I didnt notice that I had fallen asleep on the seats of the carriage until the opening of the door awakened me. 

My drowsy head bobbed around as the guards (different ones) pulled me out of the carriage and carried me through a green area that was doused in the moonlight. 

They stopped at a short wooden door and knocked several times with a heavy hand, waking me up completely. 

Quickly the door opened and a young, chunky woman opened the door holding a lantern in her hand, “Come this way.” She softly spoke, leading us through the kitchen and down a dark corridor to a room with white cots and white curtains. 

Gently I was laid on the middle white cot. It was so soft, I thought I was going to be swallowed whole! 

“Thank you, I will be taking good care of him.” she dismissed the guards with the wave of her hand. 

She hung the lantern on a hook by the bed, “What terrible condition you’re in! I knew jail was horrid but to kids! Unacceptable!” 

She pulled up a wooden stool and sat by the bed, “My name is Joan Mocker. The King arrived not too long ago saying that you are a Goodwill Servant, recently released from jail today for thievery.” she explained. 

Is that what he told them? So he was serious about me not having any more ties. 

“That's a serious crime in the kingdom.” she rubbed her hands together and a warm glow emitted from them. She laid her hands on my stomach and the warmth began to fill me, calming down my aching joints and fast-beating heart. 

“He said your name was Joshua, age 12. No last name due to being an orphan. You’re a sad case ain't ya?” she continued on. 

Joshua? A male name? Could he have told them I was a boy? 

So… that's what father meant when he told me that I would no longer be Princess Rain. He truly has stripped me from my very being.

A new name with no ties to anything...

“Yeah…” I replied to her. 

“Dont worry Joshua, I’ll take good care of you. I am the nurse for both the servants and the royal family. My hands have been blessed with God of Health so do not fret– I am no witch.” she softly chuckled. 

“In the meantime, why dont I explain what's happening.” she smiled, “Every year, Grand King Ambrosius has a chance to allow one person free from their time in prison and allows them to work instead. Hence the name; Goodwill Servant. Once you have completed your time here, then you are free to leave.” 

Leave? That's a joke. I will never be free to roam. 

Not until I die, that is. 

The best thing for me to do is to be an excellent servant, keep my head low, and pray to Goddess Ehena for strength. 

“As a servant of the Lunate Palace, you will be fed three times a day.” 

My eyes blossomed. Three times a day?! That's pretty good. I wasn't even fed three times a day. Maybe three times a week if his majesty was kind enough. 

“Morning usually starts early; around 4 am. You will be charged with several duties including cleaning rooms, and bathrooms, and setting up dining tables for the royal family. They have visiting dignitaries at least once a month, so be on your best behavior.” she nodded. 

“I see…thank you for everything. You’ve truly been the first person to treat me with kindness.” I smiled. 

“Well get used to it kid! The servants here are amazing. They’ve been my family ever since and I'm sure you’ll along with them too!” she moved her hands and pressed my forehead, “Now I'm going to put you to sleep okay? Your body needs to recover from all that you've been through.” 

My eyes began to get heavy and the room spun out of control. 

The last words I remember hearing were, “Sleep tight Joshua.”