This year in the fourth quarter of the Kingdom of Doh La Mond is exceptionally bright. Not a thing is out of place and nothing particular is happening in the eyes of a young maid. While her life is not particularly bleak and she could do better, she is rather glad to be where she is right now.

She is a young girl of ambiguous origin as she is a mere commoner. She cheerfully sweeps the courtyard as the sun glows down upon her and all out and about this day.

The murmurs of her coworkers milling about maintaining the home of her employer, an Earl with a blossoming family. The young heir had been born just two months prior.

Humming, the maid takes a moment to regard her reflection. She finds her self to be average. Short brown hair and flushed with freckles. Her uniform a bright orange as she is new and all new servants wear orange.

The weather blows briefly and causes a small ripple in her reflection. Her brown eyes blind in surprise as she hears the sound of panic. One of the veteran maids has soiled her uniform with what looks like white and yellow paint.

The maid speaks to her and inquires about what happened.

"The garden fence was being repainted and someone tipped the pail over. I can't be away from my post for too long, but what can I do?"

"I could help, I'm almost done with my shift, I don't mind as long as you promise to return."

"Oh I couldn't-"

"It's no problem, really. I haven't a thing to do off shift today, please. "

"If you are sure, then thanks. Here, take this basket and clips."

The more experienced maid hands the young maid the laundry and points towards the garden in the west wing. The young waits a moment to watch the other maid to leave and her replacement to appear. After that, she takes a detour to the servants quarters to officially end her shift on the way to the west garden.

"Gladdy, you sure a diligent one. Trying for a raise?", the teasing tone of another pricks her ears as she turns the corner into the servants quarters.

Without a peek at the one speaking, she sets the basket down on the table and hands her card to a male servant. He jots down the time and her name. He hands the card back.

"Hey~ Listen to me~", she spoke.

The maid turns to the girl speaking and smiles at her playfully. 

"I am~ I'm listening, but I'm not hoping for a raise! I just have nothing to do after my shift.", she replied.

"Try relaxing for once, I'd say.", she said.

"Mariam, you love to stress over the drapes don't lecture me.", she answered.

Mariam had a faux expression of indignity and she stood straight near the door. The room they stood in is the entrance to the servant wing. It was wide and had many odds and ends neatly hidden in their respective cupboards.

"I do not stress over drapes! I just don't understand why nothing in this house is Aesthetically pleasing??", Mariam stared at her fellow maid as she stood near the podium.

"You know we must'n gossip.", she chided.

"Oh glory Gladiolus, will lighten up for once? We are off shift, please let me have this!", she said.

Gladiolus' dead expression over the her friends sudden dramatic flare up stayed longer than she wanted. 

"As fun as it is to talking with you, Mariam, I have to go now.", she claimed.

"Oh, fine~ But you better show up at the bar tonight, my turn to treat you. It your fifteenth birthday after all.", she said.

"I don't drink!", Gladiolus calls over her shoulder.

"I do!", said Mariam.

Mariam's curly brown hair bounces as she laughs to herself. The male servant regards her as odd and shuffles quietly back an inch.

Gladiolus ends her day with extra work and a hum of a familiar song.

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Prologue- END