Two maids trudged toward the grand doors of the imperial court. Their heads were bowed, not so much in humility as under a mountain of cleaning supplies. The guards at the entrance eyed them with the usual mix of boredom and suspicion.
"Halt," one of the guards grunted, stepping forward with the enthusiasm of someone who would rather be anywhere else. His eyes narrowed as he inspected the maids' neat dresses, aprons that were spot-clean, and kerchiefs so perfectly befitting a royal maid. "You are not the regular maids."
"Hey, did you forget that the Head Maid informed us that new maids will be doing the cleaning from now on?" the other guard nudged, then looked back at the maids. "Are you the new ones who are supposed to start from today?"
"Yes, sir," replied one of the maids in a bubbly voice.
The other maid kept her silence, clutching her broom like it was a sword and she was about to duel the marble floors.
