Chapter 1: My Job

"Sakura please, leave this place before it's too late..." a lady cried to a teenage girl.

"No! Don't leave me alone! Don't leave me like Daddy does! You can't!" The teenage girl holds on to her mum even tighter just as the flames grow even stronger.

"Just do what I say...please! Listen, go and search for your own life... you must survive no matter what happens. Mark my words. Now leave! Remember that I always love you..."

With that, the weeping girl left the house, leaving her trapped mother inside, swallowed by the blazing flames... …

"Mum!" I woke up. Tears were running down my face. I've been dreaming about it again… It's already been a day and I still can't forget what had taken place.

Mum... you must have already reunited with Daddy, haven't you?

If only Daddy didn't caught an incurable illness and died. But he had left a huge sum of money for us that can last us until I get married but now…

I clutched on the necklace Dad and Mum had given me since I was born.

It has two heart shape joined together curved on a small black metal plate with a word 'Sakura' under the heart. Under the word 'Sakura', there's the date when I was born. The heart was red in colour and the wordings are painted Sliver. A matching black thick thread was joined through the plate.

A precious one indeed.

Aww… I'm staving...

I dig through my pocket and found a dollar.

A dollar? What can I buy with a dollar? A bun perhaps? Well... it's better than nothing.

As I walked around the street eating, I glanced around hoping I could look for a job. I can't possibility survive with just a bun right? I must stay on.. but, nothing suits me. To add things worst, I haven't even graduated from school!

Suddenly, a notice caught my eye.

It says:

MAID WANTED

To serve the Royal Highness of the Royal Palace:

To apply, please go to the main enterance of the Rpyal Palace for a short interview before you proceed to the next stage.

Ladies who were chosen are not allowed to resign from this job unless it is allowable.

You will live at the Royal Palace with liberated food & staying.

Visit of love ones are allowed on every Sunday only except certain circumstances.

Training and education will be provided without any charge

Age: 16 to 19

Further details will be given to you after you have successful passed the interview.

Date: 19 June 2008

Time: 7am to 5pm

The Messenger

I stared what I had just read... 16 years and above. HEY! I'm just right for the age! Free food, staying... have a place to stay and eat! Education... I can start studying again! That's so cool! I'm so blissful!

What is the date today... 12…13? 19! Today is the start of the interview! Oh gosh... what is the time now?

I look at the clock tower, 10am! Phew... it's not over yet...

I quickly rushed to the Palace front gate and was shock that many people have already arrived!

I won't get a chance... What should I do? But I still got to try... no matter what.

I clunched my necklace.

Mum, Dad, please help me...

I lined up and hope that grandfather clock was asleep now.

12pm... 1... 2... 3... 4... 4.50pm...

GOSH! Is 4.50pm already and there's one more to go plus my leg was numbed for all the standing! I can't believe I had waited for so long!

Finally, I am the next turn and it was 4.55pm.

5.00pm but the person still didn't come out!

AND I was shoo away! What is this!

I have missed my chance!

"That girl over there, come here please. Hurry won't you?"

I turned my head and found out that a guard was calling?

"Me?"

"Yes, you. Please enter."

Am I hearing things?

I pinched my hand... Ouch!

"Miss? Do you wish to enter? Otherwise I shall let the next ..."

"No! You don't need to! I mean.. I go... I go…" and I hurriedly enter the door that he guide.

Wow!

The room was super beautiful! But… but… there's nothing but only a table, where two chairs were put on each of the table end. Isn't the room too empty?

Well… there's also a very neatly dressed women who was sitting, smiling?

Oh man… she's giving me the creeps with that look! Stop looking at me like that! Oh my!

"Hello, young lady.. Nice to meet you and how should I address you?"

"Err...well...Sakura... called me Sakura... Sakura will do…"

"Okay, Sakura, so…. are you wondering why we have asked you even though the time limit has reach?"

I nod.

Of course I don't! What kind of question was that! And of course I'm wondering why!

"Because there's a girl who is ill and a serious one too. We can't keep people who are sick. Do you know that? We don't cure sick people who is not our responsibly. So do you have any illness?"

I shook my head... oh no wonder… and I'm definally not sick! I'm still big and chubby!

"Well... we have to check first then... won't you go to the next room for a check up please dear? Thank you."

I followed the guard who bought me in and he brought me to see a doctor?

"Well, excellent! You're certainly well and alive. By the way, how old are you?"

"16 years old."

"My Lady, here's her information that you required, however..." a lady passed a folder to her.

My Lady? And what was that?

Suddenly, her face changed as the lady whisper something to her. Knowing that what she shown was not appropriate, she quickly regained her standard expression.

"Oh, thank you. Certainly, you're the youngest that we have now and that you haven't finished your schooling..."

Wow? That was real fast. Is that my information? Where do they get that? Does the Palace have such amazing power that they can find out anything they want to?

"Okay... you are in..."

"What?"

"You are in..."

"What did you say?"

"You are in. You've been chosen into the palace. How many times do you want me to repeat dear?"

"Ah! That's enough. Thank you… thank you so much!"

"Then... won't you mind. Could you kindly enter your allocated room? Further instruction will be given to you soon. See you then sweetie." And she went off.

Hey! I'm IN! I'm IN IN IN IN IN! Did you heard that? I'M IN!^.^