[A Certain Girl from the Capital POV]
“Everyone please line up!”
A man wearing black clothes announced.
A few days after the parade more people clad in black armor entered the city and hurriedly entered the palace. They numbered a hundred. Some merchants said that a few hundred more are residing in the town of Willow just a day of travel from the capital.
“Mom, do you think we’ll have a chance to get employment there?”
“Have some hope Nola, the 6th prince is a good person, didn’t he pay those masons 1 gold per day they worked on the mansion?”
Among the six princes, he showed up the least even in festivals. The only reason why we know what his features were was due to the maids of the castle describing him as someone who looked like Lady Sophia…
I was young when I first saw her… she was the most beautiful person I have ever seen. Her silver hair that is as white as snow, her golden eyes that no jewellery can equal… she was beautiful… Twelve years after she has passed many still are unable to forget her. A flower that wilted as soon as it bloomed.
“We can get away from your father when we get employment there.” My mother reminded me.
“Numbers 801-1000 please enter the mansion.”
“Come now Nola, we’re being called.” We were grouped immediately on what work we would be applying for, I applied for the maid position while my mother, as a cook.
As the gates opened we saw a line of carriages waiting for us to ride. Each one was big, capable of carrying 20 of us at once. Six horses pulled the carriage.
.
.
.
We passed through the forest and approached the imposing structure, my breath caught in my throat. The palace, a behemoth of pristine white stone, stands majestically against the sky, its grandeur unmatched by anything I have ever seen. Each stone is meticulously carved, forming an unbroken expanse of sheer elegance that stretches as far as the eye can see.
The walls rise high, formidable and unyielding, creating a fortress that both awes and intimidates. Delicate carvings of mythical beasts and ancient lore adorn these walls, speaking of a history I can only dream of understanding. Windows, tall and narrow, are adorned with intricate ironwork, allowing just a glimpse into the luxurious world within.
Drawing closer, the grand entrance reveals itself, flanked by towering oak doors reinforced with iron and emblazoned with the crest of a turtle. Guarding these doors are knights clad in black armor, their presence a silent testament to the power and authority that this palace commands.
Stepping through the gates, I find myself in a vast courtyard, more splendid than any tale I’ve ever heard. Cobblestone paths wind through manicured gardens, where fountains burble with crystal-clear water and statues of past heroes stand in silent vigil. The air is rich with the scent of blooming flowers, a far cry from the earthy aroma of the fields and markets I know so well.
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Columns of gleaming marble line the palace facade, supporting grand balconies from which the sixth prince himself might address his subjects. I can only imagine the view from such a height, looking out garden beneath.
But it is the garden at the heart of the palace that captures my attention most. In its center stands a statue of unparalleled beauty, crafted from the finest marble. It depicts a woman of regal bearing, her gaze serene and compassionate. At the base of the statue, an inscription reads: "In honor of Lady Sophia."
His mother… and this palace stands to remember her. Gazing upon the statue, I cannot help but murmur, "The Palace of the Silver Maiden." It seems a fitting name for such a place of splendor and reverence.
Inside, I’ve heard tales of opulence beyond measure – rooms adorned with rich tapestries, floors of polished marble that gleam like mirrors, and ceilings painted with scenes of gods and heroes. Chandeliers of crystal hang from above, casting shimmering rainbows of light in every direction.
For a commoner like me, the palace is not merely a building; it is a symbol of unattainable luxury and power, a world so distant from my own yet so captivating in its splendor. To serve within its walls, even in the most humble capacity, would be to touch a piece of that otherworldly grandeur.
As I continued to look around, a lady wearing a maid's uniform entered the room. Prompting me to return to my place.
“You will all undergo rigorous testing. If you are unable to read and write and do basic arithmetic don’t bother, leave now.”
Many women began to talk. I could see their faces crumple in disdain towards what was said.
We were applying to become maids not attendants or butlers! Why do we need to know how to read and write?
“Are you kidding me? Reading and writing? Even the castle does not require that of us.”
“I knew it, it was too good to be true.”
“I thought I could change my life with this job…”
Many of us already expected this, since maids are often the ones in charge of auditing in a noble’s mansion. As well as managing the Lord’s library at times, being able to read is expected.
Yet the maid said nothing.
Out of 80 who applied as maids, only 32 were left.
“Now, please come with me, you will all undergo a test.”
She led us to a room with 50 chairs. Papers were already placed on top of the table.
The test was pretty easy, even for someone like me who has not entered the royal academy I could get by with the things my mother taught me. It even involved situational questions that we had to answer with sentences.
“Time is up.”
The maid told us.
“We will proceed with practical in a few minutes please, rest for now.”
She left the room.
“That was hard~”
“This is the first time I heard of a maid position having examinations.”
“That maid was beautiful though.”
“According to some guards, she’s His Highness’ maid, and the head maid of this palace.”
“No wonder even the guards seemed to bow to her.”
After the maid returned we underwent practical tests given a room and were timed on how fast we could clean it. We were also given a piece of paper and were ordered to determine the problem in it.
For once… I thanked my father for being my father.
“Spreadsheets…”
I quickly scanned through the papers and determined the possible embezzlement that might have occurred.
As I explained it to the Maid, her eyes widened.
“Fast.”
She told me. She told me to go to the resting room and wait for the others to finish.
In the end 15 of us passed.
There were around 70 people selected for the maid position, 14 for the butler, 10 cooks, and 20 gardeners. There I saw my mother.
“Please familiarize yourself with one another. You will be working with them. I am Cynthia, his Highness’ maid, both butlers, cooks and maids will report to me. And finally, the gardeners will report to Desmond here.”
After that eventful day, we were given a piece of paper detailing our work and which part of the palace we were assigned as well as the rules of the palace.
“The guards will escort you to your quarters.”
Ending our day.