Chapter 3

I noticed something while I worked in this pack house. I noticed that the other maids had been watching me from a distance. But none of them seemed to be interested in talking to me.

It is probably for the best, but I feel kind of lonely. It has been a long time since I had a friend my age.

And then, one day, I heard them whispering about me.

"She looks too good to be working in here," one said. "Almost too pretty," another said.

"God, I hope she doesn't try to steal our men away," a girl with red hair giggles at her own joke.

I can't help but roll my eyes. Are they seriously talking about me like this?

The truth is, I'm not actually that beautiful in comparison to the other maids. But they seem to be hating on the fact that Rosemary, the head maid, praises me a lot. I can't deny that her compliments have made me feel better about myself and my purpose in this house. She's always been kind to me since I first started working here, and she makes sure that all of us are treated fairly and with respect.

It's not like I'm doing anything special, either. I do my job just as well as anyone else and make sure everything is taken care of properly. It's just that Rosemary seems to appreciate all the hard work I put into it.

Every time she compliments me, their faces twist into sour resentment. I try to be as humble and respectful as possible to avoid making them even more angry. But it's hard not to feel a bit smug when she holds me up as an example of how to be an excellent maidservant.

"Here comes the queen herself," a girl named Molina comments as soon as I walk in. Rosemary told me she had been working here for a while now.

"Good morning, Molina," I say with a smile.

 But she only stares back at me coldly, her mouth pursed into a tight line. I can tell she's not happy to see me.

"Did I do something wrong?" I ask.

Molina just stares at me before snorting. "Oh no. How could you possibly? Rosemary thinks you are a perfect little angel."

Ah, so this is it. Molina is jealous.

I blink, taken aback by her sudden hostility. "I am not perfect, Molina, far from it. All I want to do is work hard and earn my position here. Please, can't we just be friends?"

She glares back at me with cold eyes. It's almost as if she wants to hurt me. "You don't belong here. Not with us."

My heart fills with disappointment as Molina's harsh words hang in the air. I had hoped for some understanding, maybe even a chance to build a friendship, but her jealousy seems to have clouded any possibility of that. Still, I refuse to let her animosity get to me.

I take a deep breath and keep my gaze on her. "Molina, I understand that you may feel a certain way about me, but I assure you, I have no intention of taking anything away from you or anyone else. I'm here to do my job, just like everyone else."

She snorts again. "Is that right? You want to be my friend?" she asks in a mocking tone.

I nod, my eyes never leaving hers. "Yes, I do. But only if you're willing to give me a chance."

But Molina just crosses her arms and looks at me skeptically. "And why do you want to be my friend?"

"I think it would be nice to have someone to talk to while we work," I reply, meaning every word.

Molina's expression softens slightly, and for a moment, I think that maybe, just maybe, she's going to relent and stop being mean to me. But then she shakes her head, her red curls bouncing around her shoulders.

"Sorry, honey, but I don't think that's going to happen. You're just too different from us."

I swallow hard, feeling the sting of tears in my eyes. "Different? What do you mean?"

Molina shrugs. "I mean... you're just too pretty, too perfect. You don't fit in with the rest of us."

I feel a lump forming in my throat as I realize that this isn't going to be easy. "Look, Molina, I..."

But before I can finish, I feel a gentle hand on my shoulder. I turn around and see Alice, one of the other maids here, standing behind me. Alice is one of the few girls who is nice to me.

"It's alright," she says softly. "Molina doesn't mean any harm."

Alice turns to Molina and gives her a stern look. "Now come on–we all work hard here, and we need to stick together," she adds firmly.

Molina scoffs. "Here comes another miss goodie two shoes. How I treat anyone is none of your business."

"Molina, you don't have the right to talk to someone like that! It's not fair!"

Alice scowls at Molina and turns to me with a warm smile. "Don't worry. Rosemary won't stand for anyone mistreating another person in her household. You should be proud of how hard you've been working."

"Oh, god. Are you planning on snitching on me to Rosemary? Don't do it, Alice, or you will regret it," Molina hisses at her.

"Molina," I say firmly, refusing to let my voice quaver despite my racing heart. "Neither Alice nor I am trying to cause trouble. I'd still like us to be friends if you're willing."

Molina stares at me, her dark eyes glittering with cold anger. For a moment I think she's going to relent, but then she shakes her head and laughs bitterly.

"No. No way in hell am I gonna be your friend," she says, her voice low and menacing. " If you want to stay here, you'd better watch your step." With that, she turns around and storms off, leaving me standing there with Alice. I sigh deeply as I watch Molina disappear down the hallway, feeling like I have just failed some sort of test.

Alice's hand presses heavily against my shoulder, her touch heavy with pity. "Don't worry about Molina," she says in a tight voice. "She's just jealous of your talent–that's all."

But despite Alice's comforting words, I can't help but feel like Molina is never going to accept me as a friend.  I have to be wary of her every move in case she makes my life here in this new place a living nightmare.

Just then, Rosemary walks in. "Why are you girls just standing around? Didn't I already assign you to work?" she barks at both of us.

"Sorry, ma'am. I will get to it," Alice says and hurries away.

"Me too," I say and turn to leave, but Rosemary stops me. "Sylivi, wait. I am glad I found you."

I halt.

"Is there something I can do for you?" I ask.

"I need you to deliver these mails to Alpha Xavier," she says, handing me a pile of envelopes.

"M...me? Why me? Can't someone else do it?" I ask.

Rosemary's face tightens with a stern expression. "I need you to do it," she says firmly. "Alpha Xavier needs his items delivered promptly. And since you are available now, why can't you do it?"

I gulp nervously. Despite my fear of Alpha Xavier, I know that I can't disobey Rosemary's orders.

What will I do now!?