Phibinu was the personal maid of the current co-ruling Emperor, just like the other personal maids in the Imperial Palace, unremarkable and indistinguishable.
If she was lucky, perhaps her na would appear in so chronicle or biography; if unlucky, she might die senselessly in a political upheaval.
Of course, more often than not, their nas were buried under the sands of history, unknown to anyone.
If there was anything special about Phibinu compared to other maids, it was that she was not from the Danschel Empire but was a maid presented by a vassal state.
In other words, she was regarded by the True Believers as a heathen.
She believed in a pantheon of Divine beings, headlined by the God of Mirrors, which made her sowhat of an outsider in the Imperial Palace.
Fortunately, the maids in the palace had their own small groups, and under their collective warmth, Phibinu managed quite well, writing a letter ho every year through soone else, and occasionally receiving replies.
The latest reply from ho ca about six or seven days ago, informing her of her father’s death, but due to a lack of money, his burial was delayed.
Despite the letter being sent urgently, it had taken three weeks to arrive, and now a month had passed, her father’s body had long decayed, yet it could still not be buried; Phibinu was desperate for money. She had been raising money for a week, but even with her savings included, she was still two silver coins short.
Two silver coins were equivalent to a month’s als for a family, a small sum for the lavish-spending nobles, but a huge amount for a maid serving them.
She had asked everyone around her, Phibinu couldn’t find anyone else to ask, except, perhaps, to go to the co-ruling Emperor himself.
But how could a re maid seek an audience with the co-ruling Emperor?
Of late, Phibinu’s mind had been uneasy, tossing and turning every night, so yesterday, she took a pair of silver-plated cutlery from the kitchen, making her anxious every day.
Today, she was to deliver als to a special prisoner.
The Imperial Palace, being the center of the Empire’s power, was no stranger to various nobles under house arrest.
Among the most famous was the current Queen, Anos XI, who since the death of her son, the brother of Anos I, found her family fallen from grace and herself under house arrest.
Maidens like Phibinu, labeled as heathens, often ended up serving such individuals.
There were many reasons, but in sum, the Emperor felt more at ease having foreign divine believers serve than the local True Believers.
Phibinu followed a Night Watchman slowly towards a room constructed from Forbidden Magic Gold.
She held a silver platter in her hands with a bowl of milk and egg soup, three slices of raisin white bread, a serving of clipped beef bones, and a whole steam fish with herbs.
The herb-stead fish was beautifully made, the fish mouth slightly open, emitting a fragrance that was just right, not too strong or too light.
The Night Watchman opened the door, pushed Phibinu in, then promptly closed it as if fearing the person inside could flee at any mont.
Phibinu, holding the al, stumbled, raising her head to find the girl inside staring at her expectantly.
Such a gaze made the maid sowhat uncomfortable.
"What is your na?"
The girl rushed forward, grabbing the al.
Phibinu then realized, it was the food in her hands she was staring at.
"Phibinu."
The maid curtsied.
Then, as usual, she stood by, waiting for the girl under house arrest to finish her lunch.
Phibinu was actually curious how such a young girl could be confined in such a remote place, and why the person bringing her food changed daily.
"My na is Mira."
Mira said, wolfing down her lunch.
Phibinu nodded, remaining silent.
After Mira rapidly finished eating, she covered her mouth to burp and then laughed:
"May God bless you."
"Thank you, but... well... I am not a True Believer,"
Phibinu whispered and then stepped forward to clear the utensils.
"It’s all the sa."
Mira said.
The maid noticed, the herb-stead fish was untouched, Mira hadn’t touched it.
Phibinu didn’t say anything, just went on clearing up as usual.
Suddenly, she heard the girl say:
"This platter is silver."
Phibinu paused.
She had been a bit obsessed these days; hearing "silver" reminded her of "silver coin" and hearing "cutlery" brought to mind yesterday’s theft.
Mira looked at her and said:
"Why did you freeze?"
Phibinu ca to her senses, smiled awkwardly, and hastily bowed in apology.
Feeling guilty as if she were a thief, her heart raced, wanting to flee the place.
Suddenly, Phibinu’s hand was grabbed.
She looked up and saw the girl staring at her.
"What... what are you going to do?"
Phibinu asked hurriedly.
"Examine you."
Mira paused,
"With my eyes."
Phibinu was frightened, feeling the girl was sowhat neurotic.
Then, the maid violently tugged and freed her hand from Mira’s grasp, hurriedly picking up the al.
She knocked repeatedly, waiting for the Night Watchman to open the door.
But it might have been her misconception; the door didn’t open right away.
"Do you know? A long, long ti ago, God walked on water, and Prophet Al and Yarlessto sat in a canoe."
Phibinu turned, startled to find Mira had approached her unexpectedly.
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