Working On You: My Uncompleted Mission

A Royal Invitation. The sun hung high in the sky, casting a warm golden light over the small village where Mai lived. The gentle rustle of leaves and the distant chirping of birds created a symphony of nature, a perfect backdrop for her quiet contemplation. Mai sat on the worn wooden steps of her tattered home, its faded paint peeling like the memories of better days. Despite the modesty of her surroundings, she found beauty in the simplicity of the world around her—the vibrant colors of wildflowers swaying in the breeze, the sweet scent of fresh earth after a morning dew. As she admired the scene, her thoughts drifted. People called her "poor," a mere village girl, yet in her heart, she felt rich with kindness, humility, and an unwavering spirit. It was in these moments of solitude that she found her strength, dreaming of a life that went beyond the confines of her small existence. She smiled gracefully as she stares at nature while swinging her legs as she sat on the worn wooden steps of her tattered house looking more happier and thankfully than usual. She loved nature, both birds, trees and even cricket, which makes her happy. Her reverie was suddenly interrupted by the sound of hooves clattering against the cobblestones. Mai's heart quickened as a magnificent chariot approached, its polished wood gleaming in the sunlight. Drawn by two elegant horses, it looked out of place on the dusty road leading to her home. She blinked in disbelief, wondering who would visit her, a girl of humble means. The chariot came to a halt before her, and from it emerged a royal guard, clad in a crisp uniform that spoke of authority and respect. He approached with a purposeful stride, and Mai instinctively straightened, her curiosity piqued. As he neared, she couldn't help but notice how handsome he was, his presence commanding yet approachable. She smiled carelessly trying to impress him even if she was poor. "Good morning, Miss," he said, his voice smooth as silk. "I bring a message from His Majesty, the King." Mai's heart raced. She turned back to confirm if he was really tallking to her. When she realized it was her she replied; "From the King? Why would he send a message to me?" she murmured, a mix of excitement and disbelief swirling within her. The guard smiled, extending a finely sealed letter toward her. "He requests your presence at the palace. It concerns Prince Lilian." Mai's smile faltered as her mind raced. Why would the King request her? Is it something serious? She concluded that it was something serious because to her she thinks that if the King would go as far as sending the guards to give her a letter then it was something serious. She hesitated for a moment before reaching for the letter, her fingers brushing against the wax seal, the insignia of the royal family imprinted in gold. She asked again if it was for her before she grabbed it. "Thank you very much," she managed to say, her voice barely above a whisper. As she accepted the letter, she felt a strange mix of anticipation and trepidation. The guard nodded, and with a respectful bow, he turned to leave. "Wait!" she called after him, her heart pounding. "What is this about? Why me?" He paused, glancing back over his shoulder. "The King believes you possess the qualities needed to help guide the Prince. He sees potential in you that goes beyond wealth or status." With that, he turned and walked back to the chariot, leaving her with the weight of his words. Mai watched as the chariot pulled away, her mind racing. Alone now, she held the letter tightly, her fingers trembling with a mix of eagerness and fear. Why had the King chosen her among so many? A girl with no fortune, no connections—just a good heart. She couldn't shake the thought, feeling both honored and overwhelmed. With a deep breath, she finally broke the seal and unfolded the letter, her eyes scanning the elegant script: "Dear Mai, I write to you with utmost urgency and hope. My son, Prince Lilian, is in dire need of guidance, and I believe you are the one to help shape him into the man he is destined to become. You possess a humble spirit and a kind heart, qualities I wish to instill in him. I invite you to the palace to train and mold him into a well-mannered Prince. Please let me know your decision within two days. Your presence is of great importance to us." As she read the final words, her breath caught in her throat. The King would hear from her in two days. Her heart raced with possibilities, but uncertainty flooded her mind. Could she truly take on such a monumental task? The idea of living in a palace, of training a Prince—her head spun with the enormity of it all. Mai gazed into the distance, her heart a battleground of hope and doubt. How could the King see anything in her? She was just a village girl, and yet, he had seen something—something beyond the surface. As the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting a warm glow over the world, she felt a flicker of determination igniting within her. With renewed purpose, Mai clutched the letter to her chest. No matter how daunting the journey ahead might seem, she was ready to embrace this challenge. After all, she had always believed that true richness lay not in gold or silver, but in character and heart. "Is this real?" she murmured, glancing at the faded walls of her small surroundings. It felt surreal, almost like a dream. She shook her head, trying to grasp the gravity of it all. As the initial shock began to fade, a glimmer of hope sparked within her. The palace! She had heard countless tales of its beauty, its lavish halls, and the glittering balls. Could she really live there? Mai tried to picture Prince Lilian—his reputation as a rude, ill-mannered Prince echoed in her mind, but the thought of being surrounded by luxury and comfort quickly drowned out her apprehensions. Perhaps, just perhaps, she could help him become a better person. "Maybe this is my chance," she thought, her heart racing at the prospect. The idea of wearing beautiful dresses and dining on fine food made her giddy with excitement. For a moment, she let herself dream of what it would be like to live in the palace, forgetting all the challenges that awaited her. The Prince had always had a bad manners which wasn't good for a Prince. He was too rude, unmanned, disobedient and had a lot of pride, that's why the King choose Mai because she was very humble and kind with good moral. The Next Morning The sun broke through the clouds, casting a warm glow on Mai's small village. She awoke feeling more cheerful than she had in weeks, even as hunger gnawed at her stomach. Today was the day she would prepare for her leave for the castle, and nothing could dampen her spirits. With a determined smile, she dressed in her simplest yet clean clothes, then stepped outside. The fresh morning air filled her lungs, invigorating her. As she walked through the familiar streets, she took in every detail, cherishing the last moments in the place she had called home. She strolled past the old oak tree where she used to play as a child, remembering the laughter of friends who had long since moved away. Each corner of the village heldmemories—like the bakery where she once begged for leftover bread, or the kind woman who would occasionally share a meal with her. She would also miss the jealousy and hatred that people had for her even though she had nothing for others to be jealous of. She could also remember the times when she would go out to beg from others and some would call her names like a beggar and a bastard and would even spit on her and push her away, but she would smile thankfully and see it as though they were praising and admiring her. She let her fingers brush over the rough wood of market stalls and the familiar, weathered stones of the village path. The sun dipped low, casting a warm golden hue over everything. Those moments, though small, filled her heart with gratitude. Even though she had often been at the mercy of others' kindness, Mai felt richer in spirit than many of her neighbors. She had dreams and aspirations, and today they seemed closer than ever. As she wandered, she greeted villagers with a bright smile, wishing them well and sharing her exciting news. Some were surprised, others envious, but most simply wished her luck. Mai felt their encouragement wrap around her like a warm blanket, fueling her confidence. "I'll be back one day," she promised herself as she glanced around, committing every detail to memory. She knew she would miss her village, but the thought of the palace and the chance to make a difference in Prince Lilian's life made her heart swell with hope, but her heart was conflicted. She was leaving for the palace soon, where life was bound to be different, but as her thoughts drifted back to her preparations, a sudden realization struck her—she didn't own a suitable bag or suitcase to pack her belongings. The few clothes she had were modest, but they were hers, and she wanted to present herself in the best way possible. Her steps quickened as she made her way to the small shop that sold traveling bags. The shopkeeper, an older woman with a gentle smile, stood behind her counter, arranging her goods. The bags, made of sturdy material, though simple, looked fine to Mai's eyes. She paused for a moment, admiring one in particular—deep brown leather with brass buckles. Mai cleared her throat, nerves fluttering in her chest. "Excuse me, ma'am," she began, her voice soft, "how much is this bag?" The shopkeeper looked up, her eyes crinkling with age and wisdom. "Ah, this one?" She patted the leather bag fondly. "It's ten silver coins, a fair price for something that'll last you years." Mai's heart sank. She didn't even have a fraction of that. She hesitated, biting her lip, but she had to try. "I don't have that much," she admitted, her voice almost a whisper. "But... I'm leaving for the palace, and I don't have anything to pack my things in. Could you... could you help me, maybe? Just this once?" The shopkeeper's kind face softened, but there was a sadness behind her eyes as she shook her head. "Oh, child, if I could, I would give it to you. But these times are hard for everyone. "I'm sorry, truly, I am." Mai forced a smile, though her chest tightened with disappointment. "I understand," she said softly. Her hands fell to her sides, and for a brief moment, her shoulders sagged. But then, she straightened. It was just a bag, after all, and she wasn't going to let this small defeat ruin her excitement for what lay ahead. "It's alright," Mai said, her voice more upbeat now, as if convincing herself. "I'll manage. I've always managed, haven't I?" She offered the shopkeeper a genuine smile, her spirit untarnished by the moment. "Thank you anyway." The shopkeeper smiled back, a little wistfully. "You're a strong one. I hope the palace treats you well, child." Mai nodded, grateful for the kind words. As she walked away, empty-handed, a gentle breeze blew through the narrow streets. The sun had begun its descent behind the hills, casting long shadows on the road ahead. She sighed, but the disappointment was fleeting. She had come this far, hadn't she? The thought of the palace life ahead of her soon replaced her worries. Her simple clothes and her lack of a proper suitcase wouldn't matter once she stepped into that world. She'd be living like royalty soon, something she could hardly have imagined just weeks ago. With a peaceful smile, she took the narrow, old creaking path back to her house, ready to spend the rest of her time cherishing what she had, knowing she was about to step into a life that could change everything. But as night fell, the comforting sounds of nature began to weave a spell around her, and her eyelids grew heavy. She sat on a low stone wall, gazing up at the first stars flickering into existence. Despite the weight of her memories, a reassuring thought filled her heart—tomorrow, she would arrive at the palace, a dream she had cherished for so long. Yet, even in this peaceful moment, her thoughts drifted back to a painful memory. The words her mother had spoken echoed in her mind, harsh and unforgiving: "You are a mistake." Those words had cut deep, leaving scars she had carried throughout her childhood. Abandoned at the roadside, left to fend for herself, she had faced unimaginable struggles. But against all odds, she had survived. A tear slipped down her cheek as she thought of her mother. "Mother," she whispered into the quiet night, her voice trembling, "am I still a mistake to you? Look at me now—I'm still here, still surviving." Her hands clenched into fists as the memories pressed harder. "And tomorrow, I'll step into the palace, about to accomplish my dreams... all thanks to you." Her words grew angrier, boiling over with long-suppressed emotions. She became angry as she thought about it deeply she screamed at the thin air "Mother!! Why would you leave me... Knowing that I was to young, you left me like a piece of trash... Do you think I won't survive. Why!!" She tried to gain her composure back again. No one was there to console her since she lived in a lonely environment where no one dared to live in because it wasn't appealing to their eyes or attractive. But no matter how she tried to compose herself, she would still remember those harsh words and cry. She cried bitterly with no one to console her. With that, a wave of emotion washed over her. The sadness of her past intertwined with the hope of her future, and she felt both fragile and strong. She closed her eyes, allowing the tears to flow freely down her cheeks, mingling with the cool night air. Yet she was hungry but couldn't eat. The stars above seemed to twinkle in response, as if the universe were reassuring her that she was not alone. In that moment of vulnerability, Mai surrendered to the gentle embrace of sleep, her heart filled with a mix of sorrow and determination. She knew she had endured much, but she also knew that tomorrow would bring new beginnings, and she would rise to meet them.