What are you all doing?


    Maid Hayden!


    The maids were startled. I apprehensively turned towards the shout.


    Oh, thats her! The Empress courtdy from yesterday!


    My eyes widened at her sudden appearance.


    Which maid is being jeered at? she interrogated as she came closer.


    I didnt expect her toe here!


    Oh, no. Thats not it


    I dont need excuses. Everybody, get back to work!


    The courtdy raised her voice.


    The maids scattered like a crowd of frightened sheep at the reproach.


    They were already far when I managed to react, leaving me alone in the middle of the entrance.


    Leaving only their whispers in my ears as they dispersed.


    All the other maids said that it was unbefitting of me to be transferred into the Empress Pce


    what if the courtdy also thought of me like that?


    I felt my mouth go dry from nervousness.


    Is your name Charlize? Her tone was mild and gentle. Free from any judgment.


    Relieved at her consideration, I bowed.


    Hello! Im the maid-in-training, Charlize!


    Yes, nice to meet you.


    Im new to the Imperial Pce, so please take good care of me! I wanted to speak as clearly as possible, but my tongue seemed to have no intention of following my will.


    Ugh, when will this body grow up?


    Then, the courtdy ordered, Raise your head.


    I carefully nced up.


    The courtdy looked at me with kind eyes and spoke, We met yesterday, didnt we?


    Yes I felt uneasy at the question.


    Yesterday was a disaster, wasnt it?


    She justughed.


    Dont be nervous, it was just hard to forget a maid as young as you.


    Well, even the youngest maids in the imperial pce were usually over 15 years old. My mother, who was a maid of the Imperial Pce, abandoned me there. Thats why I was a maid-in-training at such a young age.


    The courtdy spoke, Her Majesty the Empress has asked me to take good care of you.


    me? I muttered incredulously at her words.


    Yes, Her Majesty told me to help you adapt well to the Imperial Pce.


    Empress, why are you sopassionate towards me?


    Drowned in an indescribable mood, I subtly nodded my head.


    By the way, is that all your luggage?


    Yes, this is all.


    I shook the bag in my hand a couple of times.


    Although it was heavy for a five-year-old, it was a fairly light bag for an adult.


    The courtdys expression sank at my response.


    You have been living in the pce for five years, but thats all of your personal belongings?


    Yes, these are my only personal belongings!


    Well, how many more things could a person whos lived her whole life as a maid have?


    I had never even seen my pay since the pce deposited the maids sries directly to their bank ounts.


    How can someone live with only their clothes and shoes? Dont you have any other possessions?


    Um, do I need other things? The pce pays for the meals and provides me a ce to sleep.


    When I tilted my head in confusion, Hayden released a sigh.


    Did I say something wrong?


    Howe you never ran out of clothes or boots? How many pairs do you have right now?


    Two pairs!


    The courtdy gaped at my reply.


    Then dont you have to wash your clothes as soon as they get dirty? Isnt that too much of a hassle? she questioned me.


    Its okay, Im good at doingundry and ironing! I answered as I tried to appeal about my ability as a maid, but instead, her face darkened at my reply.


    The courtdy finally dered in a determined voice, Dont worry, I can get you enough clothes in the future.


    Thank you for doing that


    Yeah, itd be good if I have another outfit.


    Although I was surprised at the sudden offer, I epted it gratefully.


    At the same time, she stretched out her hand.


    Ill hold the bag for you. Can you give it to me?


    No, I can hold it. Thank you for the offer.


    You are carrying a bag as big as your body, how can I just let you be?


    How can I leave my bag to a courtdy?


    In the midst of our banter, someones footstep closed in to the entrance.


    Charlize, hearing the melodious voice. My head tilted back in a daze.


    Standing before me was the Empress.


    My mind couldnt help but freeze, taking in the beautiful sight of Rose in her luxurious gown, it was a shocking difference with the usual Rose in the maid outfits.


    I quickly bowed my head as I forced the greeting that I had practiced saying over and over again.


    Greetings to Your Majesty the Empress, the benevolent mother of ournd, the noble moon of the Empire.


    People should always assume the worst case scenario.


    To prevent any mistake, I had studied formal greetings to the royal family in the past. Of course, I never desired to be assigned to the Emperor nor the Empress pces, but I still took precaution in case I met them. My wish was not to use these greetings for the rest of my life.


    Its been a long time since Ive heard such a formal greeting. I didnt think youd know about it. the Empress answered in aplicated tone.


    I lowered my head, avoiding her gaze tinted with sadness.


    I never thought Id have to say such greetings in my life either.


    At least towards Rose, the only person I held dear.


    wee to the pce.


    The Empress, who looked at me, turned away, leaving only those four words.


    I stared at her departing back.


    I bit my lips when I remembered her upset expression.


    Charlize, lets go in, Hayden called me.


    Oh, yes.


    The courtdy took the lead.


    I followed behind quietly, swinging the bag in my hand.


    * * *


    The further I went in, the more astounded I was.


    The interior of the Empress Pce, which contrasted from the garden, was even more breathtaking. All of the furniture was elegant, and the wall was covered with luxurious wallpaper.


    It reflected its owners refined tasteLets put your luggage in the room first.


    After this, Ill introduce you to the rest of the maids.


    yes? Oh, alright.


    As I was enthralled by the pces architecture, my answer was a bitte.


    I mustve looked like a fool.


    As I had guessed, the courtdy looked back at me when she heard no response. As soon as she saw my dazed face, she couldnt help butugh.


    Ugh, this is so embarrassing!


    I had wanted to look smart for my first impression.


    but I looked like a fool instead.


    I shouldnt have looked around.


    Mortified at the little mistake, I tried to put on a carefree expression.


    The courtdy suddenly stopped in front of a door.


    This is your room from now on, she said as she pushed the door open.


    A beautiful view beyond the door unfolded before my eyes.


    wow, my mouth let out an unintentional gasp at the panoramic view.


    I looked back at the courtdy with twinkling eyes.


    This room is it really mine?


    Well, how could I get such a nice room?


    The whitece curtain fluttered gently as a light breeze blew through. A marvelous walnut-wooden table and wardrobe with a side drawer for organizing things stood next to a desk stand. Even the floor was covered with a fuzzy rug and in the middle of the roomid a single bed with an all-white bedding.


    The cloud-like nket looked so soft that I couldnt resist the urge to run my hand over it.


    Hayden smiled as she nodded, Of course, all the handmaidens use this room.


    Oh I see, the courtdys reply felt like a pass for me. I couldnt help the burning desire to jump onto the fluffy bed right away.


    Now I know why everyone wanted to be promoted to full-time maids.


    You could live in such a nice room just by being promoted.


    Just before I was swept away by the wave of emotion, I noticed something strange in what she had just said.


    Did she just say handmaiden?


    But Im not an official maid yet?


    I tried my best to hide my disappointment, though the sadness in my tone was quite obvious.


    Handmaiden usually meant a formal maid.


    But I was still a maid-in-training.


    Didnt that mean I couldnt use this room?


    No way I grumbled at the misfortune inside my mind.


    The courtdy shook her head.


    No, Charlize is an official maid from now on.


    huh?


    What is that supposed to mean?


    I blinked my eyes in dismay, yet Hayden returned it with a gentle smile instead.


    Since you were assigned to the Empress Pce, the Empress had promoted you to a handmaiden.


    Yes?


    So this is Charlizes room.


    Oh, my God!


    Happiness bubbled inside of me.


    This is my room!


    She pleasantly smiled at my jubnt face.


    You can change your clothes and take a quick break here.


    I can change my clothes?


    Of course. Now that youve be a full-time maid, isnt it time to throw away the maid-in-trainings attire?


    Oh, thats why you said I would get plenty of clothes!


    I nodded with excitement.


    Ill introduce you to the otherster in the evening.


    Yes, I understand!