The early morning light streamed through the small window of Seraphina's modest room. The soft rays stirred her awake, and she blinked sleepily, adjusting to the new surroundings. Today would be her first full day working in the palace, and despite the nerves twisting in her stomach, Seraphina was determined to prove herself.
After quickly freshening up, she left her room, stepping out into the servant quarters' narrow hallway. The palace was quiet this early, with only the soft shuffling of other servants preparing for the day. As she closed her door, she spotted Oliver at the end of the hall, a grin already plastered across his face.
"Good morning, Seraphina!" he called out, walking toward her with a spring in his step.
"Morning, Oliver," she replied, her voice a bit shaky. It was still strange to her, being in this grand palace, so far removed from the simple life she had known in Gloomshire.
"Ready for your first official day?" Oliver asked as they began walking together down the long corridor, their footsteps echoing off the stone walls.
"I think so," she replied, her hands clasped in front of her. "I guess I'll get used to things as they go along."
"Oh, you'll do fine! The palace can be overwhelming, but you'll get the hang of it. The butler will give you your duties for the day. He can be a bit gruff, but don't worry too much. Just do what he says, and you won't have any problems."
They turned a corner, and Seraphina felt a wave of nerves as the grand halls of the palace loomed before her once again. The sheer size of it was overwhelming. She glanced at Oliver, trying to focus on his words rather than her anxieties.
"Have you been working here long?" she asked.
"Two years now," Oliver replied with a nod. "It can be hard work, but the palace is okay if you avoid some certain people. But the servants are mostly nice, though... there are exceptions."
Before she could ask who those "exceptions" were, they reached the large foyer where the palace butler, an imposing man with a stern expression, was waiting. His hands were clasped behind his back as he surveyed the area.
Oliver stopped, giving her a small nudge forward. "There you go. I've got to get to my own duties. Good luck, Seraphina!"
Seraphina offered him a small smile before stepping forward, her nerves rising as the butler's gaze landed on her.
"Seraphina, correct?" the butler said, his tone brisk.
"Yes, sir," she replied quickly, standing as straight as possible.
"You'll be assigned to clean the windows in the east wing this morning," he instructed, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Afterward, there will be other tasks, and you'll assist with various chores around the palace. For now, focus on the windows. Understand?"
"Yes, sir."
"Good. Now, follow me."
The butler turned and led her down the hall, his footsteps sharp and precise against the stone floors. Seraphina followed closely behind, her heart pounding in her chest as she tried to absorb everything around her. The palace was even more beautiful up close. Every hallway was adorned with stunning tapestries and intricate sculptures. She couldn't help but feel small in comparison to the grandeur surrounding her.
They soon arrived at the east wing, where the morning light poured through tall windows, casting a golden hue on the marble floors.
"These windows need to be spotless," the butler instructed, turning to face her. "Do your job well, and you'll have no trouble. Sloppy work will not be tolerated. Understood?"
Seraphina nodded quickly. "Yes, sir. I'll do my best."
The butler gave her one last glance before turning on his heel and walking away. Seraphina let out a breath she didn't realize she had been holding. She glanced at the towering windows before her, the light reflecting off the glass.
As she got to work, diligently scrubbing the glass, the morning passed in a quiet rhythm. She focused on her task, trying to block out the swirl of thoughts in her mind. Everything had changed so quickly her life in Gloomshire now seemed like a distant memory but her mother's health still weighs heavily on her mind.
But just as she was finishing one of the windows, a sudden scream echoed down the corridor, startling Seraphina. She froze, her heart jumping in her chest. The voice was sharp, filled with fury, and growing louder.
Curiosity tugged at her, and before she could stop herself, Seraphina wiped her hands on her apron and hurried toward the sound.
As she turned the corner, the scene before her made her stop in her tracks. A young maid was on her knees, trembling, while standing above her was a tall figure a young woman with jet-black hair and a look of pure disdain on her face. The woman's hand was raised, her fingers still stinging from a slap she had just delivered.
"Do you know what you've done?" the woman screeched, her voice echoing off the walls. "You dare splash water on me?"
The maid cowered, her eyes wide with fear as she stammered out an apology. "I-I'm so sorry, Lady Lilith. It was an accident. I didn't mean to—"
"An accident?" Lilith Vespera snapped, her voice dripping with venom. "You useless thing! You will lick this water off the floor, or you'll find yourself thrown out of the palace!"
Seraphina's heart clenched as she watched the scene unfold. The maid's face was pale, tears pooling in her eyes as she hesitated, unsure of what to do.
Without thinking, Seraphina stepped forward, her voice steady but firm. "Please, allow me to clean it for her."
Lilith's head snapped toward Seraphina, her eyes narrowing as she took in the sight of the new maid standing before her. A flicker of surprise crossed her face, but it was quickly replaced by a sneer.
"And who are you?" Lilith asked, her tone bratty and full of contempt. "I don't recognize you."
"I'm Seraphina," she replied calmly, trying to keep her voice steady. "I've just started working here."
Lilith eyed her up and down, her gaze lingering on Seraphina's striking red hair and delicate features. For a moment, her eyes seemed to flash with something jealousy, perhaps? But then she scoffed, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Of course, you think you can just step in and save the day," Lilith muttered, rolling her eyes. "Fine. If you're so eager to get your hands dirty, go ahead. But don't think this will earn you any favors."
Seraphina remained composed, giving a small nod as she knelt down and quickly wiped away the water with a rag. The maid, still trembling, whispered a soft "thank you" before scurrying away.
Lilith watched with a haughty expression, her lips curling into a smirk. "I'll be keeping an eye on you, Seraphina. I don't like new faces. Especially ones that try to play the hero."
Seraphina stood up, meeting Lilith's gaze head-on. "I'm just here to do my job."
"Good," Lilith said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Just remember your place."
With that, Lilith turned on her heel, her dark hair swinging behind her as she strutted down the hall, leaving Seraphina standing in the aftermath.
As the tension in the air began to fade, Seraphina took a deep breath. It was only her first day, and already she had drawn the attention of one of the palace's most difficult residents.
She had a feeling that her time in the palace would be far more challenging than she had expected.