The first light of dawn painted the sky in soft hues of orange and pink as Mira stirred awake. The cool morning air seeped through the cracks in the wooden walls, carrying with it the faint scent of dew and wildflowers. She sat up slowly, her body still aching from the chores of the previous day. In the dim light of her small room, Mira’s plan began to unfold in her mind. Today would be the beginning of her escape.

Sliding off the bed, she wrapped herself in a shawl to fend off the chill. She moved carefully, mindful not to disturb the quiet of the house. From her room, she could hear the faint murmur of her grandmother’s breathing and the occasional creak of wood as Lior shifted in his sleep upstairs. Each of them had their own space in this modest home which is weird as her grandma lives alone but It gave her the freedom to think, but it also meant that any unusual behavior might be noticed more easily.

Mira stepped into the main room, the faint glow of embers in the fireplace casting long shadows on the walls. Her footsteps were light, her movements deliberate. If everything went according to plan, this would be the last time she saw this house. The thought tightened her chest, but she shook it off. There was no room for hesitation.

She began her morning tasks with meticulous care. First, she grabbed a broom and swept every corner of the room. Dust swirled in the pale light filtering through the windows as the rhythmic motion of the broom grounded her racing thoughts. The plan needed to be flawless—leaving no trace of where she had gone and no reason for them to come after her.

After finishing the sweeping, she fetched a bucket and stepped outside to draw water from the well. The morning air was crisp, biting against her skin as she lowered the bucket into the cool depths. Her fingers gripped the rope tightly, her thoughts churning. If I leave signs of a struggle, maybe even a hint of blood near the forest’s edge, it could look like an animal attack. But what if it’s not convincing enough? What if they search for me anyway?

Her heart thudded in her chest as she carried the water back inside. Setting the bucket down, she began wiping down every surface until the house gleamed. The repetitive motions calmed her, though her mind remained restless.

When the cleaning was done, she turned her attention to the kitchen. She prepared breakfast with precision, her hands moving instinctively. Eggs sizzled in a pan, the aroma filling the air as she sliced bread and stirred a pot of stew. Her focus, however, was elsewhere. If they believe I’m dead, they’ll grieve, but they’ll move on. That’s better than them risking their lives to find me.

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A sudden chime echoed in her mind, pulling her from her thoughts.

Cleaning has reached Level 20 (+1).

To tier up cleaning skill, complete the hidden quest.

Cooking has reached Level 6 (+2).

She blinked, startled by the notifications. A hidden quest? What could it mean? Shaking her head, she pushed the thought aside. This wasn’t the time to dwell on it.

Once breakfast was ready, she packed some food for Lior—a bundle of bread, dried meat, and a flask of water. She placed it neatly by the door, ensuring it would be easy for him to grab on his way out. The house was silent except for the crackle of the fire and the occasional rustle of wind against the windows.

The sound of footsteps broke the stillness, and Mira turned to see Lior descending the narrow staircase, his hair disheveled from sleep. A moment later, their grandmother emerged from her room, her shawl draped over her shoulders.

“Good morning,” Mira said, her voice steady despite the tension coiling in her chest. “Breakfast is ready. Please freshen up before you sit down.”

Her grandmother smiled warmly, her wrinkled face lighting up. “You’ve been up early again, haven’t you? You’re such a diligent girl.”

Mira returned the smile, though it didn’t reach her eyes. “Just wanted to make sure everything was ready for the day.”

As they ate, the atmosphere at the table was light. Lior devoured his food with enthusiasm, his usual carefree demeanor a stark contrast to the weight on Mira’s shoulders. Their grandmother sipped her tea, her eyes twinkling with quiet pride.

“I packed some food for your journey,” Mira told Lior as they finished eating. “It should keep you full until you get home.”

Lior grinned, his easy smile warming the room. “Thanks, Mira. You’re really getting the hang of all this. I am sure you will take care grandma .”

Their grandmother chuckled softly, patting Mira’s hand. “She’s a blessing, that’s for sure.”

Lior stood, slinging his pack over his shoulder. “Take care, okay? Don’t let Grandma work you too hard.”

Mira forced a laugh. “Safe travels. Watch out for wolves.”

He waved as he stepped out the door. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll be home before you know it!”

Mira watched him disappear down the dirt road, the weight of her plan pressing heavily on her chest. She turned back toward the house, ready to put the final pieces into place.

But before she could take a step, her grandmother’s voice stopped her cold.

“Mira,” she said, her tone calm but edged with something unsettling. “You don’t have the Lady of the Kitchen class, do you?”

Mira froze, her heart hammering. When she turned, her grandmother’s face was serene, but her eyes glinted with a sharpness that made Mira’s blood run cold.

“What... what do you mean?” Mira stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.

Her grandmother’s smile widened, soft yet chilling. “Oh, nothing, dear. Just a thought.”

Mira swallowed hard, her mind racing. She knows.

And for the first time, Mira realized that her grandmother might be hiding secrets of her own.