn’t wait to see what he had this time.

After what felt like an eternity, the front door creaked open, and in walked her father, Duncan. He was carrying two large bird like creatures by their legs, each resembling a cross between a chicken and a turkey. They were called Tickeys, a species native to their region, known for their plump bodies and delicious meat. Compared to normal chickens and turkeys, these birds were a bit larger, making them a prize catch.

Sara smiled at Duncan’s success. “Well done on the hunt, Duncan! Those will make for a good feast.”

Duncan shook his head modestly. “It wasn’t all me. It was thanks to John. He remembered a trick he’d read in a book about how to catch these sneaky birds. If not for him, I’d have been chasing them through the woods for hours.”

Alice’s ears perked up at the mention of John. “Where’s John now?”

Duncan set the Tickeys down on the kitchen table and wiped his hands before answering. “John headed to Thomas’s house. These birds were actually for him—Thomas paid John to catch them. John’s been running all over today, delivering things and helping people in the village. He’s a hard worker, that boy.”

Alice felt a sense of pride welling up in her chest at how dependable John was becoming, though it also made her reflect on her own daydreaming ways. Still, she pushed those thoughts aside for now. Her mind quickly shifted back to the excitement of seeing the merchant.

“Ready to go, Alice?” Duncan asked, picking her up effortlessly and settling her on his hip. “I think I heard Kevin’s wagon rolling into the village just as I was coming home.”

Alice’s face lit up, her excitement bubbling over. “Yes! Let’s go!”

Duncan chuckled, seeing the spark in her eyes. “Alright then, off we go!”

As they stepped outside, the warm afternoon sun bathed the village in a golden glow. Duncan and Alice could already see Kevin’s merchant cart, surrounded by a crowd of eager villagers. The air was filled with the sounds of excited chatter as people marveled at the variety of goods on display.

Duncan smiled at Alice as they made their way through the crowd. “Go ahead, Alice,” he said, giving her a playful nudge. “Pick anything you like. Consider it an early birthday present.”

Alice’s eyes widened with delight. She began scanning the items Kevin had brought with him: kitchen tools, gardening equipment, rare spices, and ingredients from distant lands. There were also strange magical trinkets, mysterious instruments, and colorful elixirs that seemed to shimmer in the sunlight.

Alice’s heart raced as her gaze darted from one fascinating item to another, unsure of what to choose. Then, her eyes landed on something that made her stop in her tracks a tiara. It wasn’t a real one, probably just a simple toy, but it sparkled just like the ones worn by the princesses in her favorite books. She knew it wasn’t made of gold or jewels, but in her imagination, it was perfect.

Excitedly, Alice spun around to tell her father that she had found the perfect gift. But in her haste, she accidentally ran into someone, sending her stumbling to the ground.

“Are you alright?” came a familiar voice from above.

Alice looked up, embarrassed, as she quickly tried to get up. She saw a hand extended toward her and gratefully took it. As she stood, she realized it was John she had bumped into. Her face flushed bright red as she found herself holding his hand. She quickly pulled away, her heart racing for an entirely different reason now.

“I'm so sorry!” she stammered, trying to hide her embarrassment. “I wasn't watching where I was going.”

John smiled, brushing it off. “No, it’s my fault. I should’ve been paying more attention.”

Alice, desperate to change the topic, asked, “What are you buying from Kevin?”

John gestured toward the cart. “I’m picking up some medicine for my grandmother, just in case she needs it in the future. And,” he added, his voice filled with excitement, “I saved up for a real metal sword. I want to practice with something heavier than wood and get used to its weight.”

Alice listened, impressed as always by John’s dedication to becoming a knight. When John asked her what she was going to get, she glanced over at the tiara she had been so excited about just moments earlier. But now, after hearing John’s plans, the idea of getting a toy seemed less appealing. She hesitated, then said, “I haven’t decided yet.”

John nodded. “Well, I’ve still got a few more things to take care of today, so I should get going.”

“Okay,” Alice replied, watching as John disappeared into the crowd, his usual determination clear in every step.

Once John was gone, Alice stood there for a few moments, lost in thought. She looked back at the tiara, but it didn’t feel right anymore. Something had shifted. She wasn’t the same little girl who just wanted to pretend to be a princess she wanted to do more, to become someone important, just like the characters in her books. But not by wearing tiaras by working hard, like John.

Determined, Alice continued her search for a gift, her eyes now scanning the many books displayed in Kevin's cart. There were books on all kinds of topics some about history, others about science, and a few that looked like they were filled with complex maps and diagrams. In the past, she would have picked a storybook about princesses and knights without hesitation. But now, she wanted something that could teach her more, something that could help her become the person she dreamed of being.

The only problem was, many of the titles and words on the spines were unfamiliar to her. Alice furrowed her brow, feeling a bit lost. Finally, she gave up and went to her father.

“Dad,” she said, tugging on Duncan’s sleeve. “I need your help.”

Duncan raised an eyebrow, surprised. “With what?”

Alice explained that she wanted books that would help her study, books that would teach her important things about the world. Duncan looked down at his daughter, impressed by her seriousness. Without hesitation, he started helping her pick out a collection of books some about history, others about leadership, and even a few on subjects like etiquette and strategy.

Together, they selected several books. “These will help you study,” Duncan said, smiling warmly. “And I’m proud of you for choosing them.”

Alice beamed, her heart swelling with pride. After they finished picking out the books, Duncan also bought a few other things for their home before they started making their way back. As they walked, Alice held her books tightly in her arms, already imagining herself reading through them, learning, and growing stronger, just like the characters in her stories.

She glanced at her father, who seemed pleased with her choice. And though she didn’t get the tiara she had first set her heart on, Alice felt that this birthday present was far better because it was the start of her own journey to becoming more than just a princess in her imagination.