ORDINARY VISAGE - 18

I returned to the big tree that I slept on this afternoon. Don't ask me where to go. After filling my stomach, I desperately climbed the stairs until I reached the bell room. From there, I desperately jumped while holding my breath in case I took a wrong step and fell down. I haven't gotten a room here yet, everything is full and I have no intention of negotiating. Mr. Kaltain doesn't know what conflicts I have with my friends, because I don't want him to comment on my drama-filled life. I leaned against a large branch, looking at the brightly lit palace far in front of me. The lights with bright yellow light filled all corners of the palace like sprinkles of candy at night. From here I can see a few soldiers passing by on the balcony far away. Flags bearing the full moon were hoisted atop each bell tower. Suddenly the sound of bells rang loudly. I almost fell from my place when the four bells rang from various corners of the palace. I could see that there was more than one carriage passing through the palace gate. The chariots have different symbols. I jumped from the tree slowly to the tile, sneaking behind the chimney. I remember this morning there was an entourage of nobles who came here too. I was wondering what the occasion was today.

Satisfied with being on top, I jumped onto the balcony and walked the usual path of palace workers. I had crossed paths with the maids who changed clothes more neatly and professionally. The women roll their hair up, not as usual which is just perfunctory. For male servants, they comb their hair until it's smooth with a ringworm. I walked casually to a maid's locker room. I saw that there was a maid's suit laid freely on the table. Quickly, I took it and entered the locker room. I could hear someone complaining about losing their clothes, while I was busy changing in the cubicle. The woman's voice disappeared. I walked out of the room with my hair still loose. I hurriedly joined the line while trying to tie my hair even though my hair wasn't too long. The line I followed led me into the main palace hall, leading to the dining room for guests. We lined up ready to go behind the guest chairs, most of the others bringing food and drink from the palace kitchen in extravagant fashion. I followed the gestures of the female maid who was beside me, trying to be as camouflage as possible since there were so many things I wanted to know.

Soon, King Samu came. We servants immediately bowed respectfully. He sat in the largest chair with an elaborate carving of two peacocks. Several maids rushed out of the room, I wanted to follow, but a butler glared at me, telling me to stay in the room. I have no choice but to play the role to the end here.

"Welcome to the Kingdom of Samu." King Samu gave a warm welcome, but I didn't want to hear his complicated words and could only keep my expression from yawning to sleep. "We are eagerly awaiting news from Your Majesty," said a middle-aged man with a polite smile, "thank you for inviting us here."

King Samu only smiled faintly. He suddenly glanced at me. I seem to have been tagged. Then several people joined in. They talked for a bit before King Samu finally allowed the guests to eat their meal. A woman in a luxurious red dress waved to me. With my feet approached him.

"Bring me five more cookies like this."

I nodded, took the available iron tray and left from there. I saw a woman pointing at my clothes. Instantly I realized that I was the one who stole his clothes. I quickly ran, still holding the iron tray, not wanting the women to catch me. I kept spurring my steps across the corridor filled with servants divided on the right and left. They looked back and forth at me and the troubled woman. I looked here and there, indifferent to what was happening here. I entered a room with a blue door that had a beautiful intricate carving of tendrils in front of it. My chest rose and fell, while my ear pressed against the door. There was no sound of footsteps approaching here. I took a deep breath, calming my breath. This is the most horrific chase more than being chased by Boston and his minions. I was just about to get out of that room before gawking at a dark room, filled with blue lights and decorated with expensive antiques. There was a large mattress in the room, decorated with sheets the color of the coldest deepest ocean. I heard footsteps entering the room, I quickly hid myself under the bed.

I can clearly see two pairs of feet coming into this room. Judging by the shoes, they were most likely lovers. I had to hold my breath for hours because I was trapped in this room, listening to all the normal activities that a husband and wife are doing. I felt my eyes getting heavy, before I finally fell asleep.

—Ordinary Visage—

I woke up in a state that is not good to tell. My body ached all over from sleeping under someone else's bed, realizing it was already morning. Last night, after the occupants of the room fell asleep, I tried to open the window but nothing. I don't want to take the risk of waking anyone up, especially since I'm nobody. Wrong, I could be beaten by all the people here. The room was quiet, the windows were open brightly. I glanced to the right and left, trying to get out of the room still wearing the maid outfit from last night. Without saying much, I went straight to the big tree I slept on yesterday, was about to take my bag because I remembered that there was still one piece of bread left in it. I ran quickly to avoid the crowd of maids in the kitchen, tiptoeing softly so no one could hear my footsteps. I found a small dark alley leading into the garden, looking back in case the services were here. I breathed a sigh of relief because my guess was wrong, before finally the voice of a strange man entered my ear.

I was surprised to see that there were several soldiers without clothes in particular standing looking at me. Their gazes were sharp, as if they had encountered a rabbit in a virgin forest. I was about to dodge, but one of the soldiers grabbed my arm.

"Where are you going?" A soldier with a huge, hideous body glared at me fiercely. His hands felt rough and painful. "Because of you, Master Kaltain never taught us again!"

Wow, I was amazed to hear Master's name for Kaltain. "Why are you blaming me? Let go!"

I tried to remove his hand, but he ignored me. "You women shouldn't have to try like us. You don't belong here."

I'm annoyed to hear what he said. "So what if I'm a woman? Do I have to have genitals like you first before I can?"

The man in front of me hissed, he gripped my hand tighter. "You must not be arrogant here, Miss. You are nothing."

"Who are you, sir? We don't know each other, you shouldn't have to look for trouble like this," I said. "Aren't you afraid if I tell all this to your Master?"

The man laughed. "Where have you been, Miss? The Master has been sent out of Samu for a few months," he said with a sly smile. "You have no one else."

I feel totally cheated. I didn't think my time yesterday was wasted because Kaltain ran away without telling me. Still in confusion, suddenly the grown men dragged me away, they took me away to a dark place. I tried to struggle, tried to use all my strength but those big men escorted me. I shouted loudly, but no one paid attention to me. They threw me into a smelly armory, locking me still groaning on the floor.

"You will be here while Master is away." The man who grabbed my hand laughed slyly. I immediately stood up holding the iron bars on the door directly opposite him. "Get me out of here, Bastard!" I said emotion. The man chuckled with his friends. "If you had known yourself, we would not have done this to you."

I spit in his face, his face turned red. "I didn't take anything from you Damn it! Get me out now or I'll strangle you!"

The man I spit on looked at me annoyed. He didn't answer and left, while one of his friends squeaked. "Don't be arrogant, Miss. Master Kaltain never takes you seriously."

"What do you think I have to do with him?!" I said full of emotion. "I don't need that Master of yours! Get me out, you idiot!"

That person didn't answer, he left after laughing at my idiotic fate. I screamed again, begging to be let out like a child, and ended up limply leaning against the rough wooden door. My throat is dry. I stretched my legs, looked at the small window above me, which was impossible to escape from, at least my feet fit, the rest stuck perfectly there. I hugged my knees, contemplating the behavior I had done so far. I'm sure there's nothing wrong. I'm not harming anyone. Why am I experiencing this? I don't deserve to be treated like this.

In this cramped room, I'm alone. Kaltain left without informing me first. What does he want? I took a deep breath, before finally smiling when I saw the objects in front of me. This is an arsenal of war equipment. That's a sign, I can escape. []