Chapter 5 - Becoming a servant

The girl who seemed wild and unruly became docile as she looked into the old man's eyes. This child reminded him of that 'guy quite a bit. A little too much of a resemblance, they even looked alike. He strokes her hair noticing how dry and messy it got, then he spots her slightly sunken eyes that had dark circles from sleepless nights with eye bags beneath them. Her cheeks slim, not plump like most kids her ages' cheeks. Unless they were beggars or orphans, there was no reason to look so depressed in the thriving era. Remembering the past, something in the old man shifts. A gear or emotion that hasn't been stirred in years of work as a servant in the kingdom. He turned to his master awaiting his response to the situation, the old lord could only pity the girl as he saw her poor state of health. He sighed as he grabbed his head while speaking in annoyance, "I'll let her stay here but she will have to work as a servant! A servant you hear?!" The young master though unable to formulate her dismay, he smiled as he ran to his father and tugged his outer robe's hem. Speaking in a joyous and excited tone he asked his father, "May she be my servant?" The lord opened his eyes and looked down at his son as if he saw a idiot. He removed his hand from his head then pointed at the girl behind his son. He questions with a shocked tone, "Didn't you say you wish to marry her?!" The boy twiddles his fingers as he looks down at the ground

"It's father who said I can't, so can't I at least have her by my side?" He looks at his father bleedingly while the person in question stood oblivious to this unconsented trade of her freedom. The man was about to nod but the old man sprung up as he shouted, "My LORD-!" Realising his mistake he stops and clears his throat as he coughs in his hand to hide the embarrassment from a few seconds ago, then tries again. "My Lord, this child knows nothing, what if she upsets the master and his chant of marriage is merely a protest to escape the marriage with the princess? Then he will discard this poor child and find someone more suitable to marry, thus all our- your efforts done to make that girl become our family member will be in vain for nothing. Sir, she is the girl to help your family rise please do reconsider. Since he has such a attachment to this girl, why don't we test him?" The Lord nods his head as he is in thought. He suddenly stops then questions his aid, he knew something was up with this old man. "So what do you suggest?" In the past he has never stood up for an outsider or even insider as he remained neutral in the affairs of man. So why the sudden change of heart? Hence he decided to test him

However his aid knew he was being tested. This is a result of serving this lord for over fifteen years of his life, both in body and soul. Thus he chose his words wisely, he stood then fixed his posture and spoke in an even tone, "I suggest we engage the young master to the princess or some other more suitable young lady- with the option that once he has grown into capable man, should he wish to marry the young lady then he can do as he pleases." "It makes no difference," said the Lord in a understanding tone. Looking his son in the eyes, he patted his head, "What do you think, son." The young boy looked back at his father with a serious expression then bowed his head with the courtesy required of his position. "I understand, father." This reply shocked all who stood witness except the little girl since she knew no one and couldn't understand what they were talking about

After the short discussion it was decided that the girl would stay with the maids and learn from them with the old man willing to be her guardian. They all left as the old man helps the girl settle into her new life. He guided her to a cottage at the back of the manor, it was a little further away from the main building and the maid's quarters but this allowed it to be bigger and more spacious than the place where the maids stayed together. The door swung open to reveal it was already furnished with a paper screen stood at the far back of the room, with a futon lying folded in a open doored cupboard and a shelf filled with books rested on the wall opposite the paper screen. The screen had black, orange and green painting the picture of waves and a person peacefully fishing in the storm. The paper walls were a plain white and the wooden floor looked old and needed some repairs but it was still durable. The little girl stared and looked around in awe and curiousity, her childish adrenaline kicked in and she was off looking around after being told she will be staying there for the night. The old man smiled at her naivety and innocence, he told he to wait for him as he left to get her something to eat

Later that night, seated by the window, our transmigrated soul stared into the sky dreaming of the past or in this case the future where she came from. She missed her comfy bed with soft and blanket but to be honest her bed wasn't a luxury bed where the person sinks in and her blankets weren't the most welcoming. Some people tend to have attachments with their things, i don't mean hoarding, just valuing what's yours cause you know what you had to do to get it. Anyway, that's beside the point, th point is our protagonist is feeling lonely. She started missing all the things she could do at this time, she could be drinking a cup of coffee or binge watch a movie, read a book or comic, or write a story to pass the time or free her imagination. Now she really missed her phone and electrical appliances. She shouldn't have done what she did. She began to think that... maybe just maybe... Life wasn't as bad as she thought it was

"I can't help but feel lonely, heh, typical mc vibes. It's been about a week since I came here, the old man has been taking care of me but he says I have to earn my keep now," she sighs and brushes back her hair, she pauses as she looks at the handful of hair in her hand. 'Wow, i am not cutting this jungle bush of hair... It was so hard growing my hair back in the day. Now i just woke up and got blessed with an abundance of hair.' She stands and moves away from the window, closing it before going to the cupboard. After opening the door she pulls out a brush, then goes to sit in the middle of the futon. While brushing her hair, she sunk into her thoughts. Losing track of time and space as she let her mind run wind and tries to piece everything together

After she finished braiding the last piece of her hair she comes to a conclusion. "Let's sleep and see if this isn't just a dream... I might be having a too vivid dream since I felt pain earlier when I pinched myself." She puts back the brush then goes under the covers, soon drifting into sleep with a thought in mind. 'I had no idea I was this tired... ha... but now i can't stop yawning". And just like that the day came to an end as the stars faded indicating that dawn at come and a new day arise

The little girl sprung up at cold slippery substances trailed down her back, turns out that the old man had poured some droplets of cold water down her bare back since she didn't budge when he called out to her. Gasping for air while wipes her neck, looking at her hand to see water on them. She looks up to see the old man standing and smiling down at her with a cup which we can assume had water in it. The old man spoke, "Come get ready, we'll be late if you stay in bed any longer child." Stepping out of the room, onto the small porch she sees the old man sitting and staring into the distance waiting patiently for her. As she looks up, she notices that its dark out, not even the chickens have crowed yet

The man stood then turned to face her, smiling knowingly as he fixed her knot and brushed down her skirt, he gently guided her to sit down as he proceeded to slip on her shoes. He looks at her and smiles genuinely, he pushes himself up but stumbles. The little runs to hold the old man, however she is so small that she couldn't prevent him from falling but would fall along with him. Luckily, he regain his balance and caught the girl as well. He stood up straight, letting go of the child. He brushes her hair affectionately then walks towards the maids' quarters, "Yiza(Come)." Meanwhile this whole time the girl was in euphoria but snaps out of it after hearing her name being called