The sun had barely risen, casting a dim glow through the thin paper walls of the maid's quarters
Minami sat on the edge of her cot, feeling the familiar ache of hunger and exhaustion growing at her. Her body ached from the day before and she was still trying to grasp where she fit into this strange new world
The bruises from the bullying were fading but the feelings of isolation had only grown stronger
'How did I end up here?' she thought to herself while rubbing her eyes
The memories of her previous life were so distant now, almost like a dream. The weight of the hospital, the lives she had saved and the stress that had claimed her body - all of it seemed like a different existence
Now, her reality was this: a palace maid - struggling to make sense of the rules, the hierarchy and the harsh expectations
As she stood to stretch her aching limbs, the door to the maid's quarters opened and a middle - aged woman with a stern expression entered
"Minami" the woman called her voice clipped "Get ready! You have a task today."
Minami blinked, unsure what task she was being assigned "A task ma'am?"
The woman's eyes narrowed "You are to prepare an offering for Consort Akemi. The task requires delicacy and precision! You must do it properly or there will be consequences"
Minami's heart raced as she tried to understand
'Consort Akemi?' She had heard whispers about the consorts, high-ranking women in the palace who commanded great power
She lowered her head, bowing slightly "Yes, ma'am. I understand."
The woman gave a satisfied nod before turning on her heel and leaving the room
The other maids were already getting to work but Minami couldn't shake the feeling of uncertainty that clung to her
If she made a mistake, she could face punishment but she had no idea how to even begin
As Minami made her way to the kitchen, she found herself surrounded by the scent of herbs and spices. The air was thick with the heat of the stove as the chefs worked diligently to prepare meals for the palace
She stood at the entrance uncertain of how to approach the task, a fellow maid named Yumi - noticed her hesitation
"You're to make an offering for the consort, aren't you?" Yumi asked, her voice low enough not to draw attention
Minami nodded "Yes... but I don't know where to start"
Yumi gave her a small sympathetic smile
"You need to prepare tea, fruits and sweets. It's all about presentation! If the consort likes it, you might get rewarded. If not… well, you know how it is."
She had prepared countless meals and teas as part of her medical training - healing herbs, calming teas and nutritional diets but this was different. This was not about helping someone heal; it was about maintaining the balance of power in this complex web of palace politics
"Just make sure it's perfect" Her tone growing a little colder. "The consorts are not known for their patience with those who fail."
She gathered her courage, straightened her back and nodded. "I will do my best!"
As she worked, Minami couldn't help but observe the other maids. They were efficient, moving with a practiced ease that made her feel like an outsider once again
She carefully prepared the offering; tea brewed to perfection, the finest fruits that she cut perfectly then arrange it in a delicate tray and some sweets that glistened with honey
Each item had to be perfect not just in appearance but in taste. Her hands moved automatically, though her mind remained focused on the task
When she finished, she carefully arranged the offering and approached the servant who would deliver it to Consort Akemi's chambers. The tension in her chest remained and as she handed over the tray, she couldn't help but wonder what would happen next
The servant took the tray with a nod but before leaving he glanced at her. "Well done, Minami. We will see what the consort thinks"
Minami stood there watching him disappear down the hall, her heart is racing so fast
'What if... she doesn't like it?'
The next few hours felt like an eternity. Minami busied herself with other menial tasks but her thoughts kept returning to the consort's reaction. Finally, just as the sun began to set - the servant returned
"Consort Akemi has approved the offering" he said, his voice lacking any particular emotion "You may return to your duties."
Minami breathed a sigh of relief, though it was only temporary. She had passed this test but she knew the road ahead was full of more challenges and more expectations
As she returned to her quarters that evening, she couldn't shake the feeling of being trapped in a cage - she had passed the first test but how many more would she face?
'I need to stay strong' she thought to herself while clenching her fists
"I need to survive this!! No matter what!"