My Mate From Another Century

Beyond Her Scars

I was heading to my corner from the bathing chamber when I noticed my belongings scattered across the floor.

"No!" I rushed to my bed and froze. The lock on my drawer had been broken, and Father's necklace was gone.

"No... it can't be." I searched through my belongings again, my hands trembling as tears blurred my vision.

‘I should have kept it with me,’ I thought, guilt crushing my chest. It was the only memory I had left of my beloved father.

I sat on my bed, looking around. No one asked what was wrong. It was as though I didn't exist.

I went from woman to woman, asking if anyone had seen the thief who stole my sapphire necklace, but no one offered a helpful answer. Most dismissed me like a stray dog.

Swallowing my grief, I slipped into my muted brown and soft grey uniform, tied a crisp white apron around my waist, and hurried outside to continue my search.

The moment I stepped into the hallway, I spotted a maid leaving the kitchen servants' dormitory.

She was wearing my necklace.

"Excuse me, miss," I called, stopping her as she chatted with two other kitchen maids.

Struggling to keep my voice calm, I said, "I don't mean any disrespect, but the sapphire necklace you're wearing belongs to me."

She frowned.

"Excuse me?" Her tone made it clear she had no interest in a civil conversation.

She exchanged incredulous glances with her companions before snapping, "Are you mad?"

Her raised voice drew the attention of the other servants.

"I don't understand why you're insulting me over my own necklace," I replied, clinging to the last of my patience.

She let out a sarcastic laugh before her expression hardened. "Judging by that uniform, you're just a general palace maid."

She deliberately glanced at her fine teal uniform before looking back at my plain one.

The maid beside her chuckled.

"Why would I, Shira, steal from you, scar face?" The three women burst into laughter.

I kept my head high. I was already accustomed to ridicule.

"I'd never be caught dead in that filthy general maids' dormitory," Shira scoffed as she turned to leave.

"Wait." I caught her wrist.

"Give me back my necklace, thief."

For a brief moment, I caught a flicker of panic in her eyes before it vanished behind anger. "Let go of me!"

She violently shook off my hand. More servants gathered to watch.

"Why would I steal your necklace?" she sneered. "I'm the daughter of a wealthy merchant. But you? What would someone like you be doing with a sapphire necklace?"

Her friend smirked. "Look at her. Poor, miserable, and ugly. She's so desperate for money that she's claiming someone else's property."

"I may be of low status," I said, stepping forward, "but I still have my honour. That necklace was a gift from my fa… "

Before I could finish, Shira shoved me. I stumbled backward, my hip crashing against the sharp corner of a wooden table.

Pain shot through my side as I tried to regain my balance. She slammed me against the stone wall, her hand tightening around my throat.

"Accuse me of stealing one more time," she hissed, "and I'll make sure you spend a month without food."

She leaned close enough for only me to hear. "Or worse... the new maid might suddenly die."

A chilling smile spread across her face as her threat settled in my mind. Satisfied that I understood, she released me and walked away.

"Choose your battles wisely," one spectator muttered. The crowd dispersed, treating the entire scene as entertainment.

I covered my mouth and quietly wept. No matter where I went, I remained an outcast.

~

I had just finished my morning duties and was returning to my dormitory when someone called my name.

"Asphodel."

I turned to find a young woman standing behind me.

"Hello, Abigail. Is something wrong?"

She hesitated, twisting the hem of her black uniform between her fingers. The dark circles beneath her eyes and the worry on her face told me she was distressed.

"What's wrong?" I asked gently.

After glancing around the empty hallway, she lowered her voice.

"Please... I need your help." She led me into the chamber maids' dormitory, where we were alone.

She paced anxiously. "You still haven't told me what's happened."

"Asphodel..." She took a shaky breath. "I've been assigned to clean the Queen's chamber today, but I'm... not in any condition to do it. The Head Maid refuses to listen, and if I fail to carry out my duties, she may dismiss me."

"What do you need me to do?"

She hesitated before finally saying, "Please... take my place and clean the Queen's chamber."

"What?" I stared at her. "I can't. I'm not even a chamber maid."

"I know," she said quickly. "It would only be for today. You wouldn't be the first servant to fill in for someone else."

Her voice cracked with desperation. "Please help me. If I lose this job, my family will suffer."

I looked at her in silence, torn between compassion for her and fear for myself.

~

By the time I returned, Abigail was waiting in the dressing chamber with my uniform.

"Thank you so much!" She threw her arms around me.

"It's all right," I replied nervously. "Let's change quickly before we get into trouble."

I had just helped her back to her dormitory when Head Maid Hadassah stormed inside.

"Maid Abigail!" Her thunderous voice silenced the room. "The Queen summons you immediately. What have you done?"

Abigail dropped to her knees. "Head Maid, have mercy! I've done nothing wrong!"

Then, with trembling hands, she pointed at me. "It was her. I was sick and afraid you'd dismiss me if I neglected my duties, so I begged Asphodel to clean the Queen's chamber in my place."

Without another word, Hadassah strode toward me and struck me hard across the face.

"Head Maid, please!" I cried as she shoved me forward.

"You've been here less than a month, and you're already causing trouble, you wretched slave!"

"I've done nothing wrong!"

"You can explain that to the Queen." She seized my collar and dragged me through the palace corridors.

The moment we entered the Queen's receiving chamber, Hadassah threw me onto the polished marble floor.

"Your Majesty," she said, bowing deeply, "here is the offender. I didn't know she had exchanged duties with one of your chamber maids."

"Silence." The Queen's calm voice commanded the room.

"So this is the girl? Raise your head, child."

I obeyed.

She was breathtaking, dressed in blue velvet and adorned with pearls that complemented her snow-white hair.

Instinctively, I covered the scar on my cheek.

"Show me your face." Slowly, I lowered my hand.

Her pale green eyes softened.

"Beautiful." The word left the room in stunned silence.

No one had ever looked beyond my scar.

"What is your name?"

"Asphodel, Your Majesty."

"Were you the one who cleaned my chamber?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. It was not my duty, but a chamber maid begged me to take her place because she was ill. I did nothing except clean your chamber before leaving."

The chamber fell silent.

"That was a noble thing to do." Hadassah and I looked up in disbelief.

"Head Maid Hadassah," the Queen continued, "have you not neglected the well-being of the maids under your care? From this day forward, no servant is to work while unwell."

"Forgive me, Your Majesty. It will never happen again."

"Asphodel, gather your belongings and leave the servants' quarters."

I heard a dry chuckle coming from Hadassah's lips.

The Queen continued before either of us could speak. "While you cleaned my chamber, I was resting on the balcony. I heard you singing."

A gentle smile touched her lips. "Your voice is as beautiful as a nightingale's. From this day onward, you will reside in the Royal Entertainers' Quarters."

The royal attendants gasped.

"Head Maid Hadassah will escort you there." Hadassah stiffened.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." I bowed deeply as quiet tears of gratitude filled my eyes.