Prologue

"Is today some kind of special day?" I wondered, looking at all the beautiful clothes spread out in front of me.

Even a stray dog would look like a prince wearing these. But not me. If I were to wear them, I’d still look just like the dirty slave I’ve always been.

I glanced down at my dirt-stained, patched-up clothes that I’d worn for so long. These glamorous outfits were supposed to make me look like a million bucks, but who am I kidding?

Honestly, my rag-like clothes were a bit better than my own condition. I looked around the room, which actually belonged to 'The Lady of the House,' or whatever she liked to call herself.

"I don't belong here," I murmured to myself. This wasn’t my first time in this room, but it always tends to make me know of my place.

Glancing at the large mirror in the corner of the room. I walked over to it, lifting my hair out of my eyes just to see myself.

"Another unpleasant sight," I thought while trying to make sense of what I saw.

My dirt-covered brown hair fell over my shoulders. I could’ve sworn it was a different colour the last time I paid attention. I shrugged and moved on to my eyes, which hid behind enormous dark circles.

My tiny frame was the weirdest part.

"Did I get thinner since the last time I checked my reflection?" If any outsider saw me like this, they’d probably mistake me for a girl—which I was not.

Memory lane for me was pretty short. The last thing I remembered about myself was that I was a guy. Beyond that, I didn't remember much.

My name or age? No clue to that. People just made up a name for me by themselves. So, I had more than fifty names, but none of them felt... real.

My family... do I even have one? I don't know.

My memory begins in this place. And everyone here is so good at brainwashing, as they told me that they brought me up, and they’re the only ones who "care" for me, giving me work to repay their kindness—or so.

But it was nothing like that. At first, I ended up believing their lies, but soon, I was convinced that we were no family.

The families I saw in the places I worked were… different—warm and caring, opposite to this place... which was cold and cruel.

Thinking about that, at my previous job, a disaster occurred. It was all thanks to my clumsiness that I managed to spill a bowl of boiling chicken soup on the master of the house. Poor guy had to be rushed to the hospital.

Well, that was my ticket out of there. Thankfully, that's the only thing they did, or they could’ve beaten me like that other job I messed up.

I shuddered at the memory, the embarrassment and clumsiness etched vividly in my mind.

I was still lost in thoughts for too long when a voice from behind snapped me out.

“You…why are you still standing here?” The voice was so loud it made me jump. I turned to see a woman covered in heavy makeup and dressed as if it were her wedding day.

“Didn’t I tell you to go fix yourself? The carriage will be here any moment,” she shouted, her voice ringing in every corner of my brain.

Realizing 'The Lady of the House' was here, I quickly slammed myself on the floor, my knees cracking at the sudden impact and bowed my head.

“Um… I…”

“WHAT?” she screamed even louder.

What should I say? What should I say? One wrong word could make this day an unfortunate one.

I gulped.

“M-my Lady… I… I don’t know what to do… these clothes… they’re beautiful… but… I really don’t think someone like me... deserves to even look at them…”

“I KNOW THAT…” she yelled before I could finish. I risked a quick peek at her; she looked like a red tomato about to explode.

Nope, not looking again, I quickly bowed my head.

A moment of silence passed as she sighed, then ignored me as she moved to the mirror, applying yet another coat of makeup.

“Momo… I know you’re a good boy, always helping everyone out. But..."

That 'but' sent a chill down my spine. I held my breath, awaiting her next words.

"Your return last time brought disgrace to our family, you know that, right?” she asked, peering at me through the mirror. I gave her a slow nod.

Family… that again? I wish they could stop using this word. My only wish now was to escape this so called Family. While I was lost in thought, she continued.

“The buyers this time requested someone beautiful and rich to match their refined tastes. You’re neither, obviously, and for what purpose might they need someone like that? Who knows?

They kept it confidential, and I don't care either as they were kind enough to pay double the amount." She smirked, closing her eyes like visualising that scene again.

"So, I thought, why waste money finding someone suitable when we could just doll up someone like, you know... you?” She paused, staring at her reflection, and them a creepy smile crept on her face.

“It’s just an investment, these clothes. We'll dress you up and send you there. And when you settle in... you know what you have to do, right?”

She turned to me, snapping me out of my thoughts. She looked down and gestured for me to stand up. I slowly rose, keeping my head lowered, but with a sudden harsh pull, she grabbed my face and forced me to look up.

“You’d better not mess this up, Momo.” She let go, wrinkling her nose in disgust before wiping her hand with a napkin and throwing it back at me. Then, without another word, she walked toward the door.

“I’ll send someone up to help you. Meanwhile, go inside the bathroom and take a shower—not that it’ll make you look much better, but it’ll do.” She grinned and left.

Now, I was alone again.

“Momo?” It was different from what she’d called me last time. I rubbed my face, feeling the pain where she’d gripped it.

I reached down to pick the napkin and threw it in the garbage bin before making my way to the bathroom.

On my way, I remember that the last time I had a proper bath was the time I left for my previous job.

And I won't even call it a bath, as I was being bullied by some other servants who kicked me into a lake while we were gathering firewood.

I guess I did had a nice soak.

The bathroom was huge with burgundy titles from the roof to the floor. It was the lady’s favourite color, so I was used to seeing it everywhere around the place.

I closed the door, removed my rags, and left them in a corner. The bathtub was already full, so without hesitation, I stepped in.

The water was freezing, but... it had been a while. I wanted nothing else but to jump in. At first, I felt shivers as the feeling of cold water surrounded me. But a moment later, it actually felt calming, drowning out the voices screaming inside my head.

The silence of the grand bathroom enveloped me, broken only by the occasional echoes of the lady’s commands from downstairs.

Before I could stop a sigh left me, I never cared about her schemes, anyway.

After everything, I’m still here—alone with these conflicting emotions of resentment and confusion. I let out another loud sigh that echoed in the grand bathroom.

“Another place, rich people, fancy clothes, good money…”

I didn’t understand a word of what she’d said, but I knew that whatever kind of day this was, it would be a long one. Slowly, I submerged myself deeper into the water.

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