Chapter 6
"Save Eliza? When it comes to rules," Maya replied coldly, "a servant's life is as insignificant as dust. Lady Joyce, you'd better worry about yourself."
Maya straightened her sleeves.
"Prince Regent is coming to visit the Foster family today," she said. "Lord Foster is throwing a birthday party.
"All the clan relatives have arrived. Lady Paola said you're to serve in the front hall."
I looked up. "Serve?"
Maya smiled. "You're the Foster family's eldest daughter. Naturally, you'll be serving coffee to the Prince Regent and the elders.
"And while you're at it, everyone can see how I've managed to wash that merchant stench right off you. Put on your rough linen clothes and come with me."
The matrons tossed me a set of gray linen maid's uniform.
They shoved me out the door.
The front hall was decked out with colorful lanterns and decorations.
The place was packed with guests.
My father sat at the head of the table.
Prince Regent was seated at the guest of honor's seat.
Paola welcomed the guests with a warm smile.
Sharon was dressed in a shimmering gauze gown that caught the light with every movement.
She performed for the Prince Regent, her fingers dancing across the piano.
The elders stroked their beards, murmuring praise for her skill.
I was dressed in a rough linen maid's uniform.
I carried an oversized coffee tray and walked into the grand hall.
The lively hall went silent all at once.
All eyes were on me.
My sleeves were so short they barely reached my wrists.
The red welts left by last night's punishment cord stood out on my skin.
My hair was just pinned up with a plain wooden hairpin.
The head of the family, Graham Foster, frowned.
"Phillip," he said. "Is that really Joyce?"
Phillip cleared his throat awkwardly.
He picked up his coffee cup and said, "Yes. She's always had the air of a merchant about her, ever since she was little.
"She used to be utterly unruly and hard to manage. But thanks to Maya's guidance. Now she's finally learning some discipline and self-restraint."
Maya stepped out from behind Phillip.
She stood tall, her posture proud.
The gold hair ornament in her hair shimmered as she moved.
"Honored guests, Lady Joyce used to care only about money," she said. "She never cared about proper conduct or family honor.
"It was no easy feat just getting her to understand the value of simplicity and what it means to respect the rules."
Prince Regent set down his wine cup.
He glanced at Maya.
"You do seem quite devoted to your role as governess," he remarked. "But that ornate headdress you're wearing and those fine clothes don't exactly scream 'simple'."
Her expression froze for a second.
She quickly forced a smile.
"Your Highness, surely you're jesting," she replied. "It's only to represent the Foster family's honor.
"I've always been accustomed to a modest life myself. But standing here, I'm representing the Foster family's reputation. Naturally, I can't appear too humble."
Sharon stopped playing the piano.
She walked right up to me.
"Joyce," Sharon said. "Why aren't you pouring coffee for Prince Regent yet? Or do you need Maya to teach you how?"
I carried the coffee tray, trying not to let it wobble.
I made my way over to Prince Regent.
The coffee pot felt heavy in my hands.
My wrist was already sore from the weight.
I carefully tilted the coffee pot, hoping not to spill a drop.
All of a sudden, Sharon stuck out her foot.
She hooked my ankle, sending me stumbling.
I lost my balance, and the coffee pot went flying from my hands.
Scalding coffee splattered all over.
Prince Regent leaned aside to avoid the splash.
The coffee landed all over Maya's brocade skirt.
Maya let out a shriek.
"My brocade." Maya sprang to her feet.
She swung her hand up and slapped me right across the face.
"You wretched thing!" she shouted. "Did you do that on purpose?
"You're just jealous that I'm the one running the household and keeping you in line. You did this on purpose, trying to embarrass me at an occasion like this."
I crashed to the floor.
Coffee cups shattered all over the ground.
The shards cut my palm open.
Phillip slammed his hand down on the table.
The wine cups on the table toppled over.
"You disgrace," he roared. "You're beyond saving. Guards! Enforce the family law.
"Right here, in front of Prince Regent and the whole clan, I'll have you whipped within an inch of your life, you shameless disgrace of a daughter!"
Two house guards came forward, each gripping a thorny rod.
Paola stepped in front of me, acting all worried and concerned.
"Please, Phillip, don't!" she pleaded. "Joyce is still your own flesh and blood. If you hurt her too badly, how will you explain it to her mother's family?"
Maya snorted dismissively.
"Lady Paola, you're just way too soft-hearted," she scoffed. "Her mother's family? They're nothing but a bunch of lowly merchants.
"Lord Foster punishing his own daughter—that's exactly how it should be. She needs to remember this today."
The guards lifted their thorny rods high.
The rods whipped through the air with a sharp hiss.
"Hold it," I said.
With effort, I pushed myself up from the floor.
I wiped the blood off my mouth, refusing to show weakness.
I locked eyes with my father.
From inside my clothes, I drew out a pawn ticket, stained with my own bloody handprint.
I threw the pawn ticket right in his face.
It fluttered down onto the table.