Whispers In Florence

Chapter 7: The Scullery Maid

Isabella woke up to a loud voice calling her. "Wake up, girl! Time to get started!" She slowly opened her eyes, realising she was no longer in her hometown of Monteverde but in the busy Castellini house.

An old woman with grey hair stood over her. "Come on, there's no time to waste," the woman said quickly. "I'm Pietra, the head of the servants. You need to go downstairs."

Feeling nervous, Isabella quickly put on her new maid's uniform. The clothes felt strange and stiff. It was only 6 a.m., but she already felt the pressure of her new duties.

Pietra led her through the grand halls of the mansion. Isabella couldn't help but notice how beautiful everything was—the fancy rugs, shiny marble floors, and sunlight shining through colourful windows.

When they arrived in the large, busy kitchen, people were already working hard. The cooks were rushing around, getting ready for the day. Pietra introduced Isabella to the other staff, who gave her polite but curious looks.

"This is Isabella, our new scullery maid," Pietra said. "She'll be helping with cleaning the dishes."

Isabella nodded, feeling nervous about the big job ahead of her. She knew it was important to make a good impression because her future here depended on it.

Her first job was scrubbing the kitchen floors. The dirt was tough to clean, and her arms ached from the work. The other servants worked around her. Some gave her tips, while others just watched.

As the morning went on, Isabella's hands became sore from all the scrubbing, but she didn't stop. Every pot she cleaned and every floor tile she scrubbed showed her determination. She thought of her mother and her sister Vittoria, reminding herself why she had left her home.

By midday, Isabella was hungry, but she kept working, knowing she could eat later. She saw members of the Castellini family walk through the kitchen—so elegant and calm, completely different from the servants who worked behind the scenes.

By the time evening came, and the kitchen became quiet, Isabella finally had a moment to rest. She leaned against the wall, wiped the sweat from her face, and looked at the clean kitchen with pride.

Pietra came over and gave her a small smile. "You did well for your first day," she said. "Keep working like this, and you'll earn your spot here."

"Thank you, Pietra," Isabella said, feeling both tired and thankful.

As she walked back to her simple room in the servants' quarters, Isabella felt a mix of relief and worry. The day had been hard, but she had made it through. Tomorrow would bring more work and new chances to prove herself.

Lying in bed that night, she thought of Signora Teresa Castellini's words: "We reward loyalty and hard work." Isabella knew she had to keep giving her best, not just for herself, but for her family back in Monteverde.

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By 10 p.m., Isabella finally finished her long day of work in the busy kitchen. She had spent hours scrubbing and cleaning, and now her empty stomach reminded her that it was time to eat.

The servants' dining hall was much simpler than the fancy rooms in the rest of the mansion. The servants gathered around a large table, lit by flickering candles. Isabella was surprised by the simple but comforting meal in front of her—stewed meat, bread, and warm vegetables. She quickly filled her plate, her hands shaking from both hunger and tiredness.

The food felt like a reward after such a hard day. Each bite filled her with warmth, and she was grateful for the drink left for the servants.

Around her, the other servants quietly talked, their voices soft with tiredness. Isabella listened, feeling like she was starting to belong with these people, even though she barely knew them.

When the meal ended, Pietra stayed behind to clean up the table. Isabella hesitated but then walked over to talk to her.

"Pietra," Isabella said quietly, "today was really hard. But thank you for helping me."

Pietra looked at her with a mix of kindness and approval. "You did well for your first day. The work here is tough, but you'll get used to it."

"I hope so," Isabella said, wiping her hands on her apron. "I miss my family. It's hard being away from them."

Pietra nodded, understanding. "It's normal to feel homesick when you're far from home. But don't forget why you're here. Your mother and sister are counting on you."

Hearing that made Isabella's heart ache. "I know. I have to do this—for them."

They stood in silence for a moment before Pietra smiled a little. "Time to rest now. Tomorrow will be another long day."

They went their separate ways, heading back to their rooms. Isabella closed the door to her small room, the sound echoing softly in the hallway. She changed out of her maid's uniform and put on her simple nightclothes.

Lying in bed, staring at the dim ceiling, Isabella thought about her home in Monteverde. She missed everything—the familiar streets, her mother's hugs, and her sister Vittoria's laughter. It had only been one day, but it already felt like forever since she left.

Alone in the quiet, Isabella felt a deep sadness. The large, fancy mansion reminded her of how different her life was now. Even though Pietra had been kind and the other servants seemed friendly, she still felt the loneliness deep inside.

Softly, she whispered, "I miss you, Mama. I hope you're safe, Vittoria." She held onto the small silver pendant her mother had given her before she left. "I'll make you proud. I promise."

Sleep came slowly, with her mind full of memories and hopes for the future. As the city of Florence slept, Isabella dreamed of a better life for her family and the strength she needed to make it happen.