Lady!Sapphire and Peasant!Ruby/Medieval times (I didn't bother changing their speech to a different dialect too much and I used 'Lord Peridot' because it sounds cool lol )

Ruby trudged through the mud in the early morning. She had been sold last night from her current lord and she was now on her way to be delivered to her new one. The messenger taking her there sat upon a horse slowly riding behind her. The woman was supposedly called Jasper as far as Ruby caught on, not that she really cared.

"Get a move on!" Jasper yelled in annoyance.

Ruby turned.

"I'd go quicker if I could ride a horse, too," Ruby bravely barked back.

The messenger scoffed, "That's not my problem. Now pick up the pace; I have a lot of things to do today."

Despite her hatred for the larger woman, Ruby forced her legs to move faster through the mud. She was apprehensive about what her new lord would be like and wanted to get it over with sooner than later. It couldn't be any worse than working out in the fields all day. She had overheard the family who owned her talking about a castle and them getting a large sum of money in exchange for Ruby. She couldn't help but feel boastful about the fact that she was worth a good amount of money…but putting an actual price on someone's head was so cold and heartless. But she had been born into this servitude and it was what she had to live with.

After another hour of walking, they reached a small castle. It wasn't anything too grand from some of the places Ruby had seen, but it was still large and denoted wealth. Maybe this would be an easier life for her. They were bound to have more than enough servants and she wouldn't have a huge work load.

The second the main doors opened for them, Jasper shoved Ruby through impatiently. Ruby wanted to yell something at her, but immediately clammed up when she saw two others inside the main foyer of the castle. She knew that first impressions were important for slaves to have a chance at mercy from their lords, so she straightened up.

An imposing figure draped in heavy robes, walked forward to inspect her like some inanimate parcel she got in the mail. When she seemed impressed enough, she handed Jasper some money. Jasper was quick to bow and then turn tail and run off to her next assignment.

"I'm Lord Peridot," the woman boomed, "You are my servant, now."

Ruby ducked her head in a bow. She didn't know exactly what to expect next, but she didn't think her new lord would just walk off. But she did with annoyed grumbles.

When she finally left, Ruby attention was pulled from her to looking around the rest of the room. The other person which she had vaguely caught a glimpse of before was still standing off to the side of the foyer.

She was a girl about the same height and age as her, but that's where the similarities ended. She was very beautiful and graceful looking. Her hair was a light blonde and her skin fair. She wore a large, rich looking dress that stuck tight to her waist and then curved out widely over her hips that were hidden underneath. Their eyes met for a moment and the gorgeous girl giggled softly into her hand.

Ruby blushed slightly as she tried to remain professional in this odd confrontation. Not knowing what else to do, she bowed at the other in respect.

"I'm Lady Sapphire," she peeped up as she took a few steps over to Ruby.

"Greetings, Lady Sapphire," Ruby gladly welcomed, feeling much comfortable with this girl's presence than her new Lord.

"I'm supposed to take you to the kitchen, now," she said simply.

Ruby stood straighter at attention, "Yes, ma'am."

Sapphire frowned a bit as she elegantly crossed the foyer to lead the peasant to the kitchen.

The kitchen was down in the basement and it dark and very humid. Ruby turned to ask her escort for further instructions, but the girl was already heading up the stairs.

"Hey, there," a voice called in the dim candle light of the room.

A slim girl walked out from the darkness. The most notable thing Ruby took in of the person before her was how absolutely exhausted she looked.

"I'm Lapis," she said with a hint of bitterness.

"Ruby," she replied, "Are you supposed to help me become acquainted with my duties?"

"Yes," she said, while grabbing an apron and handing it to the other.

"Where are the others?" Ruby asked cautiously, not sure if her curiosity would be welcome.

"What do you mean others?" she inquired as she moved over to a counter to prepare some food.

"The other servants."

"There are no others," she spoke with glum.

Ruby's face dropped. It was just the two of them for this entire castle?

Lapis continued, "…And then it will be just you."

"Just me?!" Ruby panicked.

"Yes, I'm being delivered to another residence in a month. Our time has only overlapped for the purpose of training you properly."

Ruby gulped, "Exactly how much work is there for me to do? …I don't mean to whine, but-"

"Then, don't," she sternly interrupted, "You just listen to me and learn because I want to get out of this hell hole alive."

Ruby's eyes widened in shock, "Y-yes, ma'am."

The last thing she wanted on her conscious was having another person killed because her inability to keep up. Lord Peridot had probably threatened Lapis into submission a lot. All the hope Ruby had had this morning was now fully dissolved. This wasn't going to be easier than tending the fields; it was most likely going to be harder than anything she had ever done.

The next few days were filled with strenuous schedules. It wasn't that Ruby was stupid, it was that there was so much to be done. She spent all her hours rushing around and she barely got any sleep. It was hard on her, so hard, but she persevered and kept her head high.

By the end of the month, Lapis was much more kind to her and she just seemed so relieved that her replacement was capable of being taught. Ruby was glad to have not caused her any problems.

"I'm going to leave today," Lapis said to her randomly as the two of them were cleaning one of the halls.

Ruby nodded, "I guessed it would be soon."

With a loud clap, the mop Lapis was holding fell. Ruby looked up concerned and was met with the other girl pulling her in close. It was an awkward embrace to say the least, but Ruby didn't back away. This poor girl had been through so much.

Out of the corner of her eye, Ruby saw Lady Sapphire spying from around the corner. After the hug ended, Ruby bravely stared straight at Sapphire. The girl didn't seemed fazed though as she grabbed at her large hoop skirt and lifted it as she practically glided down the hallway toward the two servants.

Ruby couldn't help but gaze with fondness at the girl. Over the time she had been here, Ruby had to admit that Sapphire was the only nice thing about this place. It wasn't like she was overtly nice to Ruby, but she was never harsh when she could have been. She also never asked anything of Lapis or Ruby unless it was ordered by the lord. The girl seemed content with doing things herself despite having servants to do it for her.

"You are requested in the foyer, Lapis," Sapphire spoke blatantly.

"Yes, ma'am," Lapis bowed.

"What of me?" Ruby asked boldly.

Sapphire smirked a little at the brashness, "You may do what you wish."

Ruby looked over to Lapis who looked very thankful that she wouldn't be so alone.

The three of them arrived in the foyer. Ruby had expected to see Lord Peridot, but she was not there. Instead there were only two other people in the room. One of them was, surprisingly enough, Jasper and the other looked to be a knight.

"Come forth," the knight called.

Lapis quickly shuffled across the floor and bowed deeply at the other woman.

"What is your name?" the woman spoke, now much more gently.

Lapis just looked up is confusion, the owners of slaves rarely cared about names, "M-my name?"

"Yes," she nodded.

"My name is Lapis."

"What a pretty name. I'm Rose."

The knight then reached out and took Lapis' hand. She was jerked slightly when Rose began to lead her away.

"Oh, sorry, sweetie."

Lapis just stared in wonder at being apologized to. Rose then laughed softly, "Let's go, now."

Following the knight, Lapis quickly turned and waved goodbye to Ruby, who returned the gesture. Lapis had the smallest smile on her face that was filled with hope. Ruby prayed that her new friend's hope wasn't misplaced like hers.