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A delicately decorated carriage was currently traversing the dense and abundant foliage of a forest path.
Within the infrastructure of the vehicle, a girl adorning a noble's attire sits elegantly in the passenger's seats, in her hand lies a medium-sized briefcase that presumably held the belongings.
Her outward appearance exuded the air suited a noble of high standing, the simplicity of her grace and soft features alleviated by the cascading of hair unworldly in color, ivory white and ruby iris sparkling like the gemstone it's reminiscent of.
Well, that's what she thought of her complexion, but internally? Panic kept flooding her.
After the downfall of her family's name due to problems arising in regards to money and debt, her hands were forced to work odd jobs, primarily ones befitting a maid, to simply keep herself afloat in the waves of poverty.
Not long after, she ascended to the role of a maid under the Royal Palace's rule.
Yes, the once blooming rose of the Utsumi Family, Yukire Utsumi, no longer in season, soon regressed to a lowly maid, no longer bearing her last name mainly due to shame and her own decision that she doesn't deserve the luxury of such.
A Marquis daughter, now lesser than a commoner.
Still, this was quite the opportunity given to her among hundreds of other applicants. This was her chance to repay the family who had given her its honor, dignity and faith to uphold the name she used to proudly bear. Hopefully, she'll be able to provide a worthwhile service that would prolong her stay at the palace.
As her inner monologue ceased its duration, the carriage came to a halt in front of the dark and dreary gates that easily dwarved her in size. With no one's accompaniment, she lowered her frame from the vehicle as it drove off, the clacking of the horse's hooves lessened in its volume.
She's left alone. Currently, she's wondering how to proceed since as it stands, there weren't any assisting servants to lend their hand in introducing her.
"..!?"
Suddenly, a large screech resounding in her ears as she quickly covers her organ to lessen the impact the sound had.
The gate... Opened on their own? Is this an invitation to head inside or..?
Confused, she observed her surroundings, listening for any faint noise of scuffling or noise of any kind to enter her eardrums as well as any visual indicators that another being was nearby. Still, no one was there even with her heightened awareness.
Hesitant, she crossed over the lines of the outside to step within the borders of the palace, more precisely, the front garden. She wasn't to able attain a clear view of it due to the tall walls serving as a barrier before but once inside, she was... To say the least, astonished.
Breathtaking was an understatement, buses flowering with blood red roses trimmed perfectly in a pattern almost mesmerizing and from the looks of it formed roses itself from an aerial view, four roses in each corner and all the flowers stands a water fountain, presumably made with marble and almost as a statement, the place of origin where the water gently pours out of resembles... Another rose.
It was... A bit overkill, no? Nonetheless, she felt foreign, alien even with the beauty of the hedges and decorations throughout.
She felt her hand clutch around something. Ah, her briefcase. She still had her possessions on her person.
Still, curious, she cautiously approach the center where the fountain was located. Despite being slightly distracted, she was on the lookout for anyone else besides herself to inquire on questions that had sprouted in her mind. No one, that fact slowly being the norm in such a strange place.
"Hmm..." It wouldn't be a crime to take a seat on the fountain, right? Surely, the royals are benevolent and lenient to allow a small act through and so, she took a seat on the ledge.
Finally, she realised how exhausted her body was after such a long travel, perhaps mentally too as she lets out a sigh of relief.
However, not long after her break, she heard footsteps rapidly approaching and before she could react, she heard a thud and-
"Boo!"
An angelic-like voice entered her proximity, however, the quality of their voice did not stop the fear in her heart as she released a yelp before falling back into the foundation, her entire upper body now drenched with water.
Impulsively, she recovered from her stupor after the fall to berate the culprit of her current predicament.
"How rude of you to do such a thing, to a palace maid nonetheless... Well, soon-to-be. Now look at what you did, I'm completely drenched. Normally, I wouldn't hold it against you since jokes are fun and all but... Today is an important day for me to make a good impression, and you rui-"
She heard a giggle that made her quit her ranting mid sentence, the slight irritation leaving her body as the same divine tone rang through her ear and perhaps, her heart.
"Is that so~?"
Turning to the source of her dilemma, consequently, ruby red locking onto ocean blue. He breath hitched as her own lips quivered.
Ah... The girl was absolutely dazzling and unconsciously, she swallowed. Her silky brunette hair reaching down to her waist, rosy pink cheeks contrasting the sparkling blue the girl's eyes were, the proud smirk replacing the girls plump lips that she can't help but assign attention to. The gown tightly clung to the perpetrator's figure that she can't help but refuse to investigate any further, out of sight, out of mind.
Every bump her heart pumped out was felt, similar shade of pink replaced the paleness of her cheeks at that very moment, every restraint that she applied upon herself to remain dignified.
God, why is she being like this? She's the calm and collected rose of the Utsumi family, she's a Marquis. Well, used to. Usually, her thoughts wouldn't be filled with such vulgarity among other things.
...She can't help but sneak another glance before a glint caught her eye, the girl had a golden crown.
"..! I-I apologize for my ignorance, your highness. It wasn't my intention to insult nor provoke any ill will towards your royal crown, this humble servant is willing to repay for their transgre-"
"Aha! No worries, really. Plus, who am I to punish a cute girl such as yourself~ Plus, it's just a little joke. I'm not that crazy to punish someone for my own actions... Maybe I am, crazy that is. Ever thought of that? Scared, are you~? Just kidding! I wouldn't be a competent ruler if I abuse my power everywhere I go you know, speaking of which... Currently, you're trespassing on sacred ground... Now, that's something worth a consequence~ Just kidding again! I'm such a joker, aren't I? Maybe that's why I'm so beloved by the people~ But yeah, don't worry your pretty little head off, I know you're the new maid, you introduced a little about yourself anyways with your earlier rants. Yukire Utsumi, right~? Of course I am!"
"I... Right. Uhm, I... I'm still terribly sorry, your highness." Her cheeks flushes red deeper after the wave of compliments directed to her by the princess as she tenses up. Though, a part of her felt a sense of familiarity radiating from the princess but it must have been the fall that caused her to think of such.
"As I said, don't be~! Hmm, your highness doesn't have the ring I like. How about this? I shall bestow you the very special privilege of calling me Calypso~ Just Calypso! Sweet deal, am I right? It's better than other names like... Hmm, my brother! Atlas is such a terrible name, don't you agree? Well, my brother doesn't. He's such a buzzkill..."
"Your highness, I couldn't possibly address you in such a way..."
Ignoring Calypso's comments about her brother due to not wanting to involve in personal drama between the royals, it was against her moral conduct to regard the princess by her first name, it was utter preposterous no matter how tempting it was.
"Psssh, stop with the 'your highness' title, make us feel too distant, after all, we're bestfriends now~! Soon anyways, Aha. Well then, I guess this would be an appropriate time to abuse my power~ I command you to call me by my first name, teehee~ Now you really can't escape it, hmm?. Speaking of escape... You should totally escape from that drenched attire of yours, I'm pretty sure you're bound to catch a fever with those wet clothes clinging to you, you know and we wouldn't want a sick servant, now would we~? Just kidding, I'd want you anyways... Kidding~ Aha, such a joker. In the meanwhile, I'll be the one touring you since well, I'm already here and would you really refuse a princess's help~? Thought so, teehee~ You're so kind."
She felt decades being listed off by first meeting alongside the comments that had flirtatious undertones making her red as a cherry. Still, the princess does have a point now that she recovered from her previous trance in the face of beauty, her upper clothing was somewhat transparent however, it wasn't enough to cause her to panic over indecent exposure. The feeling, however, was uncomfortable which makes up for a reasonable excuse to accept the princess's offer.
"If that's what you wish, your h- ...Miss Calypso, is that alright..?"
"Eh, good enough! See, I don't bite~ Well, unless you want me to~? Joking~ Now, for the main course... A palace tour! Isn't that wonderful that you get the luxury of being guided by yours truly, i don't mind rewards for my hard efforts, you know~ Kidding, I don't expect much anyways! And before you assume, I didn't mean that in a bad way... Meanie. Hmm, how does one even do this... Aha, you were appreciating the garden earlier? Who am I kidding, of course you were. After all, I was the one who designed it in the first place~ Pretty sweet, huh? Ah, I get side-tracked too much... What was I supposed to prioritize... Right, clothes! Come with me, I'll show you something special~"
"W-wait, I don't follo-"
Suddenly, the princess clasps her hands with a firm grasp and before long, she finds herself being dragged along with her bizarre companion for the day. She relishes the warmth shared between them.
The princess... Certainly has a way of words, to an extent at least. She didn't mind the Royal's tangents, however, she was unable to really get a word in or question to bypass the sheer amount of words exerted. It was almost deliberate on the other person's end but for what reason? She didn't entertain the thought longer.
Why weren't any workers, more specifically, gardeners attending to the roses? Are there any servants at all? ...Did the princess mean her words in regards to the compliments directed to her? Was all the Royals... This extrinsic and for a lack of a better word, hyper?
Was everything a coincidence?
She had so many inquiries that needed to be solved but it'll remained unanswered for the current situation.
She'll focus on the present first and so, with the princess in toll, she enters the intricately designed palace.
Unaware of the fate that will be her own in the following years that will be her new normal.