It had taken thirty minutes for the Duke to arrive at the hotel.
He had intended to have a meeting with Lieutenant Governor Reilly, but his attention was diverted by something else that caught his interest. Specifically, a certain individual had caught his eye — someone he believed he recognized. Her face seemed familiar, resembling that of a close friend of his. Her hair was a luxurious shade of brown with hints of mahogany, her eyes shimmered with shades of gold and amber, and her lips were full and enticing, resembling the colour of roses.
Josephine? He thought.
Upon locking eyes with the person in front of him, Hugh was startled to see a resemblance to someone who had previously caused him great sorrow. The mysterious figure quickly averted her gaze and bent down as their eyes met. Observing her discreetly from afar, Hugh noted that she was clad in a regal blue button-down dress, just like the rest of the hotel staff. Lost in his thoughts, he continued to scrutinize her, oblivious to his hostess's attempts to engage with him.
"Your Grace?" Hugh turns his gaze towards the elegant Asian lady sitting beside him, his brow furrowing slightly."Is there something bothering you?"
Hugh pauses for a moment, blinking as he considers her question before finally shaking his head."No, everything is fine. Please continue."
As Tian Fei introduces herself as the hostess of Mira Hotel, she expresses her gratitude for the privilege of having their distinguished guest stay at their establishment. "We at the Mira Hotel strive to ensure that your experience here is nothing short of exceptional," she says with a soft chuckle. "Our team, which includes myself as well as other English-speaking staff members, is here to assist you in any way we can, so please don't hesitate to reach out if you need anything."
Deep in thought, he considered the potential value of the mysterious woman who bore a striking resemblance to Josephine and was employed at the hotel. Turning back toward Tian Fei, he adds, "If it's not too much trouble for you, I will require some assistance during my visit." He pauses and clarifies, "As you might expect, I'm not familiar with this region of the country, as I devote most of my time to the island. To express my gratitude, I will offer them a handsome remuneration."
Tian Fei, taken aback by the request, furrowed her brows in confusion as she tried to comprehend the Duke's intentions. "Do you mean that you desire to take someone from my staff who can assist you with your stay? Or do you intend to take them away in some form?"
"Well, I guarantee you'll find that the pay they'd be making with me is substantially superior to what they're currently earning at this prestigious hotel. However, I am not requesting your approval, simply making a simple statement."
The woman's expression had entirely transformed. She felt disgusted by how this man was attempting to take her staff. Surely they couldn't be making that much of a wage as his servant. Then again, he is a duke, and his fortune considerably outweighs what they would earn at the hotel. Tian Fei continued to ponder, and she concluded that this scenario was not beneficial to her or her business. Reading her expression, His Grace indicates, "Perhaps, with your generosity, a small sponsorship could aid you in reaching a decision. As we all want something out of it, having more high-status clientele will undoubtedly boost the hotel's growth."
With a more fascinated look, Tian Fei murmurs, "Well, Your Grace, there is nothing else I need to say. So how many will you be needing?"
"Do not worry, I'll only be needing one of your employees. Since you'll still be needing people to assist you when Mira Hotel starts flourishing."
"Oh, most gracious of you, Your Grace."
Hugh, in acknowledgment, gives a slight nod before shifting his gaze to the left, where the mysterious woman stands. Despite her still bowing form, he struggles to catch a clear view of her face from his vantage point. Intrigued by her presence, he feels a growing desire to get a closer look and scrutinize her features more closely. As he tentatively starts moving in her direction, a mix of nervousness and excitement consumes him with each step he takes. In addition to desiring a visual inspection, he is also filled with a longing to unravel the woman's identity, listen to the sound of her voice, and discover if she possesses the same gentle nature as his cherished Josephine.
Approaching the end of the line, the staff members bowed in unison. As he made his way towards her, he couldn't help but notice that her eyes were shut, sparking an urgent desire within him to catch a glimpse of her amber eyes once more. The scent of peaches lingered in the air as they closed the distance between them. Hugh closed in on her, closing the physical gap as well.
His heart raced with anticipation as he closed in, eager to observe the different hues on her face, the intricate details in her eyes, and the fullness of her lips. Finally, she lifted her head and acknowledged his presence, her gaze slowly travelling from his boots to his legs, chest, shoulders, and finally meeting his eyes. Upon looking deeply into her eyes, Hugh realized that they were dull and filled with sorrow.
While a part of him longed for the spark he felt when he first met Josephine, he knew this was not the love he sought. This woman before him appeared as an imposter, donning the appearance of his beloved Josephine. The real Josephine was always cheerful, with a bright smile and warmth that made him feel welcomed wherever he went. But this woman, much younger, seemed to carry the weight of centuries of grief, fear, and solitude in her eyes. Despite the sadness evident in her gaze, there was a sense of resilience and strength in her demeanour as she remained composed.
The Duke smirked as he turned to Tian Fei, saying, "This one will do." When he turned to face the woman, her eyes widened with uncertainty.
"All right then, then we have come to a decision," Tian Fei adds, clasping her hands. "Anle Green will be working with His Grace, the Duke of Kensington, until his departure."
All the other staff lifted their heads in disbelief at the announcement. Anle was still stunned as she gazed at her new employer. It had occurred swiftly, as he directed his men to lead her to his office. He still had additional obligations to attend to. Leaving Ms. Green in the hands of his other servants, he enters the hotel and walks towards the party hall to meet with Mr. Reilly.
...
The Duke's staff had brought Anle to his office on the hotel's top level. She'd never been to the upper levels before, especially during working hours. It took ten minutes to reach his office. The majority of the journey was spent climbing the stairs to the eleventh story. They advised her to stay inside until His Grace returned. Anle glanced at the grandfather clock to her right, which read five past six. It's been three hours since she entered this room. She stood for the first thirty minutes and then sat in the chair facing his desk. Her feet had been painful from standing in these heels all day. She dared not question the lateness of His Grace. She also couldn't comprehend why they selected her above her male colleagues. Anle knew not much about England, other than the fact most women of the lot did no such labour outside their household. However, times are changing, and perhaps the minds of men are evolving at the same rate as the Qing.
It was around this time that she should have returned home. Looking out the window, she watched the sun begin to set. Madame Green would be alarmed if she knew she was working after the sun had set on the horizon. Her typical rounds lasted four hours, from two in the early afternoon to six in the evening, no more or less. This was what she had agreed upon with Madame Green, given that she believed no young lady ought to venture out after dusk without a chaperone. Anle understood her mother's concerns, as she was more familiar with London society, but Madame Green needed to understand that this was not England.
Anle, tired of waiting, grumbled and stood up. She turned to go, but before she could take a step, the door swung open, displaying the man with the green eyes, the Duke. Her heart stuttered briefly as her gaze fixed upon them. They remained luminous even when the sun wasn't shining through them. Anle couldn't shake these new sensations away, nor did she understand them. Though she held a calm exterior, seeing him made her inner self crumble.
Smiling, he closed the door behind him, reducing the gap between them. "Apologizes for the wait, Ms. Green, I hope you don't mind. I was handling some business," he said. Anle remained mute, offering no response to the man.
Noticing his lips moving, she goes to clear her throat and in her best English accent replies, "Well, Your Grace, it has been three hours since I was instructed to remain here. Although I was not aware of your prior engagement, it would have been most acceptable to continue our discussion at a later date."
Her remark astounded him, as it was the first time a woman of a lesser position detested his absence. Hugh cocks his head to the side and takes precise measurements of her. She was little, approximately 160 cm tall, but unlike most well-mannered ladies her age, she was slightly muscular. She appeared to have trained, which was most likely her means of living in such harsh surroundings. Hugh moves around his desk without looking at her, takes off his coat and top-hat, and puts them on the coat rack to his right.
"Well, excuse my tardiness, but please allow me to introduce myself," he adds, extending out his hand. "The Name is Hugh Edwin Kingsley, Duke of Kensington, aged five and twenty."
Feeling it was impolite of her to accept his hand, also because she was still flustered, Anle bowed before the man, replying, "Anle Green, aged nineteen, Your Grace."
Hugh, flustered by her answer, drops his hand and takes a seat. Anle took a seat across from him as he began his interview.
"So tell me about yourself, Ms. Green. What brought you to Hong Kong?" He questioned.
"What brought me to Hong Kong?" she repeated. "Your Grace, I was raised here."
"But, you certainly weren't born here, am I right?"
She agrees, saying, "Yes, I wasn't born here."
"Therefore, where are you from? England?"
"I do not know, Your Grace, and to be more specific, I do not remember," she clarifies. "With all due respect, how do these questions have anything to do with your proposal?"
"Well, I intend to get to know my new employees. I cannot just hire anyone."
"Then why are you even offering me this position? Compared to my other male colleagues, I need to be more competent for any of the responsibilities you'll have assigned to me. Since I am a lady."
"I do not comprehend."
"Well, from what I've learned from you Westerners, you make your women feel inadequate and undeserving of any level of responsibility. It's especially unusual to see a woman working outside of her household. No Westerner, especially an Englishman, is sensible enough to hire a woman."
"I will assure you, Ms. Green. You are no ordinary woman. Even with your outward appearance, and as you refer to us as Westerners, you would be out of place in such a setting."
His final statement had instilled an awful sadness in her heart. She despised the issue of her appearance coming up in conversations. She was constantly disfavoured because of her appearance. Growing up in the academy, her classmates criticized her large eyes and Western appearance. She adored growing up in Hong Kong; that was all she ever knew. She despised being compared and the fact that she couldn't recall where she was from. Madame Green and Master Bolin nurtured her with kindness, but she still felt bewildered about her identity. She was aware that she was not Asian, but she was also not English, French, American, or from any other Western nation. She knew nothing of herself.
Looking back at the Duke, she replies, "I believe it's wiser for me to go. I see no reason to labour for you, Your Grace. I have personal concerns that will keep me too busy for you.
She rises from her seat and proceeds towards the door. "I chose you because you seemed capable of yourself," adds Hugh. " Anle turns to face His Grace. Getting up from his seat, he goes to stand and gazes out the window on his right. She hadn't noticed his wide shoulders until now, which made him much more appealing to her. Sighing, not looking her way, he continues, "I do not require knowing everything about you and if it contributes to your situation, I'd rather prefer you remain obscure until my leave."
"What are you implying?"
Turning around, Hugh responded, "That shall be discussed until our next meeting. For the time being, you must obtain rest as you begin preparations for your journey and pack your belongings. We'll be leaving for Hong Kong Island in three days. I hope to see you then, Ms. Green."
Those were his final words to her before she was dismissed. The man stood out from other Englishmen she had interacted with before. His proposal appeared intriguing, despite her lack of understanding regarding the duties he expected from her. Nevertheless, she was puzzled as to why they were heading towards Hong Kong Island. Although she had never set foot on the island, she was aware that it was under British rule. Madame Green had occasionally visited the island in the past, but never with Anle. Each time she returned, she would bring back English goods that reminded her of her younger days. Anle, however, did not share Madame Green's enthusiasm for visiting the island. She was unsure how she would convey this to Madame Green, or if her mother would agree to it. Upon changing out of her work clothes and into her traditional hanfu attire, she began her journey back home.
...
Anle hadn't known the difficulty of convincing Madame Green and Master Bolin to give her this once-in-a-lifetime chance. The night she returned home after her dismissal by the Duke, Master Bolin, and Madame Green were having supper. Her mother was dressed elegantly, as was customary for dinners with Master Bolin. On that particular night, Master Bolin was also dressed formally, showing that he had just returned from an important business engagement, possibly related to Master Haoyu's recent outbursts.
Despite the tension and turmoil at the academy, Anle felt compelled to broach the subject with them. She was fully aware of how Master Bolin and Madame Green might react, given their strict rules and concerns for her safety. However, the Duke's offer had sparked a sense of curiosity and excitement within her, especially because Brother Ye Hua had always encouraged her to explore and discover new things. Ye Hua, who often shared stories and items from his travels, had gifted Anle a beautiful Russian porcelain doll before. Sadly, the doll had broken when she was thirteen years old. Ye Hua's adventurous spirit typically took him to distant lands, such as Mongolia, Joseon, and Edo Japan, sparking Anle's desire to see the world beyond their town.
Despite her mother's protective nature and Master Bolin's strict rules, Anle admired her brother's courage and curiosity. She knew that pursuing this opportunity would be a challenge, but the thought of following in Brother Ye Hua's footsteps filled her with determination and longing for adventure. Ultimately, she decided to present her case to Madame Green and Master Bolin, hoping they would see things from her perspective.
She was eager to see where the Duke's offer might lead her on an exciting new journey. The prospect of travelling to a place unknown to her usual surroundings filled her with a mix of nervousness and excitement. Although unsure of what awaited her, she felt a strong desire to embark on this new adventure to discover more about herself and her aspirations.
Her mother, Madame Green, had frequently broached the topic of marriage with Anle, encouraging her to consider settling down. While Anle did not entirely rule out the idea of marriage, she felt that she was still too young to commit to such a serious decision. Madame Green would often suggest potential suitors from the village, believing they could make suitable partners for Anle. Some of these prospects were childhood friends or acquaintances, while others came from families who disapproved of Anle's independent nature.
Unlike the girls in the village who were raised to take on household duties from a young age, Anle was different. She refused to conform to societal expectations of women solely being home makers and believed there was more to life than fulfilling traditional gender roles. Many of these young girls found themselves unhappy or mistreated in their marriages, a fate that Anle was determined to avoid by pursuing her own path and aspirations.
Even after recounting her entire afternoon to her adoptive parents, they still seemed unsure about the matter.
"Darling, you don't even know this man," her mother stated.
"I know, but when am I going to have a chance to leave Kowloon?" she answered. "Plus, it's only until he returns to England. After that, I will resume my normal life."
"I won't agree to it until I know you'll be protected, Master Bolin replies firmly. "Hong Kong is unsafe. As far as I know, there are some dubious folks on the island. I will not agree to it."
"With all due respect, Master," Anle adds. "You've taught me self-defence since I was a child. Even though most girls my age remain within the boundaries of their homes, you've given me the independence I've always desired.
"I know this must scare you to send me out alone, and I thank you for all the years you've cared for me, but I think I need this."
After a short period of silence, during which their food grew cold, Master Bolin and Madame Green shared a meaningful glance. They had ceased eating when Anle broached the topic of conversation. It dawned on them that Anle would eventually need to forge her own path in life, whether it be through marriage or some other pursuit. Nearly fifteen years prior, they had taken her in from the streets, and they marvelled at how she had developed and grown in such a short span of time. Back then, Madame Green had no experience in parenting, and Master Bolin was preoccupied with his duties as a teacher at the academy, leaving little time to fully dedicate himself to raising a daughter. Although they were not officially married, they had contemplated tying the knot in order to offer Anle a sense of stability and honesty in her life. Their love for her knew no bounds, and they treated her as if she were their very own flesh and blood.
Madame Green got up from her seat and ventured out into the courtyard, into her bed chambers. "Your mother has something to show you," Master says as they wait for Madame Green. Madame Green swiftly re-entered the dining room, clutching an intricately embroidered blue box in hand. Anle felt a sense of gratitude that their home was not overly large, especially now that her mother was advancing in age. Their residence was situated in a traditional Chinese setting, consisting of four separate buildings surrounding a courtyard, with small shacks located behind each building. Unlike many families in Kowloon, Anle and her mother did not employ servants, as they were able to efficiently manage their household due to its modest size. Occasionally, Master Bolin would spend the night in the guest room, though most of the time he preferred to rest at the academy where he taught.
Madame Green approached the dining table and sat alongside Anle, facing towards her. "Inside this box," she said. "Contains your belongings from when we first took you in."
She handed her the box and indicated for her daughter to open it. Opening the box, Anle uncovers a white garment with rose blossoms embroidered. On top of the garment was a gold necklace with etched flowers. Anle turns the necklace over and notices etched characters on the back: A. Ambrosia M. Turning to her mother, she asks, "Is that my name?"
"I presume so, but it appears it's your middle name, which is the botanical name of the flowers on the other side of the pendant."
She turns the necklace over again and brushes her thumb against the carved flowers. "It's stunning," she says. "Yet, exactly why are you presenting this to me now?"
"Well, your mother and I figured eventually you'd be asking us where you had come from," Mr. Bolin continued. The A and M between Ambrosia might be your name and surname. We hope that giving you this might inspire you to look for your relatives. We're also inquisitive about your history, and it appears that you came from a wealthy household."
"I am sorry, sweetheart. We should have delivered it to you long ago. We were just afraid..." Madame Green's voice drifts off as tears gather in her eyes. Sighing, she takes her daughter's hands and glances at them, noting calluses on her fingertips. She hadn't realized how hard her daughter trained and worked, only to repay her compassion. Sniffing, Madame Green goes on, "I want you to know that you were the best thing that ever happened to me. Leaving my home country was the most horrific experience for me. I was devastated after losing my late spouse and being an outcast from my family. But then a little, fearful little girl entered my life, who had already lost so much at such a young age. Anle, you may not have originated from my womb, but the lady you did come from must be in far greater sorrow than I will be by letting you go. You deserve to find your identity, therefore I'll let you go.
Anle held her mother, whose gray eyes were filled with tears that fell down her wrinkles, while holding back her own. She whispers, "Mama, I love you. Don't worry, I'll return and inform you of my quest." They separated themselves and glanced at Master Bolin, who was sitting across the table, fighting back tears.
In the evening, Master Bolin had to leave for the academy, leaving Anle and her mother to take care of cleaning up after dinner. Madame Green, Anle's mother, had assisted her in getting ready for her upcoming journey by helping her pack her necklace and clothing. She had also thoughtfully bought some appropriate English attire for Anle to wear while she was there, a tradition she had followed every time she visited the island. Even though Anle was grateful for her mother's efforts, she had promised herself that she would never wear the English clothes that her mother had bought for her.
...
Anle cozies up on her comfortable bed, gazing outside through the window. The sight of the peach trees in full bloom catches her attention. These trees were initially planted by Madame Green over a year ago, but to Anle's disappointment, they were yet to bear fruit. Nevertheless, Anle finds solace in the soothing sound of the wind brushing against the delicate blossoms. As she settles in for the night, she feels a chill in the air, signalling the onset of a cold evening. Tomorrow holds a journey to Hong Kong Island with the Duke, a prospect that fills Anle with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. In the days leading up to this trip, Madame Green had been consumed with anxiety, meticulously packing Anle's belongings, making sure she had all her essential herbal medicines, and arranging for some prized Chinese tea to accompany her.
The following morning, Madame Green, Master Bolin, and Li Li made plans to drop Anle off at the docking area to say their goodbyes. Anle knew she would feel their absence deeply, as she had never imagined leaving her safe haven without the people she held dear. When she finally mustered the courage to share with Li Li about the Duke, she was met with anger for keeping such important information hidden.
Anle had not confessed about her feelings towards the Duke, as she herself was still trying to decipher her emotions. Unsure if what she felt was the love Madame Green had spoken of, or simply admiration, she found herself inexplicably drawn to the enigmatic man. The image of his penetrating green eyes haunted her thoughts, fuelling her desire to see him in person.
With a sigh, Anle closed her eyes and pictured those captivating eyes delving into the depths of her soul, as though they had uncovered her deepest desires. The gentle caress of the breeze against her sleeping attire lulled her into a peaceful slumber, signalling the anticipation of a momentous day ahead. Tomorrow marked the beginning of a new chapter, brimming with exciting possibilities that Anle couldn't wait to explore.