The Princess and the Pauper (Arabella and Romeo) novel Chapter 1369

The sky was a blanket of dull gray, the night's curtain not yet fully lifted, when she couldn't help but ask the housekeeper, "What time does Uncle Bard usually wake up?"

"Well, usually about half an hour from now, but ever since his wife came back, Mr. Bard has been rising late with her. To be honest, we servants can't say for certain."

Serena couldn't help but inquire further, "And what about Grandpa?"

"Mr. Darren woke up just last night. He's usually in a comatose state, so his routine is unpredictable."

Serena could only put down her fork, "Then I'll go for a morning run, and we can all have breakfast together when they wake up."

At minus three degrees, even clad in thick clothing, the bone-chilling wind made Serena shiver uncontrollably.

But she jogged on determinedly, thinking to herself, what if Uncle or Grandpa woke to find her running before dawn, impressed by her self-discipline and drive?

So, braving the cold, she ran around the garden for 40 minutes, and with still no one awake, she couldn't bear it any longer and hurried back inside.

Half an hour later, Bard was the first to come downstairs. Spotting Serena at the breakfast table, cradling a bowl in her hands, he couldn't resist asking, "Serena, why so early? And your face is so red. Is it from the cold?"

"I ran outside for an hour. It started snowing, so I stopped. Good morning, Uncle Bard." Serena spoke, her breath visible in the air.

Bard hadn't expected her to change, to take up early morning runs.

"That's a good habit, but on bad weather days, you might consider an indoor workout. Your aunt does just that with her morning yoga."

Serena thought, had she known, she would have grabbed a yoga mat and practiced in a conspicuous spot indoors, enjoying the warmth and avoiding the strenuous run while still catching people's attention.

Bard joined her at the table, sharing breakfast. "By the way, Serena, you mentioned on the phone that you have a boyfriend. How long has that been going on?"

"It started after my sister came home." Serena deliberately cast her eyes down, then mustered a smile. "It's been about half a year. He pursued me for six years, from junior high through to senior year. After the college entrance exams last summer, I gave it a shot."