"Kamigani..... Kamigani..."
Kamigani sprang into a sitting position to see Winter abruptly took a large step back. She blinked trying to adjust to the darkness.
"Sorry about that... you are in the palace, I am Winter your friend." Winter said quickly still maintaining the distance as she regarded Kamigani carefully.
Kamigani was a bit confused why Winter was looking at her like she was hoping she would remember her. She could clearly see she was sitting on her soft bed in her room in the palace. "I'm sorry." She apologized hoping she didn't startle Winter. "I should probably learn how to wake up normally."
"No its not your fault, I understand." Winter said too quickly taking a step closer to her.
Kamigani frowned as she noticed Winter was dressed. "Is it morning?" She asked since it was still dark.
"It is almost dawn, I have to go home and extract oil for my mother, I just want to inform you so you won't get confused later when you wake up." Winter explained.
"Do you want me to come with you?" Kamigani asked blinking eagerly.
"No it's outside the palace.." Winter shook her head. "I will be back in the evening. You can stay with Aenti or Goldman and tell anybody that want to give you any trouble that you are his Majesty's personal maid." Winter told her as Kamigani nodded. "Now go back to sleep." She said as she gave her head a slight pat.
Kamigani nodded and laid down on the bed as Winter adjusted the blanket around her, she closed her eyes knowing she wouldn't be able to sleep, light penetrated her eyes and she flung her eyes open to see light sipping through the window.
She groaned knowing she had clearly slept off. She slipped out of the blanket and quickly straightened the bedsheets, folding her blanket and placed it beside the pillow.
She moved to the basket where she dumped her cloth to see it was empty, her eyes widen in shock and she almost flew to her wardrobe which she yanked open to see a pile of the same cloth folded neatly, she sighed in relieve and took one since she doesn't want to be late. She pulled her loose hair into a pony tail before walking to the washroom and as expected there were a lot of servants and most were done bathing.
She was relieved to see the towel and the box Winter gave her where she left them.
"Kamigani...!"
She turned to see most eyes were on her and some were even taping the others pointing at her and whispering. She glanced around to see someone beckon to her as another was tying a towel around them. she was a bit confused to see this person wasn't Huare or Tutina.
"Good morning." Kamigani muttered when she got closer to them.
"Oh dear Heaven just like Winter said you are truly a beauty, so pretty..." She said smiling. "I am Quotos and this is Sky."
Quotos had large dark eyes and a small round face, her hair was dark and only fell past her shoulders, her smile was gentle and looked so natural. Sky eyes were a lighter shade of green and her iris seemed larger than normal, her face was lean and a beauty mark was under her perfect curved eyebrows. Kamigani admitted mentally this Sky had a very attractive appearance.
"Hi." Kamigani forced a smile, she noticed Sky was glaring at her. "I will take my bath now." She didn't wait for a reply as she dashed to an empty stall.
Most of the serving girls she met shown that they didn't like her but they didn't declare it like how Tutina did but the serving boys she met were very friendly towards her. She had no idea why but she tried not to think much about it.
She quickly took her bath and was glad the room was almost empty when she was done. She almost ran to her room as soon as she was dressed.
She was a bit despondent since Winter wouldn't be around. Winter reminded her of Cecil and even called Kamigani her friend.
Kamigani brushed her hair, parting it in the middle she started braiding it into two. It wasn't as pretty as how Winter made it but it would do. She glanced at Winter's small makeup basket, her eyes dimmed knowing she would probably not get a chance to be pretty if she was ever free, she would clearly go back to wearing her tunic and pants and have no interest in female attire.
She took a deep breath stepping out of the room and released it before walking to the kitchen to see it was very busy.
A woman stood out from them since she wore a flaring red robes and was yelling orders. Her hair was beautifully made and adorned with different red pins, she turned to Kamigani since she was the only idle one.
"You...." She frowned a bit, her sword eyebrow knitted like she was trying to place her face. "You must be the third one that came in." She said finally.
"Yes I am Kamigani his Majesty's personal..." Kamigani trailed off not knowing if it was appropriate for her to claim a title which wasn't confirmed.
"Go and sit at the pavilion come back when the dinning is set." The woman ordered.
Kamigani bowed before leaving. She looked around and saw a pavilion not far from the kitchen, she quickly hurried towards it and took her sit on the round chair surrounding a round table.
Was it because they assumed she was really the King's maid they didn't give her anything to do. She was so confused as some guards walking by waved to her, she quickly waved back and spotted an attractive man walking towards her.
"Hello" He said as he stopped few feet from her, his hair was brown and packed into a pony tail. His eyes were golden which was the first thing that captivated Kamigani, it was the first time she would see eyes like that. He had enchanting handsome features and he was dressed in a luxurious crimson robes. "I'm Ienlouch and you are?" He asked his hands folded behind him.
Kamigani could clearly see he wasn't a servant by how flashy his cloth were and the way he carried himself. "I'm Kamigani." She said averting her gaze when she realised she was staring.
"A beautiful name for a pretty lovely lady... will you like to have tea with me?" He asked still standing and smiling at her.
Kamigani frowned not knowing how to reply to this man. She would have agreed but she was only a servant and it would be inappropriate. "I am his Majesty's personal maid." She muttered and met his gaze only to see his eyes twinkle in delight.
It was what Winter used to say to send the men that approached her away. The male servants were very nice to her and most of them didn't allow her to do much work, as long as she had the fake title of being the King's personal maid they all let her off.
"I see... so will you like to have tea with me?" He repeated taking a step closer to her.
Kamigani eyes darted around like she was looking for anyone to save her but Winter wasn't around.
"Ien, the minister of welfare asked of you." A voice rang behind her.
Kamigani turned to see Aenti who was the least person she expected to save her and she couldn't help as her mouth curved in a small smile.
"Hmmm Aenti, tell him I will see him later." Ienlouch said as he turned to stare at Aenti.
"I am not your errand boy Ien." Aenti told him gazing at Ienlouch and acted like he didn't see Kamigani.
Ienlouch took a deep breath. "Then tell an errand boy to deliver the message." He said calmly.
"He wants to see you now." Aenti said firmly.
Kamigani doesn't understand why they were staring at each other intensely and none seem to want to break the gaze.
Ienlouch finally averted his gaze to Kamigani like he was fighting a battle between leaving or staying."Will I see you today?" He asked hopefully.
Kamigani blinked. "Yes." She said without thinking knowing the palace was very big and she could always avoid him.
He smiled brightly revealing his perfect white teeth. "Till then." He said and walked away.
Kamigani wanted to thank Aenti but he nodded looking a bit disheartened and left. She doesn't understand why Aenti acts weird around her, most time it was like he wanted to say something to her but then his face turns red and he quickly avert his gaze. She always catches him staring at her and each time he would quickly look away pretending to be busy.
"Wait..." She called out but Aenti neither turn or stop even though she was sure he heard her. "Weird.." She muttered knowing she would definately not like to stay with Aenti.