Chapter 8: The First Sparks

Chapter 8: The First Sparks

I stayed awake till dawn. Sleep wasn’t an option, not after everything that happened.

I went to Serah’s room and stood in front of the mirror.

I placed my hands on my face, just like she had instructed. Slowly, my reflection shifted. My old features melted away, replaced by a brighter, sharper face. I traced my new cheekbones, my fuller lips, and wondered if I could ever get my old face back.

After a while, I grabbed my luggage and took one last look at the house. The place I had found refuge. The place I almost called home.

Then I stepped outside and headed for Kyratth.

At the border, I boarded a boat. An hour later, I set foot on Kyratth’s soil and the memories came flooding back. I shook my head and kept walking.

The town was as loud and filthy as ever. Vendors yanked at sleeves, shoving goods in faces. Beggars, old and young—lined the streets.

I was back in this hellhole.

“Ugh, watch your way, you dumbshit!” A man shoved me aside.

I gave him a look that could kill, but this wasn’t the time to get distracted. My focus was the palace.

After hours of walking, I finally reached it. A towering fortress, soldiers stationed at every corner. I slipped around to the back, the servants’ and guards’ route.

That’s when I heard crying.

“Ma’am, please! Give me one last chance! I swear on my late mother’s grave I won’t steal from you again!”

“Shut your trap, you bloody thief! I should have you beheaded. Or better yet, reported to the king so he can deal with you himself. How dare you steal from me?!”

The lady’s voice was venom. She had authority written all over her, someone high-ranking in the palace.

“Ma’am, please—”

“Guards! Take this bitch out of here. I don’t want to see her face again.”

The girl scrambled up and left, tears streaking her cheeks.

Hmm. A palace worker. Gone. Which meant… a vacancy.

Maybe Lady Luck was on my side today.

Before the woman could step inside, I moved in. “Excuse me, ma’am.”

She turned, her eyes full of irritation. Mean didn’t begin to cover it.

“I saw what happened,” I said. “Girls these days can be… surprising. But if she’s gone, her position is empty. I’d like to fill it. I’m a full-blooded citizen of Kyratth, and I’ll never steal from you or betray you.”

She studied me for a moment, then burst out laughing.

“Why should I hire you? You’re probably no different from that bitch. Now get out of my sight.”

As she turned to leave, I grabbed her skirt.

“Ma’am, I’m efficient. Hardworking. Obedient. I’ll give you no trouble. I need this job. If I ever betray you, behead me and feed my head to the dogs and crows, but that day will never come.” I smirked.

Her eyes flicked to my hand, still gripping her skirt.

“Oh. Sorry, ma’am.” I let go.

A moment of silence.

Then she said, “Follow me.” Her voice was firm, commanding.

Without hesitation, I followed her like an obedient puppy.

She led me straight to the palace kitchen.

I widened my eyes — the place was at least five times bigger than the market square in Blackridge.

Servants were stationed at their posts, moving quickly between tables and stoves.

"Hey, you! Why haven’t you cleared these dishes? And you, why isn’t lunch ready for the young master?!" the woman barked.

Without hesitation, the servants scrambled to obey.

Then she turned to me, her eyes sharp.

"As for you—" she jabbed a finger toward a cramped corner piled high with filthy dishes, "that’s your station. You’ll keep them sparkling clean. Hear me?"

I nodded.

"Yes, ma’am."

"Good. Now get to work." She strode off.

The moment she was gone, every eye in the kitchen turned to me.

Some girls smiled, but others gave me a look sharp enough to cut glass. I could already tell a few weren’t going to like me. I didn’t care. I wasn’t here to make friends.

I rolled up my sleeves and started washing.

From my side, I heard whispers.

"Wow… not even two hours since the chief maid fired that thief, and she’s already been replaced."

Another muttered,

"Yeah. This one looks like a thief too, just look at her face."

They burst into laughter. I ignored them.

"She’ll probably try to seduce the princes, especially Prince Lucian," one said.

"Oh, please. She looks like a beggar. Lucian would puke at the sight of her," another added.

Their laughter stopped when—

"What the hell are you all doing? Instead of working, you’re gossiping like lazy bitches!" the chief maid roared.

Her gaze snapped to me.

"You! Take this tea to the prince."

My hands froze in the water. First day here and she was sending me to the prince?

Around me, I could feel the jealousy dripping off the others.

"What are you waiting for? Move!" she barked.

I dried my hands, took the tray, and followed her.

She stopped in front of a tall set of doors.

"You’d better be on your best behavior," she warned.

I nodded.

The guards pushed the doors open. I stepped inside.

The prince sat with a few others, speaking about something that seemed important.

I walked up to him and placed the tray down.

"Here’s your tea, sir."

He turned toward me—

and I froze.

Those eyes.

The same ones from my dreams.

The same ones the werewolf had.

His gaze stayed locked on mine, and something in my chest tightened.

He looked so familiar.

I quickly set the tea down, but my mind wouldn’t settle.

Why did he look so familiar?

I was still lost in thought when my hand slipped, hot tea splashed onto one of the guests.

"Fuck! What’s wrong with you?!" he shouted.

"Oh my, I’m sor—"

Before I could finish, a sharp sting exploded across my cheek. The slap sent me to the ground, my palm pressed to my face.

"Why did you do that?! You know she didn’t mean it!" Prince Lucian’s voice cut through the air.

"No, Lucian," the guest snapped. "This bitch needs to learn a lesson!"

He pointed toward one of the guards.

"Call the chief maid. This bitch needs to be fired."

Moments later, the chief maid came rushing in.

"Oh, sir, what’s wrong?" she asked, all concerned.

"This bitch of yours spilled hot tea on me! Fire her this instant!" he barked.

The chief maid turned to me with eyes like daggers. Tears blurred my vision.

"I’m very sorry, sir," she said, bowing. "I’ll deal with her."

"Get up!" she roared at me.

"Chief maid," Lucian’s voice came again, calm but firm, "no need to fire her. Leave her be. It was a mistake."

Relief washed over me like cool water.

The chief maid hesitated. "But, mast—"

"You know I don’t like repeating myself," Lucian said, his tone like steel.

"…Yes, sir." She grabbed my arm and led me out.