"He actually dismissed me? That was my first day on the job." Lira's echoed a cold laugh and continues whispering to herself, "And now I don't even know where my new station is. Really?! Laundry."
She softly giggles, "that's the one thing I hate most." Abruptly, she changed her mood, "you know what world?" She looked up at the afternoon's glaring sun, "I will regain my reputation. I will not let the shame of losing my job on the first day defeat me. Cause I'm more powerful than that. I am Lira, this is not the worst I've been through."
With that being said, Lira continued down an unfamiliar path in the maze like palace hoping someone would assist her. But she continued walking down seemingly - an endless path.
In the far distance she could make out a small group of people wearing pink Hanfu, symbolizing their status as palace maids.
"Good afternoon girls," Lira kindly whispered while walking closer to them.
The girls took notice of this beautiful maid wearing a black gown with silver embroideries, but the most recognizable thing - the black rose on top of her head.
They all stopped gossiping and said nervously in unison "Hello miss," while doing a small bow towards the 10th Prince's heart servant. The 3 girls in front of Lira were all part of the Heart Servant selection today, however they were the few unselected servants who had been fated to become palace maids.
"Sisters, what's with the formalities we are all servants of the Imperial family," Lira quickly lifted their bows to gesture them to stop with formalities. Lira giggles slightly, "Please call me Lira."
One of the girl spoke confidently, "What brings you out here to the maid chambers, Lira?"
Lira's smile slowly faded, "I was sent to do the laundry for his 10th Prince, but I'm unfamiliar with the palace."
Another girl with eye catching golden hair chuckles, "You must be after directions, let us help," she kindly gestures towards the east, everyone swiftly turns their heads towards the direction she had pointed towards.
The girl who spoke first suggested, "Follow along this path," she referred to the stone path leading to a wooden bridge, "cross the bridge and then you'll be able to spot some sheets that are hanging on bamboo poles. That's the laundry."
Lira offers a sweet smile, "Thank you have a wonderful day," she offers them a respectful gesture of the warrior's bow, her right hand rests on her left shoulder briefly before she swiftly heads towards her new battle.
--+--
Lira seemed to be walking with great speed towards her place she was directed by them. The 3 girls assisting her began gossiping.
"Do you think she was dismissed by the 10th Prince? Why does a beautiful heart servant need to go to the laundry? Her statements were all suspiciously vague." spat the girl who gave Lira direction.
"You don't say." giggled the golden hair girl.
"'Sent to do the laundry'," she begins chuckling, "She must have done something really bad and this is her punishment."
"She even said we're all servants of the Imperial family. While we serve only when needed with low salaries, she is the 10th Prince's bed warmer and protector."
The last girl who hasn't yet spoken giggles and kindly offers, "Let's go girls we shouldn't gossip about other people, it's not easy for all of us to be working for the imperial family. If we get caught we might not receive the best treatment for gossiping about the 10th Prince's heart servant."
With that being said the 3 girls went dead silent. They continued on with their work of cleaning the maid chamber's garden.
--+--
Lira continued on her path to the laundry. She begins thinking that they're probably guessing why a heart servant is going to the laundry. When she should be serving and protecting the Prince personally. Lira's groaning becomes unison with the wooden bridge she begins to walk on. She was so distracted by all the negativity she almost walked into a rose bush. She swiftly refocuses into reality and dodges the prickly bush. She comforted herself by patting her beating chest from the moment. She sighs as she realises, thankfully no one was around to see her stumble. She doesn't need anymore embarrassment.
She finds herself on the other side of the wooden bridge and in the distance she can make out white sheets hanging on bamboo clothes hanger poles.
So, her new mission - the laundry. She smiles nervously at the feeling of discomfort in her heart while sighing to herself, "Hope this goes well."