Chapter 9 (1/2)

The court lady went out and the door closed with a click.

As soon as the door shut, I immediately leaped into the bed.

“Wow!”

I rubbed my face on the blanket, its unique soft texture similar to a blanket dried under the sun.

‘Wow, the fabric smells like sunlight!’

The quilt rustled lightly against my face. Eventually, I lifted my head. My gaze landed on a hanger hung up on a wall; my new maid attire.

I slowly got up, and carefully lowered the outfit, standing on my toes.

“…this.”

The clothes were tilted back, and a little stone peeked out from the pocket of the apron. I reached my hand out and took the small thing out. It was a crystal brooch.

A rose crystal brooch, the proof of an official maid.

‘Rose, rose, the rose reminds me of…’

“Sister Rose,” I called out her name unconsciously, but immediately shook my head.

‘No, she’s not Rose anymore,’ I bit my lips in dejection, ‘It’s Her Majesty from now on.’

I quickly changed my clothes, dispersing Rose out of my thoughts.

***

The court lady had told me to rest, but honestly, I just couldn’t rest in ease.

‘I’m in a position where I have to prove my worth to the Empress’ people.’

I glanced towards the door with conflicting emotions.

If I wanted to create a good impression, wouldn’t it be better to show them my diligence?

‘After all, if I want to feed myself, I need to work hard! I’m confident I can do this job well!’

After convincing myself, I turned the doorknob cautiously.

“Did you see her? The kid that was brought by Court Lady Hayden herself!”

’Are they talking about me again?’

The complaints of the maids passing through the hall didn’t escape my attention. Hearing their grumbles, I hid behind the door instinctively.

“Who does she think she is, for the court lady to be escorting her to her room?” the court lady to show her room?”

“I don’t understand either. It doesn’t make sense, no matter how young she is!”

“Don’t you think she’s too young to be an official maid?”

“Honestly, isn’t she just a normal kid you can find anywhere?”

‘…what should I do…? I guess they don’t like me.’

My pupils were now quivering  from uneasiness. I’d rather they pass through the hall quickly, but instead, they were standing in front of my room and gossiping.

“Listen, I heard the girl was promoted to an official maid as soon as she came to the Empress’ palace!”

“What? Oh my God, I thought it was just a rumor!”

“Really? The head maid even brought a rose crystal brooch for that little girl today!”

I fiddled with the brooch on my chest.

The maids continued in a detestable tone.

“Did the other maids not see that?”

“They were just being nice, weren’t they?”

Well, I understand the prejudice the maids held against me, even though I didn’t want this promotion in the first place.

I inevitably felt downcast. Honestly, being assigned to the Empress’ Palace was the last thing on my list.

Moreover, I never thought I would be promoted to an official maid.

However, it couldn’t be helped.

I was sure that from their point of view, I was only a young child who somehow acquired the Empress’ favor.

I squatted down.

‘Why does everyone hate me? I already had enough of it when I was a maid-in-training.’

I bit my lip firmly as my heart filled with determination.

‘…if I keep thinking like this, those maids will continue to speak ill of me.’

I lifted my head and set my gaze straight.

My situation had changed a lot from when I was in the education hall.

Previously, I would’ve eventually escaped from Becky and other maids-in-training if I were assigned to another palace.

However, the chance of me being allocated to another palace again was very slim.

After taking a big deep breath, I stood up.

‘First of all, let’s solve the problem at hand.’

I was going to be straight-forward about this.

I pushed the door open.

The maids, who were gathered in a small group, looked back at me in surprise.

“Can I say something?”

The maids turned vigilant..

I ignored the tremble in my voice  and forced myself to speak calmly.

“To you, I may seem lacking in many ways, and I know it as well.”

The maids’ eyes narrowed in response.

‘Don’t be nervous.’

I clenched my fist in an attempt to gather my confidence.