Chapter 1

"How much will it cost?"

"If we trim it to your shoulder length, it will be two silver marks."

Sandra winced in dismay; she knew it wouldn't be enough. "What would happen if I gave you everything?" she asked.

Sandra's eyes widened as the hairdresser's gaze shifted away from her radiant locks. "Pardon me?" she asked, perplexed.

"What will I give you if I take all of your hair?" Sandra inquired, pushing an arm-length strand of hair back behind her shoulder.

"Madame, you don't want to--"

"What is the cost?"

The hairdresser scrutinized her hair once more. "Adding the extra length will result in a more exquisite style for the wig. It'll cost you five silver marks."

Sandra nervously bit her lip as she realized he was offering her too much money. Her vivid scarlet-red hair was truly remarkable and her locks were luxuriously thick, yet the most she had expected to receive was four silver marks and a few copper coins. Knowing the chateau roof needed urgent patching, she reluctantly accepted the offer. "Done," she whispered.

"Madame," said the hairdresser as he wiped his scissors on a clean cloth, "you have very fine hair."

As Sandra tightly grasped the armrests of the chair, she heard a creak of the wood. The man then proceeded to cut the first strand of her hair, to which she softly uttered, "Thank you."

Sandra departed a few minutes after, her pockets more full and her mind unburdened. People gave her strange glances as they scurried past her on the sidewalk, gazing at her noticeably shortened locks.

Her magnificent, strawberry-colored mane was cut into a pixie style. A red fringe of bangs still fell into her eyes, while the rest of her hair was cut almost as short as a peasant boy's.

Sandra didn't mind the disapproving glances she was getting for her new hairstyle; she had to do what was necessary to make money. Money was a necessity for her and Belcastle.

Sandra straightened her shoulders and looked up at the sky. The sun was barely visible, mostly obscured by the city walls. "Guess it's time to go home," she said to herself, and she began to make her way back to her home.

At the Kathryn Abbey park, she encountered a troop of Viva soldiers clad in their gray and burgundy uniforms. Their armor, with its overlapping and hinged plates, reminded Sandra of dragon scales.

The coadjutorship in charge of the squadron kept his eyes on Sandra as she walked by them, but he had an eye on almost every inhabitant of Rioux.

Three years ago, Rioux was invaded by Viva in a swift and brutal war, and the country was annexed as Viva territory. Despite the ease of the takeover, the citizens of Rioux still harbored resentment toward their conquerors. Although no physical violence had occurred since the invasion, the animosity and bitterness between the two peoples remained palpable.

Deep in the heart of Viva, Rioux's soldiers were mostly slain or taken prisoner, leaving the citizens of Rioux without a way to fight back. The amount of troops in the city was so overwhelming that there was no hope of a resistance.

But Viva was ruled by the prudent Queen Maud and her judicious consort, and both of them desired to keep Rioux in their grasp.

Sandra departed from the city which the Viva rulers had rechristened Werra, erasing its earlier Rioux appellation of Seine, and she took a path of dirt through the undulating farmland.

Sandra arrived home to the Belcastle fortress, where the sky was painted with a myriad of colors. She brushed the dirt off her cloak, crossed the grounds, and waved to one of the stable hands as they guided two draft horses into the stables. Taking a moment to count the chickens, she made her way into the fortress.

Gonzalo, the estate manager, and his daughter Vivienne, the housekeeper, were conversing in the cozy kitchen. As soon as Sandra came into the room, they stopped talking. This was not out of the ordinary. Despite her efforts, the father and daughter still maintained a rigid politeness towards her, however the astonished looks of shock they gave her were extraordinary. They hadn't been this shocked since Sandra started wearing servant attire as her everyday attire months ago.

"madame" Gonzalo said.

Vivienne stifled her gasp by covering her mouth.

"Gonzalo exclaimed, steadying himself by placing a hand on the table, "Why did you do it to your hair?"

Sandra jingled the coins in her pocket, causing them to bounce. "Let's have a carpenter come tomorrow," she said, taking off her cloak and placing it near the fire. "We can manage to have the hole in the south wing ceiling fixed."

Gonzalo spoke in a tone full of anguish, "Madame."

"It had to be done, Gonzalo," Sandra asserted.

"Yes, Madame."

Sandra inquired, "Have dinner already been consumed by my step-mother and step-sisters?"

Gonzalo uttered a affirmative "Yes".

"Finding her voice,"Vivienne exclaimed, "Pheasant in a cream sauce, baked potatoes, and apple sauce!"

"Are there any objections?" Sandra inquired.

Vivienne's head shook.

Sandra uttered a pleased sound as she took a cooled, baked potato and bit into it as if it were an apple. The potato disintegrated in her mouth, giving off a creamy flavor. "Mmm," she murmured, "I really enjoy this potato. What type is it?"

"Madame Summer Red," Gonzalo said.

"Is it one of our Summer crops?"

"Yes, I think they were gathered two days ago."

"Summer Red"...I will remember that for the following summer. Are there any new activities I need to know about?

Today, Gonzalo reported that when some of the men took stock of the bee hives, most of the bees had made it through the winter. Additionally, he mentioned that while cultivating, one of the horses had lost a shoe, but the ironmonger had already replaced it.

Sandra nodded. "How much did it cost?"

"The check is sitting on your dressing table, awaiting you."

"Fantastic! Much appreciated."

"It is my pleasure, Madame," Gonzalo declared, bowing deeply.

Vivienne stated that a potential customer had approached them, expressing an interest in a particular painting.

"Could one of those be up for sale?", inquired Sandra.

Vivienne paused, her voice wavering as she replied, "No, Madame."

"Excusing you, Mister," Gonzalo said, bowing once more before departing from the kitchen.

"Evening, Gonzalo!" Sandra shouted, her gaze turning to his daughter. "What painting?"

"Good evening, Sandra!" Gonzalo replied, his eyes shifting to his daughter. "What painting are you working on?"

"Yes, please."

Vivienne guided Sandra through the dimly lit Fortress, taking advantage of the faint slivers of light emanating from the setting sun. Candles and firewood were expensive and labor-intensive, so to save money, Sandra and the servants avoided using them whenever they could.

Vivienne bowed deeply as she ventured into Sandra's inner sanctum. Once, this chamber had been brimming with artwork, exquisite scents, gold trinket-boxes, lavish furniture, and masterfully-hewn sculptures. Now, however, all that remained was a ghostly reminder of its past luxuriousness and splendor.

The walls bore the remnants of lavish times, with beautiful murals painted upon them, and a single painting, intricately framed, providing the only remaining evidence.

The portrait of Sandra was completed before the war and before Viva. It depicted her wearing an extravagant and somewhat uncomfortable ivory dress, which highlighted her fair complexion and the freckles on her nose and cheeks. Her hair was styled up high and adorned with pearls and rubies, and a backdrop of pink flowers made her gray eyes appear more vivid. Despite being asked to maintain a serious expression, Sandra was unable to help but give a broad smile to the painter.

It was a painting created for personal pleasure, not one intended to be widely admired.

The buyer asked for a painting of your image.

"Is this what they want?" Sandra exclaimed, pointing to the painting.

"Yes, Madame," Vivienne said.

Sandra blinked perplexedly, inquiring, "Why?"

Because she highly doubted anyone would be interested in purchasing it, she had not taken the time to list the painting for sale.

Vivienne stated, uncertainly, that the purchaser had asked for it, adding that the offer was a considerable amount.

If only someone would have taken a few copper coins for it, Sandra would have sold it. She had attempted to take the portrait out to sell the frame separately, but the art dealer said it would have to be irreparably broken in order to remove the painting.

Vivienne declared, "They have knowledge."

Sandra queried, "Who is it?"

I am unaware of the identity of the purchaser. This individual is obtaining information through an Viva intermediary - that has already acquired a selection of fortress assets.

"Baron? Hm," muses Sandra her eyes fixed on the portrait. She slowly extends her hand and tenderly strokes the edge of the frame.

"This was the final reminder of the life she had lived and the luxuriousness she had experienced," thought Sandra. "But providing for everyone's needs and keeping them all employed is more significant than a vain reminder."