When Marina opened her eyes, the smell of sea salt was all around her. As the day began, the sound of footsteps and loud voices could be heard from all directions. A faint sound of seagulls shrieking above the water could be heard in her slumber. Her face was buried in her pillow, and she was fast asleep.

"Sleeping Beauty, wake up!"

"What? What is happening?" Francesca shook her hard and spoke in a strong tone and she barely opened her eyes. Marina was confused. She had just been forced awake, and everything in her head was still spinning as she struggled to absorb what was going on.

"The sun hasn't even risen yet?" As her eyelids became heavier, she looked at the girl and said "Let me sleep."

"Oh, no more sleeping " She laughed.

"Here's a broom, a mop, and a bucket for you. Begin by cleaning the main deck." She gave her the broom and mop, as well as the pail of soapy water. Francesca was requested to hand them over by Mr. Santarelli himself. Marina whined and pleaded with her to sleep for another hour. Francesca was annoyed. She picked up the bucket and splashed the water on her face. The young lady loudly gasped

"Why!? What's the matter with you!?" She expressed her dissatisfaction in a worried and annoyed tone.

The water began to drip from her body. Her hair was dripping wet and absolutely flat. They completely covered her tear-streaked eyes. She looked down and snatched the hem of her nightgown, attempting to squeeze the water out.

The girl gave her a sneering stare.

"Good morning. Now is the time to get to work just like everyone else. Stop whining."

Marina bit her lower lip and looked down awkwardly, avoiding Francesca's sight. She was degraded once more. "I couldn't care less about you. The captain is the one who makes you work." To avoid more confrontation, the frightening girl hurriedly opened the door to their cabin and departed. She was on her own now. The young girl began considering her life again as she sat in her uncomfortable bed. She sighed and gazed at the chest full of clothing. Marina had no desire to dress up, but she was compelled to. After all, she had brought it upon herself. She got up and opened the old wooden chest, which was filled with Margherita's old clothes and belongings. She went through it looking for something pleasing to wear. Among other things, it was a huge change going from soft and elegant fabrics to old overused servant clothes. "What is this even exactly? Most of it is ripped. Argh! I despise this; I can't even put on a nice dress!" Looking at the garments irritated her. She always had the most up-to-date materials and finest things from all across the lands back at home. Her parents insisted on having the best tailors in the kingdom sew their garments.

She sighed as she removed a damaged garment from the wooden chest. Marina looked through the chest to see if there were any shoes that would suit her, but she couldn't locate anything. She wanted to do her hair, but she realized she didn't have much time, so she hurried outdoors. Marina walked out of the cabin barefoot, expecting nothing awful to happen. She thought to herself "It's just wood."

She was holding an old mop in her right hand and an empty bucket in her left hand. She also wanted to bring the broom, but it didn't fit in her hands. Marina had a peek around on the ship, everything seemed to be so calm and tranquil. She stood on the deck for a long time, just looking and marveling at everything. Being outside was a new experience for her. She was free of her gilded cage, with no one to defend her or tell her what to do. In some sense she'd rather prefer being told around at work, than by her own mother and father. Maybe running away was the correct decision after all, even if she knew she missed her home more than ever. It took her a while to come out of her funk. Looking around again, she noticed that practically everyone is staring at her with a filthy expression on their face. Probably because she was a new member, or because of her status which practically everyone knew about up until this point. She stared down at the empty bucket, uneasy and wondered where she would get fresh water and soap to begin her new responsibilities.

A quick touch on her shoulder startled her.

"Is everything okay?" a soothing voice asked from behind her.

When she turned around, she noticed Margherita. Marina smiled uncomfortably. "All I can say is that I have absolutely no idea where to get fresh water. Since, well. We're in the middle of the sea." The elderly lady chuckled. "You're so hilarious." she said, her gaze falling on the bucket. Marina gave her a perplexed look that lasted only a few seconds before the woman in front of her resumed her conversation.

"How come you're barefoot! Do you realize that as the sun rises higher in the sky, walking on the deck will feel like walking on hot rocks? Not to mention the fact that glass shards and other debris will severely injure your foot." Marina's eyes expanded and her oval lips pouted. She felt even more humiliated and like a complete moron now. To be honest, she was terrified to ask anyone for anything in this place and because the elderly woman wasn't in the cabin when she awoke she didn't have the guts to ask someone else. Everyone was still throwing her ugly stares and side glances, clearly indicating that she wasn't welcome on board. She mustered the bravery to split her lips and ask softly, "Can you show me how to sweep the decks too? I've never done it before. I'd also love it if you could show me where I can obtain some fresh water and soap."

"Come on! You aren't a moron! I know you're a bright young lady who can think with her head if she so desires!" The kind old woman encouraged her to be more self-motivated and work on her own rather than relying on others for assistance. Cleaning isn't difficult if you have patience and take control of the situation. Even for a girl who had been born with the golden spoon in her mouth. The young girl eventually complained and apologized, but she still pleaded with her to show her something. Anything that could assist her in learning the fundamentals.

"First and foremost, you'll be putting on shoes. Second, you are not permitted to wear your hair down." Margherita took her hand in hers and guided her to their cabin. She sat down on her bed and walked out to acquire some hair and shoe accessories. Marina felt awful about dragging the poor old lady around and constantly asking for assistance. It was at this time that she began to reconsider her decisions over the previous twenty four hours. The girl became lost in her thoughts and spaced off, failing to notice her senior clutching items and attempting to catch her attention. Margherita approached her and snapped her finger, causing the young girl to jump a little, her long lashes charming in a manner to bring her back to reality. "I couldn't think of anything else for you to wear. For the time being you may wear Giordana's old boots. She's an old hag, she won't notice that it's hers anyways." 

"Ah I suppose they're fine for old boots." says the young girl. Marina sighed as she gazed up at her. She put them on, but they were most likely two sizes too big. Margherita pushed her thumb on the boot's end to see how much bigger they were. She went to grab two socks and urged Marina to shove them into her boots so they wouldn't feel as huge and would be more comfortable to walk in throughout the day.

"Do you feel more at ease now?"

"Yeah, it does actually." Marina answered, with a faint smile on her lips. She ruffled her still-wet hair with her fingers. Margherita drew her attention "Why can't I let my hair down?" The girl was taken by the idea. It didn't make sense to her.

"Because your hair gets in the way when you're working. I don't want any hair in my food, either."

Marina's lips formed an O before she closed them. It made more sense to her now. Margherita snatched a towel and began rubbing it against the girl's hair to dry it. She sat down next to her and picked a nearby brush that the girl assumed was hers after she finished. "So, run away bride hm? Why did you leave?"

"I suppose I just didn't like it."

Marina was in a panic. After all, confessing of her fleeing because she killed her fiancé was a stretch. She was still unsure who she could trust. Especially because she's only been aboard the ship for one day. "Oh? I thought people like you have the time of their life. You know, servants in every corner, not having the need to pick up your glass."

"I mean, I suppose it's nice not to have to do much. However, after a while, it becomes tedious. It's a little upsetting to see your brother walk to school while you stay at home all day and talk to the maids." She grumbled and crossed her arms, exasperated at the thought of her very boring life. She screamed in her chamber after being chastised over and over that she isn't allowed to do certain things, such as venturing outdoors on her own, getting schooled again... "Oh you have a brother?" Margherita inquired. Marina's eyes started to water up. Margherita's smile eventually faded as she realized what was going on.

"Twin brother. He, passed away."

Marina lowered her head and pursed her lips. Due to the number of times she had sobbed over her brother's death, she no longer cried. She remained silent throughout and clutched an apron fold.

"Please accept my apologies..." The lady sighed.

"No, it' is all right. I shouldn't have mentioned him in the first place." Marina felt a surge of remorse as she glanced at her brother's ring. Every time she thought of him, she was filled with guilt. She'd never be able to forgive herself. She was given a reassuring grin by the old woman, who was attempting to reassure her that she didn't have to feel so horrible about herself. The woman's warmth appealed to Marina. She may have just recently met her, but she was struck by how calm she is, how patient she is with her and how willing she is to talk to her about anything. Marina expressed her gratitude to the thoughtful lady. She got up and attempted to straighten her outfit in preparation for her first day of work. Margherita placed her hand on her shoulder as she was about to grab the mop "What are you up to? I'm taking you to the kitchen." She couldn't understand what was going on. Didn't Francesca tell her to clean all of the decks? Despite this, she couldn't see herself in the kitchen just yet. The fear of poisoning everyone because she can't cook and has never done so before.

"But I am unable to prepare meals. Why did you choose me to be in the kitchen over everyone else?"

"It's not like you'll never cook. You'd eventually find your way around here. And it's now! I don't know what Gabriel told you, but you're coming with me." the woman joked.