A/N:

Oh hey, it's been over a month... Oops. Heh, sorry about that. I had the chapter planned but just couldn't put words on the page, y'know? Actually the whole second part was a big change, and the actual second part of this story is something I'm saving for later. As such, I went with the name change as well on the chapter title. As always, you should look them up. All Latin. Well, someone complained to me on the last chapter in the AO3 reviews, but that's the setting we're going with. I'm not gonna sugarcoat things. Grumble grumble. Anywhos, enjoy! Word Count (1,266)


Her song resonated through the chamber, practiced, full, and pleasing to her mistress as she relaxed. The scent of peppermint hung in the air, her mistress' favorite import, as the lazy splashes of water made their presence known. Sunlight poured in from an open window, casting a warm glow through the chamber. Everything was as it should be.

The sound of shattered glass destroyed any semblance of peace there once was. Pearl's song had stopped, and the once content smile Wynne held turned to a scowl. "Did I tell you to stop singing?"

No. Pearl continued her song, watching the empress turn her attention to the handmaid who had failed her so.

The young woman, in a simple uniform with her ginger locks pulled back into a bun, held an expression of terror, her arms outstretched, still failing to process what had occurred. "Y-your Majesty," she stuttered, "I… f-f-forg-give me."

"Are you just going to stand there or clean it up?" Wynne spat, her ice blue eyes boring through the girl.

The girl bit her lower lip, averting her gaze from her Empress. Her hands hovered over the shards on the ground, some of them having bit into her exposed ankles. The streams of blood which had been created trickled down, pooling in her slippers.

Even as she sang, Pearl couldn't help but notice the tears the girl tried to hide as she went to find a container and rag to bring back with her.

"And remember," She heard her mistress address the girl. "If I bleed, you shall as well."

Pearl raised her volume, trying to stay above that of the clatter nearby. She could see the worry melt from the face of her mistress. It was the least she could do for her. She lived to serve. No other purpose meant more.


She was nothing, just a filthy little wretch, struggling to survive on the streets. One could hardly call what she had living, but what else could she call life? Every night, she spent exposed to the elements. Maybe a back alley could be her bed for the night. During the monsoons, she crawled to whatever served as shelter, knowing the never-ending rains brought nothing but misery along with them.

There was no respite, no soul willing to ease her struggle. They looked down on her with contempt. What would a little rat like her ever provide? But if they just ignored her, the problem would sort itself out sooner or later. But until then, those who saw her kept a wary eye, holding their purses close, knowing a creature like her would only ever take.

The girl remembered the smells of the market which tantalized her. The scents of spices from near and far, fruits, vegetables, meat, all of them assaulted her senses at once, driving her to madness. But the markets were a dangerous place to linger; and many vendors closed their stalls if so much of a whisper of the orphans ghost through the streets.

But so many did not, namely those who catered too many to even care. The girl could slip in unnoticed through those crowd. She looked on at the fruit of a stall before her, completely mesmerized with every fine detail. The light brown skins of the selection, some bearing light greens while others were more mature, flecked here and there with dark brown splotches from a bruise or mark from being pressed to the branch. The people she watched took mouthfuls of the fruit, a clear liquid dripping down their chins while they laughed at each other's jokes, revealing the warm golden flesh.

The girl didn't even notice the saliva which dripped from her open mouth. No one was looking. Without thinking, she reached out. Only one.

Snatching her hand faster than a bolt of lightning was the stall keeper. His dark eyes bored into her, wide nose flaring above whitened whiskers. He bared his teeth, yellow and chipped as he spoke to her in their native tongue. "You do plan to pay for that." He said, licking his chapped lips.

The girl looked up, unable to speak as she expected the worst. "I-I…"

"You do know the penalty for theft." He spoke, taking her back to his stall as he reached around back.

"No, please!" The girl cried, eyes blurring with the tears which filled them. She couldn't survive on the streets after this!

"I will pay for her." Came the voice of a woman, thick with a mainland imperial accent.

All attention was drawn to the woman as she drew a leather pouch from a belt atop her silken dress. Her skin was pale as snow of the north, her platinum blonde hair reflecting off the sun's rays in an outlandish way as two sea-green eyes held those of the girl's.

"And why pay for this little cretin?" The stall keep asked, pulling the girl to his side.

"Because I want to. Charity is a lovely thing, after all." The woman answered. "Besides, it's just a fruit. Now then, how much?" She asked, opening the purse in just a way so the man could catch a decent glimpse at the gold inside.

"F-five copper." He choked out.

"Ah, well then." She chuckled, picking out five gold coins and placing them on the man's stall while he just stared in disbelief. "Are you going to let the child go now?"

He released the girl's arm, setting her to freedom, allowing her to pick out a fruit and run to the woman's side.

"Well, have a pleasant day, sir." The woman said, placing an arm on the girl's shoulder and leading her away.

"You know I won't be there for you if this happens again." She said, watching the little girl stuff her mouth with her new treat. She let out a sigh. "Do you have a home, child?"

The girl swallowed the piece that was in her mouth, wiping her face with an arm covered in grime. "No, ma'am."

"Maria." The woman spoke, patting the girl's head. "But I do have a place for young girls like you. The people there know me as Lady Nacre." She explained. "Do you have a name, child?"

"I don't know…"

"Then this will make things much easier." The woman mused. She glanced back down at the girl, who was looking up at her expectantly. "You will be known as Pearl from now on."


The handmaid had long since disappeared, having erased all signs of what happened. No more glass, no more blood.

Pearl stood ready with her mistress' robe in hand. There was something she couldn't help but admire about the empress as she rose from the waters. The hair which was normally neatly tied up with her jewels fell down her back, allowing rivulets of water to bead down the rest of the perfectly smooth, pale skin of her back. It was almost a shame to cover. While beautiful, the gowns of Juwel's homeland took too much away from the wearers. But wasn't it all just a display of wealth? Which noble house was better than the other?

Pearl almost forgot her surroundings until the gentle touch of a hand upon her cheek drew her back to reality. Eyes of blue looked into deep brown, not with fury but longing. The empress leant in, lips ghosting her servant's ear. "If only the others could match you." She whispered, withdrawing before retreating to her chambers.

Pearl raised a hand to the location of the soft touches. She was so rough last time. Why the change?


A/N:

Do I have much to say about this? Oh yeah! The fruit thing, first of all, it made me REALLY hungry, second, it's a fictional fruit, so there's that. Thinking about apples, kiwis, pears, and durians all at once. Oh, and I did another writing stream. On the YouTubes. You should definitely try to come some time. HylianVoice, if you're looking.

Also, Lady Nacre. I shouldn't have to tell you where the nacre part comes from, but Maria means "sea", so I just like little details.

As always, reviews, follows, favorites. Help an author know how she's being received!

This is your lovely Squish wishing you all a fantastic day! :D