The next morning Klaria went into the training grounds accompanied by Haruka.

The trainee maids chosen by senior house women were waiting for them in a neat row. The courtyard of training grounds had massive purple wisteria trees. Klaria never saw them before, they didn't grow in the old capital.

Yellow and red peonies were in full bloom in circles around the trees, light smell of the cut grass tickled her nose.

Klaria couldn’t remember when was the last time she saw a new batch of maids in training. Usually, they brought them into the mansion for her to select the best ones, which would become part of her personal entourage.

I was so young back then, how do I even choose which one of them would be the best for her?

All of the girls had their heads lowered in greeting for their future lady, some of them kept fidgeting, some stealing glances at her.

To the relief of the senior, Cisley decided to ignore it, she knew what she was here for today. There were a time and place for refined manners and polished appearance, these girls lacked both.

She wasn’t looking for the prettiest either, or the best educated, as she did many times before.

No, she needed someone who she could mold into someone else. She needed someone who had a reason to stay loyal forever, and she couldn’t afford to make a mistake, because her daughters future was at stake.

“You,”

Cisley pointed at one of the girls standing at the end of the line, she was tall, taller than others.

“What is your name?”

Being tall women wasn’t attractive for a girl, but it had its perks as a maid. Lowering her head the girl mumbled.

“Faiya, mistress.”

“Why are you here Faiya?”

Raising her head Faiya started opening and closing her mouth several times unable to form the words.

Wondering if she was off with her intuition Klaria stared back at the young girl. She wasn’t older then fifteen, the new trainees weren’t accepted if they haven't grown into adult women yet.

Looking over the girls face Klaria knew she found what she wanted. There was nothing special about her, black short hair, little more narrowed brown eyes, small nose, and thin lips. She wasn’t particularly attractive with small hips, and almost none breasts.

The only unusual thing was her height, head longer than others around her, but that just accentuated how bony and thin she was.

But if you don't have your wits around you, that look will go to waste here.

“When Lady asks you something, you answer.” One of the trainers said taking a step closer to her.

Lifting her hand Klaria stopped her and started to turn away.

“My parents,”

Klaria stopped at the soft sound and glanced back at the girl. The black haired girl was shaking either with fear or anger, maybe both. Lifting her left hand she touched the girl's chin, forcing her into eye contact.

“Your parents, what about them?”

Swallowing some of her fear as her body went rigid on the touch Faiya’s lips slowly opened.

“My parents brought me here, to learn how to be of service to your house mistress.”

“Is that so? So they wanted the best for you.”

Faiya clenched her fists in anger but managed to keep it from her face. Klaria didn’t miss it, a small smile threatened to appear on her own lips. There was something off about the girl, she couldn’t put her a finger on it at first, but the look and how she stood was tickling the back of her mind.

It wasn’t such an uncommon situation, parents who couldn't support their children decide to sell them to the Atagi house. There is always the hope the girl will do well and find a way into a high serving position in her household.

Haruka was once in such a position herself, now walking everywhere in the shadow of the most powerful women in the city.

“Yes, they wanted the best for me, and it is an honor to be here. My lady.”

She finished with a deep bow at waist, her hands trembling, controlled from clutching at her hanfu.

“You are no longer needed here.”

Eyes went wide all around them as the girls looked around at one another in the uncertainty of what was happening.

Faiya herself froze, as if the anger forgotten, instantly replaced by fear. “I want you to take your belongings and accompany me to my house.” She then looked at the senior trainers.

“I will take over her education from now on.”

All stooping deep in perfect synchronization bowed their heads “Yes, mistress.” Back at the mansion, Klaria had Faiya prepare to start her education, and her own as well.

She knew very little about raising children, all her knowledge was from stories of other younger women in prominent houses with whom Atagi clan traded and cooperated.

She always thought she would learn it if the time came naturally as any mother did, but having a blind daughter was something no one ever dealt with before in any other way, to her knowledge, then to kill the child as a way to spare it from miserable future.

Klaria couldn’t force herself to do it, wondering if she was forcing her daughter into a life of misery she didn’t deserve. She had to do what she could to make sure her daughter not only survived but thrived and lived a fulfilling life.

As Faiya entered the common room where Klaria waited she immediately lowered her head.

“Lift your head. From today on you and I will learn how to take care of my daughter.”

Looking at the girl she waited until she made eye contact.

“But I suppose you should be able to choose if you want to stay and serve or if you want to leave.”

Before Faiya could mutter her trained response Klaria continued.

“This is not under normal circumstances. If you decide to stay, you will be by her side for the rest of your life or you will die.”

This took the girl by surprise, the service was never for the length of one's life. At most a decade or two at which point servants could take a husband and become retainers. Effectively making the family stronger and ensuring continuous loyalty in exchange for protection and security which the name Atagi provided.

When she arrived at her answer Faiya lifted her head and looked at her new mistress.

“I have nowhere to go my lady. If you will have me, I will stay for as long as you deem necessary.”

“Good, let's go meet Erin.”