Arrival

Ling Feiji's horse shivered in the brisk wind, as she and five other maids made their way towards a giant palace. Ling Feiji calmed her nerves, as she sank into character.

Shoulders back, lips pressed, hair up, and strong grip. This character was not too different from her own, because she would have to be wearing it for about a year she needed an easy one. Ling Feiji's dark hair glistened in the the bright white sun, and her aura of authority made her stand out amongst the other girls. To state it simply, Ling Feiji was breathtaking.

The other girls had no idea they were in the presence of the 14th princess of the Jiu Bei kingdom. They had only just become maids for the fourth prince of the Xin Liu kingdom, a convenient excuse for Ling Feiji. Ling Feiji didn't even remember their names, although there was a short stout looking girl who seemed to be in charge of the rest of them.

They reached the servant's entrance, and there was already smoke coming out of the chimney already. A harried looking servant boy motioned them to follow through the messy kitchen. "Watch your step, the castle is preparing for a big banquet this next week. Try not to lag behind too much.", he added crudely.

They entered a relatively large side hallway, and the rude boy slipped back into the hot kitchen. A harried government official hurried into the room, and breathlessly stated,"You-maids- left corridor-fourth prince-waiting". Then he swiftly turned and left through the door he had come in from.

The short stout girl who was in charge of the rest of them said with an air of authority,"Okay, everyone! To the right corridor!".

"Wow! Senior! So smart!", one of the other girls said admiringly, "I couldn't even understand that blubbering official!".

Ling Feiji secretly rolled her eyes as she knew that it was the LEFT corridor not the RIGHT corridor. But she put on an admiring face and nodded in amazement.

Ling Feiji glanced at the top corner of the room that was shrouded in shadow. The eye was drawn away from that corner because there was a brightly lit window directly below it and a shining chandelier (yes, even the small servant hallways were lavishly decorated in this lush palace) in the middle of the ceiling. But if you look closely you can see a small lithe figure crouching there.

Ling Feiji had noticed him/her immediately when entering the room, but had not even glanced at it until now. The figure's head was positioned away from her so she felt safe enough to momentarily study it.

One of the girls tugged at her arm shyly and pointed toward the retreating back of the rest of the girls. Ling Feiji nodded in genuine appreciation and followed her towards the door. As she left the feeling at the bottom of her stomach suddenly plummeted as she realized the shadow figure was staring at her.