12 A New Home
-
"We have arrived," Kara whispered.
As the gates swung open, everyone on the cart exchanged glances. Sera was left speechless by the sight of the "little" palace before her.
"Home... Finally!" Genghis' mother exclaimed, stretching her arms out.
They all disembarked from the cart.
Passing through the weathered gates, Seraphina found herself entering Genghis' aging palace. The structure stood with an air of resilience, its faded grandeur narrating tales of a bygone era. It served as a haven for commoners, a sanctuary hidden within the unforgiving kingdom. No wonder Sera's mother desired to escape this place.
"Fiona, please show them arou-"
"Kara and I will find our way, if it's alright," Sera interjected, addressing Genghis' mother.
"Ah, let them, Fiona. You can give me a massage in the meantime. I'm exhausted," she replied, retreating into the palace.
Sera and Kara stood side by side, clutching their belongings. Although there were maids to attend to Genghis' mother, no one offered to relieve the two women of their heavy bags.
"Let's go inside," Kara whispered.
Sera nodded as they made their way into the palace.
The entrance hall welcomed her with worn marble floors, bearing the marks of countless footsteps over the years. Dimly lit lanterns cast a soft, flickering glow, painting dancing shadows on the walls. The air carried a hint of dampness, mingling with the scent of aged wood and time-worn tapestries.
Venturing further into the palace, she discovered corridors adorned with faded murals, their once vibrant colors now muted by the passage of time. Cracks marred the plastered walls, revealing the palace's age and wear. The occasional creak of floorboards echoed through the halls, a reminder of its antiquity.
Passing through arched doorways, she entered modest chambers, sparsely furnished with well-worn wooden furniture. Threadbare curtains barely filtered the sunlight, casting a soft, melancholic glow within the room. Tarnished mirrors adorned the walls, reflecting fragmented memories of a forgotten era.
Beyond the chambers, she stumbled upon a neglected courtyard, where ivy crawled along weathered stone walls. Overgrown plants reached toward the sun, reclaiming the space with their wild beauty. The once-glorious fountain stood motionless, its water long dried up, leaving only a cracked basin as a testament to its former grandeur.
Every corner of the palace bore the marks of time's passage and the struggles of its inhabitants.
Yet, amidst the faded splendor and worn surfaces, there remained a sense of resilience and dignity. It was a place where commoners sought solace, finding beauty in its unassuming nature.
Seraphina couldn't help but feel a wave of nostalgia and a touch of melancholy as she explored the palace. It held a certain allure in its imperfections, serving as a testament to the indomitable spirit of humanity.
It was a reminder that even in the shadows, there was a glimmer of hope, and amidst poverty, there existed a richness of resources one could find if needed.
"Lady Rose, Lady Winston, please follow me," Fiona appeared once again.
Fiona, a woman in her mid-thirties, appeared youthful but had a mature gaze in her eyes. She seemed to have gained wisdom beyond her years from serving the household, a quality that Sera respected.
"Let's go," Kara whispered.
Sera remained silent throughout.
Fiona led them up the stairs to a row of adjoining rooms.
"I'm sorry, ladies, but for tonight you will have to share a bedroom. We initially expected only one lady to be accommodated, but it turns out there are two. By tomorrow morning, we will have two rooms prepared," Fiona explained.
"Oh, that's alright, Fiona. Thank you for your assistance," Sera replied politely.
The two friends entered the room, finding it neatly cleaned. Although the lighting was dimmer than expected, the room would suffice for their five-day stay.
The bed was small, but Sera knew she and Kara could make do. After all, they were not accustomed to luxurious accommodations.
"As there isn't much to do now, I suppose we can rest before beginning our work tomorrow. So..." Kara began to speak, but Sera was already on the bed, her eyes closed in exhaustion from the journey. However, her eyes snapped open as Kara was interrupted.
The door swung open, revealing Genghis's mother.
"Ladies, another room will be prepared tomorrow," she stated, her thin lips pressed together in a strict smile.
"That's alright. I believe we will rest for the day. Thank you for your concern, my lady," Sera said politely, desperately craving sleep.
"Rest? Oh no, Seraphina. It is not yet time. I'm here to remind you that you can start your work in the kitchen—prepare dinner for Genghis. After all, the journey was exhausting. What could be better than a good meal?" she questioned.
Her tone conveyed surprise at Sera and Kara's desire to sleep after the journey, and it was clear that her plan to put them to work had commenced.
"What do you mean? We're tired as well," Kara retorted defiantly.
"Seraphina Rose, it's time for you to understand how things are done around here. You will be the lady of this house, and the lady of this house must not sleep before the lord of the house. Especially not when there's a possibility that he might go without food. Neglecting the duties of a good wife is heavily frowned upon. I'm sure your... mother taught you this very well," the woman began, revealing her intentions through her words.
Sera nodded. "Yes, I'll be down shortly."
"Make haste, the night is already here," she said, walking away and closing the door behind her.
Sera let out a sigh as soon as the woman left, and Kara wore a similar expression on her face.
"I have a feeling she'll be the hardest one to handle. I wonder if Genghis knows that his mother is acting like a spoiled child," Kara remarked, rolling her eyes.
"Shush, Kara..." Sera immediately hushed her. "This is not our place to judge. Even the walls have ears, and it's best to remember that. Until the marriage is complete or until we leave through the main gates, we must not utter a word against the lady. It could ruin so many things," Sera whispered.
"Yeah, I understand," Kara whispered back.
Even the walls have ears, a phrase that held truth. While the two new ladies of the household whispered among themselves and prepared to handle the workload ahead, Fiona's ears were pressed against the door of their room. After hearing Kara's words, Fiona quietly walked away.
-
"Welcome to the kitchen, ladies. I trust you're aware that this is not a place for idleness or frivolity. Here, we work diligently and efficiently to ensure the smooth functioning of the household. Pay close attention and follow my instructions precisely. We have high standards to uphold, and there's no room for mistakes or laziness. I expect you to show commitment and respect for the tasks at hand. Now, let's get to work and do it properly, shall we?"
"The kitchen lady spoke as soon as Sera and Kara entered the kitchen. Among the maids, only Sera and Kara were present.
Genghis's mother or any of his brothers' wives were absent, indicating that they expected more from Sera.
"Yes, I understand," Sera whispered.
She wanted to prove her worth. She desired respect and, above all, to demonstrate her capability. However, her expectations for her responses were quickly shattered by her own words.
"Well, understanding is one thing, but flawlessly executing your tasks is another. Remember, the kitchen is the heart of this household, and it requires discipline and order. If you can't handle the heat, you won't last long in this environment."
"We will do our best to meet your expectations."
"Your best should be nothing less than perfection. There's no room for mediocrity in this kitchen. I expect you to learn quickly and adapt to the fast-paced nature of our work. Efficiency is key. You'll need to be swift, precise, and organized. Any sloppiness or carelessness will not be tolerated."
"We'll make sure to pay attention to detail and work with utmost care."
"That's what I like to hear. Now, let's start with the basics. Familiarize yourselves with the kitchen layout, the utensils, and the ingredients. Keep your stations clean and tidy at all times. Remember, cleanliness is crucial when it comes to food preparation. And don't even think about wasting any ingredients. We work with what we have, and every resource counts," she began.
"Understood. We'll be diligent in our tasks and make the most of what we're given," Kara replied with bitterness.
"Very well. If you have any questions, ask them now. Otherwise, let's get to work. We have a lot to accomplish today, and time waits for no one."
And so, the real work began. It was accompanied by a series of advice and commands.
"Uh... No, add the salt after the leaves."
"Oh, did you wash them properly? I see mud."
"No, move this to the left! The vegetables must be cut properly..."
The conversations went so and so.
