The early morning ray peeked through the window and woke up the lady from her bed. Slowly she climbed out of her colorful bed and pulled off the drapes to prepare for the day, she must set out before it rains. Gracefully, she let her sleeping clothes fall off from her body and fit into ones for going out, from a gown of pure white she emerged from the bathroom colorful like a butterfly. After fixing her bed and clothes she approached the door and was greeted by a knock. Behind the door was a little girl short of twelve years was bowing low to the ground before her "What seems to be the problem, little girl?" Ligaya's voice was comforting.
The girl raised her head and her teary eyes met with the maharlika "Please accept my apologies, Dayang Ligaya. I believe I was to assist you in prepare for this morning."
Dayang Ligaya's surprise melted into understanding "Hmm, it looks like you're the new alipin. Nobody must have told you but I don't rely on alipins too much..." Dayang Ligaya went to her table and sat "...the good thing is that you brought breakfast. Come." Dayang Ligaya said with a warm smile.
The alipin stood clumsily while wiping her eyes and hurriedly carried the maharlika's breakfast to her table. Dayang Ligaya examined the alipin as she worked and as expected of an alipin, her body was covered with only simple clothes, just small to enough to hide what needs to be hidden. The girl's hair reached only down to her own neck
The small circular table was able to carry the food that the alipin brought. The alipin remained standing while Dayang Ligaya ate her breakfast "Well... I don't think I can finish all this, why don't you sit here and eat with me?" The maharlika's smile never left her face.
"B-but I am an alipin... I c-could not possibly..."
"Relax, child. It's not as if someone will have your head if you do so. Now sit here and eat, child, everything feels better when you have company." Dayang Ligaya took a plate and filled it with rice and fried fish and set it in front of a seat beside her.
The alipin sheepishly approached and sat down beside the maharlika but ate like a wolf the moment she touched her plate. The alipin began to blush when she noticed the maharlika observing her with a smile.
"I'm sorry for my manners, Dayang Ligaya. I-i just..."
"No, it's alright. You remind me so much of my son..."
"Oh, Lakan Bagidan?"
Dayang Ligaya sighed "Yes... but he's too busy with his training right now, you know boys his age, they become too focused on one thing and they forget everything else. What was your name again, my child?"
"It's Maruya, Dayang Ligaya."
"Hmm... Maruya... such a cute name. It seems to me that you went here straight from your bed..." Dayang Ligaya caressed the girl's hair "You've got tangles here and there... and you're appetite tells me that you woke up late. Pray tell me what kept you up late last night?" Dayang Ligaya said in a sweet tone.
"I'm very sorry, Dayang Ligaya. I was just so excited when I heard I was going to work for you that I had a hard time sleeping... and then next thing I know I was running towards here." Maruya said while facing the floor.
"Such a lively kid. Now finish your food, I'll be off now. Just clean up after you're done."
"Wait, Dayang. Please, let me assist you."
"It's fine, my dear. I'll be fine by myself." Dayang Ligaya said reassuringly.
"Please... it would be an honor to serve the raja's wife." Maruya pleaded.
