Chapter 2: Two months ago

Netra threw open the windows of her little cottage, welcoming the spring morning sunshine. The garden outside was full of fresh blooms. Birds chirped and squirrels pranced up and down the trees. Fresh fragrances wafted in with the cool breeze.

“Another perfect morning,” she grinned, clenching her fists in front of her. “That means another perfect day. Nothing can go wrong.”

Dressed in a navy blue ankle-length skirt, white full-sleeve peasant blouse, brown crochet vest and yellow apron, she looked pretty as a picture. She had neatly combed her bright red hair into a long braid, and polished her black leather boots.

“Nothing except you talking to yourself, crazy girl!”

Surprised, Netra turned to look at the speaker. A young woman lay sprawled on the single settee behind her, still dressed in her nightclothes. Her wavy, golden hair perfectly framed her lovely, round face. As she looked at Netra, her large green eyes twinkled with mischief. A sly smile played on her thick red lips.

“Pamela,” Netra said, “did you sleep here all night?”

Pamela stretched her delicate limbs and yawned. “I came in late last night. I couldn’t climb up the stairs to my bedroom.”

“Were you drinking again? In the middle of the week?”

Pamela grinned peevishly. “I met a really nice guy at the pub last night.”

Netra shook her head and smiled. Crossing the room to the open kitchen at the back, she began packing a simple breakfast of eggs and salad.

It was a sparsely furnished room with one settee, curtains, a couple of chairs, and a coffee table. A staircase next to the kitchen led to the bedrooms on the upper storey. While Pamela used the main bedroom, Netra used the converted study room as her own space.

Pamela was her best friend since childhood. Being close in age, they grew up together, played together, studied together, and, for a short while, worked together. For the last six months, they had also become housemates. Although Pamela was messy and had terrible living habits, Netra still adored her. When the entire town had forsaken Netra, Pamela was the only one who stood up for her and gave her a home to live in. Netra could never forget Pamela’s kindness. Similarly, Pamela treated Netra like a little sister.

“Not another hunter, was he?” Netra called from the kitchen.

“He arrived with his team yesterday. Searching for a dragon, they said.”

“Didn’t you say you were going to stay away from dragon hunters for good?”

“Did I?” Pamela giggled.

“Here’s your tea,” Netra said, setting down a mug on the kitchen top. “I’m off to work. Can’t be late for my job.” She picked up her tiffin basket and put on her cloak while Pamela sat up, reached for the warm mug, and held it in both hands.

“Job?” Pamela said, sipping her tea. “You work as a laundry maid in the Winter family castle. That’s not a job. No one cares if you’re late. Hell! No one cares if you don’t show up.”

“That’s true!” Netra sighed. “But at least I get paid on time if I show up on time. Besides, I want to get off my shift early today. Remember, I told you about the temporary spinning position at the new mill outside the town? I passed the test yesterday and today is my interview.”

Pamela sat up straight. “Really? That’s great, Netra! Well done!”

Beaming with pride, Netra opened the front door. “Exactly! That’s why I said it’s going to be a perfect day. Nothing can go wrong. See you tonight. Pray for me!”

“What are you talking about? They’re going to love you. We must celebrate tonight. I’ll try coming home early too. See you soon, Spinner Netra!”

The title lifted her spirits higher. With a skip in her step, she left the garden, out the little open gate, and walked up the town road towards the castle, at the heart of Silverville.

Spinner Netra.

No more Laundry Maid Netra.

Finally, she would see a part of her dream coming true.

Like most young girls in Silverville, Netra and Pamela had always dreamed of becoming seamstresses and working in the large boutique in the square. For a while, that dream had almost come true, until six months ago when Netra had to quit her job before completing her apprenticeship. Pamela had continued at the store and recently graduated to the title ‘Seamstress’ Pamela.

Meanwhile, Netra couldn’t secure another job, except in the laundry room of the castle. But she wouldn’t give up. She kept searching and applying for positions in various boutiques and tailor shops. Having failed to complete her apprenticeship, no one wanted to hire her. Under the circumstances, becoming a spinner was a tremendous achievement for the eighteen-year-old girl.

Winter castle belonged to Lord Abir Winter, Baron of Silverville. Like Netra, many of the town inhabitants worked at the castle while the other half worked on the farms or the local business, also owned by Lord Winter.

On the road to the castle, Netra felt like the entire world around her seemed happier. Merry voices and delicious aromas drifted from the houses lining the town road. Children played in the attached gardens while their mothers cooked breakfast inside. Older members of each house sat on the open porches and chatting across their fences. People walked up and down the road whistling a merry tune.

Many smiled and nodded to Netra as she passed by.

Halfway to the castle, the road turned to towards the town square, which was bustling with shoppers. To her right was the farmer’s market, sloping down towards the large open meadow, used mainly for annual celebrations. Directly opposite, to her left, was the little town pub with its wooden benches and large signboard that read ‘The Winter Lion’. Rows of general stores, boutiques, salons, restaurants, open tea shops, and stationery shops covered every inch of the square. Bang in the middle of it all was a small park where idlers lay basking in the sunshine.

Netra longed to join them. It was such a lovely sunny day. But taking a day off meant losing a day’s wages. She couldn’t afford to do that.

As she reached the park, she bumped into her two childhood friends from town, Maya and Lena, who also worked with her in the castle’s laundry department.

“Good Morning Netra!” they called to her.

Maya was a year older than Netra. Tall and slim, she had a long but pleasant face, sun-kissed complexion and copper-brown hair. Her long arms held the heavy straw basket with ease. Like Netra, she wore a skirt, blouse, vest and apron.

Lena was the youngest at sixteen. Shorter and stouter than her companions, she had a mop of curly brown hair tucked under a bandana, large brown eyes and a rose-coloured complexion. She wore a long grey work dress with buttons in front and a white apron.

Before long, other laundry maids from the town joined them. About twenty girls, between ages of sixteen and twenty-five, joined the group. Walking together was a daily custom. They chatted and giggled until they reached the gates.

To their surprise, the guards refused to let them in. Instead, they had to wait outside for the housekeeper.