Chapter 1: Chapter 1

KAMORA

It was damning, the way she rushed under the heavy fall of rain that relentlessly beat her already battered soul.

The clouds showed no sign of relenting, opening up even further with another torrential downpour, as if mocking her soaked state and daring her to curse the heavens.

~Why does this always happen to me on important days?~ she thought, nearing the huge building where she was supposed to be in attendance.

The tall structure loomed proudly over her, its gray stone exterior darkened by the rain.

She hurried over toward it and stood under the pillar, shivering, hoping her attire would dry off before her meeting.

Once again, she’d attempted to find a job among the elite, hoping they would hire her as a maid or nanny.

For some strange reason, her previous options had declined her requests, stating that she didn’t look “fancy” enough.

If she were fancy, why on earth would she be seeking a job as a maid or nanny?

What kind of fancy people chose such work?

She went by the name Kamora, and sadly, that was the only thing about herself she remembered.

Eight years ago, some hunters had found her deep in the forest, barely alive.

Fortunately, they’d rescued her and helped her recover.

According to them, she had remained unconscious for over a month.

When she woke up, she couldn’t remember anything about herself—except her name.

And the strange voice that called it.

She rubbed her hands up and down her arms in an attempt to warm herself.

Her fingers were stiff from the cold, and water still clung stubbornly to her body.

She tried squeezing the soaked part of her dress so that she wouldn’t enter the meeting room dripping like a wet dog.

Though she wouldn’t be surprised if that was what she looked like.

When she felt more presentable, she took a good look around.

Just a few people were standing at the entrance, and like her, they were soaked to the bone.

“Thank the heavens,” she whispered under her breath.

At least she wasn’t the only one who would come in looking like a soaked dog.

Kamora made her way inside.

The halls were dark just beyond the entrance, and the single torch hanging on the wall did little to dispel that darkness.

Shadows stretched along the stone walls like wispy ghosts.

She continued down and finally walked into a huge room.

She paused, taken aback by the sight.

She had never seen anything as beautiful as this—or perhaps she had but couldn’t remember.

The room had huge chandeliers with candles and glass that illuminated the space in a warm, golden glow.

Two vast halls extended from either side, and different paintings adorned every surface—even the floors and ceilings bore beautiful images.

Suddenly, someone bumped into her, and she swiveled, bowing her head as a form of apology.

“I am sorry,” she said, looking downward.

“No, I am,” a soft voice answered, causing her to raise her gaze.

In front of Kamora stood a girl who looked close to her age.

Her skin was as dark as polished bronze, and her brown hair fell in soft curls over her shoulders, almost reaching her knees.

Surprise flashed through her eyes, quickly replaced by a kind smile, which Kamora returned.

“I guess you are here for the interview,” the girl said.

“Yes,” Kamora answered, wondering if she mistook the recognition in her eyes.

“Well then, it’s nice to see someone who looks my age for once. Most people who apply are far older than me.” She waved her hands and smiled. “I am Petal.”

“Kamora,” Kamora answered, waving back. “Do you know where the meeting will be held? I planned on asking around.”

“There is no need. I’ve been here several times. I know the way around,” Petal said.

“Oh,” Kamora exclaimed, surprised.

Petal turned around and began to walk toward the passageway on the left side of the huge room, her soft curls bouncing behind her.

Kamora followed closely behind.

“You’ve also applied for a job several times?” Kamora asked.

Petal glanced at her, grinning. “You have no idea. So many families fire me after months of working with them.”

“Why is that?” Kamora asked.

“The wives fear that I may seduce their husbands,” she whispered.

Kamora took a good look at Petal’s form.

Apart from the beautiful face she was blessed with, the heavens had also decided to bless her with curves that were capable of causing a huge war between men.

She understood the wives’ fear.

If she were a man, she wasn’t sure she’d be strong enough to avoid the temptation of being seduced by Petal.

“You’re lucky,” Kamora answered, sighing. “At least you got a job. I’ve been looking around for months, and none of them agree to hire me because they claim I’m not fancy enough.”

Petal glanced at her, eyeing what she was wearing. “Was this what you wore when you went to meet the families?”

Kamora looked down at her outfit. It was a brown sleeveless gown worn over a white frilly shirt. The gown was cinched tightly behind her to enhance the shape of her waist, and it flowed down, almost reaching the floor.

“Yes,” she replied, looking back up at Petal. “I thought it was nice. Is something wrong with it?”

Petal chuckled. “Dear, this is what you wear when you want to see someone you are familiar with—not your boss. As so many of the rich families here are obnoxious snobs, one look at your outfit and they’d instantly surmise that you lack experience.”

“Oh.” Kamora contemplated for a moment. “No one told me about this.”

“Well, now you know,” Petal said, grinning. “Is this your first job?”

Kamora shook her head. “As a nanny, yes. I used to work in a bakery. I decided to work as a maid because I heard it pays well.”

“You’re not wrong. Just be ready to deal with a lot of obnoxious masters and their children. I don’t know who is worse between both.”

Kamora chuckled as she and Petal made a right turn into a corner.

They walked down a hall that led them straight to a meeting room.

The room was already filled with different people, all hoping to gain a job as a maid in a prominent noble family.

Kamora found a seat and quickly occupied it. Petal took the one next to her.

As they got comfortable, a hush passed through the room as three women walked in.

Kamora couldn’t see them clearly from her position, but she heard very well when one of them began speaking.

“We do not have much time to interview all of you, so a general evaluation will be given,” the woman announced.

Kamora watched as she handed over sheets of paper to different people in the front row, instructing them to share the papers with those at the back.

“We will judge you based on the answers you pick, and you will be sent to the family that perfectly fits your choice. If you are not satisfied with whatever you get, you can always apply for the next interview.”

Kamora took the paper given to her by the person in front, studying the questions written on it. They were all simple, asking about one’s name and family background, among other things.

“This is a first,” Petal said, and Kamora turned to look at her.

“What do you mean?”

“In all the interviews I attended, we never did any evaluation like this. It’s far too easy.”

“Perhaps there is a special family in need of a special maid, hence the strange questions,” Kamora replied.

Petal shrugged and began answering the questions. A few minutes later, they were done.

They both stood up and walked to the front of the room to submit their papers.

“You both are fast,” the woman who’d spoken earlier remarked.

Kamora took a good look at her, noticing her hardened face and sharp attire. She wore a black straight dress, flats, and no jewelry.

Her hair was packed in a tight bun, and her lips were pursed in a thin line. Everything about her appeared to have a cutting edge.

“Since you both finished on time, we will mark your answers immediately. Wait outside.”

Kamora and Petal nodded, handing their papers over to the woman before walking out.

They released a long sigh at the same time, standing together just outside the door.

“I hope I get a household filled with beauties this time around,” Petal said, and Kamora chuckled.

“I do not want to be thrown out because of insecure wives.” She glanced at Kamora. “How about you?”

“I’d be very content with any household, really,” Kamora said with a shrug. “As long as they pay well.”

They didn’t have to wait long because the sharp-looking woman came out and handed back their papers.

“Congratulations,” she said simply before returning to the meeting room without another word.

Kamora looked at her paper and saw the name “MAROKE MANOR” written boldly on it.

“I got the Maroke Manor,” Petal said excitedly. “I hit big this time.”