3 Young Master Xiaoyuer

I kowtowed once more before standing up, then turned to look at the prince, and introduced myself.

"Nice to meet you, young master. I am your personal servant, Mei Ruby." I said while bowing to him.

"Hello, it's a pleasure to meet you." he said while avoiding eye contact.

I did not expect that response, was he too shy to look me in the face, or does he really not like me. I looked up to find him blushing, but I couldn't see his full face because of the fan. What the heck, that's weird. He looked at me and this time our eyes locked. He looked surprised to see that I had ears sticking out above my head. I awkwardly looked away; I forgot I had ears up there. Anyways, I hope we can get along, because I have to talk to him because it is my job now, so I technically don't have a choice, as long as I can survive. I was escorted back to my room, which turned out to be really close to the prince's room and was told to stay there until I am needed.

"I'm finally back to my comfortable room." I said to myself while plopping onto the bed.

"I haven't eaten anything for the past two days...I wish I could have eaten before leaving the home." I said to myself as my stomach began to growl.

Then suddenly, I heard a yell coming from my master's bedroom, I swear I heard him call my full name for help. What could have happened? My heart is racing, I hope he is alright. I ran as fast as I could.

"Young Master! Is everything alright?!" I said while trying to catch my breath.

"Help me, please!" he said while pointing to the floor.

"A poisonous snake?! How in the world did it get in here?" I said while carefully trying to capture it with a basket I seen on the doorstep.

"I got it! Young Master are you hurt?" I said very concerned.

"I-I don't think s-" he said as he collapsed to the floor.

"Master! Wake Up!" I yelled while shaking him.

It was no use, he was not dead but he must have gotten bitten by the poisonous snake. Luckily, I knew what I had to do to help him. I need some herbs to apply to the wound.

"Lady Mira!" I called to the escort from before.

"Yes, Lady Ruby?" She said after coming quite quickly.

"I need Acorus calamus, Buchanania lanzan, Moringa oleifera, Achyranthes aspera, Gynandropsis gynandra, and Bombax ceiba (Medicinal Herbs). The young master has been bitten by a poisonous snake, you must hurry!" I said while looking a the young master's pale face. I used my claw to make a small cut on the wound, than I began sucking out the poison, then spitting it out, making sure that I don't consume any either. His face began to regain color, but he started to sweat. He must have a fever.

"Lady Ruby, these are the herbs you asked for, and I brought a bucket of water just in case." She said.

"Thank you, I will surely repay you when I have the chance." I said politely.

I started to grind the herbs and added water to make the medicine stronger. I applied a layer of the mixed herbs onto his wound, and began dealing with his fever. I took the towel and quickly dipped it into the bucket of water. I squeezed it out and folded the towel. Then, I placed the folded towel on his forehead. I hope this will help him get better. I carried him, he appeared to be really light, and tucked him into his bed. His fever is going down a bit, he just needs some rest. I should go prepare a meal for him, I hope this doesn't get to the Empress, who knows what she'll do to me. I soaked the towel one more time and placed it back onto his forehead before going to prepare a meal. I hurried to the kitchen, and began making one of my favorite meals, Ribs and Lotus Soup. Soup would be the best thing to give him, because it is easier to eat, and it will help regulate his body temperature.

"Lady Mira, tomorrow is Friday, and I want to thank you for helping me, I will treat you to dinner tomorrow when we are allowed some free time." I said happily.

"Okay, thank you Lady Ruby." She said while helping me cook.

I began boiling the broth for the soup, and added some lotus too. The I added varieties of seasoning and herbs to the broth and mixed them. Finally I cooked the rib and cut them into small pieces, and began mixing them into the broth. I let the broth sit for about 5-10 minutes to steep, then I was finally done.

"I'll get going now lady Mira, you can start cleaning without me, I will be back a bit later." I said while holding the soup container in my hands.

"Alright, see you then." She replied.

I hurried to the young masters room and sat on the bedside. I took off the towel and felt his forehead and his fever had gone down, he may still be weak afterwards, but he should be fine in about a day or two. I turned to scoop some of the soup into a bowl, then suddenly felt a light touch on my back.

"M-mei Ruby, what happened to me?" the young master said while sitting up.

"You were bitten by a poisonous snake, then fainted, and I have been taking care of you since then." I said politely.

"Oh, well thank you for saving my life..." He said with a nervous look.

"Master, please feel free to just call me Ruby. Also, you don't have to be so distant, you can tell me anything whenever you feel like it."

"Okay, Ruby."

"Young Master, I brought you some lotus rib soup too.

I just had the feeling that I should tell him that, because when I first saw him... he looked a bit sad. Something must have happened, and he probably just needed someone to talk to. Yes, this may sound weird on how I am trying to make friends after what they did to me and the pack, but... I would rather have someone to trust and become friends with, than to be alone and fending for myself. I want to gain companions just in case I may need them in the future.

"Xiaoyuer." He said calmly.

"Huh?" I said confused.

"Xiao Xiaoyuer is my name." He said with a smile.

"Okay, Master Xiaoyuer." I said with a warm smile.

It was on that day, that I knew I would have a great future here, I am happy to have become friends with the young master. I just hope the future won't be so hard on me.