Per Asteria's request, neither she nor I mention her decision to appoint me head maid when Alba comes to retrieve her for dinner that evening. While left alone in Asteria's chambers to eat my own meal, I once again feel that familiar pang of loneliness; however, my face lifts into a smile when I remember that soon, I will be the one dining with Asteria each day and escorting her to and from meals. No longer will I sleep in a rickety bunkbed but on a soft mattress. I will be able to walk the estate freely, no longer bound by Alba's rules. The future is suddenly looking bright.

While Asteria eats, I manage to dress myself for bed for the first time since becoming injured. It takes time and patience, and I know Asteria will scold me for not waiting for her, but I am tired after such an eventful day, and the drowsiness invading all corners of my body is dangerous. I would rather fall asleep on the couch in my nightgown than in my daytime clothes.

I do drift off for a short while, waking when Asteria returns from dinner with Maria by her side, who will help ready me for bed. I drift in and out of sleep a little while longer until Maria finishes her duties. Asteria, now dressed in a white nightgown, joins me at the couches. I would normally be resting in bed by now, but I am still unclear of what our sleeping arrangements are after what occurred the evening before. In fact, I suppose I could offer to return to the maids' quarters tonight to sleep in my own bed, even though I much prefer the comfort of Asteria's mattress.

"Tired?" Asteria asks, noticing my drowsiness.

I nod. Slowly, I inhale. "I—um—I guess I was wondering when you would like me to return to the maids' quarters? I can certainly do so tonight, so that you can have your bed back."

"That won't be necessary," Asteria replies. "Tomorrow, I will share the news with Alba. I am sure your new living arranagements can be made quickly. For now, you are welcome to spend a final night in my chambers...if that is what you want."

"Thank you," I say. My eyes dart toward the bedroom. "Shall I sleep on the couch, then, since I am feeling better?"

"If that's what you prefer," Asteria says. There is a hint of disappointment in her voice.

"It's just that I know I have misplaced you from your bed for several days now, so I do not want to keep imposing," I say.

I watch Asteria play with the hem of her nightgown. "If it was not an inconvenience to you last night, would it be acceptable if we both shared my bed again? It is big enough for the both of us, after all."

I do not even hesitate in agreeing. We both leave the main living area of her chambers behind and head into the bedroom. As I crawl into Asteria's bed for the final time, I think of how I will miss her cozy mattress and soft sheets. Even if I will be given Alba's bedroom, I know it will not be as luxurious as Asteria's living quarters.

Asteria does not embrace me when she crawls into bed. I wonder why I expected her to and why I feel a little disappointed when she does not. We both lie on our backs, side by side, saying nothing.

Finally, Asteria speaks. "Good night, Fe," she says.

"Good night," I respond.

She turns off the lamp by her bedside.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

"What in heavens do you mean?!"

Alba's emphatic shout wakes me the following morning. I wake groggily and instinctively feel for Asteria beside me, but the other side of the mattress is cold, the sheets slightly drawn back. Her room is filled with light. Sunrise must have been a few hours ago. I wonder why she did not wake me.

I sit up slowly, hearing Asteria and Alba's bickering voices echoing from the living area of Asteria's chambers. I dangle my feet over the side of the bed and press down on the ground slowly, unsure if they know I am awake yet.

"Take a step back and consider what you are suggesting for a moment," Alba says. Her voice is rough and firm. She does not speak to Asteria like a royal member of the country, but rather, an inobedient daughter. I have heard the same tone in my mother's voice before.

"I do understand your objection, but I have thought about the decision long and hard. It is not your decision to make," Asteria replies simply. "I am not a child for you to discipline anymore. What consequences would the decision even bear? I have no authority here."

"Princess, you and I know just as well—"

The wood creaks under my feet. Immediately, the two spin heads, and I am discovered. I creep into the living room slowly.

"Oh. Fe. I did not know you were awake," Asteria says.

"Were you aware of this decision, Fe?!" Alba exclaims, not taking a moment to wish me a good morning.

"Yes," I reply. "Asteria asked me if I would be her head maid yesterday afternoon. I told her I would be honored."

Alba whips her head back toward the princess, seemingly ignoring me. "Princess, I am asking you one last time to reconsider."

"No," Asteria responds firmly. "My decision is final. You will still be in charge of instructing the maids, and you can take on my duties when Fe cannot. This decision isn't personal. I value you and the time you have spent caring for me. Alba, you deserve some rest after all these years."

As long as I have known her, Alba has always walked with her head high. Her stance has always been tall and firm, but even I can see that Asteria's decision has broken her. Her lip quivers and her limbs shake, but slowly, she dips her head.

"Very well, Princess. I will begin making the arrangements," Alba says dutifully. As she returns her head upright, she stares at me. "Fe?"

"Y-Yes," I say.

"Let's have a meeting later today to discuss what the duties of this position will entail," Alba says. "Meet me at the maids' quarters in two hours. You can retrieve your belongings while you're there."

"Okay," I agree.

She parts slowly, and when the doors shut, the tension is so thick that I feel I am suffocating, even with Alba now gone.

Asteria sighs and sinks onto the couch. "I had hoped she would take the decision better," she says, holding her head with her hands.

"I can always change my mind," I offer. "I do not want to cause even more drama between the maids here."

Asteria shakes her head. "Alba will come around. She has been a mother figure to me all my life. I imagine she is upset that I am finally breaking free of her. It is not for you to worry about; although, let me know if she gives you any trouble today while she orients you."

"Very well," I agree.

Asteria frowns. "Alba was supposed to accompany me to breakfast. How about you join me instead?"

"Sure," I agree. "It will be good to start performing some of my regular duties again."

Breakfast with Asteria is pleasant. Not only am I able to greet some of the cooks again after time apart, but I once again get to enjoy some of the delicious food they prepare. As I sit beside Asteria at breakfast, I think how strange it is that soon this will be an everyday occurrence. How quickly life has changed for me in an instant. My hand goes to feel my swollen ribcage. Though still slightly painful to the touch, I think of how my injury has become an almost sort of blessing. I smirk to myself. I almost ought to thank the maids for giving me an opportunity to rise on top.

A few hours later, I make my way to the maids' quarters after what feels like an eternity. A knot forms in my stomach as I see the building grow in the distance. I attribute the pain to my injuries, but I know it is the anxiety of returning. While Asteria gave the maids a firm talking to, what is to say they won't try injure me again? Would Alba assist them this time? Would Maria? I am barely back on my feet again and have not been able to write my mother in that time, which I am sure infuriates her. I cannot afford to be bedridden once more.

Thankfully, when I open the door to the maids' quarters, Alba is already inside. She speaks commandingly to the other four maids, who listen intently. Maria's gaze shifts from Alba to me, and her face lights up when she sees me. I suppose she must be thrilled that I have finally returned home. I suddenly feel guilty for leaving her just as quickly.

"Good. You're here, Fe," Alba says. "I have just been alerting the maids as to the nature of your new position."

"Congratulations, Fe!" Maria says gleefully. The others offer their congrats, though in a forced, monotonous tone.

"Additionally, Josie, Zofia, and Arabelle have some words to share with you," Alba says. She scoots aside to let them stand and face me. I unconsciously flinch, but as they remain standing, staring at me, I realize they are not going to attack.

"We are sorry for the way we treated you," Josie says. Zofia and Arabelle mutter similar apologies under their breath.

"It was not very becoming of us as maids, and it only tarnished the friendly environment we have worked so hard to create," Zofia adds.

Her apology feels so rehearsed that it makes me want to laugh. I think how the environment was never friendly to begin with. In fact, as each of them speak, I can see Alba staring daggers into them. I am sure without threat of punishment and the displeasure of the princess, they would not be apologizing at all.

"Thank you," I say.

"Are you recovering nicely?" Arabelle asks.

"I have made some good progress, yes," I respond.

"Thank you, ladies," Alba tells the three. "Fe, you may return to your room to gather your belongings."

I am certain I can feel the glaring stares of the three maids as I turn around, but I pay it no mind. There is no use worrying about my relationships with them anymore. Soon, I will rarely interact with them. Gaining their trust will no longer get me anywhere on my mission. I have accomplished what I needed to without their friendship.

Maria accompanies me down the hall toward our shared bedroom.

"I am so excited for you, Fe!" Maria exclaims. "I cannot think of a greater honor than being the princess's head maid."

"Thank you," I say. I enter our room, thinking how foreign it feels after spending so much time in the princess's chambers. I do not look at my old room with the same longiness as when I left my bedroom in Landiani. Rather, I immediately begin to gather various belongings, ready to leave as soon as possible.

"I was shocked by the decision, but I knew I could not turn her down," I say to Maria.

Maria hums in agreement. I catch her staring around the room as I gather my things, and it is only then that I see the sadness reflecting in her eyes.

"It is too bad that we only got to live together for so long," she says a little sadly. "I enjoyed your company."

"I did, too," I reply. "But I am not leaving. I am sure our paths will cross often as we serve the princess, even if we no longer share the same bedroom."

Maria nods. "We will have to get together every once in a while."

"Of course," I say eagerly. Perhaps I no longer care about my relationship with the other maids, but I still value my friendship with Maria. Her support has been tremendous already, and it may come in handy as the mission develops.

In a short amount of time, I have my bag of belongings together. I have not accumulated much since I have come here, save for the letters from my mother, which I have folded carefully as to not get ripped while I transport my belongings.

"Ready to go?" Alba asks from the doorway.

I nod.

Maria gives me a strong embrace before we part, and I leave my little bedroom in the maids' quarters behind, praying I never have to step into the building again. Thankfully, the other maids have taken off to perform their duties for the day, making it easy to avoid awkward farewells with them.

"I will show you to your new bedroom. Then, we train," Alba says.

I nod and follow her back to the main building. The walk to the west quarters is familiar at this point, but it feels strange knowing that this is where I will permanently reside. Alba unlocks the door to her bedroom, which will soon be mine. I step inside slowly, trying not to awe at the luxury of her bedroom. While nothing compared to Asteria's living quarters, it certainly is much grander than where I had previously been living. There is a queen-sized bed, a lounging couch and a small desk area, beautifully carved wooden dressers and drawers, a full-sized mirror, and, if I peek to the side, even a small bathing area.

"I am in the process of having the maids help me move my belongings out," Alba explains. "It should be vacated by the end of the day."

I nod, continuing to take in the sights of the room. "Where will you be staying?" I ask.

"In a spare bedroom in the east corridor," Alba explains. "I still wish to remain close to the princess, even if my role does not necessarily require it."

I nod and set my bag of belongings down, wondering how I will transform this room into my own. I think of which belongings I will place in which drawer and if the writing desk already has parchment and ink to write to my mother. The door creaks behind me, and I turn to see Alba shut the bedroom door.

"Before we begin our orientation, however, I would like to have a few words with you," Alba says. Her stern expression has reappeared. I knew that I was foolish to believe she would not lecture me today. Unfortunately, Asteria is not here to lessen the blow this time.

"Take a seat, will you?" Alba suggests.

I quickly obey and take a seat on the couch. I expect her to sit beside me, but she stands in front of me and stares down, as if to assert the remaining bits of dominance she still has over me.

"I am not thrilled with this decision," Alba begins.

"I could have guessed," I respond.

"Now is not the time for your sharp tongue," Alba snaps. "I thought I disciplined you well. I lectured you time and time again as the princess grew closer to you. I have warned you about becoming her friend—"

"I am not her—"

"Silence," Alba says. "I do not know how you feel about the princess, but I can tell that she appreciates your company. I know that you did not make this decision, but I am still dissatisfied with it. If it were up to me, I would have dismissed you to Landiani as soon as the other maids attacked you. While the princess's power has dwindled compared to when she used to live in Magewell, it still reigns supreme here."

"What's the point you are trying to make?" I ask.

"Princess Asteria is naive," Alba says. "She does not know what is best for her."

I feel angered again hearing these words. The princess has shown me multiple times now that she is clever and stronger than I believed she was, enough to make me worry about the implementation of my mother's plan.

"I do not know how much she has shared with you about her personal life," Alba says. "Not much, I am hoping. However, it was a reckless and foolish decision of hers that landed her in Esterpool. I am not so much hoping as begging you to not allow her to fall down the same path. I need you to act as her head maid, to treat her with the upmost respect, but to also keep her in line if she needs it. Do you understand?" Alba asks.

A memory flashes back in my mind to the time I once asked Asteria why it was that she ended up in Esterpool.

That is a tale for another day, Asteria had replied.

I nod at Alba's words, but I once again am kept curious as to the mysterious manner by which Asteria was sent to Esterpool. I was always told it was a result of her weak nature, but only since becoming a maid have I realized that some other event was to blame. Perhaps gathering those details will be beneficial for mission. Perhaps that tale will be enough to please my mother after not writing to her in so long.

Still, today is not the day to pry for such information.

I lock eyes sharply with Alba. "I promise I will do my best as Asteria's head maid. I will treat her with respect, I will ensure she follows through on all her duties, and...I will keep her in line if I must."

"Good," Alba says. "I am glad you are semi-obedient, at least. Now, follow me. We have a lot of ground to cover."

I leave my belongings behind in my new bedroom and follow Alba back out into the main estate. Though the tension has dissipated, and she is back to her usual self, I am left feeling strange and bothered. What was it that caused Asteria to come to Esterpool when she was seventeen?