Chapter 2: Chapter 2

KAMORA

Fate had a funny way of relating to people—and most times, at their expense.

For one, the kingdom of Amalith was made up of humans and the Fae. With the latter being extremely powerful, one would have expected that they’d try to rule over the former.

But for thousands of years, they had not only lived among humans but also procreated with them. The relationship between both species ran far too deep for the thought of any war to even be fathomed.

Still, despite this, the class system the kingdom followed did not fail to showcase—whether unintentionally or not—exactly who the most powerful species were.

That was why, after the royal family, the elite Fae were the second most important class in the kingdom. And the Maroke Manor housed one of them.

Kamora and Petal stood outside the manor, in awe of the tall, brooding building that looked like it had survived a millennium. She wouldn’t be surprised if that was a fact.

The air felt thick, almost reverent, pressing down on them with quiet authority, as if the entrance itself whispered that they were not worthy to stand before it.

Though her memories were stunted, Kamora wasn’t sure she had ever come across a manor that huge, let alone stepped foot inside one.

“It is beautiful, right?” Petal said suddenly, drawing Kamora’s gaze sideways. “Almost too beautiful to behold.”

And truly, it was. The melancholic air clinging to the structure could be likened to a painting done by a gifted artist with a broken heart.

There was something about it—something she couldn’t name—that pulled at her insides with both wonder and dread.

She glanced around and was surprised to see a small group of people standing behind her and Petal. She had thought it was just the two of them who had been sent to the manor.

Clearly not.

The sky was cloudy, a comforting gray that wrapped around the day like a woolen shawl—far better than the cursed rainy ones that always seemed to show up when she had something important to do.

Hopefully, today would be different. Hopefully, all would go well, and she wouldn’t have to ever bother about that again.

She looked down at the small bag she held tightly with both hands. It was filled with a few clothes and personal items—things she considered essential, just in case she was expected to begin work that day.

“Are you nervous?” Petal asked, shivering slightly.

For some reason known only to her, she had worn a gown that covered everything but her arms. Her beautiful hair was tied up in a tight bun, exposing her delicate features.

If the lord of the manor had a wife, Kamora hoped she never discovered Petal. She couldn’t bear losing her new friend all because of a jealous spouse.

“I am,” Kamora replied truthfully. This was the most important job she’d ever gotten.

She hadn’t slept well the night before, spending most of it tossing and turning, mulling over whether this would turn out to be a blessing or a nightmare.

“I asked around yesterday after we both left the interview,” Petal said. “Rumor has it that the lord of the manor is hardly ever around, so I think that works in our favor.”

“Is he married?” Kamora asked.

“Not at all. He’s too mysterious for that.”

Kamora frowned. “What do you mean?”

“It means I can probably count the number of people who’ve ever seen him on one hand. He hardly ever shows his face—unless you’re someone really important. And since even many elite Fae haven’t seen him, I’d say probably only those in the royal family have.”

Kamora’s forehead furrowed. It didn’t make sense.

“Then what about those who work for him? Are you saying they’ve also never seen his face?”

“Hey, it’s just a rumor I heard. It might be gossip blown way out of proportion. Either way, we’ll find out once we start working here.”

The large double doors leading into the manor suddenly opened with a loud ~whoosh~, pulling everyone’s attention.

Kamora and Petal straightened immediately. The former hoped her posture conveyed just enough seriousness to make a good first impression.

A middle-aged woman—whom Kamora immediately assumed to be the head maid—stood at the entrance, flanked by two other maids with their heads bowed. She wore a plain black dress that swept the floor, with long sleeves that completely covered her arms and shoulders.

A white cap sat firmly on her head, and a black apron was tied around her waist. Her face bore a firm frown, the kind Kamora recognized from the woman who had interviewed them the day before—though this one’s features were softer, almost motherly.

“You all are welcome to the Maroke Manor,” she greeted, her voice surprisingly calm, as soft and steady as a passing breeze.

“I am Claudia, and I will be the one in charge of showing you around today.”

She stepped aside, and the maids behind her moved in perfect unison. “Come in quickly. We have no time to waste.”

Kamora hurried in with Petal right in front of her. Once the group was inside, the two maids closed the massive doors behind them, sealing the newcomers in.

Claudia turned, appraising them with sharp eyes that flicked from face to face. “Before I begin, there are ground rules each one of you must do well to remember,” she said, her gaze sweeping over them.

Kamora had the strange sensation that her eyes lingered on her just a heartbeat longer—but she chalked it up to nerves.

“You were all sent here because we believe you are capable of doing well in this manor. We are currently short staffed, and we’ll need all the help we can get. But for that to happen, you all must know these—”

She took a few steps back to better address them all at once. Her two maids resumed their place behind her with their heads bowed again.

“One, you must not be seen. In the Maroke Manor, you are no different from furniture—used only when needed.

“Two, you must not be heard. Just like a chair or table, any sound from you—especially in the presence of house guests—is prohibited. Even if there are none, you are to go about your day in silence. If caught otherwise, you will be fired. No second chances.”

Kamora resisted the urge to glance at Petal. She locked her gaze instead on the head maid.

“Three, you are to never, ever come in close contact with any of the elites—be they residents or guests. This is for their sake, but more importantly, for yours. You’ll understand why later, if you last long enough.”

Kamora swallowed hard and tightened her grip on her bag.

“Now that you know all this, we can begin the tour. Any additional ground rules will be communicated to you by your colleagues.”

The next hour passed with Claudia guiding them through various sections of the manor. She didn’t take them everywhere, only showing areas she considered important for their duties.

“This hallway leads to the wing of the lord of the manor. You are under no circumstances to ever appear there.”

Kamora eyed the hallway—a narrow, dark corridor shrouded in shadows. The air near it felt heavier, colder.

Even if someone paid her, she wouldn’t dare walk down there.

They continued the tour, and Kamora’s fingers began cramping from holding her bag too tightly. Finally, they returned to the main hallway where they had first gathered.

Claudia stood before them once more.

“You will be given a few hours to rest. By evening, your chores begin. A maid will come and assign your duties—listen to her carefully. Now, that brings us to the end—”

A sudden shriek pierced the air, cutting her off mid-sentence. Everyone turned toward the sound.

“I order you to get out!” a child’s voice rang out, sharp and angry, as he stormed into the hallway with two servants trailing nervously behind him.