Summer 1

The Empress and her son are coming.

That was the biggest topic of interest among the people of the Summer Palace these days.

The servants trimming the overgrown garden trees and the maids polishing the palace’s marble floors talked about it all day long.

“What kind of person is the Empress?”

A maid polishing the base of a white column lining the hallway chattered excitedly.

“Since she’s from the Northern Kingdom, I guess she’ll look like a Northerner. I’m more curious about the Prince.”

“How handsome is he?”

Three or four maids cleaning the ornately patterned floor burst into laughter. Their laughter, bright and high, scattered in the sunlight streaming through the large arched windows.

“What about you, Senita?”

The child, who was scrubbing the floor nearby, looked up in surprise when she heard her name. Her neatly braided golden hair swayed, and her bright blue eyes sparkled.

“Me?”

Her wide, surprised eyes were as cute as a rabbit’s. The maids smiled warmly.

“Yes, aren’t you curious about what the prince looks like?”

“Why are you asking a child?”

“Why? I heard the prince is fourteen or fifteen, isn’t he?”

The older maids exchanged playful glances, teasing the child, who was at least ten years younger than them. Their gazes toward the newcomer, who seemed like their youngest sibling, were filled with affection.

“I…”

As Senita, blushing under their gazes, was about to speak hesitantly, “What are you doing now?”

A sudden, thunderous roar erupted.

The chattering maids flinched and quickly lowered their heads. They all knew who the owner of the voice behind them was, even without looking. It was Gaspar Moreno, the manager of the Summer Palace.

“Do you have time to chatter now? Shut your mouths and get back to work! If you get us all in trouble because the palace is dirty, I’ll deal with you first!”

He yelled again, irritably. The maids bowed their heads even lower, as if about to touch their foreheads to the floor, and busily moved their hands.

“I’m busy, but honestly…”

At the sound of his clicking tongue, Senita moved her hands quickly. Her heart was pounding. To the young maid who had just entered the palace, the manager was a very important person. If she caught his eye the wrong way and was dismissed, she wouldn’t be able to face her aunt, who had worked hard to get her the position.

“Hey, you, little girl.”

The small hand holding the rag stopped abruptly. It was obvious who he was referring to. There was only one person here who could be called ‘little girl’.

Senita stood up hesitantly, sensing his gaze. During the early summer months, when even the northern sunlight was becoming intense, the light streaming through the window and the shadows cast by the leaves intertwined, creating dappled patterns on the child’s fair face.

“What was your name again?”

Gaspar asked, narrowing his deep-set eyes as he scanned the child. The girl stood close to the window and answered clearly, her voice slightly trembling.

“Senita Findel.”

“Ah, right. I remember now. Nora’s niece.”

Gaspar nodded, seemingly relieved. He was probably having trouble remembering everyone because of the sudden influx of new servants.

As if something had displeased him, he frowned and rubbed his chin. During the awkward silence, Senita’s gaze darted anxiously across the floor. She tightened her grip on the rag.

What if he tells me to leave because I’m not doing a good job? What if he says he shouldn’t have hired someone like me?

“Alright, get back to work. There’s not much time left, so hurry!”

“Y-yes!”

Contrary to her worries, his brief encouragement eased her tension. Her hunched shoulders relaxed. She quickly lowered her head and focused on the floor. She was there to fulfill her duty.

So, the Empress and her son are coming to the summer palace.

That unexpected news, which arrived one day out of the blue, was the beginning of all the trouble.

In response to the unexpected message from the Imperial Family, the Palace became incredibly busy. This was only natural, as it was the Malezik Imperial Family’s first summer retreat since the previous Emperor’s death more than a decade ago.

The newly crowned Emperor loved only gold, blood, oil, and iron and had no interest in the deep green shadows of the forest or the sparkling ripples of the river. Therefore, he had no interest in this quiet, peaceful Summer Palace in the north.

Since the owner didn’t visit, the palace was gradually forgotten.

Summer came and went, but the forest remained silent and the river flowed endlessly. The idyllic riverside villas, once occupied by southern capital nobles, were barely holding on, weathered by time. The number of palace staff continued to dwindle, and the deserted palace sank deeper into silence day by day, as if caught in a stagnant pool.

And now, suddenly, the Empress and the Prince were coming!

With only fifteen days left before their arrival, the servants, who had been living leisurely—or perhaps a bit lazily—screamed and moved quickly. Although the message instructed them to receive the Imperial Family quietly, without fuss, they still had to prepare.

Everyone did their best to remove the accumulated dust from the forgotten palace and add new luster and brilliance. However, they lacked the time, people, and resources to completely erase the traces of time.

That was why ten-year-old Senita came to be employed as a low-ranking maid in the palace.

It was a godsend for the girl. If they hadn’t been so desperate for extra help, a child like Senita would never have been hired. Compared to her peers, who cleaned chimneys, worked in kitchens, sold flowers, or labored in mines, she was fortunate indeed. Having helped with housework for many years, she quickly became accustomed to the menial tasks of a palace maid.

Five days had passed since she started working.

The afternoon passed in the blink of an eye as they polished everything to a shine.

“The main hallway has been cleaned.”

“Good. Take a look at the main gate before the sun sets.”

At the head maid’s instruction, the maids hurried off with Senita.

As they stepped outside, the sky had already turned the color of trumpet creeper flowers. In the palace forecourt below, hurriedly trimmed trees stood within square boxwood hedges. In the center was a dirty white fountain, awaiting the servants’ attention.

“Wow…”

Senita gasped at the wide-open view from the palace steps. The beautifully tended garden with its neat trees and diverse array of flowers and the lush green vista of the town of Martiera beyond it profoundly stirred the girl’s heart.

This place is truly wonderful. How could such a place exist in the world?  It was incomparable to how it had looked from afar, beyond the walls. She felt incredibly lucky to be able to work in such a beautiful place, thanks to the Empress and Prince who had decided to come here and to her aunt Nora.

Her chest swelled with unexpected joy. Senita turned around excitedly. The pale pink marble walls of the Summer Palace reflected the setting sun in her glass bead-like eyes, sparkling like jewels. The pale blue roof and the angel statues scattered about glowed red, bathed in the twilight. The whole scene was so breathtaking that she wondered if she was worthy to see it.

“Senita! Come here and clean these stairs!”

“Yes!”

When a maid who had finished assigning cleaning sections called her, Senita replied cheerfully and ran over. She quickly rolled up her sleeves and began to meticulously wipe down the railing. Everything her diligent hands touched became clean and spotless. It was a fitting sight for the Empress and Prince to pass through.

Wherever these immensely noble people stayed, everything had to be splendid and clean. They possessed only beautiful things. They were born that way and were allowed by God to live that way. The mere thought of crossing paths with them made her heart flutter with excitement.

It was a vain but dazzling dream.