Chapter 1: Mornings

The golden sun peeked through my window, occasionally blocked by the thin aqua curtains. The light brushed up against my still closed eyelids. Outside, I could hear a muffled sound of many birds chirping merrily. A small gust of summer air flew in my window, giving me a refreshing chill up my spine. Morning.

My sapphire eyes opened slowly. Through the blurred images, I could barely see the skillfully crafted furniture displayed around my bedroom. I noticed the contrast of colors throughout my room from blues to whites to browns. My vision started to focus more on my surroundings. I sat up in bed and I rubbed my eyes lazily.

I looked around my bedroom for anything unusual. I scanned it for anything out of the ordinary. Anything different. No. Always the same process at the manor. I needed a change hear. Something to make my life exciting. But no, that wasn't the fate chosen for me. Nothing will ever change.

The silence in the room was interrupted by someone knocking on my bedroom door. My heart skipped a beat and I jumped.

"Lady Sarah?" A soft voice called from outside of the door. It must be Veronica, the family maid.

"Y-yes?" I replied with uncertainty. I started fiddling with the silver ribbon on my nightgown. I tend to get nervous easily.

"May I come in, Miss? It's time to get ready for the day." Veronica asked more gently than before, probably noticing the quiver in my voice.

"Yes, you may come in." I said, using a confident tone. I began to straighten my posture and somewhat fixed my appearance.

Veronica came in the room swiftly and shut the door with ease. She faced me and bowed. I replied by giving a quick nod of my head and smiling at her slightly.

Now it was time to get ready for the day. Veronica gently began to pull the ribbon of my nightgown, and the sleeves started to slip down my arms. I tried to avoid her eyes. I can't look into Veronica's eyes anymore. Not seriously, at least.

Today, Veronica carefully selected a dress for me with a sky blue and white color theme. It was a long dress that went to my feet, and the main color was the blue. The upper layer blue dress was bunched up at the skirt and was sewn up by blue ribbons and ruffles connecting each ribbon with a constant "U" pattern. Under the upper blue layer of my dress was a simple white underdress with delicate ruffles at the bottom, and it had at least a couple petticoats. My waist and stomach area were clear of all ruffles and bows, and I required a deadly corset in order to make me look slim in it. On my chest, a blue bow was placed. For the sleeves, they just went to the tips of my shoulders and were an upper layer of blue ruffles then a layer underneath of white ruffles. The ruffles connected to the bow on my chest, and the white dress underneath had ruffles that covered the remaining part of my chest.

Veronica brushed my blue hair at a slow, yet steady pace, and tied a sky blue ribbon on the side of my head.

"Lady Amelia should be awaiting you in the dining room". Veronica said. She bowed then left my room. Well…time for breakfast.

Well, I guess it's safe to say that I woke up this morning like any other. Nothing special, really. I was fast asleep in my large bed, having the most amazing dream a "lady" like me can have. I was so comfortable, hugging my feathery pillow it a tight embrace. Veronica must have knocked on my door to alert me that I had to wake up and get ready for the day.

I swear that she is always waking me up first before Sarah. It's pretty annoying, but I guess that's because Sarah always wakes up on time and can get ready faster. I do admit that I'm slow when it comes to "getting pretty". I'm not cut out for that kind of stuff. Anything having to do with etiquette, I simply can't do. It's almost impossible for me to be a proper lady.

Veronica started knocking more violently on my door, apparently. I don't exactly know, because I was too busy sleeping in to care how hard she was knocking on my door to come in. I stirred a little bit.

Veronica…come back in like 5 minutes… I thought, almost mumbling it into my pillow.

But as if right on cue, Veronica burst the door open and stormed inside. Then she started yelling at me because I wasn't punctual again or something. I was too tired to pay attention. I heard Veronica sigh and say something under her breath, but I couldn't make out the words. I smirked into my pillow.

Veronica roughly started nudging me to wake me up. I grunted and tried to turn away from her. After a few seconds, I thought that she would give up. Apparently she wouldn't stop until I got up. She obviously knew that I was awake.

"Ok Veronica you win! I'm up!" I shouted to her, suddenly sitting upright in bed. I let out an exhausted sigh and I pushed the pink bangs out of my face. I rubbed my eyes to see my surroundings. My room. So many beautiful memories here. My eyes widened to their full size, no longer squinting at the sunlight. I gave Veronica a small glare, but I think she didn't notice.

She started to dress me for the day. My dress was like any other. I don't see the difference between any of the dresses that she selects except for the colors. This one was light pink and white. Veronica parted my hair on one side and fastened it into a neat, low bun that wasn't too tight.

"I will go fetch Lady Sarah. Please await her in the dining room." Veronica told me. She then clapped her hands twice one of the other three maids came rushing in. She bowed at me and escorted me to the dining room.

I sometimes forget why I still stay here. I can't stand these girls sometimes. Their constant requests and needs are rather annoying, and I have better things to do than take care of some spoiled little girls.

I woke up this morning and I had to get ready to be pushed around. I opened my closet and selected one of the many identical classic maid outfits. Simple and boring. Just like what my previous master had me wear.

It doesn't matter, really. I will obey any master's wishes. But I don't know why I still put up with a maid position. I have served as a maid for years, and I hate serving people. I have had a few different masters in the past, but I have never stayed with any of them for too long. I quit when I serve to masters that I can't handle. But when there's a master that I am fond of and am willing to serve, they end up dying somehow. This was the case with the Ambrose family. Lord and Lady Ambrose were very kind and good to me, but when they were killed, everything changed. I felt guilty just leaving the estate all alone, so I decided to stay and take care of the children that were orphans now. I am currently raising them until they marry and go their separate ways. Then I'll be free of the two girls. However, one of them will have to take over their family's business, and I doubt that Lady Amelia is capable of doing that….

I looked at myself in the mirror. Everything seemed to be in check. My flaming red hair was brushed down, and it seemed to not have grown longer since the last time I checked. The tips still reach my lower back. My maid outfit is clean and pressed; presentable to a crowd of nobles. I can't help but stare into my eyes. My golden-orange eyes reflect what my life had been like. How much pain I suffer now. How much I miss my brother.

I shook my head quickly, trying to clear all negative thoughts within me. After all, the mistresses won't appreciate a sour attitude from me.

I woke up Lady Amelia the same way I always do. I swear, that girl is such a stubborn one. I can never get her to do anything right in the morning. Waking up and getting dressed is almost a chore for her. She doesn't seem to enjoy any requirement of a lady, which makes it harder for me to take care of her. Though she is stubborn, she is a pleasure to be around and serve.

Lady Sarah, on the other hand, is a rather quiet young lady. Every morning, she is either awake already, or just waking up. I appreciate her punctuality. She listens intently, and she follows instructions quite well. Unlike Amelia, she is very focused when it comes to being lady-like. She tries her best, and frankly, she is the perfect image of a lady. Though I very much enjoy taking care of such and easy-going girl like her, I can't seem to know what's on her mind. It bothers me a little to look at her and not know what she is thinking.

I set the dining room up with clean silverware, plates, a new tablecloth, fresh flowers, and the chairs have been cleaned. Very lovely if I do say so myself. Now, I have to serve them a five star breakfast…. such spoiled girls….