Stranger in Front of Me

The girl waited outside the head housekeeper's office, gawking at the polished hallway stretching out on both sides, and at the gold framed paintings at the wall. She knew the imperial palace was big and luxurious, of course, but she had no idea it would be this grand.

The man had given her a simple brown dress and a pair of flat black shoes, and she was so ecstatic because she's never had anything brand new before. She thought the attire would at least help her make a decent impression on the interview, but looking at her surroundings now, she had the sinking feeling that it won't do anything except picture her as she was – a peasant trying to land a job at the imperial palace. Suddenly the door opened and a middle-aged woman ushered her inside.

"Come in," the woman said, leading the way to her desk. She sat behind it and motioned at one of the chairs. "Take a seat."

The girl did as instructed and almost gasped at how comfortable the chair was. It was her first time to sit at a cushioned chair. So that was how it felt like. Back home there were only wooden chairs that were hard and stiff, and she accepted it as reality. She didn't know there was a different kind – one that was so far removed from anything she's ever experienced.

The woman rapidly flipped through some papers. "I already got your details," she began as she read the documents. "So your name is Ara?"

The girl nodded timidly. Actually her name was not Ara, and she had no idea what details about her the woman was referring to. But after giving her a gold coin as advanced payment for the work he wanted her to do, the man had told her that he'd take care of everything, and it seemed like he really did. She just wished he could have at least told her what her supposed background was, so she wouldn't look like a fool in front of anyone she encountered.

"You can call me Madame Leone," the woman continued. "And I'm the head housekeeper at the imperial palace."

The girl nodded again. No wonder the woman had an authoritative air about her – she was one of the head servants. She tried to sneak a glance at the woman while keeping her head low, and she saw that the woman was looking at her directly. She blushed and bowed her head lower, staring at her shoes instead. The woman's gaze was focused and unflinching, and the girl knew she had to be very careful not to get caught.

"Starting today, you'll be working as a scullery maid here," the woman informed her. "You'll get your uniform and you'll have your own room."

Her own room… The girl wanted to pinch her cheeks just to make sure she wasn't dreaming. Even in her wildest fantasies, she had trouble imagining herself in her own bed, let alone her own room. She and her younger brothers slept on the floor, and her sick mother took the only bed in the house. That had always been the case, and she was fine with it. But to be able to have her own room while on this job was the best news she's heard in a long, long while.

"Now that it's settled, follow me." The woman stood up and started walking towards the door, and the girl hurried to keep pace with her. "I'll take her to your room so you can change to your uniform."

They walked for several hundred meters, and along the way, they passed random servants going to the other direction. "They're on the way to the pantry for breakfast," the woman explained. "The meals are taken care of; you just need to be at the pantry on time." Meals – just that word was music to the girl's ears. She would usually eat once a day, twice if she was lucky, but that seldom happened. Now, however, she had the chance to eat regular meals – for free. The only thing better than this would be if she could afford the same thing for her family.

The woman paused and called out to a girl who was running towards them in the corridor. "20, can I talk to you for a minute?"

I was late for breakfast. I couldn't believe I slept in this morning. This was all 19's fault for putting strange ideas in my head which kept me up for most of the night. Why did she have to mention the possibility of getting married to Alessandro or Caio in the future? Just thinking about it made me feel so embarrassed. Last I checked, I was nowhere near being Cinderella, and this was certainly not a fairytale.

When I opened my eyes this morning, I realized to my horror that the sun was already shining. So I asked 19 to save me a spot at the pantry while I dashed back to my room to get dressed.

But now Madame Leone had just flagged me down, like she was hailing a cab. 'Yes, Madame Leone?' I hastily scribbled. My mind was on having bread, soup, and eggs already, so I didn't notice the girl peeking behind her back until she motioned her forward.

"I'd like to introduce someone," Madame Leone said. "This is Ara, and she'll also be working as a scullery maid starting today." She turned to the girl. "This is Concubine Number 20."

The girl stared at me from head to toe, as though she had never seen someone in a maid's uniform before. It felt weird, the way she was looking at me with a mixture of awe and trepidation, like she couldn't believe I was actually in front of her. 

"I'm very glad to meet you," the girl said. And she was – she really was. After a lifetime of misery, maybe luck was finally turning on her side. She couldn't believe that she'd encounter Concubine Number 20 so easily, and on her first day at the imperial palace, no less.

She looked at the brooch pinned just below her maid's collar, with the insignia of the archduke. She glanced down and saw the bracelet on the girl's wrist, with the insignia of the emperor. Yes, there's no doubt that she was the girl she needed to find. "I hope we can get along well." She meant it. She really needed to get along with Concubine Number 20 for the plan to work. Her family's life depended on it.