100: Selected As A Royal Servant

Selected As A Royal Servant

She then gestured for Oriana to follow her to the side. "Orian, come here."1

Oriana immediately went to her. "Yes, Miss Janella?"

"I wanted to talk about this headwrap you have. If you wish to enter the royal palace, you have to get rid of it."

"Headwrap? I…can't…"

"Anything the issue?"

Oriana had long had an answer to such a question. 

Since young, every time they move to a new place, this question was consistently raised and she was going to use the same reason made by her grandfather. Even if someone was bored enough to search for its authenticity, they would find it to be true. 

"Miss Janella, my family belongs to one of the tribes from Northern Megaris who wear these head wraps from birth till adulthood. We are not allowed to show our hair to anyone until we become eighteen years old, otherwise, the wrath of the tribe deity will fall on us. Only after we turn adult can we get rid of this headwrap and have to cut our hair as a sign of adulthood, telling the world that the family has a new adult man in the family. I am only fifteen now. I apologize but I cannot remove it for the next three years."

This was the official reason, but in reality, in exchange for living her whole life as a male, keeping her beautiful hair long was the only compromise the then-young Oriana begged to her grandpa to allow her. Call it vanity, but in Oriana's mind, her hair was a symbol reminding her of a life she never got to live.

"I understand it, but I am not sure palace people will understand it. I will talk to Head Butler Kahlil about this. I can make a decision only after his suggestion."

"I understand, Miss Janella." 

Oriana lowered her head. 'Seems like I have to cut my hair if they won't allow it. My grandpa's life is more precious than my hair.' She felt like crying, the smile gracing her lips a little bitter. 'My soft pillow-like hair, my lovely treasure, I might have to say goodbye to you soon. I shall brush you well tonight. But don't worry, once I take care of everything, I will grow you as long as I can.'

In the evening, the ten candidates were gathered for the result. Head Maid Janella and Head Butler Kahlil were present there as well. 

"We have selected six servants out of the ten candidates who would be sent to the palace. It is not guaranteed that the six of you will be working together. Some might be sent to the central palace, other might be to office buildings or residences, as decided by the head steward of the royal chamberlain under the jurisdiction of Her Majesty the Queen. About the nature of your work, whether you are allotted for cooking, cleaning or any other labor roles, you will know once you reach there. Understood?"

"Yes, Miss Janella."

"Now, I will announce who is selected."

Oriana was praying in her heart, 'They didn't say anything about my headwrap. It seems like I am already rejected. I do not mind cutting my hair. Please, please say my name, I need to enter the palace.

Janella announced the names of five servants and their respective places to work in the royal palace, along with handing them the scroll of appointment as well as a document binding them to secrecy. 

Only one spot was left. 

'Let it be me please, please! I need to save my grandpa—'

"Orian," Janella called out. 

It was a sweet shock, and Oriana could not help but jump on the spot, causing the others to let out a chuckle at her childish reaction. She immediately walked towards Janella. 

Seeing the young man's teary eyes, the old woman let out a rare smile. "We have decided to give you a chance since we admire your dedication and spirit. I hope you won't let us down."

"T-Thank you, Miss Janella. Thank you, Mister Elir."

Elir patted her in the shoulder. "Well, you did well, boy."

Janella handed the documents to Oriana. "The reason we considered you is that Elir said you worked as a herbalist before. Not only can you read and write, you can also identify herbs and can even treat people. That means you are a meticulous person."

"You praise me too much, Miss Janella."

"It is a great skill to have," the woman said. "This scroll is your appointment paper and you have to carry it with you when you go to the palace tomorrow morning. About this secrecy contract, sign it and give it to me in the morning."

"Thank you, Miss Janella," she replied. "About my headwrap?" She didn't wish to be sent back from the palace mere minutes after entering it.

Kahlil responded to her question. "Since it's related to your tribal religion, the people from royal chamberlain responded that you are allowed to wear it."

She could not be happier than this. 'My beautiful hair won't need to be sacrificed!"

After a hearty meal, she sat in bed and opened that scroll. She read that she was an official royal servant.

"...appointed in the Palace of Thistle. What kind of name is this? Thistle is the name of a flower. Hmm, must be any of the royal as it seems like an independent residence."

She closed the scroll and lay in her bed, a wide smile on her face. 

'I cannot wait for the morning to come. Tomorrow morning, I will enter the royal palace. I made it happen on my own and I didn't have to take help from that brat or that rude young master of the Ahrens.' 

From a village herbalist from the countryside to a palace servant serving royalty. Oriana gave herself a pat for accomplishing a mission with such high difficulty. 

'That brat should be in the palace as well. He should be an official there so he would be in the central palace or the guest's palace and I won't have to do anything with him. If he comes across me, I will make my quick escape. I am sure he won't dare openly trouble a servant who belongs to the royalty itself, even if he is some high official and a son of a high noble family. Hmph!

'It's better if I don't come across him though. I shouldn't be that unfortunate.'

She shook her head.

'Ugh. Why am I thinking about that brat?' 

====

A/N- Here we completed 100 chapters.

Let's move to #5 golden tickets and there will be 10 chapter mass release. 

Goal is to get Gold reward in the WSA 2023. <3<3

pqdm.com