97: Wish To Work In Palace

Wish To Work In Palace

'Today? That fast?' Oriana placed the wooden tray on the table, her heart racing in nervousness. 'I have not accomplished my objective yet. I don't think I made much of a favorable impression to make him take me with him, and yet, he is already leaving. What should I do?'2

"Are you waiting for the tea to get cold?" she heard him speak and realized she was so lost in thought that she forgot to serve him tea. 

"Apologies, my Lord," she replied and started to pour tea in his cup. 

A light smirk painted itself on his face as he could see through her, but how could he not sprinkle salt in her wound? "You are fortunate that the Count is lenient with his subordinates. If a slow and clumsy servant like you works in the royal palace, you would have been thrown out in a day."

She almost cried internally at the insult, but she bore it with a polite smile, offering him the hot cup of tea which he accepted.

Oriana resumed standing on the side, lost in her thoughts once more. 

'As much as I hate to admit it, I did nothing praiseworthy while attending to his needs. Forget about getting into his good graces, I made myself a useless servant in his eyes. There is no way he will poach me from the Ahrens given my performance.'

Through the corner of his eyes, he could see the subtle emotions on her face and found her expressions entertaining. 'Seems like I threw cold water on her plan already.'

Once Arlan finished drinking tea, she knew it was time for her to leave the study. With her lips pressed into a line, Oriana picked up the wooden tray and returned to the kitchen where she saw a familiar man, the butler who initially hired her to serve in the Third Young Master's mansion. 

She bowed to the Head Butler. "Good morning, Mister Kahlil."

The old butler accepted it with a light nod. "I heard that you are doing good work despite being new. I am glad that I have accepted you when you asked for work."

"I'm the one who is glad—no, grateful—to be given this chance. Thank you again, Mister Kahlil," she said. In her mind, thoughts spun. 'Shall I talk to the Head Butler? But what can he do to help me?'

Just then, Janella entered the kitchen. "Mister Kahlil, how come you are here at this hour?"

"Miss Janella, we have been asked to send a few good tight-lipped servants to help in the palace. The Crown Prince is back after a long trip and there seems to be  a sudden need to add temporary hired help. As you know, entry to the palace is strict and screening the identity of new palace servants would take a long time, and the Crown Prince does not have time to spare.  Since you are the Head Maid, I would like to take your suggestion into consideration while selecting servants."

A certain young woman's hazel eyes brightened as if all the lamps inside her brain ignited at the same time. 

A chance! A heaven-sent chance! Just as Oriana was about to lose hope, she was granted a branch she could cling on. She felt as if the gods and the spirits of this world pitied her, giving her the opportunity to enter the palace.

Janella spoke, "Do you know what skills they are in need of? What are their demands, Mister kahlil?"

The Head Butler handed her a list and Janella briefly scanned it. "I will surely suggest a few good seedlings," Janella replied. 

Kahlil left, and Oriana immediately approached Janella. "Miss Janella?"

"Yes, Orian?"

"About what the Head Butler said, uhm, can I apply to work in the palace?"

"Eavesdropping is rude behavior."

"I apologize, uhm…"

Janella continued to walk as she had work to do. Oriana followed her out of the kitchen. 

"Do you want to work in the palace?" the maid asked.

"Yes, I really want to."

"Why?"

Expecting this question, Oriana had a response in hand. "Who does not want to work in the palace? Isn't serving the royal family the greatest honor for a commoner?"

Janella went silent for a moment. The sigh that followed seemed to echo along with her footsteps. 

"I know you learn fast, Orian, but you are still young and you don't have much experience. The royal palace is a dangerous place. Even simply raising your head at the wrong time can offend people who you cannot afford to offend."

"I know, but I can learn and I will be cautious. I will do my best."

Janella stopped and turned to look at her, her expression like that of an elderly relative. "Orian, working in the palace is not easy. It is not just a matter of skill, there is also politics involved. Here, if you make any mistake, you can get away with a normal punishment, but in the palace, you will be severely punished. The officials in the palace all have a status similar to our master, Count Ahren, and their subordinates are with noble backgrounds as well. They can easily make you disappear without people knowing. I don't want a bright boy like you to suffer at such a young age. Not only are the rules in the palace way stricter than here, the turbulent waters there are deep."

"I understand your worry for me, Miss Janella, and I really appreciate it but I really want to work in the royal palace. It is a dream for me. I cannot miss this chance. I promise I won't disappoint you and won't make any mistakes. Even if I do, then only I am responsible for what falls on me. I will never blame you."

The older woman sighed. "I will think about it." 

"Miss Janella—"

"But before that, you have to train with a few servants that I will select. You will be trained according to palace etiquette."

"T-Thank you…"

"Not yet. I said I will think after I observe your performance," Janella said before turning to leave.

"Still, thank you so much for at least considering me!" Oriana bowed to her as she watched Janella's retreating figure. Her cheeks were flushed with excitement.

'I did it! I finally grabbed a chance to enter the palace. I no longer need that brat's help. I can get to the palace on my own!' 

Oriana was tempted to pump a fist in the air, but held in her happiness. 'Fate is helping me somehow. I must do my best not to let this chance go to waste.'

Feeling happy, Oriana had a little skip in her steps as she went back to Arlan's chamber and resumed her chores.

—--

Meanwhile, Head Butler Kahlil of the House of Ahren knocked politely on a certain prince's study. 

"You may enter," came the voice from behind the door.

The older man entered and bowed to the Crown Prince. "Your Highness, what you have instructed, it has been executed flawlessly."

"Good." Arlan signed on the scroll with a quill pen. "Make sure his name makes it to the list."

"Yes, Your Highness." The butler bowed and left.

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