37 Interlude: Anna Walsh

My name is Anna Walsh, and at just 12 years old, I find myself working as a maid in the prestigious Marquis estate. About a month ago, there was a sudden mass layoff of servants. I'm not entirely sure why, as it doesn't seem to be due to any financial crisis, considering they immediately started hiring a new set of servants.

I decided to take a chance and submitted my application, despite my young age. Desperation pushed me to seek employment, as I urgently need money to support my mother and sister. My mother is ill, and we desperately need funds to hire a skilled healer for her. We have tried that our local physicians could do nothing to her illness. I fear we don't have much time left.

Thankfully, I was accepted as a lower servant responsible for laundry and cleaning tasks. The work is demanding, and the pay isn't great, but it's the only job I could find to help my family in this difficult situation.

Our small family lives in a humble town far away from the mansion. The distance can be isolating, and I yearn to visit my mother. I wish my father was still alive and we don't have to endure this hardship anymore.

Over the course of the past month, Miss Lily, the senior maid who managed to keep her position after the layoff, has taken me under her wing. She patiently trains and guides me through various tasks. Most of my work involves the less glamorous chores behind the mansion. As I go about my duties, I often overhear rumors about someone named Seraphine, the young master's advisor. The talk surrounding her is filled with awe and intrigue, leaving me curious to know more about this enigmatic figure.

Today is like any other day at the Marquis estate. I'm tasked with cleaning the windows as usual, and honestly, I'm exhausted. The days are long, and I'm constantly tired from overworking and lack of sleep. But I must endure it all for the sake of my family, especially for my mother.

As I stand on a chair to clean one of the tall windows, I can't help but let my mind wander. I've been hearing various rumors about Seraphine, the young master's advisor. Some say she's a manipulator who controls him, while others claim she earned her position through the young master's favoritism. Her background seems shrouded in mystery, with rumors ranging from her being from a noble family to once being a slave. I can't distinguish the truth from the falsehoods.

Lost in my thoughts, I suddenly catch sight of a figure gracefully walking down the hallway towards me. It's her, Seraphine. She wears a uniform that's more detailed and elegant than any other maid's attire. It's similar to what the young master's personal butler would wear. She exudes an air of calmness, and her features are strikingly pretty with her vivid brown eyes and hair.

But my distraction leads to a clumsy misstep, and I end up falling off the chair.

Ouch!

My butt aches from the impact, and to make matters worse, Seraphine notices me and starts walking toward me. I'm so embarrassed right now. I can only hope she won't think less of me for my clumsiness.

"Are you alright?" Seraphine asked with genuine concern as she extended her hand to help me up from the floor.

As she held my hand and gently pulled me up, I couldn't help but worry about how rough and damaged my hands looked from all the laundry and cleaning work. Would she find them disgusting or ugly?

Seraphine took a closer look at my hands for a few seconds before asking, "Did you work in the laundry? Your hands are so dry." Surprisingly, her voice sounded caring rather than disapproving or disgusted.

"Yes, Miss Seraphine. I'm a newly appointed servant, assigned to handle cleaning tasks," I responded politely, acknowledging her seniority as a servant who had been working there before me.

She seemed friendly and approachable as she smiled and asked, "It seems you also know my identity. What is your name, by the way?"

"My name is Anna Walsh, Miss," I replied, a little nervous but also grateful for her kindness.

" I think we should treat your hand first. Leaving it like this might be bad for your body " Seraphine suggested.

To my surprise, she agreed to take me to treat my hand. As a lower servant, I didn't have the privilege to personally treat my wound for such injuries, so I never expected her to bring me to her personal room. I wonder what she's thinking, but I can't help but feel grateful for her consideration.

As I entered the room, I couldn't help but be taken aback by its extravagance and opulence. It looked like the chamber of an esteemed guest or even the mansion's owner. Seraphine's status on this estate was clearly far from ordinary.

"Please sit here, Anna. I will bring something for you," Seraphine said, gesturing towards a plush couch at the center of the room. I obediently sat down and waited for her next instructions. She seemed to be searching for something on her desk.

"Ah, here it is," she exclaimed, finally finding what she was looking for—a small glass bottle. I couldn't help but wonder what she had in store for me.

"This is a lotion that I personally asked the alchemist guild to create. It's still a prototype, but completely safe," Seraphine explained as she poured a thick, white cream from the bottle into her hand and gently rubbed it on my injured hands.

At first, the sensation was a bit strange, but the cream's pleasant smell and soothing texture quickly eased the discomfort and itchiness in my hands. I couldn't help but express my admiration for this fascinating ointment.

"Miss, this is wonderful! How did you come up with such an invention?" I said, genuinely impressed by her ingenuity.

"Well, it's still a prototype, and I need to improve it further, but it's a small part of my other ongoing projects," Seraphine blushed, not used to receiving compliments.

"Other projects? What else have you invented?" I inquired, curious about her work.

"Before I say anything more, promise me you'll keep this a secret, okay?" Seraphine said, putting her index finger to her lips.

I nodded eagerly, intrigued by her secrecy.

"I've also invented a medicine that cures the blue plague, which is currently ravaging the empire. You've heard about it, haven't you?" Seraphine said with a smile on her face.

The mention of the blue plague and the cure stunned me. Could she be the famous young sage who cures the plague in Riverdale? Living in a small town, I hadn't been aware of the sage's identity. If it was truly her, maybe I could seek her help for my family?

My mother and many people in our town have fallen victim to an unknown disease. Despite our efforts to seek out the local physicians, we are unable to find a cure. I wonder if Seraphine, who has shown great skill in medicine, might be able to help. If she can cure the blue plague, perhaps she can discover the cause and remedy for this new disease that has taken hold of our town.

" Miss Seraphine, I hope you don't mind if I make a request. I understand if it's too much to ask, but I am desperate to find a way to help my mother. There is a mysterious illness spreading throughout the town, and we are unable to find suitable treatment. Our herbalist and town physician. Please, Miss Seraphine, I beg of you "

I have reached the point where I am willing to set aside any feelings of dignity or pride in order to find a way to help my mother. I am desperate for any hope of a cure, and so I am willing to take any measure necessary to save my mother's life.

The only thing that matters to me right now is my mother's well-being, and anything that can help her survive is worth more to me than anything else in the world.

In my desperation, I find myself head bowed in a pleading manner. I know that what I am about to ask of this young woman might be a stretch of her good will, but I have no other options left.

I cannot begin to explain the emotions that run through my body, knowing that my mother's life depends on the response that I am about to receive. Still, I hold my breath and hope for the best.