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, 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. The reflection in the mirror seemed to mock me, showing a distorted image of someone I barely recognized.

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, leaving me to figure out the real one on my own. My family... do I even have one? I don't know. My memory begins in this place, even though they’d sent me here and there for work, I always ended up back here. The only thing I do know is that these people brought me up, and they’re the only ones who "care" for me, giving me work to repay their kindness—or so they claim.

At my previous job, a disaster occurred, though I was foolish enough to think I’d never have to come back here. I managed to spill a bowl of boiling chicken soup on the master of the house. That was my ticket out of there. I shuddered at the memory, the embarrassment and clumsiness etched vividly in my mind.

I was still lost in thought when a voice from behind startled me.

“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. Realizing 'The Lady of the House' was here, I hurriedly sat on the floor and bowed my head.

“Um… I…”

“WHAT?” she screamed even louder, making me flinch.

“M-ma’am… 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 again. I risked a quick peek at her; she looked like a red tomato about to explode. Not risking another look, 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 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… are we actually something like that? I wondered to myself. The families I saw in the places I worked were… different. While I was lost in thought, she continued talking to herself.

“The buyers this time requested someone beautiful and rich to match their refined tastes. You’re neither, obviously, but they were kind enough to pay us well. So, I thought, why waste money finding someone suitable when we could just doll up someone like you?” She paused, smirking at her reflection.

“It’s just an investment. We just need to get someone ugly, like you, dress you up, and send you there. 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 she grabbed my face and forced me to look up. “You’d better not mess this up, Momo.” She let go of my face, wrinkling her nose in disgust before wiping her hand with a towel. 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 left, and I was alone again.

“Momo?” It was different from what she’d called me last time. I rubbed my face, feeling the redness where she’d gripped it. I rushed into the bathroom, trying to remember the last time I had a proper bath. Who knew.

I 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, and the feeling of cold water surrounding me 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 her commands from downstairs. 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 a 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 cold water.

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