Chapter 13 Chapter Thirteen

Given the circumstances, there wasn't much time for me to dwell in shame or worry.When the maids came to change me the next morning, there was no worry on their faces, so I assumed that going downstairs would be all right.Letting me go down to breakfast also showed Maxson's kindness, which I didn't expect: go to eat one last meal, and then bid farewell to everyone as the beautiful candidate Faye Wong. Halfway through breakfast, Chris finally worked up the courage to ask me about my first date. "How is it?" she asked me in a low voice, the kind of whisper that's allowed during meals.But these three words made the ears of all the people present stand up, and everyone nearby who could hear us was paying attention to us.

I took a breath: "It's hard to describe." The girls looked at each other, clearly wanting to hear more. "How did he behave?" Ding Ni asked. "Uh." I chose my words carefully, "His behavior is very different from what I imagined." This time, the whole table started whispering to each other. "Did you do it on purpose?" Zoe interrupted suddenly, "If it was on purpose, it would be too much." I can only shake my head, how can I explain clearly? "No, it's just..." Fortunately, there was a noise in the corridor at this time, which distracted everyone's attention, so I didn't have to answer.

Those voices are a bit strange, although I have only been in the palace for a short time, I have never heard anything that can be called loud.And, the sound of the guards' step on the floor, and the sound of those great arches opening and closing, and the sound of everyone's knives and forks dropping to their plates.This time it has turned into a riot. The royals figured out what was going on outside faster than we could. "Follow me to the back, ladies!" shouted King Clarkson, running to a window. Although the girls were confused, they didn't want to disobey the king's order, and started to move towards the head table.The King pulled a shade from the window frame, not an ordinary shade, but metal, and it creaked harshly as it came down.At his side Maxson pulled down the metal shade of the other window, and the beautiful and graceful Queen Amberley did the same.

A large wave of guards rushed in at this time, and before they closed the door of the restaurant, I saw a large queue of people outside the door.The gate was quickly locked and bolted with iron bars. "They're inside the walls, Your Majesty. Right now we're holding them back, the ladies should get out, but we're too close to the door..." "Understood, Maxon." The king interrupted his report. I understood without further explanation that the rebels had entered the palace. Sooner or later, I think, this will happen.With so many guests in the palace, and so much preparation to be done, someone must have overlooked certain details and created a security breach.Even if they can't get in easily, they can create chaos.The election of Filipinos is inherently repulsive, and I'm sure the rebels hated it as much as they hated any other system.

However, no matter what they think, it is impossible for me to submit without resistance. I stood up abruptly, knocking my chair over.I immediately ran to the window closest to me and pulled the metal cover off as well.A few girls who also reacted also followed suit. The thing was pretty hard to pull, it took me a while, and then it seemed to be even more difficult to get it off.After finally latching it on, something outside hit the metal cover, and I took a few steps back in fright, tripping directly on the chair I had knocked over. Maxson rushed over immediately. "Are you hurt?"

I quickly collected myself and looked at myself. Apart from the possibility that my butt fell blue and I was a little frightened, there should be no other problems. "No, I'm fine." "Go to the back room, quick!" He helped me up and gave orders to everyone.One by one he picked up the terrified girls in the restaurant and escorted them to a back corner. I obeyed the order and ran to the back and huddled in the corner with everyone. Some girls were already crying, and some were petrified, but Ding Ni fainted directly.What reassured me a little was that King Clarkson was concentrating on talking to a guard not far away, just out of hearing of the girls.He put one arm around the queen, and the queen showed a proud face in his arms, and did not speak.

How many attacks had she survived so far?It happens at least a few times a year for all we know, and it must be exhausting.Each time more likely than the last to hurt, not just her... but her husband... and her only child.Eventually, the rebels will find the perfect moment to accomplish what they most want to achieve.But in the face of these fears, she still stood so straight, with nothing but composure on her face. I glanced at the girls present. Among them, who has the power from the heart of the queen?Dinny has fainted in someone's arms, Celeste and Valleil are talking, I know what Celeste looks like when he is relaxed, but it is definitely not now.However, she does hide her emotions better than others, especially in the current situation, the other girls are basically hysterical, many kneeling on the ground and sobbing.Some were so frightened that they couldn't see the chaos in front of them at all. Their faces were expressionless, and they waited for the chaos to pass with their hands clasped blankly.

Mary was crying, but it wasn't too serious, she was holding on.I took her arms and helped her stand upright. "Wipe your tears and stand up straight." I shouted into her ear. "What?" she asked sharply. "Trust me, do it." Mary wiped her face with her gown, then straightened up a little.She touched her face, probably to feel if the makeup was worn off, then turned to face me, and let me see if it was all right. "Very good. I'm sorry for directing you like this, but you have to trust me this time, okay?" In such a panic situation, I ordered her, and I felt uncomfortable, but she had to be like Amber As calm as Queen Lee.Maxson must have wanted his Faye Wong to have this quality, and Marie had to win too.

Mary nodded: "No, you're right. At present, everyone is safe, so I don't need to worry too much." I nodded to her too, although she must be wrong to think so.Not everyone is safe anymore. There was the constant sound of heavy objects hitting the walls and windows, and the guards stood behind the gate, each one extremely nervous.There was no clock in the room, so I had no way of knowing how long the attack had been going on, and that made me even more anxious.How do we know they're in?You won't wait until they start knocking on the door for everyone to find out, right?They won't be there all the time, we just don't know it?

I didn't want to worry too much, so I just stared at a vase with flowers, all of which were strange flowers and herbs that I couldn't name.I unconsciously bit my perfectly manicured nails and hypnotized myself, focusing on the flowers as if they were the most important things in the world. Finally, Maxson finally came to see me.Like he was checking everyone's safety, he came over.He stood beside me, staring at the flowers in the vase like me, not knowing what to say. "Are you okay?" he finally said. "It's okay." I said softly. He paused for a beat: "You don't look well."

"What will happen to my maids?" I voiced my greatest fear.I know I'm safe now.Where are they then?What if one of them was in the hallway when the rebels stormed in? "Your maid?" His voice revealed that he took me for a fool. "Yes, my maid." I looked him in the eyes, trying to make him think that it would be immoral for only a small number of people related to the throne to be protected.I felt like I was going to cry, but I managed to control myself, breathe quickly, and adjust my emotions. He looked into my eyes, as if he realized that my origin was only one step away from that of a maid.The difference between me and Anne is that I have been favored by the god of luck. "Should be in hiding, the servants have their hiding places. The guards are good at notifying everyone in the shortest possible time, so, they should be fine. We had an alarm system before, but they turned that system off during the last attack It's broken, it was supposed to be fixed, but..." Maxson sighed. I looked at the floor, trying not to let my thoughts wander. "America." His voice was pleading. I turned to Maxson. "They're fine, the rebels aren't moving that fast, and everyone here knows what to do in an emergency." I nod.We stood there in silence for a moment, and then I thought he was about to leave. "Maxson." I called him softly. He turned to look at me, a little surprised at the informal address. "Last night, please listen to my explanation. When we were preparing to come to the palace, there was a man who told me, I can't refuse any of your requests, no matter what it is, I can't refuse, absolutely not." He was so surprised that he could hardly speak: "What?" "He said it like you were going to ask for something, and then you said you haven't been with a lot of women. Eighteen years... and you've got the cameras down, so you've got so much It's only when I'm near that I'm afraid." Maxson shook his head, trying to digest what I just said.Humiliation, anger and disbelief flashed across his normally calm face. "Did you say that to everyone?" he asked me, his tone full of disgust. "I don't know, but it's hard to imagine that other girls need this kind of warning. I guess they would like to have the chance to throw you down." I commented, gesturing in the direction of the other girls in the room. He giggled a little maliciously: "But you didn't want to, so you kicked my lower body without the slightest bit of conscience, did you?" "I kicked the thigh!" "Oh, come on, it doesn't take that long for a big man to stand up if it's just a kick to the thigh." His voice was full of sarcasm. I couldn't help laughing, and thankfully, Maxson laughed too.Something hit one of the windows again, and our conversation came to a screeching halt, and for a moment, I couldn't figure out where I was. "Are you okay with a room full of crying women?" I asked him. His expression was ridiculously panicked: "There is nothing in the world that makes me more overwhelmed!" He quickly whispered, "Besides, I have no way to stop them." This is the man who will lead our country: a man overwhelmed by tears.It's ridiculous. "Try it, pat them on the back or shoulder, and tell them they'll be fine. Many times, girls don't cry because they want you to fix the problem, they just want to be comforted." I suggested. "Really?" "Almost." "It can't be that simple." There were two meanings of joking and suspicion in his voice. "I said many times, not all the time. But this trick will work for most of the girls here." He snorted disdainfully: "I don't think so. Two people have already asked me if I can let them go back if this kind of thing happens again." "I thought we couldn't offer to leave." But I shouldn't be too surprised. If he can agree to let me stay as a friend, he really can't care too much about the regulations. "So what are you going to do?" "What else? I can't force them to stay." "Maybe they'll change their minds," I reassured him. "Maybe." He paused, "What about you? Are you scared to leave?" He asked me in an almost joking tone. "Honestly? I thought you'd kick me out after breakfast." I had to admit. "Seriously? I thought so too." The two of us exchanged a smile.Our friendship (if that's what it's called) is obviously awkward and fraught with problems, but at least it's honest. "You haven't answered me yet, do you want to leave by yourself?" At this time, something hit the wall again, and the sound was terrifying.The worst attack I've ever experienced at home was Gerald stealing my food.Here, the other girls didn't like me, the clothes were very formal and stiff, there were people out there trying to hurt me, and the overall experience was certainly uncomfortable.However, this matter is good for my family, and it is also good to have enough to eat; moreover, I can avoid him for a while.Maxson is indeed a bit confused about choosing Faye, maybe I can help him choose the next Faye Wong. I looked into Maxson's eyes and said to him, "If you don't kick me out, I won't go." He smiled: "Okay, then you have to tell me more tricks like pats on the shoulders." I smiled back at him.It is true that many problems have occurred before, but I believe that good things will happen. "America, can you do me a favor?" I nod. "You know, we spent a lot of time together last night, and if anyone asks, can you just tell them I'm not... I can't be..." "Of course it's fine, and I'm really sorry about that." "I should have thought that if any girl was going to disobey any order, it would be you." The sound of heavy objects hitting the wall sounded one after another, and several girls screamed in fright. "Who are these people? What do they want?" I asked. "Who? Rebels?" I nod. "It depends on who you are asking; also, which faction you are asking." He replied. "You mean more than one party?" That made the whole thing even more terrifying.If one group can do this, what would it be like if more than one group were to join forces?In my opinion, rebels are rebels, but Maxson said it like some were worse than others, "How many factions are there?" "There are generally two factions, the Northern Rebels and the Southern Rebels. The Northern Rebels attack more often because they are nearer and live in Lakeley, near Bellingham. It rains a lot, in the North side. Because the whole city was basically destroyed and no one wanted to live there, the rebels took root there, but I think they used to go elsewhere as well. Of course, it's just me that they move around It's just an idea, and no one else believes it. I think the northern rebels rarely break in, and even if they do break in a few times... it doesn't do much damage. I think today is the northern rebels." He said in explained in a noisy voice. "Why? What's the difference between them and the Confederates?" Maxson hesitated a little, probably considering whether I could know this kind of information.He looked around to see if anyone could hear our conversation.I also looked around at the same time, there were indeed several people looking at us, especially Celeste, the fire from her eyes could kill me, so I didn't dare to look at her at all.However, even if someone pays attention to us, no one is close enough to hear our conversation.When Maxson understood this too, he leaned closer to me and whispered. "Southern rebel attacks are more ... deadly." I shivered: "Fatal?" He nodded: "The idea I get from every destruction situation is that they only come once or twice a year. I think everyone here is protecting me by not telling me the real number of casualties, but I'm not stupid ...every time the Confederate rebels come they take their toll. The problem is, both factions look the same to us, both in rags and mostly strong men. We can't see any signs, so when the raid is over We didn’t know which group of people it was before.” I glanced at the people in the room. If Maxson's deduction is wrong, if the southern rebels invaded this time, many people's lives would be in danger.I thought again of my poor maid. "But I still don't get it, what do they want?" Maxson shrugged: "The southern rebels want to overthrow us, but I don't know the specific reason, I can only guess that it is because of various dissatisfaction, and they don't want to live on the margins of society anymore. I mean, these people are not even the eighth rank In fact, they don't exist in the social system. The northern rebels are like an enigma in comparison. My father said they were just here to scare us and make it difficult for us to govern, but I don't think so. There was a moment of pride on his face. "I have another theory about that." "May I know?" Maxson hesitated again, and I thought, this time it was not because he was worried about scaring me, but more likely because he was afraid of not being recognized. He leaned closer to me again and said softly, "I think they're looking for something." "What is it?" I became more curious. "Then I don't know. Every time the northern rebels come by we find guards knocked out, wounded or tied up, but no one dies, it feels like they just don't want to be known about them What are they looking for. They did kidnap some people, though, which confuses me a bit. Also, they turned upside down everywhere they went, with all the drawers on the floor, the shelves turned over, and the rugs all gone. It flipped over and a lot of things broke. You wouldn't believe how many cameras I've changed over the years because of it." "camera?" "Oh," he said a little shyly, "I like photography. But other than that, they didn't take anything. Of course my father thinks my idea is naive. What can a bunch of uneducated savages look for? But, I always felt there must be something they were looking for." The idea is so interesting.If I had no money and knew how to break into a palace, I think I would take all the jewelry I saw, or anything that could be sold.Certainly these rebels had more than a simple political manifesto on their minds when they came here, nor was it a matter of their survival. "Do you think I'm stupid?" Maxson asked, pulling me back from my fantasy. "No, not stupid. Kind of puzzling, but not stupid." We smiled at each other.I think if Maxson was just a boy named Maxson Swift instead of Maxson, the future King of Elijah, he'd be the kind of big boy next door I'd love to hang out with and we'd have a great time common language. He cleared his throat: "I think I should go on my rounds." "Yes, there must be quite a few ladies already wondering why you are so slow." "So, buddy, who do you suggest I talk to next?" I smiled and looked back to see if the Faye Wong candidate in my heart could still hold on.She's fine. "You see that blond girl over there in pink? That's Marie, she's sweet and kind and loves movies. Go ahead." Maxson giggled and walked in her direction. It felt like an eternity to be trapped in the restaurant, but the attack actually lasted just over an hour.We later learned that no rebels entered the interior of the palace, they only went to the outer territory of the palace.The guards didn't open fire before they tried to open the gate to come in, which is why they had so long to throw bricks and spoiled food on the windows, which had been brought down from the outer walls of the palace. Eventually, two of them got too close to the door, a guard opened fire, and they all broke apart.If Maxson's idea is correct, these should be the northern rebels. Afterwards, they had to search the entire palace thoroughly and hid us for a little while longer.After confirming that there was no problem, we were sent back to our respective rooms.I held Marie's arm along the way, and while I held on downstairs, the attack was exhausting, so I was thankful to have someone to distract me. "Did he send you the pants anyway?" she asked me.I brought the conversation back to Maxson as quickly as possible, hoping to know if their conversation had gone well. "Yeah, he's very generous." "I think it's fascinating to have a big winner." "He is a good winner, and even if something bad happened, he kept his demeanor." For example, he was kicked in the lifeline. "What do you mean?" "Nothing." I didn't want to explain this, "What did you talk about today?" "Well, he asked me if I'd like to see him this week." She blushed. "Mary! This is great!" "Hush!" She looked around, but the other girls had already gone upstairs. "I'm trying not to get my hopes up." We were silent for a few seconds before she couldn't contain her excitement. "Who am I lying to? I'm so excited! I just hope he won't wait too long to come to me again." "If he asks all the questions, I believe it won't be too long. Of course, he has to govern the country first, and then ask you out." She laughed. "It's unbelievable! I mean, I know he's handsome, but I don't know how he behaves, so I was worried that he'd be... well, prim or something." "Me too, but he's actually..." What is Maxson like?He was a bit prim, but not so dull as I imagined him to be.It is undeniable that he has the performance of a prince, but is so... "normal". Mary's attention was no longer on me, and she was lost in her daydreams all the way back.I hope that the image of Maxson in her fantasy can be fulfilled by Maxson himself, and that she is also the kind of girl he wants.I sent her to the door of her room, waved goodbye and walked to my room. As soon as the door was opened, all thoughts of Mary and Maxson flew away.Anne and Mary squatted beside Lucy. Lucy was in tears, obviously terrified. The usual slight trembling turned into a large convulsion, and her whole body was trembling. "Calm down, Lucy, it's okay." Annie whispered to Lucy while stroking Lucy's messy hair. "It's all right now, no one's hurt. You're safe, dear," Mary said reassuringly, holding her hand. I was speechless with astonishment, Lucy sure didn't want others to see her like this, I shouldn't have barged in.I wanted to back out, but Lucy saw me first. "Yes, yes, sorry, Miss, Miss, Miss..." She stammered, and the other two raised their heads with anxious expressions. "Don't worry, are you okay?" I asked her, closing the door so no one could see. Lucy tried to speak again, but no words came out.Her tears and convulsions nearly consumed the emaciated body. "She'll be fine, Miss." Annie interrupted, "It will take a few hours, and she will calm down after the incident. If she still hasn't improved, we will take her to the medical care area." Annie lowered her "Lucy doesn't want to go to the doctors, though, because if they don't think we're qualified, they'll put us in the laundry or the kitchen. Lucy likes being a maid." I don't know why Annie lowered her voice so that no one could hear her. We are surrounding Lucy, and even in this state, she can still hear her clearly. "Please, please, please, miss. I don't, no, don't want to..." She was trying to speak. "Shhh! No one's sending you there," I told her, then turned to Anne and Mary. "Help me put her to bed." Actually the three of us were strong enough to get her into bed, but because she twitched so badly, her hands and feet kept slipping out of our hands, and it took us a lot of work to calm her down.Once the covers were pulled over her, the comfort of the bed worked better than we could tell, and her twitches subsided and she stared blankly at the canopy above the bed. Mary sat by the bed and hummed a tune that reminded me of how I took care of Mei when she was sick.I pulled Annie into the corner, out of earshot of Lucy. "What happened? Did someone come in?" If so, I need to know. "No, no," Anne's answer reassured me. "It's what Lucy does every time the rebels come, and she cries when she's just talking about them. She..." Annie stared at her polished black leather shoes, thinking about whether to continue.I also don't want to come across as prying eyes, but I want to understand why she does.Annie took a deep breath and continued. "Some of us were born here. Mary was born in the palace, and her parents are still here. I was an orphan and was sent here because the palace needed help." She straightened herself The skirt, as if this can erase this troubled history, "Lucy was sold to the palace." "Sell? How is it possible? There are no slaves here." "Theoretically no, but it cannot be said that this will not happen. Lucy's family needs a sum of money for her mother's surgery, so they serve a third-class family in exchange for a sum of money. But her mother It didn't get better and they had no way to pay off the debt, so Lucy and her dad stayed with the family for a long time. As far as I know, it's no different than living in a warehouse." "The son of that family fell in love with Lucy. I know that sometimes love can cross levels, but the jump from sixth to third is indeed too big. After the son's mother knew his heart for Lucy, she Sold her and her father to the palace. I remember when she first came, she shed tears every day, and they must be very much in love." I looked in Lucy's direction.In my case, at least one of us had a chance to make a decision.She had absolutely no choice in losing the man she loved. "Lucy's father is in the stables. He is not strong and fast, but he is very careful. Lucy is a maid. I know it may be a silly thing to you, but it is very important to be a maid in the palace. So much to be proud of, we are on the front lines. We are considered qualified, smart enough, beautiful enough, the small part that can be seen by anyone who visits. We are serious about our work Serious, because if you make a mistake, you will be relegated to the kitchen, then your hands will have to work day and night, and your clothes will be so ugly. You may also be relegated to chopping firewood or sweeping fallen leaves. Being a maid is not a small thing." I think I'm too naive. In my concept, they are all sixth grade.However, they will also be classified internally, with statuses that I don't understand. "Two years ago, in the middle of the night, someone attacked the palace. They put on the uniforms of the guards, so everyone couldn't tell the enemy from the enemy. The situation was very chaotic. They didn't know who should fight and who shouldn't. Many people got in. ……horrible." Just thinking about it makes me shudder.The huge palace was full of darkness and chaos, compared to the attack this morning, it was like the actions of the southern rebels. "A rebel captured Lucy." Annie's eyes dodged for a moment, and then she said softly, "I don't know if they don't have many female companions, you understand what I mean." "Oh." "I didn't see it with my own eyes, but Lucy told me the man was filthy all over and said he kept licking her face." Anne also showed a scared expression when she said this, and I felt a churn in my stomach, and I almost spit out my breakfast.It's really disgusting, and now I can understand that Lucy, who was already injured, will definitely collapse under this kind of attack. "He was going to drag her away, and she was yelling with all her strength, but it was hard to hear her screams in the chaos. Fortunately, a guard came to this corner at that time. This is a real guard. He One shot hit the man's forehead, and the man fell down, holding Lucy down, and she was covered in the man's blood." I covered my mouth, so her reaction now can be explained. It's hard to imagine how fragile Lucy got through this. "They only took care of her wounds, but no one paid attention to her mental state. She is a little nervous now, but she tries hard to hide it, not only for herself, but also for her father. My daughter is very happy to be a maid, so she doesn't want to disappoint him. We try to help her keep calm, but every time the rebels come, she feels that it must be bad, that she must be kidnapped, hurt or even killed. " "She's really trying, miss, but I don't know how long she'll last." I nodded, then turned to look at Lucy on the bed.Although it was still early, she had already closed her eyes and fell asleep. I pass the rest of the time by reading.Anne and Mary were cleaning the already clean room, and we all waited quietly for Lucy to recover. I promised myself that within my ability, I would never let Lucy go through this kind of thing again.