NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 6: 6:6
On getting home at night, Elara couldn't express how happy she felt. Who was she to be this lucky when life had always seemed determined to bring her nothing but misfortune? She tilted her head up toward the sky, letting the cool night breeze brush against her skin as she gazed at the sparkling stars. Her lips curved into a gentle smile.
"Mum... I'm living my life well," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. "I'm going to make you proud..." She paused, her chest tightening with the familiar ache of longing. "But... I don't know what to do... I need you to guide me," she pleaded softly.
As she spoke, tears fell from her emerald-green eyes, shimmering under the moonlight like precious gems. She gently wiped them away, refusing to let her sadness linger. "I'll be happy, Mum... for you," she promised, her voice steady with newfound determination.
She let out a shaky breath and glanced around her small, familiar home. "Should I pack everything?" she wondered aloud, uncertainty flickering in her gaze. "I'll be coming home sometime... right?" Her mind raced with doubt, but she quickly pushed the negative thoughts away. "Argh... I don't know what to do," she groaned, running her fingers through her long, golden hair.
"No," she decided firmly. "I'll just pack everything into two bags." Her hands moved quickly, folding her clothes and carefully placing her few belongings into the worn bags. Tomorrow would be her first day working as a maid in the castle—a chance most people could only dream of.
"What an honor," she thought with a small smile as she secured the bags. "Phew... all done." She wiped imaginary sweat from her forehead and stretched her arms above her head. "Time to rest for the day..."
*****
Yawn...
Elara woke up to the sound of... nothing. Silence filled the room. Blinking groggily, she turned toward the small clock on her bedside table. Her eyes widened.
"Oh... it's still too early," she realized, her heart slowing from its brief panic. She had woken up five hours earlier than she needed to. Relief washed over her, and she chuckled softly. "Maybe I'm just too excited..." she whispered.
For the first time in a long while, she felt genuinely hopeful. "I need to sleep... I can't be drowsy on my first day at work," she told herself. Pulling the thin blanket back over her, she nestled into her small bed and let sleep reclaim her.
Cock a doodle doo!!
The first morning crow echoed through the dawn, pulling Elara from her peaceful slumber. She stretched with a satisfied yawn. "Now it's time," she mumbled, sitting up and rubbing her sleepy eyes.
Moving quickly, she tied her bright blonde hair into a ponytail, then twisted it into a neat bun to keep it out of her face while she bathed. The cool water jolted her fully awake, sending a pleasant shiver down her spine.
"Oh God! I'm running late!" she gasped, realizing she had spent too much time savoring the refreshing bath. She rushed out of the bathroom, water droplets still clinging to her skin as she hurriedly dressed. Her fingers worked fast, tying her hair back into a simple ponytail after hastily drying it with a worn towel.
She grabbed the small meal she had cooked the night before and ate quickly, savoring the familiar taste. It might be a while before she could enjoy a quiet meal like this again. Once done, she packed her belongings, took one last look around her small home, and locked the door behind her with a lingering sense of finality.
*****
"Good morning, sir," Elara greeted the stern castle guard politely, her voice steady despite the nervous flutter in her chest.
The guard frowned, his sharp eyes narrowing as he studied her. His expression remained unreadable until a flicker of recognition softened his features. "Oh... you," he muttered with a slight nod, stepping aside to open the massive gate for her.
Elara exhaled a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding and stepped through the gate. Her breath hitched as she found herself standing before the grand castle once again. Its towering spires and intricately carved stone walls gleamed under the early morning sun, leaving her awestruck for the second time.
Gathering her courage, she made her way toward the head maid's office, her heart pounding with anticipation.
Knock... knock...
"Come in," a firm voice commanded from within.
Elara carefully pushed the heavy door open and stepped inside, shutting it quietly behind her. "Good morning, ma'am," she greeted politely, lowering her head in respect.
"Morning. Your name?" the woman asked briskly, her sharp gaze not missing a single detail.
"I'm Elara, ma'am. Elara Anderson," she answered clearly.
The head maid nodded, jotting her name down on a sheet of parchment. "Alright," she said, handing Elara a bundle of neatly folded clothes. "Here's your uniform and everything you'll need. Your room key has your room number written on the tag. And here's your pair of shoes—you'll only be given two pairs, so take good care of them," she instructed with practiced efficiency.
Elara accepted the items with a polite nod.
"I'm Mika, the head maid," the woman continued, her tone firm but not unkind. "If you have any trouble, just let me know. Also, mind you, this room isn't just my office—it's the maids' meeting room, which is why it's so spacious."
Elara had already noticed how much larger the room was compared to a typical office. "Where can I find you, ma'am?" she asked politely.
"I'll be here, working with the main maid, doing my assigned tasks, or in my room, which is on the second floor opposite this building. Your room is on the last floor of this building," Mika explained matter-of-factly.
"Thank you, ma'am," Elara replied respectfully before leaving to find her room. As she walked down the hall, she smiled faintly. "I think I should know the way, I guess" she thought to herself, her steps lighter with hope.