I should’ve minded my own business.
I knew that.
I repeated it to myself every morning: Keep your head down. Stay invisible. And Survive by minding your business.
But instinct doesn’t care about strategy.
I was carrying a tray of spices toward the main kitchen when I heard raised voices coming from the courtyard. It was a sharp, mocking laugh. And then a muffled cry followed.The kind of sound that tightens your chest even before your brain catches up.
I slowed my steps, walking towards them,
And I saw two male workers who had cornered a palace maid near the storage wall. She was small…barely older than me, with trembling hands clutching her apron. One man shoved her shoulder, laughing when she stumbled, while the other blocked her path.
This made my pulse spike…. but I said to mys
