Journey.

The candles were gradually burning out and the wax spilled along the sides of the candle stand. A short shadow emerged and hurried into a dimly lit hallway. Each moment, the short lady would pause and glance behind her, her fingers tightened around her skirt as she raised it to help herself move faster. The pale orange ribbon tied around her waist danced behind her like a tail. She finally stopped when she reached a door, she inhaled deeply and knocked on the door gently.

"Eve, are you in here?" The short fresh-faced brunette lady voiced in a gentle whisper as she leaned against the wooden door. Her eagle green eyes scanned the dark hallway and stood slightly tiptoe to see further into the corridor. Seeing that no one was coming, she hurriedly pushed the door open and frantically searched around the room until her eyes fell on a red-headed figure sitting quietly in one corner.

"Oh, dear Eve, here you are!" she expressed and moved closer. Eve, the lady sitting on the ragged mattress raised her head, she had a piece of meat bun sticking out halfway through her mouth, the corner of her lips raised to forge of small smile and she arched a questioning brow.

"Eve, what are you still doing not getting dressed? Eating? Goodness, we had dinner a few seconds ago, how do you still have space in your stomach for side dishes?" The brunette exclaimed letting out a small exaggerated gasp.

Eve quickly swallowed the food and found a napkin to wipe her fingers. Then, she turned fully and stared at the brunette with a serious expression. "Maddy, you won't understand, the caretakers only served me half portion of food today. I became hungry easily but thankfully, I saved the two pieces of silver coins I got from Lady Briggs the last time we cleaned her house. I only bought a few buns to replace my dinner. I swear to the goddess, I did not eat much"

"Eve, you said this the last time and how many extra buns did you eat? Ten!" Maddy uttered in exasperation. Her eyes caught the sight of the messy crumbs sticking around Eve's lips and she shook her head. She found an embroidered handkerchief in her pocket and gave it to Eve.

"Here, clean your face. If Madame Gertrude Brank finds us here and undressed, she will have us wash the walls and clean the toilets for the mansions again! You know how cruel that is!" Maddy grumbled.

Eve stood up and lifted her skirt with a sharp grunt. She could not conceal the scowl on her face from the discomfort of wearing such heavy clothes. As much as she hated the skirts, it was mandatory for a female slave to always wear the tight heavy skirts that were packed with metal hoop crinoline to restrict their movements in case they plan to run. The skirts were always joined with metal hosiery strapped to both thighs and if one ran faster, it clipped their legs and engraved deep injuries.

"There, there... you have such a temper, Eve, one that must be tamed else you might not find a noble to wed you" Maddy uttered, and her green eyes filled with concern. She raised her hand and helped Eve to stand properly.

Eve was a head taller and was also prettier, her red hair cascaded fully down to her waistline whenever she let it loose and even when it was pulled up in a messy bun, it enhanced her pointy face. When she smiled, it feels like the feathery touch of an angel.

She brushed her fingers against Maddy's shoulder and chuckled, "who wants to get married? Can it feed me?" she playfully whispered to Maddy.

"Eve! A lady should set her mind on becoming a man's wife!" Maddy voiced in exasperation.

"Okay, okay..." Eve rolled her eyes, she was not interested in arguing with the brunette. Eve walked two steps and then stopped, she tilted her body with difficulty and parted her thin lips.

"Say, Maddy, why have you come?" She asked crossing her arms on her chest.

"Dear me! I totally forgot!" Maddy dramatically tugged her skirt. "Do you remember the ball invite?

"What ball invite?" Eve raised her brows and acted ignorant while her eyes spoke differently. Of course, she remembered which ball Maddy was speaking about.

"Ah silly, how could you forget such a thing! Madame Gertrude had announced about the ball three days ago and even the caretaker whispered it to us this morning. This time, the invite came from the magnificent palace, it is King Ezriel's birthday and all maidens of eighteen years and above in the kingdom were invited to this ball excluding no one!"

"Oh, you don't say!" Eve stylishly covered her lips with her palm and breath a tiny gasp as though she was surprised but Maddy knew better that the little demon was only mocking her piece of news.

"Goodness Eve, I see the lack of enthusiasm in your eyes" Maddy expressed and sighed.

A broad grin spread on Eve's face and she brushed a few troublesome strands of hair behind her ear then she bent to Maddy's height and whispered, "oh, very well then" she straightened her back and shrugged nonchalantly.

Maddy's face wrinkled with worry for her friend, no one knew better than her that Eve only had an angelic face as a facade but the true her was an aggressive trouble-making glutton. She was nonchalant and a bandit who was not interested in anything but only did anything and everything for food.

"Eve, there is no escape this time, a decree came from the palace that listed the names of every lady who is of age in the kingdom. This is a secret one, but everyone keeps saying the king might also pick a wife this time. I can tell that you don't care but Aaron would also attend the ball, don't you wish to see him?" Maddy calmly breathed out, she turned her head inside out to find the right excuse to make Eve go with her to the ball.

A certain emotion flickered across Eve's eyes when she heard the name 'Aaron'. She seemed to waver for a split second. Without confirming her stand, she turned her head away and chewed on her lower lip.

Maddy pursed her lips, smiled, and decided to use her final resort. "Say, I heard there will be plenty of food at the ball and it is FREE for everyone who attends the ball" Maddy voiced. She intentionally drawled out the word 'free' to entice her stingy friend.

Hearing the two words, free and food, Eve's eyes brightened, she turned around fiercely and grabbed Maddy's hand.

"Dear me, do I dare miss the palace ball? If I remember correctly, Madame Gertrude promised to lend us dresses for the ball, right?" Eve uttered eagerly.

Maddy laughed and nodded. Although the Madame was unhappy that slaves like them could be invited to a ball, she still provided dresses for them.

Maddy drew her to a corner, she quickly picked a dress that she specially kept and helped Eve get into the dress. After much difficulty, she successfully got into the dress and as much as she wished to complain, she swallowed when she remembered the opportunity that came with the trouble.

Maddy also changed quickly, the two girls hurriedly left the room before an angry Madame Gertrude came to find them. They gathered with the other girls and left for the Palace in the old rickety carriage that the Madame managed to rent for the journey.

Eve leaned her head against the carriage wall, about twelve girls were forced into the tiny carriage causing it to be so right and almost difficult to also breathe in the lousy corset. She gritted her teeth and also endured the pain in her lower body.

This was going to be a long journey, she thought and closed her eyes. Each time her body jerked from the bumpy road, she cursed the person she hated the most...