After delivering the linens to the consort's chamber, I wandered toward the gardens. I needed a moment, a breath of fresh air to gather myself before returning to the relentless tasks waiting for me
The palace gardens were beautiful, a stark contrast to the suffocating atmosphere inside. The sound of rustling leaves and the soft chirping of birds offered a small comfort
I closed my eyes and allowed myself to think about my previous life. I could still see the glaring lights of the hospital, hear the beeping machines and feel the crushing weight of the stress that had consumed me
The long shifts, the endless responsibilities, a failure surgery - everything had led to my untimely end. Now, here am I - in a body that wasn't mine
"Slacking off again are we?"
The sharp voice jolted me out of my thoughts. Turning around, I saw two maids standing behind me, their arms crossed and smirks plastered on their faces
"Didn't think we'd find you here, hiding like a coward" she sneered, her eyes narrowing
"I wasn't hiding..." I replied quietly, keeping my gaze lowered
"Really?" the second maid chimed in, her voice dripping with mockery "Because it sure looks like you're trying to avoid work"
Before I could defend myself, the taller maid grabbed my arm roughly "We all have our jobs to do, Minami!! You're no exception. Get back to work before I—"
A firm voice cut through the tension like a blade
"Let her go."
All three of us turned toward to the source of the voice
Standing a few steps away was the man from earlier, his calm demeanor didn't hide the authority in his tone and for a moment the maids seemed unsure of how to react
"General!?" the taller maid panicked, her grip on my arm loosening but not letting go completely
His eyes locking onto hers "Let her go. Now!"
Reluctantly, she released me - muttering something under her breath as she stepped back. The two maids exchanged a look before walking away, their laughter fading as they disappeared down the path
I stood frozen while my heart is pounding loud
"Are you all right?" he asked, his tone softer now
"I'm fine" I mumbled, avoiding his gaze.
He didn't say anything for a moment, his dark eyes studying me "You shouldn't let them treat you like that"
I let out a bitter laugh "What choice do I have? This is the only way to survive here"
"There's always a choice" he said firmly "You just have to be willing to take it."
His words stirred something in me
"Why are you helping me?" I asked, finally meeting his gaze "You don't even know me."
He hesitated "I know what it's like to feel powerless..." he said "And I refuse to stand by and watch it happen to someone else under me"
He extended a hand toward me "I'm Akira, by the way. Just think of me as one of the emperor's aides"
His introduction took me by surprise. I had assumed he was just another palace guards, though there was something about him that always felt out of place
"I'm Minami" I replied hesitantly while shaking his hand "Just… a palace maid"
He smiled faintly, though there was a hint of sadness in his expression "There's no 'just' about it. Everyone has value, Minami"
The words struck a chord in me. Just like in a surgery - it doesn't matter what or who, we need to do our best to save them because life is the most valuable thing that a person can have
"I need to get back to work..." I said after a moment, shifting the weight of the empty laundry basket in my hands
"Not like that" he replied, gesturing to my bruised arm where the taller maid had grabbed me
"Come with me. I know a place where you can rest for a while"
Trusting someone in this palace is a risk and I couldn't afford to take any risk but the pain in my arm and the exhaustion in my body were too much for me to ignore
Reluctantly, I nodded and followed him
He led me to a small, secluded building near the edge of the gardens. Inside, it was quiet and clean - with a faint smell of herbs lingering in the air. He motioned for me to sit down on a wooden bench
"Wait here" he said before disappearing into another room
'Herbal Medicine?' I saw a bottle of herbal medicine for an headache - it was a small jar of ointment
When he returned, he was holding a small jar of ointment and a strip of cloth "For your arm" he explained, kneeling beside me
"You don't have to -" I started but he cut me off
"Just let me help"
I stayed silent as he applied a pain reliever ointment in my hands and for some reason his hands are surprisingly gentle
The cool sensation eased the pain in my arm and for the first time in what felt like forever, I allowed myself to relax
"Thank you" I said quietly when he finished, my voice barely above a whisper
He stood up, placing the jar and cloth on a nearby table "You should focus on taking care of yourself. No one else will do it for you here"
His words echoed in my mind as I left the building and returned to my duties. The rest of the day passed in a blur but his voice stayed with me, a small light in the darkness that surrounded me
For the first time, I felt a glimmer of hope and realizations, that I can escape this cage with what I know and what I can do