(continued from Part X | Act I | Act II | Part XII)
"I messed up," Lou said as she frantically shook Chiffon awake. "I messed everything up. I don't know what to do. I don't know what to do!"
"Mnnh, what's wrong?" the taller maid asked as she reached up to rub her face. "It's okay Glasses, it's okay. We'll figure it out."
Lou's face was wracked with worry as she grabbed large fistfuls of the bed covers. "I couldn't even do this simple thing. All I had to do was... All I had to do was keep it safe! I don't know what's happening, I don't know what I did wrong... Please! Please help me!"
Her sleepy colleague reached out and gently put a reassuring hand on her cheek. "Are you hurt?"
Lou opened her mouth to speak, but no sound would come out, no matter how hard she tried. In desperation, she nodded her answer.
"Is it hurting?" Chiffon asked.
Lou nodded, again, a little confused.
"Is it still hurting?"
Lou inhaled sharply, opening her eyes. She was the one who was in bed. Chiffon stood over her, holding a cup in her hands; the steam was visible, smelling of citrus even at this distance. Lou quickly reached for her nightstand, finding the top of it bare.
It took her a moment to realize her glasses were already on her face. She'd fallen asleep with them on. "What time is it?" she asked her colleague, still groggy from her nap. It was light out. Was it still morning? Why was she the only one in bed?
"Here, drink this," Chiffon said with a benevolent smile. "It should help."
Lou began to sat up, only to wince at the pain. Ah. Right. She clutched the waterskin that was on her stomach, still blessedly warm to the touch. Letting out a noise halfway between a grunt and a whimper, she gingerly shifted backwards until her back was upright enough for her to accept the drink. She breathed in the vapor once, twice, and then took a long sip.
That dream again. It was like clockwork. Lou took the time to take in her surroundings and let the present moment win out over the memory her brain had decided to play for her again for the umpteenth time. "Thanks," she finally said as she lifted the cup to her lips a second time.
"Of course!" Chiffon said, patting her on the head before sitting down on her own bed next to Lou's. "You slept through roll call, but it's okay! I've got good news."
"Mm?" Lou tilted her head toward her colleague as whatever medicine was in the drink began to take effect, making the back of her tongue tingle.
"You got bedroom duty, you big showoff," Sleeves said as they suddenly hopped up to the bunk above Chiffon's bed. "All that hard work sure paid off, huh?"
Lou had to roll the words around her head several times before her brain finally registered them. "Bedroom... duty?" Her eyes shot wide open. "The Prince's?!"
Sleeves retrieved a wrapped package from behind their pillow. "Don't worry, he won't eat you. Unless you ask nicely."
Chiffon beamed. "You've been working really hard lately! The head maid probably wanted to give you a chance to prove yourself. And if you do a good job, you might even get assigned there again!"
"Make it count," Sleeves said, their feet dangling off the side of their bed as they rooted through the small parcel in their hands. "You sure you're up for it? Sounds like you're having a rough one today."
"Aw, be nice, Sleeves," Chiffon said, leaning out from under the bunk bed to look up at them. "Not everyone has it easy like you do."
Lou looked up at them as well. Come to think of it, she couldn't remember a single time Sleeves had had an off day. "What's your secret?" she managed to croak out before taking another sip from the cup in her hands.
Sleeves grinned, taking out a small tightly-wrapped ceramic container from the open package in their lap. "My aunt's special medicine."
Lou frowned. "Why are you hogging it then? Can I have some?"
The color drained from Sleeves' cheeks as their mouth hung open, then twisted into an awkward smile. "Uhh... I don't think that's a good idea," they said, hurriedly putting the small container away. "I mean, it is a solution, but... it comes with side effects you might not like."
"Mn," Lou replied curtly, finishing her drink. Typical Sleeves. At least Chiffon's remedy always helped to dull the pain somewhat. She put the empty cup on the small nightstand she shared with her bunkmate, then took a deep breath. Might as well get ready. Once she got moving, it'd be easier to keep moving. She pushed her covers aside, and got up to get changed into her uniform.
— end of preview
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