The cold wind gushed through the open window as she slipped on the uniform she managed to buy with her scraped up money. She looked at the dusty vintage photo frame that held a carefully preserved photo. Her eyes were burning begging to let the waterfall release but she managed to resist it. As she slipped on her raggedy and tattered old boots, her heart pounded with thrill and a sense of fear.
She stood outside of the gates, her eyes squinting due to the blinding sun. They were almost double her height, and she wouldn't be surprised if they suddenly grew teeth and decapitated her. The two men seemingly guarding the gates seemed to pay no mind to her. They were so still that they seemed like ultra-realistic sculptures.
"Uh… excuse me?" Erdia asked nervously. She wasn't usually the timid type. She was more of an outgoing and assertive person. However, she felt like she had a lock, shut tightly around her mouth, daring her to speak out of line.
"STATE YOUR INQUIRY," both men spoke in unison. It was so perfectly aligned that she suspected that one of them spoke and the other just lip synced it. It was so monotonous and lifeless that she doubted if they were even human.
She pluck out an envelope from her raggedy bag. It was slightly crumpled and creased from the other contents in there.
"I received this letter…"
The guy on the left took the letter like a mailbox and opened it like a play rehearsal.
"YOU MAY ENTER." They spoke again, before opening a small gate, attached to bigger ones, which she failed to notice, despite being an observant person.
She was walking for a few miles, seeing every species of plants before she finally came to a large, towering structure. Just imagining how long it would've taken to build this was enough to convince her to turn back. But she couldn't let go of this opportunity.
She read the letter again, her heart dropping as she realised that she still wasn't at her destination. After asking strangers for directions, probably servants, she arrived at her destination. She knocked on the wooden door until she heard a lady's voice confirm her entry.
"Come in."
She went in, locking eyes with a woman wearing glasses. She had brown hair with a few grey imposters peeking through the gaps, slicked back in a bun that would've caused the worst headaches. Her hands were folded on the table with a perfect posture. There were a few wrinkles on her face, although she didn't seem that old. If Erdia had to make a wild guess, she'd guess guess about 30-40.
"You are here at last, however, awfully late," she said sternly, but her tone seemed too professional to offend Erdia.
"Ah yes… I was lost…"
"It can not be helped then. I am sure you came here due to the letter, right, Dame Erdia?"
The word 'dame' rang in her ears. It was always said as an insult by her peers, but for once, it sounded like a respected title.
Erdia cleared her throat before she spoke again. "Yes, I did… but the letter didn't explain a lot…"
"Oh yes. You see, there is some confidential information we cannot discuss in a letter. I hope you understand," the lady spoke, her speech was immaculate and it made Erdia self-conscious about being a peasant.
"What 'confidential information'?" Erdia interrogated, one of her eyebrows scrunching.
"I apologise for not introducing myself earlier. I am Cassidy Blake. It is my duty to oversee anyone the palace has hired. Although I do not do individual interviews most of the time."
Erdia nodded. If this lady had a last name, then she was definitely nobility. She had a respect for this lady. It wasn't always that she saw a lady having such a high position.
The lady continued, "Your duties will be different than any other imperial guard. You will serve the first prince."
Erdia scoffed at herself for mishearing something so absurd. "Pardon, sorry, I misheard you."
The lady smiled, "You have heard me very well. You will be his highness the first prince's personal guard. Would you like me to repeat it?"
Erdia blinked, although a 'blink' was an understatement. It was more of a rethinking-life-closing-her-eyes moment. "No… I heard you… but why me? I mean…"
"Would you like to decline-?"
"NO!" Erdia screamed, before she cleared her throat in embarrassment. "I mean, I would be honoured to accept."
The lady smiled. "That is great. You may retire to your quarters."
"My what?" Before Erdia could even process what was happening, she was outside of the office with another pile of papers.