Carolyna let out a sigh. She needed to work the next day. More coins to earn. Her mother would need a large portion of the money, and as a dutiful daughter, she felt obligated to help. But this came at the cost of her sleep and her grades in school. She drifted off into a dreamless sleep.
Her daily thoughts lingered on the inequality she faced. While she struggled to survive, preparing elaborate dishes, the coins left behind by customers were more than she dreamed of earning in an entire month. The world was deeply unfair.
Just a month prior, she had caught a glimpse of several young nobles conversing among themselves. The following day, Carolyna rose early, as always, and prepared for yet another long workday. Tying on her faded apron and pinning her hair into a practical bun, she braced herself for the grueling routine ahead. Her mother, Rayna, still slept, exhausted from her night shift as a caregiver, and Carolyna moved quietly so as not to disturb her.
With swift steps, Carolyna made her way through the city streets. Walking was the most economical way to get around the capital, and every coin saved was a small victory. The sun had yet to fully rise, but the streets were already buzzing with activity—especially with preparations for the arrival of young noblewomen and their entourages, who often came to the capital to indulge in luxury shopping.
As she passed through the bustling central market, Carolyna overheard the lively chatter of noblewomen crossing her path, always escorted by guards and servants. Their conversations were full of trivial desires and superficial concerns, about expensive dresses, exclusive jewels, and lavish banquets. It was a painful reminder of the chasm between their realities.
"I heard Prince Darius returned victorious from his campaign," remarked one of the young nobles, gazing at a display of costly perfumes.
"Yes, I heard the same! They say he's more handsome than ever. Will he finally choose a bride?" another asked, giggling.
"Oh, I hope so! Any one of us would be a perfect match," the first noblewoman replied with a touch of arrogance in her voice.
Carolyna felt a twinge of irritation overhearing their conversations. Not that she cared about the concerns of the nobility, but their frivolous lives constantly reminded her of the vast gulf that separated their lives. While they squandered fortunes on clothes and parties, she barely managed to scrape together enough to pay the bills and cover her father's treatment.
After a long walk, Carolyna finally arrived at the house she would be cleaning that day. An imposing mansion belonging to a wealthy family. Before beginning her work, she went to the kitchen and took a sip of water, gathering her strength. Her body was weary, but her mind never stopped, always wondering how things could be different.
At the end of the day, after hours of cleaning and organizing the vast spaces decorated with luxury beyond her imagination, Carolyna returned home. She was exhausted, but upon entering, she found her mother, Rayna, seated at their small wooden table, trying to mend a worn piece of clothing.
"Mom, how are you?" Carolyna asked, approaching her and holding her tired hands. Rayna's skin was dry and worn from hard work, and Carolyna knew her mother suffered in silence, never once complaining.
"I'm alright, dear… But what about you? You seem more exhausted today," Rayna replied, trying to smile, though concern was clear in her eyes.
Carolyna lowered her head, feeling the exhaustion in both body and soul. Her own hands were sore, red, and rough from endless scrubbing.
"I'll be fine, Mom. We're in this together," she said, taking a damp cloth and gently rubbing her mother's hands. "I need you strong."
As she passed the warm, damp cloth over her mother's hands, Carolyna felt more connected to her. This simple gesture was her way of showing the love that words often couldn't express. Both of them fought, day after day, to survive in an empire that left no room for the commoners to dream.
It was another day in Tersol, the luminous capital. The long war against the northern principality had finally ended; after a bloody battle, the defeated principality had been annexed to the Empire. A bloody journey, but a victory nonetheless, and enslaved populations had been freed. Now, the entire city anticipated the return of the great emperor and the royal entourage, a celebration awaited with both excitement and poignancy.
That day, Carolyna received an email from her employer, dismissing her services for the day. She frowned—was this some kind of joke? She needed every coin she could get. She read and sighed; there was nothing to argue about: the restaurant where she worked as a freelance waitress would be closed for the day. But she still had another job to go to. Once again, the city would come to a halt for the royal family. She rolled her eyes. But criticizing the empire out loud was a dangerous thing.
As she walked back, her cell phone constantly losing charge, she overheard young women gossiping passionately about the crown prince, Darius. The dream catch of every girl in the empire—except hers. Too much pomp, too much arrogance, and too much wealth siphoned away from the poorest citizens.
It was time to head home, clean, and cook a special meal for her father.