The General's Ice Fairy - Jing Yuan

8. Xiao

"You're new here, welcome" I could hear the annoyed tone made by the head maid of the house, once I arrived at the servant's dormitories.

"It's an honour to be working for the Yuan's family" I bowed and smiled happily. She looked at me and sighed. 

Most of the servants were not known faces. It's kinda weird, because I do remember most of them loved to work for us and never had complaints. I could tell most of the servants got replaced, that made me a little bit sad as I had a good relation with most of them.

"I am Keira. You're going to help Xiao and assist whoever general stays in the manor during a visit. When no guests are here, your only task will be to assist Lord Yanqing and Jing Yuan"

I felt a little bit confused "Isn't this an important task? I am new, does the family trust me enough to..."

"Master Yuan's servants always stay out of the room where he is, and Lord Yanqing ask usually to be left alone, you will do nothing, that's why I don't need you anywhere I need useful people. Even the little one is being useful, she's washing the clothes with another servant right now" she explained, making me smile a little bit irritated.

Hue stepped forward and I tried to pull him away by his hanfu. I could see already the face of the head maid changing into a soft and gentle one.

"Oh you must be a Lord!" she bowed "I apologise for this servant's behaviour, she just got here. She's my responsability, I will take care of her punishment."

I opened up my eyes feeling annoyed by her attitude with me.

There was no reason to be that cold or straight forward, to make me understand in all the ways she didn't like me in just few minutes of meeting.

"I am actually my lady's servant" Hue smiled softly and her face looked like someone just punched her with a pan as he touched a strand of my hair, making me smile innocently.

"Oh.." Keira coughed "This is the dormitory for the maids, I ask you to please go to the servants, you're going to work probably in the..."

Hue looked annoyed and looked at me, ignoring her words "I will guard the house and do some research around the city, if you're in danger I will come" he whispered in my ears.

"Are you listening to me!?" she exclaimed. Hue jumped elegantly on the roof, making some servants and maids confused and surprised. 

He did bow and looked at me in the eyes, to then jump to the other side.

"Wow! That's amazing! A maid has a bodyguard! Master Yuan probably has some interest in you, Ice Fairy!" 

This voice.

I turned and smiled happy to see a familiar face that didn't change.

Of course she was that Xiao!

Short black hair, tied up in two cute ponytails on the sides and big round brown eyes. She was probably about to turn twenty-four. Been working in the manor since she was twelve.

I remember so many things about her. 

She was a little child, victim of a family that sold her to a man who offered a big sum to have her as wife. It was a lovely spring day and I was walking through the city streets, enjoying good weather and the little shops that were opening.

My eyes cought her crying and hugging her own mother, begging to stay with them, asking what she did wrong to be separated from her beloved ones. 

Her mother looked cold, she pushed her and she fell on the street crying even harder, making my heart feel like someone was holding it tight.

"I don't want to go!" she cried even more and the man who bought her sighed.