After that dreadful yet confusing moment where she had to face all the thrilling situations in the place that she shouldn't be- only one day after that day, Imperial people came to Daniel's Trading Company and asked her to come to the Imperial Palace once more. It was quite confusing, but she did it in the end because what other thing she could do in that situation?

There were two ministers who waited for her and they both are, the minister of finance and the minister of International Trading. They both looked like they were already past their half decades but, still so sturdy and gallant except for their age.

" My name is Higrid Pecunia and this man is Sir Asthon Namas," said the finance minister, while as usual, Haya will get involved in the situation related to her as her interpreter. " So, shall we discuss the proposal you once proposed, Ms. Irisha?" and somehow, at that time she did want to complain to them of how their work ethic was nowhere to be found. To come to her workplace without prior notice and suddenly reveal their intention to cooperate. It was not a really nice act, and the fact that they were not even apologizing was also worsening the situation. Yet, again... it was a hierarchical world to start with, and who was she to complain about this system.

Well in the end thing is getting better day by day. It was starting from that sudden meeting with the minister who then lead her to be the right hand of the finance minister of the empire that specialized on the independent companies' matter. They created a new division for her to lead under the minister of financial supervision, and she then created her own team who work under her. Every day was a hectic situation especially when her job was to stabilize the state's financial income but, well, she is survived. She is survived even after five months already passed.

[ Use your jacket and put on your favorite blanket, can you walk by yourself?] asked Irisha to Arisha who wore thick clothing than usual. Even though today is a weekday, Arisha is also not that excited to go to her school like before. She looks so sullen and her cheeks are reddened.

" I don't want to walk." and while Irisha puts her hand on her forehead who still has a little bit of fever, she smiles gently.

[Okay, then. I will hold you.] and hold her who will just be comfortable in her embrace and hold Irisha tightly. She then just pat's her back gently while preparing to go to work. Arisha never once acted like this. She was so healthy and never sick. The last time she was sick maybe when she was still a baby, back when she was just transmigrated and struggling with this world. Arisha never acted spoiled and never complained so much. As far as she remembers, Arisha never asked anything from her and just always be in her best acts. She always became a very understanding sister.

Irisha could say that at her age, Arisha already acts mature enough than her friends.

'... she still a child though.' and sure, Irisha does not realize that she takes her little sister's understanding for granted. Like two days ago was the first time she realized what burden her little sisters had been through in her little body. How she cried so much and apologized to her, was the worst moment that shattered her heart just like back in the time when an old lady in the village wanted to take her away from Irisha. Seem, Arisha learned or thought that if she did something bad, people will blame her sister and take her away from Irisha. So that is way, Arisha then acted maturely, avoided acting childish, and hold everything by herself.

' You are still 8 years old, Arisha.' and she frowned hurtfully while holding his little sister in her embrace. ' and... you love me so much.' as to how she never wanted to go from her side all night and repeatedly saying.

" Don't leave me, sister." while her face was so red and her fever was so high. She then spent all two days just to be by her sister's side and told her how much important she is to her so that she will never ever leave her alone or let people take her away from her.

[ You just don't understand how important you are for me.] and while brushing her hair gently she kissed her forehead. [ So, don't be worried and just do what things that make you happy. Don't ever keep your heartache alone by yourself, okay?] asked her and she did not know either Arisha understood what she was saying as her fever was high, but she stopped crying and then sleep soundly after that.

Truthfully, she still wants to take a break off from her work and take care of Arisha until she feels better, but, the imperial letter came to her house and told her how urgent her presence is. They kinda asked it in a very nice and polite way despite how tyranny they should be, and maybe she should not take it for granted and just come while they are still nice to her- is what she thought the entire day.

When she asked Arisha about it, she was surprised but also excited.

" You are working, there?" asked her while eating her food in her bed. " My friends always talking about how cool the palace is."

[ Yes, and if you are strong enough to go, I will bring you.]

" I want to!"

and she smiles. [ Then, go to bed early so tomorrow you will feel much better.] she said and Arisha nodded as she then went to sleep. Her fever slowly went down which was nice, but seem this morning she was still feeling weak so that she just fell asleep again in her embrace.

' ... It is really okay?' she thought as she is kinda worried about her, but, even Haya's wife said that she wants to take care of her, Arisha just did not want to let her go. Then she sighs, ' I will just try it once and look at her condition, if it worsens I will just go back home.' because Arisha is her priority after all.

' Ah.' and when she just comes down to the stairs, she passes Ms.Miranda as usual, who looks more uncomfortable and awkward while looking at her.

After she was listening to Arisha's story, it was hard to maintain their relationship. Even though the truth is Irisha does not want it to be this way but the other party does not feel the same, so she gives a letter to her that she had prepared yesterday. Then, Ms.Miranda looks at it in confusion but then reads it for a while.

She thought that she writes it clear enough that she will move out of this house, and do not expect any further conversation that Ms.Miranda also will not be comfortable with too. So, she just gives a gesture to her to excuse herself and just open the front door.

" Ms.Irisha!" and a very cheerful lady in her Imperial worker's suit waves from outside the gate. With the imperial carriage that is not only large but also eccentric for it to be in this commoner residential lot. " Are you ready?" asked her with fluent sign language.

Her name is Tara, and she was assigned three months ago to be her interpreter. She was so surprised when someone other than people in the company suddenly became so fluent in sign language. Yet, she was also confused because she did not need another interpreter because there was Haya and her people from Daniel's Trade Company that could be her interpreter. When she asked her, Tara said.

"... I just applied for the job of sign language interpreter's position that specifically needed to be a woman," she said. " It is the first time for the Imperial to open such position for a woman, so I just applied it and I am so grateful to be accepted! My family is also proud of me and I will make sure to you that I will do my best, but, is there something wrong?" and she was so happy and so excited about her new job, that Irisha could not bring more questions to dig information about the reason. In the end, after all; the staff in Daniel's Trading Company became so busy after she takes the position in the Imperial. It can be said that her position now also effecting Daniel's Trading Company, and because of that she is sure that, it will be the right choice to just accept Tara.

Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

She is also kind and cheerful, Irisha could easily be comfortable with her in just three months. " She is sleeping? Is her fever still high?" she is also a loving person just like how she is worrying her sister now. While looking at Arisha who sleeps soundly in her embrace, " I already prepared for your sister necessities in the palace, so she will be comfortable, but, if there anything that I should do for you?" asked Tara.

and she smiles, [ Thank you. I have some documents that I should bring in front of my house on the fourth floor, could you please bring it for me because I was not able to bring it while holding my sister.] she said.

" Of course, Ms.Irisha," she said. While talking to other coachman's that then come inside her house while Ms.Marinda is running toward them and seems to talk to her in confusion.

She then looks at Tara, who seems to understand that she wants her to interpret it for her, in one glance. " This Miss asked why Imperial Carriage here. She is also asked, is there something wrong with you?" and Tara twitched her eyes while looking at Ms.Miranda in a serious manner, " Excuse me, but, you are talking with the right hand of the Finance Minister of the Empire. You should mind your manner while talking with her." said her.

But, Ms.Miranda becomes more confused, " What do you mean? She is just deaf and muted. You might have a wrong address?"

and Tara is staring at her in resentment. "... Ms.Irisha, should we take care of her?" asked her. Where even though she does not understand what Ms.Miranda has said, she could imagine the words. Especially on that day when Arisha had a fight with her friend, she came all the way to her and wrote her something. She said how uncomfortable she was accepting her in her place and asked her to go. She also said that it will be better not to tell Rosan about this matter, because of how kind Rosan is. She also said that Irisha should not take Rosan's kindness for granted. She said that Irisha should also ask for forgiveness from Arisha's friend's family and told her that it is better to take Arisha to the appropriate place where normal people could take care of her sister correctly.

'... she was literally using 'normal people' and ' correctly taking care of my sister' in that letter.'

is she mad? Of course. As she is only human and not a robot without a heart and feeling.... but, more than that, she is just feeling pitiful. Sometimes she asked herself, will people who treated her like this will also treat other people with disability in the same way?

[... It is okay.] she said. [ I will move out from this house, so there is nothing to do.]

Then Tara nodded, while another coachman helps Irisha to go inside the carriage. Then Tara is looking to the surrounding where many eyes trying to know what is happening. The disturbing looking as they were witnessing something that impossible to be done. " ... Next time, we will not accept this kind of behavior, Miss," she said to Ms.Miranda who is still in disbelieve about this situation. " Ms. Irisha is someone who is important that Crown Prince himself, hires her personally. So mind, your way when talking about her," she said, who then left Ms.Miranda paled in her little front garden. Tara might be doing something that she should not be done because no one ordered her. In the end, it was really just her own personal opinion. Yet, it was so disturbing for her when she looked at so many people who had the same thought and feelings about Ms.Irisha just like she did before.

'... and I regret it every day for what I've done.' she said in her mind while looking at how gently the Miss she once despised, brushed her little sister's hair. The scenery sure makes her smile. Because, not only she is a loving person, but a very amazing one. She is the one who makes Tara amazed to see a woman standing equally in front of the officials of the empire. She is the one who confidently brings up her opinion and she is also the one who is being listened to by people in this kind of hierarchy and patriarchal society.

[ I am just deaf and a mute, but that's it.] and that simple sentence that came from her mouth, make Tara realize how inspirational this woman was. Then started from that day, each day in her life was so exciting whenever she is with this woman.

***

" Ms. Arisha, we will make you many good snacks, so would you like to come with us?" asked the imperial maid to her while kneeling in front of Arisha who is hugging her sister stickily even after they arrived at the empire. She was so hyped after waking up in front of the first gate and excitedly looking at her surroundings when they arrived in the palace's front yard but when Irisha said that she will go for a while, she hugged her tightly and becomes so clingy to her.

and both of the maids look so confused and looking at her to get the solution, but she is also confused because she never thought she has to lead the meeting while the crown prince is here too.

"... just let her be, bring sweets and snacks for the child." but then Tara pokes her to tell her what the crown prince just said.

She looks at him, who is now talking with his assistant, and then looks at her. " You may start now." and used the sign language to her casually.

'... he already fluent in sign language too?' she said in her mind. She is quite amazed especially when she is now, knowing how tight his schedule is as the crown prince. To be able to have this kind of conversation with someone like him, she is kinda touched.

" Then, Ms.Irisha will give you the document for today's meeting," said Tara. While being helped with the other staff to distribute the documents. " Then, please open the first page. We are now going to talk about the agreement with-" and Tara then interpreted Irisha's speech to the whole audience that filled with the officials and other important members.

" Ms.Irisha, here is the hot chocolate for you." whispered the maid who then talked with her in the middle of the meeting where many people are talking now.

She looks at Irisha who looks at her too and smiles at the maid that is also smiling at her too. [ Thank you.] she said. [ You should say it too, Arisha.]

and while sitting in her thigh, and holding the hot chocolate that is wrapped by fury clothes. She nodded. " Thank you, Miss."

and the maid smiles delightfully, especially since this is the first time Arisha wants to talk to her. " My name is Hannah. Please comfortably ask something to me, I will wait in that corner Ms.Arisha." she said.

and she nodded in her blushing cheeks. " Thank you." and made the maid feels so much fluffy because of her. Irisha could understand because Arisha is really lovely and cute. She is a little smaller than her friend but, she is a polite and loving person. It will be hard for resisting a child like her.

" Ms.Irisha, how about the demand? Do not you think it will be full of risque?" asked someone. Who makes Irisha who is poked by Tara looked at her. Tara then slowly interpreted it again to her and she then explained it to the man. It was kinda hard to explain it on the blackboard while holding Arisha, and some people there slowly become impatience, but:

" Tell her that she doesn't have to be rushed." the crown prince said and makes them become calm in just a second.

and Tara nodded while telling Irisha about that. Then Irisha nodded and bowed to him before writing things on the blackboard again. In that position, Arisha could clearly see many adults are waiting for her sister. She could easily see how they then patiently talked to her. No one gives her the uncomfortable eyes, no one there is underestimating her, in a way... Arisha could understand that they are treating her sister kindly.

" What is this mean?" but, this tall man that looks like Prince in the storybook that she likes, is always be the one who helps her sister whenever she faces trouble. He uses sign language just like her to her sister and waits for her patiently.

[ ... please wait a minute.] said her sister while troubled holding her with her one hand.

Then Arisha looks at the man to his beautiful golden eyes who then also look at Arisha's eyes too and they both have a little staring moment before she loosens her hug and stretches her hands to reach the man.

Irisha and Tara are surprised.

Irisha turns her eyes to Tara quickly to help her say something for her sister, and while Tara understands it so clearly- The Crown Prince already holds her sister in his hand.

[ Pardon me, Your Grace-]

and he, who is now looking at Arisha who also looking at him, smiles a little. " She looks like she is the mini version of you." without the sign language, and make her Irisha confused. " Tell her to continue, her sister will be with me."

and Tara nodded in confusion, while Irisha then looks at Arisha who put her head down in his embrace. [ Please forgive me.] she said, but Arisha seem does not concern about anything even though her sister is having a heart attack right now. Of course, many people in the hall were also surprised by this kind of situation. Never in their lifetime of serving the imperial family, they see the wicked crown prince holding a child dearly like that. But... in a way, they are somehow starting to get used to it.

' It was not the first time.' said Tara while looking at the prince who holding Ms.Irisha's little sister back to his chair, who has the same thought as the people in this hall. People who work beside Ms.Irisha will also already know. The public secret of the crown prince and the new commoner in this palace. She starts to smile, while looking at the woman who is still concerned, but again leads the meeting in the perfect accomplishment.

***