Chapter 2

The head butler had me running errands throughout town; pork from the butcher, leeks from the market, bleach from the department store, ect. While the list was extensive covering a wide variety of items and locations, it was quickly finished. My car was filled to the brim when I returned to the mansion. I rolled it around to the back where four men waited, calm calculation etched into their faces. I slowed to a stop and stepped out of my car. The men were quick to begin unloading, all four piling objects in their arms and taking them into the building. They must handed them off to someone else, because they returned back to the car's side within moments.

When the last object was out, one of the butlers extended his hand out, palm up. Reluctantly, I tossed him the keys and I walked through the door. Behind me, I heard my car start up and drive off.

Back in the kitchen, new tasks had been added to my list replacing my completed duties: 'set up and clean adjacent guest room for Mistress Neon', 'procure fresh fruit into a bowl and place in the guest room', and 'oversee a list of snacks.' In cursive, beneath the list said 'see head butler upon completion of work.'

XXX

'Caput Pincerna' was carved in maple wood, gold paint lining the indents, bright against the darkness of material. I remember the first time I was summoned, back within the first month of my employment. Not only was it my first time in the room, but the only time was summoned. Being back here made me nervous. The head butler was to be treated with the highest formality, despite personal preference. He was a made scarcely seen, only pronouncing his presence in times of social necessity or in household turmoil.

I sat on the hand carved bench outside the door, ankles crossed, head down, and head tilted down. Apart from me, there was no one else present in the hallway. So, I waited alone to be called into the room.

A bell rang and the tumblers pulled a lock, metal grinding against wood, from inside the door frame. I stood, turned the cool metal handle, and pushed the door open. The door was heavy and took great effort to close once it was open. After a moment of struggling, I stood at attention and bowed.

"Miss Maarii," His voice was deep, reverberating off the walls of the room. "Please, sit." I straightened, moved to a leather seat before his desk and sat. The head butler was a large man, his own suit tailored to hide his formidable body, but it could not hide his broad shoulders, long legs, or massive hands. His hair was cropped flat on the top and thin on the sides, and his face was cleanly shaved. While he could have easily been in his early twenties, the lines of his face showed an opposite truth.

He leaned forward, forearms propped against the surface of the desk. "I'll get right to chase, miss Maarii," I nodded. "I have been informed of your..." He paused, he pondered for a moment. "Dislike for Mistress Neon." He stood, the seat groaning as the weight of his body disappeared. At his full height, the head butler was even more intimidating than sitting. "It seems like a majority of the staff shares your opinion." He rounded the desk and walked a file cabinet in the corner behind me. "The usual guest attendants are reluctant to serve Mistress Neon," He continued to talk, the sound of shuffling papers in the background. "Due to her treatment of them during Mistress Neon's last stay."

This was not new information. Mistress Neon's horrendous actions to staff were legendary, even in other households; she took advantage of our kindness, utilized our willingness to comply with our master's desire to provide entertainment for herself. In most cases, her requests caused several of the employees serious injuries. Most recently, a maid was admitted to the hospital for brain trauma.

"And," he strode to the front of his desk and handed me a file. I cracked it open Mistress Neon's picture graced my eyes. "In lue of this, since you are the handmaid of our mistress, caring for our guest will be passed to you."

I stared at him, dread filling me. I started to shake my head but the head butler raised his hand. "Unfortunately, you are not in a position to refuse, considering you circumstances." I sighed and closed my eyes. He was right, the family's generosity had saved me from death. I owed them my life, and refusing to do as ordered would be disrespectful to their kindness.

"Review that file, it contains a basic knowledge of Mistress Neon." His hands clasped behind his back, his stance formal. I stood, file in hand, and bowed. "Your services begin upon our mistress' return, until then, you are dismissed."

XXX

Sitting at the servant's table, I closed the file. While the file was thin, it still contained an immense amount of information. Nothing that would detriment our guest, but it still contained several pages of medical history, social review, and emotional tendencies. There was also some information about her bodyguards, of whom would be accompanying her to the mansion. Photographs and job description were outlined, as well as brief medical descriptions. Now only was I to look after my mistress and Mistress Neon, but I was also responsible for providing basic care for her escorts.

I sighed, 'my life just got harder.' I stood from the servant's table and looked around. The room was void of human life. On normal days, there were at least attendants to run small errands for the maids and butlers. However, due to the busy nature of the day, all personnel was being utilized.

Leaving the Servant's Waiting Room, I returned to the Head Butler's office and slid the folder beneath his door. I continued on my way down the hallway. Of all Mistress Neon's body guards, there were a couple that seemed very intimidating. Three of the personnel were large and muscular. Their profiles contained little information and a scarce amount of variety, the only major difference lied in Dalzollone's pages. His profile indicated that he was the one in charge. The head bodyguard. The rest of the guards were smaller in stature, but even less was written about them. The information never went beyond their names, gender, estimated age, position, and date of employment.

I opened the door to a staff restroom, flicked on the light and locked the door. 'At least the daily duties were specified,' I thought to myself. I turned on the sink tap and ran my fingers underneath the faucet. I splashed water up to my face and rubbed my skin with the heel of my hands. The agenda now sat in my apron pocket, folded; safe from prying eyes and harsh environmental hazards.

I dried my face with a hand towel and set to work re-braiding my hair. Thick and mousy, it was hardly ever tame enough to pull it up into an intricate bun the female staff styled their hair into. Instead, I maneuvered my tangled hair into two braids and pinned them flat against my head.

My eyes matched the color of my hair, and held the same wildness my hair seemed to possess - both large and filled with life. Expressive. My face was well kept, tidy and clean, as one would expect from a handmaid.

Satisfied, I checked my uniform before unlocking the bathroom and walking towards the front entrance. My mistress would be returning soon, and I needed to be there to great her and her guest.

Two lines of maids lined the entrance just inside the doorway. Two butlers and the Head Butler had placed themselves at the end of the two row. Two more butlers stood on either side of the entrance doors, their white gloved hands on each of the handles. I placed myself in a space in line as the grandfather clock struck 4:00. Beneath the chiming, the sounds of a motorized vehicle pulled up to the door. Car doors closed and giggling approached. The Head Butler signaled to open the doors.

As sunlight poured onto the white marble floor we bowed low. "Welcome home, Mistress Calpok and Mistress Neon." The maids and butlers all recited in unison.