Chapter 5 (1/2)
I shook my head at my sister’s concerned voice.
“No, I’m not tired.”
“Okay, but let’s get up now, you need to go to bed early.”
My sister, who got up from her seat, held out her hand to me. I raised my body, holding her hand.
“Oh my God, Lize,” a nasty voice called my name.
‘Ugh, no way?’ I frowned at the voice.
“You’re only cleaning the hall, why are you making so much noise?”
Becky’s figure walked in from the shadow of the entrance.
I looked back at incoming Becky, trying to hide my wary eyes.
“A palace maid shouldn’t be playing around. I think I need to teach you more lessons,” Becky laughed menacingly.
I closed my eyes instinctively at her sinister tone.
“Oh, my God, I’ve never seen such a brazen, pathetic girl,” cried a languid voice.
Rose, who had risen, was staring at Becky.
‘Uh, what?’
“Uh, Sister. I’m okay! Don’t fight!”
I pulled my sister’s skirt, but Rose kept her firm posture.
“To pass your job to a child, are you even an adult?”
“What?”
“I don’t know how such an incompetent person managed to get hired in the palace as a maid-in-training.”
Rose’s hand held mine, reassuring me while asking me to stay out of the argument.
I was worried about how this fight would implicate her. Still, I was also happy that someone was standing up for me.
‘It’s the first time someone has taken my side.’
Nonetheless, I finally came to my senses.
‘I’m not supposed to be impressed here. What if my sister gets into a fight for me, and she gets hurt!’
I tugged my sister’s skirt once more.
“Well, who are you to just cut in the conversation?!”
Just in time, Becky asked fiercely.
Becky carefully examined my sister.
“I’ve never seen you before, but I don’t think you’re a high-ranking maid.”
I bit my lips.
Usually, maids prove their identity by wearing crystal brooches on their chests.
Ordinary maids would adorn rose crystal, senior maid wore white crystal, while a court lady carried a yellow one.
‘But… she isn’t wearing her brooches right now.’
She must have left her’s because she didn’t want me to know her identity.
I couldn’t overcome my worries and look up at my sister.
Rose was very mysterious. Instead of nervousness, all I could see was a face full of composure with a bit of…
How should I express that look? Is it that pity?
Well, I think she’s pitying Becky.
It’s like how a hawk would pity a sparrow…
“Who are you to order me as a maid-in-training?”
Rose has such a fierce look on her face.
Her eyes fixed on Becky that she didn’t even notice my nervous tug on her dress’ sleeves.
But Becky just snickered[a], “You are just like Lize. I think you need some education, too.”
“…education?”
Rose tilted her head gently.
‘Becky must be planning an evil plan. I have to protect my sister!’
I stood on my heels, ready to spring into action when I saw Becky’s eyes landed on the bucket in front of my sister.
The bucket was full of dirty water.
The moment she saw it, Becky’s lip went up into a sneer.
“Yes, education!”
Becky raised her foot.
‘Hey, don’t bother, my sister!’
‘How dare you badmouth my sister!’
I ran forward desperately, as Becky kicked the bucket.
As a result …
‘Argh!’
“Lize!”
My sister called me a fright.
‘It’s cold!’
I shook my shoulders, expelling the cold away.
The bucket was now empty. Its dirty water was drenching my clothes.
If I were taller, I’d only be wet until my belly button.
But that wasn’t the case right now. The water already soaked my undergarment and shoes.
I looked back at my sister.
Did she get any of the dirty water?
“Sister, are you ok?”
“Oh my God, Lize!”
The startled Rose bent down hurriedly.
I looked down at my damp clothes.
There was a lot of water in my shoes. It felt very uncomfortable.
Still, it was worse seeing Sister Rose’s worried face.
I grinned broadly, trying to relieve her anxiety.
“Don’t worry, Sister! I’m ok!”