Rising early, the quiet moments before the day began might be Marie’s favourite. The servants’ quarter was silent as Marie slipped through the neatly arranged sheets before standing up and opening the window. The night sky was gradually brightening, bit by bit.

She closed her eyes, placing her opposing hands on each eye, forming an X.

“Blessed Moonweaver, with your silvery glow, weave serenity into our restlessness, grace these hearts with tranquility,” she murmured in a quick prayer to the Goddess Selena.

After her prayer, Marie went about her day-to-day duties. Quickly donning her dress, she reached for the ribbon earlier gifted to her by Lady Eli, now a daily accessory. Tying her hair, she swiftly stepped out.

The household was still mostly slumbering, except for the barracks where knights rose early for their training.

Efficiently navigating her chores, Marie's ears were on high alert for the symphony of maids sharing the latest scoops. With swift note-taking skills, she uncovered a gem: Lord Richard's return, a garden stroll turned lavatory dash, complete with a wardrobe malfunction of the trousers variety.

Marie's eyes sparkled with delight – a perfect addition to her Lady Eli's arsenal.

Knowing well the cold war between Lord Richard and Lady Eli, Marie revelled in her newfound ammunition. Lord Richard's penchant for spreading tales about his sister had always irked Marie, though she was relegated to the sidelines as a mere maid. However, times had changed. Lady Eli had undergone a metamorphosis, and Marie was grateful for the shift.

Amidst more gossipy whispers, seemingly unrelated but duly noted by Marie's discerning ears, others dismissed it as idle chatter. Not Marie. For her it was akin to an invisible thread that stitches the fabric of interpersonal relationships. The imaginary mirror that reveals the collective consciousness of everything.

In the bustling breakfast hall, Marie seamlessly integrated herself into the largest group of maids. Initiating the gathering with light banter, she skillfully navigated the conversation towards the juiciest tidbits.

A well-placed question here and there, and the floodgates of gossip opened wide.

The news flowed – the gardener's health, Lord Richard's return, and the night escapades of Lord Daniel and Lady Eli. Rumor had it they were playing a game called "Hide and Seek." Marie raised an eyebrow at the peculiar choice. But she attributed it to Lady Eli's refined taste in everything, even games.

Marie nodded approvingly to herself. Lady Eli, the epitome of a noble lady.

Her artistic prowess left Marie breathless; those paintings, her unmatched talent at such young age. Despite the occasional peculiar requests, Lady Eli's etiquette, speech, and grace were impeccable.

Lately, she had even treated Marie like a confidante rather than a mere maid. Ahh, it felt like a blessing from Selena. Marie tapped her eyes once again, offering a small prayer of gratitude to the goddess.

The moment had arrived. Marie took a detour to the servant chamber to retrieve something Lady Eli had commissioned. A quick pit stop in the kitchen secured a glass of Sundrop Sitrus juice before Marie made her way to her lady's room.

It seemed as though Lady Eli possessed an uncanny ability to sense Marie's acquisitions.

Even before Marie could knock, a cry echoed from within, "SITRUSSSSSS!" Lady Eli appeared at the door in a flash, ready to snatch the glass of juice from Marie's hands.

While the young lady was the epitome of elegance most of the time, this particular juice acted as the wolfsbane to her nobility.

Marie reveled in the predictable transformation of her expression during these moments.

The contrast between Lady Eli's refined demeanor and her unbridled enthusiasm for a simple treat never failed to amuse her.

Curtains, gracefully drawn. Room, meticulously tidied. Bed, an elegant masterpiece. All completed while Lady Eli indulged in every last drop of her Sundae Sitrus juice. At one point, Marie had to snatch the glass as Lady Eli ravenously licked it clean.

Despite the juice-fueled enthusiasm, Marie couldn't help but affirm that Lady Eli was indeed elegant …Most of the time.

"Is this the item I commissioned earlier?" Lady Eli inquired as Marie delivered the package.

"Indeed, Milady," Marie responded.

Lady Eli swiftly unwrapped it, revealing a dark green hood. While the request had initially surprised Marie, the wisdom Lady Eli shared about pockets still resonated in her ears.

It was about pockets. How pockets transcend their utilitarian origins. How they were a metaphor to human experience. Repositories for experiences and secrets alike.

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

How the fashion aficionado, in their pursuit of the perfect pocket, becomes an archaeologist of the soul. The philosophy of unearthing fragments of self in the folds of fabric.

She'd basically instructed Marie to commission different garments, all with hidden pockets. Marie didn't entirely grasp the significance, assuming she was missing some noble education. Yet, Lady Eli didn't mind enlightening her, and Marie tackled the task with utmost sincerity.

It seemed her lady was pleased. Squeals of joy accompanied the rummaging through numerous pockets in the hood.

"What about the rest of them?" Lady Eli inquired.

"Ready within a week."

"Ah, I can hardly wait. You're truly exceptional, Marie!"

Praise appreciated, Marie moved on to her next task—tending to Lady Eli's long azure locks, a responsibility requiring eventual maintenance.

"...out with it," Lady Eli declared after a while.

"What?" Marie asked innocently.

"I sense you've been harboring something to share. Come on, spill the beans—what gossip has piqued your interest?"

Ahh, her lady knew her too well.

Marie unleashed a barrage of gossips, and Lady Eli responded with a well-timed laugh or comment. The pièce de résistance was undoubtedly the calamitous garden promenade of Lord Richard.

Lady Eli smacked her thigh, a burst of laughter escaping. “Should have sustained the intensity of the spell, but it befits him rightly.”

"What?" Marie questioned.

"Nothing. Do recall the other matter I inquired about?" Lady Eli wiped away laughter-induced tears.

Trying not to question Lady Eli's elegance too much (an uphill battle), Marie responded, "Yeah, I think I'd have good news by tomorrow."

"That was quick," Eli remarked, genuinely surprised.

Marie huffed her chest up and raised her head. "Anything for my lady and her audacious pursuits," she declared (having learned some of the difficult words her lady used), despite sometimes pondering the eccentricity of those pursuits. Some goals, she mused, were reserved for minds of unparalleled brilliance. Marie, content in her role, relished in assisting her lady in her peculiar endeavors.

"Ahh, I wanted to ask one more thing. I've always yearned to understand the intricate structure of our county. I tried scouring the books in the study, but most of the material there was as outdated as powdered wigs."

Marie didn’t understand what that last part meant but her eyes still sparked with enthusiasm. A noble pursuit indeed.

"Of course, Milady. I know a place that might have the required information."

"As anticipated of you. Deliver it to me as promptly as you can."

"I will do my best, Milady."

After impeccably dressing Lady Eli, Marie bid farewell and plunged into her daily whirlwind of chores—mostly running around to fulfill her lady's every whim.

As Marie departed, contemplating a trip to town, a voice sliced through the hallway. She turned, and her expression soured.

It was Matilda.

That harlot.

Matilda sneered as Marie crossed her path in the hallway. "Oh, look who thinks she's the queen's personal handmaiden."

Marie shot her a cool glance. "What is it, Matilda? As you can see, I am very busy at the moment, unlike a certain someone."

"Well, you certainly seem to enjoy it, don't you? Being the pet of that thing."

Marie maintained her composure. "Are you not afraid that your words might reach her someday? I serve Lady Eli with dedication. It's a privilege, not a burden."

Matilda rolled her eyes. "I serve the lady of this house. And dedication? More like desperation. How can you stand working for someone so insufferable?"

A spark of defiance ignited in Marie's eyes. "Lady Eli might be demanding, but she appreciates my efforts. Can't say the same for you, can you?"

Marie, acutely aware of how Lady Isabelle, Lady Eli's stepmother, treated her personal servants, didn't mince her words.

Matilda's face twisted with disdain. "At least I don't pretend to adore someone who—"

Before the verbal skirmish could escalate, a sudden stomach rumble betrayed Matilda.

Marie took a step back as Matilda, now clutching her stomach, emitted a whimper… before making a hasty retreat.

Marie hurried behind her, catching a whiff of the impending disaster. The floodgates were already open, and Marie hoped Matilda could reach the lavatory in time.

Perhaps on pure instinct, Marie turned around. But there was no one there. In an odd sense of déjà vu, Marie could have sworn she saw azure locks vanish down the hallway.

----------------------------------------

The clip-clop of hooves and the carriage's creaking symphony finally reached its curtain call.

First to break free from the somewhat awkward carriage ride were young Lord Daniel and Lord Richard, accompanied by Sir Percival. Finally, it was Marie's cue to exit.

So, how did this unexpected entourage come about? Well, just as Marie was plotting her escape to town for Lady Eli's endless chores, fate threw Lord Daniel and Lord Richard on her path to town.

Daniel, spotting Marie as Eli's maid, rushed up like a gallant knight and insisted she join their expedition.

What could she do? She complied.

Just as Marie dared to dream of freedom, Daniel chimed in, "Why is she going alone? What if something happens to her?"

And that's how one of the two knights on this unplanned trip ended up tailing Marie.

Wherever they went, people gawked, and the imposing presence of Sir Percival squashed any potential gossip, leaving Marie stewing in frustration.

This outing, meant for collecting scandalous tidbits, turned into a lesson in smiling politely while listing off tasks Lady Eli had earmarked for future visits.

Curse her overly good luck.

"So, where are we off to?" A deep voice rumbled behind her. Marie, not quite accustomed to casual exchanges with knights, took a moment before replying.

"A detour to the church library. Lady Eli seems to have developed a sudden fascination with the county's architectural intricacies. My task is to fetch the reading material."

"Ahh..."

Marie knew well that Sir Percival had been Lady Eli's swordsmanship tutor for a while. Rumors swirled about Eli's unconventional interest in swordplay, something Marie secretly took pride in, even though she hadn't witnessed it firsthand.

Maybe one day she'd muster the courage to ask.

"Perhaps she was genuinely interested. She inquired about the forest surrounding the Manor and sought additional geographical details about the county," Sir Percival continued.

Marie raised an eyebrow. "Your answer?"

"I shared a few morsels, you know, the ones I'm acquainted with. I'm her swordsmanship mentor, not a geography tutor."

Marie couldn't help but stifle a laugh

"Well, in philosophy, a sword can be a kind of compass."

Sir Percival glanced at Marie. "An unconventional perspective, but something to be considered."

As the church approached, Marie seamlessly transitioned back into her routine, listing off yet another task from her seemingly endless list of chores.