Treasure Hunt

As the morning sun poured into the room, Mabel's eyes fluttered open, greeted by the bright sunlight that ignited her excitement for the day ahead.

She pushed aside her pink pastel blanket and swung her legs over the side of the bed, her heart already brimming with anticipation.

Taking in her surroundings, Mabel spotted the maids bustling about, attending to the preparations for her day. A smile curved on her lips, embracing the warmth of this new beginning.

"Good morning, Princess Mabel. Ready for the adventures of the day?" Clara's cheerful voice rang out as she appeared before Mabel.

With a sleepy grin, Mabel replied, "Absolutely, Nanny! I can't wait to play with Daddy."

Clara's presence brought a sense of comfort, yet her words halted Mabel's excitement. "Hmm... It's a shame, Mabel. His Grace has already left the mansion for work. It's just you and me today," Clara said, her hand resting gently on Mabel's shoulder.

This time, Clara was determined to create a bond with Mabel, ensuring that she wouldn't slip away and that their time together would be filled with familiarity and joy.

Mabel's eyes widened, a tinge of disappointment settling in. "Really? But I really wanted to play with him," she expressed, her excitement momentarily deflated.

Mabel had been eager to share the joyful games she played with Mrs. Bunnies with Duke Caius, to make every moment together a cherished memory. However, in this vast manor, she found herself at a loss for what to do all alone.

Kneeling down, Clara met Mabel's dissatisfy gaze, her voice filled with hope, "Well, it's a wonderful opportunity for us to spend time together. How about we have our own adventure?"

Mabel's eyes held a flicker of uncertainty, the shadow of her past haunting her thoughts. The scars and punishments she had endured at the hands of her previous caretaker in the orphanage had etched deep wounds in her heart, leaving her cautious and fearful. The idea that Clara might inflict similar pain made her hesitate.

However, a glimmer of hope sparkled within her as she remembered Duke Caius's careful consideration. She believed that he wouldn't entrust her care to someone untrustworthy.

With a determined resolve, she acknowledged the need to overcome her hesitations and forge a closer connection with Clara.

"Alright then, let's play together, Nanny!" Mabel agreed, her voice a mixture of cautious optimism.

Clara's smile conveyed gratitude for Mabel's trust. She revealed a worn brown map she had retrieved from her pocket, laying it out before Mabel.

"Look, Mabel. This is a treasure map I found in the manor. How about we search for the hidden treasure?"

Excitement surged through Mabel, and she eagerly took the map from Clara's hands. "Really, Nanny? There's treasure here? Let's go find it!" she exclaimed, her hand instinctively reaching for Clara's as they left her room to embark on their adventure.

Amid the laughter of maids observing the scene, Clara found herself being tugged along by Mabel's enthusiasm. A chuckle escaped her lips, appreciating the spirited energy that Mabel exuded.

As the two moved through the corridors, Mabel's eagerness intensified, and her grip on Clara's hand remained firm.

But Clara managed to slow their pace, suggesting, "Let's get you ready first, my dear. Once we've had breakfast, we can embark on our treasure hunt."

Mabel's brows furrowed with a pout, her cheeks adorably rosy, "Fine, but you have to promise we'll search for the treasure right after!"

"Absolutely, Princess. It's a promise," Clara assured, patting Mabel's head affectionately.

Their journey led to Mabel's bath, where she luxuriated in the fragrant and warm water. The maids adorned her in a beautiful lilac dress, tending to every detail of her appearance.

After that, Mabel and Clara found themselves in the dining room for breakfast. Mabel's vigor was matched by her appetite, and she ate with a fervor that nearly led to her choking on her food.

"Careful, dear Mabel. Enjoy your breakfast, but don't rush," Clara advised gently, offering her a glass of water.

Between bites, Mabel's enthusiasm spilled out, "I'm sorry, Nanny. But I'm just so excited! I wonder what kind of treasure it could be? Maybe heaps of jewelry and gold!"

Clara chuckled, her gaze warm as she regarded Mabel's enthusiasm. "Treasure isn't always material, Mabel. There are treasures that hold no price tag."

Perplexed, Mabel chewed on her pancake, her curious eyes fixed on Clara. "What do you mean, Nanny? Aren't treasures always filled with gold?"

Clara's smile held a touch of wisdom, "You'll understand in time, my dear. For now, let's savor our breakfast."

Though Mabel's curiosity lingered, she knew Clara was right. With a renewed spirit, she consumed her meal, the thrill of the impending treasure hunt fueling her excitement. Today was indeed treasure hunt day, one that held promises beyond her imagination.

After their hearty breakfast, Clara and Mabel embarked on their grand adventure within the expansive manor.

The air seemed to crackle with the electricity of anticipation, and Mabel's small steps were infused with boundless excitement.

With her beloved Mrs. Bunnies cradled in her arms, Mabel turned to Clara, her voice filled with eagerness, "Where should we go, Nanny?" Her gaze was locked onto Clara, brimming with anticipation.

Clara, with a sense of playful mystery, contemplated their next move. She carefully unfurled the worn, brown map before them.

Crafted from supple leather, it exuded the faint, comforting scent of aged paper. Although it was, in reality, a map of Ashford Manor, Clara had ingeniously tailored it to captivate a child's imagination.

Peeking over Clara's shoulder, Mabel couldn't contain her curiosity, her eyes fixated on the mysterious map in Clara's hands.

Her heart raced with excitement, wondering what hidden treasures awaited them within the manor's intricate corridors.

"Alright, let's follow this path, Mabel," Clara declared with an affectionate smile, gently taking Mabel's small hand in hers.

Their eager footsteps came to a halt as they stood before the ornate door. Without waiting another moment, Mabel's curiosity got the best of her, and she boldly pushed the door open herself.

It revealed a room adorned with pastel-white walls and intricate details that spoke of grandeur.

Inside, the diligent maids and Charles, the butler, bustled about their tasks, ensuring that the room remained pristine despite its rare use for guests.

This was the drawing room, where visitors were entertained, and the center of attention was a magnificent white grand piano that dominated the room's heart.

Mabel's eyes grew wide with wonder as she entered, her gaze fixated on the grand piano. Without hesitation, she dashed towards it, barely avoiding a collision with one of the maids who was carrying a delicate vase.

"Nanny, look! This must be the place from the map! The drawing resembled a piano!" Mabel exclaimed with infectious excitement, her small fingers dancing upon the piano keys, creating a tinkling melody.

Clara's voice rang out, tinged with concern, as she quickly approached Mabel. "Dear, you mustn't run like that; it can be dangerous."

Mabel's enthusiasm was palpable as she replied, "I'm sorry, Nanny. I just couldn't contain my excitement about the treasure."

The maid, still a little startled, offered a kind smile, "It's alright, Princess. Just be more careful next time." She then reached into her pocket, producing a handful of candy that she offered to Mabel.

"Is this for me? Thank you!" Mabel exclaimed, hugging the maid with gratitude.

Observing the sweet interaction, the other maids couldn't resist, and they too produced candies and chocolates from their pockets, showering Mabel with sweets. Her eyes sparkled with joy as she held the growing collection in her hands.

"All of this for me?" Mabel asked in amazement, holding a bounty of candy and chocolate.

With a twinkle in their eyes, the maids were quick to offer hugs and pats on Mabel's head, enveloping her in a warm embrace.

"Nanny, is this the treasure you were talking about? They're amazing!" Mabel beamed, looking towards Clara.

Clara couldn't help but chuckle at the unexpected turn of events. It wasn't the treasure she had initially planned to unveil, but seeing Mabel's joy made it all worth it.

"Yes, Mabel, but don't eat everything at once, alright?" Clara cautioned playfully.

Suddenly, Charles, the butler, approached Mabel, his smile as warm as the sun. He handed her a chocolate in the shape of a rabbit, resembling her cherished Mrs. Bunnies.

"Take this, Princess, for you and your companion," Charles said, his eyes sparkling with affection.

Mabel's face lit up with delight as she examined the chocolate. "Ohhh! It's big, and it looks like Mrs. Bunnies! Thank you, Grandpa!" Mabel exclaimed.

The endearment 'Grandpa' touched Charles deeply, causing a glimmer of tears in his eyes. He knelt and embraced Mabel warmly, his voice trembling with emotion, "Everything is for you, Princess."

Mabel's excitement bubbled over as she examined her newfound candy treasure trove. "Hehe... So many candies! I can save this for weeks!"

However, her sugar-filled reverie was interrupted by Clara's beckoning. "Mabel, come here," Clara called, her hand gesturing for Mabel to join her.

Clara had taken a seat in front of the grand piano, a magnificent instrument with ivory-white keys that gleamed in the soft light of the room. Mabel quickly made her way to Clara's side, her eyes alight with curiosity.

As Clara unfolded the brown map on the piano's music desk, Mabel's gaze fixed on the numbers inscribed on the map.

Clara explained, "Look at these numbers, Mabel. They're musical notes. We have to play them to discover the next clue."

Mabel's enthusiasm dimmed slightly as she confessed, "But I can't play the piano. This is the first time I've seen such a big one!"

Clara reassured her, "That's perfectly fine, Mabel. Just follow my lead."

With gentle guidance, Clara began to play the melody, and Mabel watched with rapt attention. Their joint effort resulted in a somewhat chaotic but undeniably fun performance.

Then, on the map, a new location emerged, accompanied by a cryptic sentence: "Knowledge is the best treasure." Mabel stared at the map in wide-eyed wonder, the change in the map's message sparking her curiosity. It felt like magic.

"Look at that, Nanny! There's something written on the map! It looks so cool. I wonder what it means," Mabel mused, her brow furrowed in seriousness.

Clara encouraged her critical thinking, asking, "What do you think, Mabel? Where could we find a place filled with knowledge?"

Mabel slipped into deep contemplation, her expression growing increasingly serious. She was in her "thinking mode," which earned chuckles from both Clara and the maids who were discreetly observing the pair.

"Oh, I know!" Mabel exclaimed suddenly, her enthusiasm rekindled. "Follow me, Nanny!" She dashed toward the nearest door and into the hallway, her little legs moving swiftly.

"Wait, Mabel! Don't run," Clara called out, hurrying to catch up with her.

But then, something caught Mabel's attention. She came to an abrupt stop in front of a giant painting. The artwork portrayed a woman with flowing blonde hair and mesmerizing purple eyes. The woman in the painting exuded beauty, her smile radiant and her attire elegant.

"Nanny, who is this?" Mabel inquired, her curiosity piqued.