Like A Fairytale

Chapter 44

Flo

"Boy!" One of the ladies in the laundry room called for him.

"Yes?" Flo hurried to the plump woman. She had a friendly face, dark skin, and white, gray hair. She didn't seem to be older than 45. Had the hard work stolen her dark hair? Flo wondered about it every day.

The lady smiled and showed her crooked teeth. One tooth had been replaced by a bronze-colored metal tooth. She pointed to a basket of fine linen. "Please bring this up."

"Up?" He frowned as the rotating sound of the mechanical washing machines filled the room. It smelled of soap and chemicals. Someone groaned.

"Up to the fine gentlemen! Everyone is needed here! We have to clean and iron the most delicate fabrics; you lack the experience. You can't help us. But someone has to bring up the curtains."

"Where exactly? I'm only allowed to stay in the rooms for the staff," Flo objected. "Experience?"

"Yes. Experience. I can't explain to you how exactly to iron every piece. And we use some of our more aggressive soaps today. You have to know your way around." The lady rolled her eyes. "And, yes. Yes, I know you're not allowed to go there. It's silly. Silly!" She snorted briefly, then patted Flo's shoulder with her soft hands. "So! You take the elevator to the 3rd floor. There, the ruler's living quarters are located behind a glass door. You do NOT go through it. Instead, turn left into another corridor. There, on the front right side, some chambermaids are waiting for this laundry. I can only send you. They are too busy to get these themselves. After that, you can go back to the kitchen. You are urgently needed there."

"What are they doing?" Flo asked curiously.

"Cleaning. Polishing silver and gold. The good cutlery will be used for the celebration. We are expecting many guests. Boy? Hurry up and make sure you don't get seen. Our employer should not be in his rooms at the moment..."

"Good." He nodded.

There was not just one celebration. No. The ruler took the opportunity to invite the families of the selected young ladies as well. To a small celebration. He had heard from Alby that Ferry Goldbird had important things to discuss with these distinguished families. What exactly? Alby didn't know that. Flo hoped it was about more aid for all the people in Burgstadt.

According to rumors, much of the food stored there had spoiled because water had entered the warehouse. Rumors spread quickly. And if it was true, then people were at risk of starvation. Those who had not found a place in the other cities.

The mobile cities were all largely self-sufficient. There were never surpluses, but always exactly what was needed. Exceptions were top-level luxury foods. The rich were reluctant to give up luxury.

Each city organized itself in a similar way, and so it was difficult to bring food to Burgstadt. Every city waiting here needed everything itself.

And the ruler?

He wasted food on a celebration.

Had Ferry Goldbird had food brought to Burgstadt?

Flo didn't know, but he hoped so.

With the basket in his arms, he set off. He was looking forward to being able to return to the familiar kitchen. But so close to the living quarters of Ferry Goldbird? He would rather do without that. What if he was sent back to Burgstadt because his appearance disgusted the clone? And Flo had never met anyone so important. What if he made a mistake?

Nervously, he went to the elevator and went upstairs. A simple hallway awaited him, decorated with softly flowered fabric wallpaper and a dark red carpet, from which three more opened. One was closed by a glass wall with a glass door. A scanner for facial recognition shone next to the glass wall. He saw beautiful, colorful wallpaper, gold stucco, fine chandeliers... Flo averted his gaze and hurried past the hallway.