"Wake up Miss sleepy head" Milano whispers into my ear as she caresses my long blonde hair.
I've known her long enough this is the quiet but subtle warning of a fairly young woman intent on getting me prepared to work.
In a slight degree of haste, I hurried and prepared my apron and servant's gown. Alarm clocks seem to be at least a century away here. But it felt like a millennia of Noir in how I ended up here with this loyal but affectionate maid.
"I'm ready for duty Miss Milano" I smiled a little wryly
"Be prepared to clean that vast Royal library Miss Bouquet again. It's a full-time profession" Milano winked
We both walked together to the hallway for breakfast. I've been thankful that with a little persuasion and guidance they've been able to recreate croissants even though it might never taste as good as the ones in Paris. Coffee on the other hand was impossible but I heard a foreign kingdom might have some, I do miss those days greatly. Milano always asked me what it tasted like, the idea of being addicted to a slightly bitter black concoction always perplexed her.
The maids of the Forland castle knew Milano and I were particularly privileged as servants. Our cleaning duties were far lighter and indeed they were a cover to some extent. There was plenty of gossip I was a witch or some foreign lover or even a kind of body double to Princess Alita. However, as cliché as this sounds, truth is stranger than fiction.
The year was 2029, Kirika and I moved to a small neutral European country as we sensed danger so naturally. We might have been the greatest assassins that ever lived according to the Soldats but our guns were no match for World War 3. But our world was not spared. Alita and Milano spoke of the legends Te Oria and the world burned for 100 days. Who knows? The weapons they spoke of seem even greater than the weapons of my time. It might have well burned for 100 years for all I care. I'm more Proust than Clarke or Verne. AI, genetic engineering, nukes, lasers, drones; I don't really want to imagine it.
I remember the last moments of my world and timeline like it was yesterday. The sky was choked with poisonous ash and bleached red with blood. The land no longer shined any joy or hope in any direction as the world froze cold with the corpses of the people around us. It was rather unnerving even for seasoned assassins like me, the scale was not something we had prepared for.
That fateful day Kirika and I found a small cryogenics chamber of a rich billionaire after wandering in desperation. We stared at the room and pondered the possibilities of life and the lack of it. The chamber was a lonely sparse place despite being state of the art. It was designed to be sterile and cold, designed for the preservation of one person, no more no less. There was nothing to eat, nothing to drink and just warm enough inside to stop us from freezing to death.
Even if we had tried to modify the chamber, we might have drunk some of the liquid and only prolonged the inevitable. At the time I thought we would have rather died together, heroically making our last stand. Our lives have been on the precipice so many times, I thought our luck had finally run out.
"Mireille?"
"Yes, Kirika?"
"I'll never forget you, please forgive me"
"I've forgiven you, Kirika. Those things in the past you cannot atone."
"If we are to die, let's die together. In each other's arms and for all eternity."
"But Mireille, I… can't"
"Nevermind, Kirika. Let's find a way out of here. We will never give up."
"I'll love you always, no matter what happens Mireille"
"Me too, Kirika, me too"
And that was the last I heard of Kirika. I should've known, I know her so well after all these years. As angry as I was to be abandoned to fate at first, but I knew Kirika did this out of her pain. The pain of seeing me die as the world burned. She always believed one of us had the chance of a better life. She probably wanted to write another "Daisuke na Mireille" letter but she knew a piece of paper might have contaminated my chamber. Why did she sacrifice herself for me again? Why didn't I try to stop her? How was the rest of Kirika's life? Did she live on? Could she still be here perhaps 700-800 years into the future? Why was I the one to survive?
These intrusive thoughts chime like an ever-present pocketwatch, ticking into my mind and spilling into my tears.
"Reminiscing over the past dear?" Milano asked as she strapped her arms around my neck.
"It's ok you don't have to speak about your life with Kirika if you don't want to." She whispered softly as she kissed me on the cheek.
"Sorry Milano, sometimes those quiet moments. But I'm no stranger to trauma" I said as I slowly stroked her soft but slightly weathered hands.
"I can't imagine what you have to go through, Mireille"
"Please take it easy, you don't have to just write about the old world for us. Write what makes you happy. Why don't we try another of your lost world desserts." Milano speaking with a positive tone, attempting to cheer me up.
"Sure thing, let's have an afternoon tea party" I replied as I attempt to retain my composure.
"Let's have it between the two of us." Milano said
"We can invite Princess Alita too." I said as I reminisce three being a crowd.
"It's a date just for the three of us" Milano winked as I smiled
After a token cleaning of a few shelves and century old books few will ever read, I dedicated the rest of the morning and early afternoon to my writing. The private library of the Forlands was a vast room not dissimilar to European royalty with many wings and floors with shelves and musty corners in every corner. It was easy for Milano and Princess Alita to hide me to do what they consider invaluable to the Kingdom of Forland; my mind and knowledge of the old world.
Despite Milano's high status and Alita's legendary prowess on the battlefield, women in this world played second fiddle to men similar to old Medieval and Renaissance Europe. I'm glad not everything is the same as those times, I can wear these short maid skirts without being sent to prison! Scholars in the kingdom were reluctant to discuss intellectual ideas with a woman although eventually they warmed up to my expertise. My strange demeanor and accent also created suspicions, many thought I was a witch or a foreign spy. I've been grateful Milano saw I was none of these things but a person of the old world and saved me from persecution. At first I thought her intentions and Princess Alita's was one of convenience and utility. I was a tool with unique insight and ideas as nearly all traces of the lost technology was destroyed about a decade ago. But Milano had great foresight and understood something else, the lost technology they had was nearly all military and the little things I took for granted in my age like electric stoves, stainless steel frypans, flushing toilets, vacuum cleaners and even pastries really fascinated them. These things only a forward-thinking woman like Milano can appreciate.
As the months and years went by, my relationship with Milano deepened. We were both outsiders, women who were too educated in an era where few women can read and write. She wasn't so different from myself, we had an innocent childhood. She has lost all, her family, her title, most of whom she knew and loved. A second black thread of fate, no maybe black and some lighter color. Milano had Kirika's innocence and sharp mind but generally lacked her melancholy. She had a playful side which I wasn't accustomed to being on the receiving end. She also had a nurturing spirit which reminded me of my dear former partner. No, I can write my biography later tonight.
"I need to write. What else I remember about the past. I've written about medicine, vaccination, wounds, pills, DNA, bacteria. Hmm let's see all the internet, tv, radio, printing press. I did mention about electricity but never power plants. Was it turning magnets?" I wish I remember my science classes better. I wrote about languages and locations. Maybe Taiwan today."
Today's monologue of questions was what I kept asking myself on a daily basis. I was an avid reader and lover of fiction but being on the other side in writing was more difficult than I imagined. But this work was great for me, I wanted to be in the shadows and often alone.
In the afternoon, I gathered onto a secluded garden inside an inner courtyard in the Forland castle. The garden has been tenderly kept with roses with a lawn which I suggested and a small water feature. The chairs were metallic and ornate with cushions. I was quite proud of my hand in this design.
"Ah, a lovely sunny afternoon. Those lilies have grown Mireille. I can't wait to see if our chefs can recreate some of the desserts you mentioned" Milano spoke excitedly
"I tried my best Milano, your bakers are excellent. I wish I can give you a piece of chocolate and sugar. Maybe one day we'll find a kingdom with it." I smiled
"Hey, hey! What's up lovebirds?" Princess Alita interjected
"Not so loud, Alita!" Milano said
"Relax, I'll protect you sister." Alita joked
"As long as you give me that massage and backrub, my shoulders are aching from fighting in this outfit" Alita joked again
Milano giggled and loosened Alita up as she put her miraculous hands to work, her shiny purple hair brushing into Alita's face and shoulders. Milano and Alita have been through a lot together and sometimes I wonder why Milano chose me instead of Alita. Maybe it's because of Alita's position but I always suspected they were more close sisters shared by a common bond than intimate lovers. Alita also poured herself into the defense of the nation, well my nation now as well.
"So, Miss Bouquet. You got any more special moves and tricks for me today?" Alita laughed with a mixture of intrigue, humour and seriousness
"Well, unless you start using ranged weapons not much" I smiled
"Well, I beat up enemies with guns before" she smirked
"But I do have a technique for when someone has me by the wrist" I suggested
"Oh, I love to see it, try it on me!" Alita exclaimed in excitement.
I let Alita grab hold of my wrist and I gave Alita a stern kick in the stomach which broke her hold. Only Alita and Milano knew of my former life as an assassin and I'm glad not anyone else does. But in the age of metal body armor, no firearms and modern communications, my techniques were of limited use and it reminded myself too much of her to do it alone. Alita was an amazing warrior, she was like Chloe but very outgoing and friendly to a fault if you get on side with her. Although I felt she ignored her pain but going deeper into her work.
"Hey, that hurt. That's a nice move but not good against a knight with body armor" she replied
"Hmm, maybe under the groin then" I told her honestly
"Hahaha, that's dirty but I love it" Alita laughed being her adventurous confident self.
"Where are these desserts?" Alita asked
"Oh, they should be here any time now" Milano spoke reassuringly
And as soon as I was about to speak, a little tray of cakes, pastries and tarts with a pot and three lovely little cups were presented to us.
"What is that smell? Is that coffee?" I exclaimed
"Oh yes it must be!" As I smelled it's aromatic fumes slowly enveloping our little party
"It costs a ransom to buy those beans! Hope you love it!" Alita smiled
I took a small sip of this nostalgic brew and savored it's aromatic flavor. To be honest they weren't the best brewed coffee in my life, but these little luxuries really raised my spirits.
"Oh this drink smells great but it's bitter Mireille!" Milano winced
"Maybe a little milk and honey will do the trick" I suggested as a took a small spoonful of honey and milk and mixed it into her cup.
"Wimp!" Alita teased
"Hey that's mean!" Milano joked
"I like how this stuff wakes me up. I can work another two hours at night with this!" Alita exclaimed
"Let's have those little cakes, oh what is this?" Milano asked me
"Madelines, simple but tasty" I replied happily
I took a bite with Milano on the same small cake, our lips nearly touching as we chewed on the surprisingly soft texture. The use of honey and fruits instead of the traditional sugar really surprised me.
"What are these called? Madielles? Madelixes?" Alita asked as she spoke with crumbs littered all over teeth.
"Madelines and that is no way for a Princess to eat. Stop eating like a pig." Milano laughed as she wiped the stains off her mouth.
The rest of the short but joyful tea party went with other little joys such as apple tarts and little sandwiches. Milano and Alita were always delighted whenever we had these afternoon teas. Usually light-hearted for us to relax. The last conversation this afternoon was a little different.
"I've been seeing girls in the street playing as you Princess Alita" Milano quipped.
"Oh in a good way?" Alita asked
"Of course! You're a role model for the next generation of women. You're a hero!" Milano said excitedly
"Well that was unexpected from my humble beginnings! You're a hero too Milano, you gave it all for your kingdom. You should inspire others too. And you too Mireille"
Milano and I looked a little embarrassed.
"Learning to read and write properly when I became Princess really gave me a new sense of adventure. I remember your writings Mireille, you spoke of everyone having an education in your time. Even commoners?" Alita asked inquisitively
"Yes, in our world everyone went to school for at least ten years from the age of five" I replied
"That sounds amazing and boring at the same time!" Alita replied bemusedly
"But don't you think that gives the old world such technology and strength, Alita?" Milano retorted
"Yes. I know you are right, smarty-maid pants! You know Mireille, you can run the Royal Academy or be a teacher. Well if you want to and you can do it for as little or much as you like." Alita asked kindly understanding that we both had our lives flipped upside down.
"I know you've always want to live in the shadows. But the offer is always there if you ever want it." Milano added
"Thank you, well I'm not ready yet to be in the light. Not yet." I replied.
The evening proceeded rather quietly and we had our usual dinner at the quarters reserved for the highest servants in the land. After some washing up, I walked into my chambers and sat down to write my journal and biography. This is my most private text, summarizing my life back in the old world and my new life here. It was something I only kept to myself, it was sort of therapeutic and only Milano knows of it. As I wrote on my quill and pen describing my day and my thoughts, a sudden knock clanged.
"Who is it?" I asked as a saw through my peephole
"It's me" Milano whispered.
I opened the door and Milano was still in her maid attire.
"You never take your corset off, do you?" I sighed
"Well not until someone can recreate this ancient 'bra' technology you speak of" Milano smiled with a little humour.
"I wanted to talk to you about something." Milano asked and she saw my journal on my desk.
"What are you writing about?
"I'm writing about Milano the wench maid, she's a naughty girl."
"You can't write that. Stop teasing me. That can't be what you're writing"
Milano tried to get a hold of my wrist and my book and we both fell onto my bed.
"No, I was just writing about our tea party today." as I showed her my page as we softly touched each other's arms and waist.
"Well I see, your words about not being in the light." Milano said thoughtfully
"It made me think about you and your feelings about me and this new world." Milano spoke seriously
"How so?" I asked
"Will you ever accept this new world? Will you accept me? Will I always be second fiddle to Kirika?" Milano asked with a pair of saddened tears in her eyes.
At this moment, I pressed my head closer to her eyes and tightened my grip on her. I whispered the following words to her
"No, my heart has space for both my loves." As I breathed into her ear
"I'll never forget her, I'll never forget you." As I pressed into her lips
"I'm a woman in my forties now, this was not the world or life I expected. In this world that's probably closer to the grave than being born."
"Kirika sacrificed her life to give me mine. Even if it was not what I expected or originally hoped for, I will not waste it. She'd be happy for me to love again and be happy again."
"I promise you one thing, if I had to spend the rest of my life here I'd love to spend the rest it with you."
Milano became very teary and we embraced each other warmly against the autumn breeze that creaked through the windows. We were frozen together for a few minutes, frozen in time in our hearts, in our shared pains, in our shared loves.
"Yes, the original Milano will forever be in my heart but there's always soil for the garden of Bouquet to bloom" she spoke softly as I tenderly kissed her shoulder and she lovingly stroked her slender fingers inside my dress
"When did you ever get so poetic, my dear?"
"Well, I learnt from the best." Milano smiled