In another life

Chapter 4: Serphaine

I held my suit case in hand watching the carriage ride away. A woman looking in her early forties stood in front of me. A stern looking face with no clear expression. "Ms. Hawthorne" she concluded. I nodded noticing her slow judgment over me. I was used to stares from the girls back home.

They thought of me as weird. I always had my head in a book and only came outside every so often. There parents both working helped them get more newer clothes while I had patches of different fabrics that mother got for free. As always I let it roll off my shoulder. "Follow me" she ordered. I trailed closely as the woman quickly walked about. Giving me a tour of the not allowed areas and the areas I will be working in.

"You will be on cleaning of the halls. At the end of the day, you shall be evaluated. We rank our staff and give incentives. Some are a pass to go to the capital market on the weekends. Others are coin rewards. This is the crown's home the jule of our kingdom. Everything must be spick and span" she explained. We turned down a narrower hallway.

"This evaluation? What happens if you rank last " I questioned. She paused and side glanced me. "You will be fired. However I expect nothing less from someone who was recommended by the prince". My eyes grew wide as I followed her down another hallway. The prince? Why would he recommend me? Maybe god was trying to help me.

We opened an old brown door and I could see the stairs descend. As we went down torches lit up like magic. I gasp causing the lady to sigh. "Have you never heard of mana stones, Ms. Hawthorne"? "Yes but never seen it in person". "Throughout the castle we use these stones to create light, heat, and cool air. You will get used to the different stones as you work here" she clarified.

We got to the bottom level where I could hear bussling. Different people walked around in a cafeteria like room. "This will be where you eat your meals. Down the hall" she pointed. I turned looking at one of the many entryways.
"This will be where you lodge. Men on one side and women on the other. No men are allowed in the woman quarters and vice versa".

"Of course" I blushed. "Each of the rooms have a number and you will share said room with another girl. Your number is 96. There will be three different sets of uniforms. One for winter, summer and spring. Get settled in and you will start training tomorrow". She gave me  a curt nod turing away but I caught her hand.

Once her eyes landed on mine I slipped my finger away quickly. "Oh um. And your name is"? She adjusted her glasses making her look even more stern. "My name is Hilda. The housekeeper. Is that all Ms. Hawthorne". "Yes" I nodded. I watch her leave and turn looking over the tables of staff members.

Carrying my bag I read each room number. Finally last door on the right held 96. I opened the door and was met with a tall girl. She had fiery red hair with two braids. Tanned skin with freckles from her cheeks to her nose. A big grin splayed upon her face as she lurched at me. I tensed pulling myself from her iron grip hug.

"Sorry. I'm just so excited" she chirped. "I haven't had a roommate in a while and when I heard I was getting one I just lost my mind. "I'm Sofia. Where are you from? Is this your first time being a maid"? She moved across the room quickly turning around but gasped loudly."I should have ask the most important question. What's your name"?

I had never seen somebody eyes so wide and filled with excitement. "I'm Serphaine" I introduced. "You are so pretty" she said glossing over me. She pulled me closer into the room closing the door. "I can tell were gonna be great friends. Sorry I asked so many questions. You can tell me everything about you later. I'm gonna let you get settled in first".

I laid my bag on the empty bed. This room was bigger then mine and my siblings. There was a bed on either ends of the wall. Two desks in the corner and I'm guessing a bathroom. "Is that all you brought" she glanced over my belongings I had taken out. "Yeah" I sighed.
"Don't worry when we go to the markets we will find you so much stuff" she beamed.

A slight smile appeared on my face. "I'm betting you're hungry" Sofia smirked. I nodded my head feeling my stomach ache. "Let's get you some grub then I will give you the real tour and some dirt" she winked. She pulled me by the arm and off we were. The nerves were now shaken off and now I was wondering if I could keep up with her lively energy.