Born and raised in the slums, Aster learned things the hard way. Even having a penny to eat everyday is a luxury to her. Searching the garbage bins day after day just for some food scraps, just so she can survive for another day is her daily life. But she was lucky enough to be born with a unique appearance. Blood-red hair flowing down her back, skin as pale and white as snow, ruby-red lips no matter how malnutritioned she was, and her bright purple eyes shining like a jewel and a petite body which made her seem younger than her actual age. Just like a flower blooming in a stormy mountain, or a single oasis in the middle of an endless dessert, Aster is the one-and-only pride of her birth place. No matter how dirty she seems, everyone dotes on her for her beautiful appearance and the way she brought herself.
To be able to get along with everyone, she observed and observed everyone she got into contact with. Ms. A likes it when she compliments her new dress, Uncle Y’s face brightens when she helps him with some work, Sister H will be delighted if she lets her play with her hair. Brother R will feel overly proud when she says certain things to entertain him. To know everyone’s preferences is to know their weaknesses. And to know their weaknesses, she could use them to make those people surrender to her needs and wants. Basically manipulating them into her loyal subject, like a puppeteer attaching strings onto dolls to control them.
That is how she slowly but surely made a reputation in her birth place. One by one, she got them all in the palm of her hand. Using them when they are useful and putting them away when they are no longer of use. She survived 15 years of her life by clinging to others just like parasites on a tree. Get the sweet and discard it when it becomes sour.
One fair day, sunny weather with no clouds in sight, a man– or rather a boy who looks no older than 20 - came to that slum. He introduced himself as the young lord of a quite influential family in the Capital. He goes by the name Albert. A young lord came to the slum, dressed in expensive garments, obviously raised questions here and there, Aster too is no exception.
The young man knocked on the door of a resident and a man in his forties, still looking so drunk on booze, came out.
“Excuse me dear good sir” Albert took off his hat and lowered his head so little it would seem he didn’t if one only glanced at him.
“Wha’s it ye want, lil boy? *hic* Got no money to give ya, ge’ out *hic*”
“No sir, I was just wondering if you can tell me if there is anyone who lives here who can read and write…”
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“This uncle seems really drunk, I don’t think he can be of help to you. Instead I will help you, sir” a young girl’s voice answered from behind.
Flushed cheeks no redder than her hair, small lips curved into a smile, deep purple eyes looking straight at the young man, Aster, trying to get the young man’s attention. The young man certainly had things going for him that piqued Aster’s interest. If she can get on his good side, who knows, maybe he can help her with a lot of things? Racking her brain on the spot, the girl tried whatever she could to gain a little favor from the young lord. Better try than nothing, correct?
“Oh, good afternoon, Little Miss.” he bowed a little.
“Good afternoon, sir. Whatever do you need for a … young lord such as yourself to come down personally to this quite unsightly place?” Aster tried her best to mimic the city ladies’ speech pattern.
The young man can’t help but let out a small chuckle. “I’m sorry, it’s just amusing how a smart young miss like you live in this kind of place,” he looks around, “I have an offer to make, young miss.”
“Thank you for the compliment, good sir. What is it you’re offering if I may ask?”
“It’s a personal offer to you, Miss. Would you be willing to come work at my place? Of course, every expense you need will be covered by us, and we will also provide any accommodations necessary during your stay.”
Aster, although smart, is still a young innocent girl. Enticed by the offers the young man made, she immediately nodded her head.
“But sir, what will my work be?” Aster asks Albert as they walk back together to Albert’s residence.
“That, young miss, will be a secret until we arrive. And please refer to me as Albert from now on. I do hope I can become closer to you, Miss—”
“Aster, sir. Please call me Aster,” she flashed him a quick smile.
“Okay, miss Aster. I’ll be looking forward to your hard work.”
“Yes, sir.”
“However…”
“Yes?”
“Are you sure you don’t need to ask or tell your family of this sudden employment?”
Aster stayed quiet for a while before answering, “It’s okay sir, you don’t need to worry about it.” Aster is still smiling at Albert, who returned the smile back at her.
“If you do say so then, miss Aster.”
They continue their walk in silence, both drown in their thoughts. Aster is happy with herself. To think all the beatings she received when trying to walk down the city was worth it, so much so she got hired by a young lord who can see her worth. Not just the negative beatings, but the knowledge she absorbed while observing the people in the city truly landed her such luck.
Albert is also deep in thought, sometimes glancing at Aster’s direction. The girl, fair in appearance and smart in personality, truly piqued his interest. ‘To think that I found a diamond in a dump of rubbish. Really, such luck I had going…’