It was all filth and mud that she landed on when she was pushed by the mob of her kind grab at the little she had manage to make after a hard day at work. Work involved scrounging around the streets for scraps of food, maybe begging for money when her self-esteem had finally hit rock bottom. After all that she went “home” which was a slightly sheltered area in a dark alley huddled around many others who had the same profession as her.

Bile rose up as the measly scavengers pummeled her unprotected stomach till she gave up every bit of food and money she had. Because it was all a game of survival and she was losing right there.

“What on earth is going on here?!” a voice cut through the chaos. Authoritative and crisp, the crowd instantly parted and dispersed in various directions like rats scampering away. She lay, huddled in pain as he approached.

His boots shone and his breeches a clean white she had never seen, his grand overcoat fit him perfectly and a kind smile graced his lips as a little dimple formed.

She had finally laid eyes on the nobility of the town - Duke Zhang Yixing.

Scrambling to her feet, she took multiple steps back, her teeth sinking into her lower lip, her dark eyes staring up at him from a dirty face and mud caked disheveled hair. Her toughened hands gripped at her torn skirts as she shivered in the cold. She was definitely a sight, but not a pleasant one with tears streaking down and blending with the dirt on her face.

Yet, Yixing's smile didn't falter.

"You are you alright?" He approached as she took a step backwards, tripping on a stone. He laughed, reaching into his pocket making her panic before relaxing to see a piece of cloth in his hand. A handkerchief was extended to her, urging her to take it.

"It's not nice seeing a pretty girl crying."

Her filthy fingers tainted the pristine white cloth before pressing it against her face attempting to wipe off the muck, tears and blood. The sweet scent of lavender filled her senses as the cloth made contact with her skin.

"Are you sure you're alright? " he asked as she shook her head.

"Aye your Grace." She mumbled even when her stomach rumbled loudly as she doubled over in pain before straightening up and looking him straight in the eye. She wouldn't show him she was weak.

"I doubt it," He eyed the girl, amused before producing a coin and tossing it as her "get something to eat." He paused, remembering the locust swarm around her. Her little hand clutching at the coin like it was worth her life. He sighed.

"What is your name?"

Her eyes widened, what was the Duke doing in this area, let alone talking to her?

"Well?"

" 'maya sir!" She quickly said, bowing her heard "thank ye sir!" She indicated to the coin in her hand.

"Maya?" Yixing tilted his head.

"Nowt Maya your Grace, Amaya." She quickly corrected, before realizing what she had actually done. She quickly cowered, expecting to face to consequences only to hear a laugh.

"Pretty and sharp I see," the Duke smiled "follow me then Amaya, I now have a home and employment for you."

Her dirty face coloured as she wordlessly followed her new Master to his mansion, where she would become the new maid.

***

It was many months into her employment (and multiple clashes with the housekeeper Miss Soojung, who Amaya believed had every evil intention in the planet) that Amaya had grown exceptionally fond of her master.  Of course there was the initial reverence to the man who had rescued her from the streets and given her shelter, food and clothing. But the more she saw his jovial and kind nature, the more she found herself awaiting to meet him, to catch just a glimpse of him and sharing a short yet sweet few words with the master of the house. Zhang Yixing may have been a Duke but he was truly a down to earth man.

She liked how he was kind to every soul in his house, how he paid attention to everybody’s needs, how he was occasionally childish but didn’t lose his manhood in the process. She liked how meticulous he was about everything yet was a mess when it came to his own clothes, she liked the dimpled smile which kept her from crying at nights, she liked the voice that softly sang when it thought no one was listening; she liked Yixing with all her might and she felt it her obligation to fulfil his every wish, just because he saved her.

Just because she loved him.

Yixing was partial to the girl from the streets, he enjoyed her unabashed astonishment at every little thing, or her honest replies to everything. Her wisdom for her age; yet her innocence that was hidden away deep in her heart. He found the young, wild thing amusing. Her persistence, practicality and willingness to work hard. He was certain that had she ever been of nobility, he would have courted her, wooed her with all his might, and even married her. But such things were out of the question.

He passed express orders to the head of staff to always consult him when taking any actions with Amaya.

So she did protest when Miss Soojung dismissed her from her employment on the grounds of inefficiency. She didn’t want to lose the one thing that had brought her back her dignity. She didn’t want to lose the dimpled smile that brought her happiness even if it wasn’t directed to her. Amaya didn’t want to lose Yixing. But somehow, she landed on the streets all over again.

Back to the filth, mud and fight to survive.

Yixing was livid when he spotted Amaya on the street yet again scrounging around, filthy and covered in muck. All hell broke loose in the household when he brought her back in his own personal carriage. He threw the servant quarter’s door open and for the first time, entered with such fury in his face that the stunned staff balked. Yixing breathed, pursing his lips before looking around.

“I heard that an important member of the staff was let go without my consent when I was away,” His voice smoothly echoed through the silent stone room before very slowly beginning to pace “I’d like to think of myself as tolerant, but I dislike my orders being disobeyed. Amaya will retain her employment here and you, Miss Soojung, please find yourself a replacement and employment elsewhere.”

He turned to Amaya.

“Don’t you ever leave this household.”

And there she knew she was in love.

***

Lady Cho Ahra’s visits always brought great happiness to Amaya for she was extremely kind and generous. With always a nice word to say, Cho Ahra had become Amaya’s role model for she had never had one. She spent sleepless nights trying to carry herself like the Lady, dreaming to be like her one day and marrying her master. Amaya worked hard to polish her English, refine her manners and carry herself well. Because Lady Cho Ahra was what she defined as a “fine lady.”

Amaya admired Lady Ahra for being everything she wasn’t – refined, eloquent, beautiful and gracious. She loved Lady Ahra for being able to make her master smile because when the Duke was happy, so was Amaya. Thus Amaya looked forward to Lady Ahra’s visits.

“That is an excellent flower arrangement Amaya,” Lady Ahra smiled at Amaya during one of her visits which were getting more and more frequent. Amaya bowed, too star-struck to say a word as Lady Ahra continued “I should ask his Grace if I could borrow you for my family ball, we are short on staff and a large group will be arriving that night.”

Amaya brightened up “it would be an honor my Lady.”

That was when the Duke entered with a jovial smile before placing a hand on the Lady’s shoulder “are you trying to steal my staff again Ahra?”

Their engagement was announced the next day.

Amaya wasn’t sure whether to feel heartbroken or elated. She was definitely happy to see the dimpled smile on her master’s face starting to become more and more prominent and more frequent. His pensive smiles as he looked into the distance, the increased singing, the general joy within the house was infectious. Her savior was marrying a woman she loved and respected, he was happy, what else could she ever want? Amaya couldn’t help but feel happy when she saw the smile she loved on her master’s face.

Yet she cried herself to sleep that night as she knew she wasn’t the cause of it.

***

They strolled around in the lawns as Amaya polished the silver for their upcoming ball to commemorate the Duke’s engagement to the Lady. The sommelier arrived with the crystal jars for the wine and distilled them beside her. His eyes shifted suspiciously as he fiddled with the Duke’s favourite wine for far too long.

“Amaya! Do take this parasol for Lady Ahra!” one of the other maids Yoora sent Amaya speeding across the grass to protect the beautiful Lady from the sun. Ahra sent Amaya a bright smile that broke her heart as she sweetly said.

“You needn’t have dear girl!”

“It is my duty to you madam, for you will be the mistress of the house soon!” Amaya tried to chirp back only to choke back on a sob as she felt guilty for falling in love with the man genially smiling down at her from beside Lady Ahra.

 He still smelled faintly of lavender, much like his bedchambers, his study and every place he inhabited, his eyes smiled along with his lips, telling Amaya that he was being completely genuine. She couldn’t help but return the smile, unknowing of the plot that was brewing back in the household.

That night, as she crept towards the kitchen to get a drink of water, she heard a lot of noise and the sound of the pots and pans clanging. Panicking, she threw the door open to see the man who haunted her dreams trying to fiddle with the pan. She gasped as he turned around with an equally stunned look on his face.

“I was trying to make a spot of tea…” he began sheepishly making Amaya sigh in relief before ‘dutifully making her way over to set the kettle to heat.

“Amaya,” he began, as she shot her head up and looked at him.

“Yes you’re Grace?”

“Do you approve of Lady Ahra?” he asked, leaning against the scrubbed wooden table as Amaya looked at him incredulously.

“You’re Grace, she is a woman without fault. Of course I approve of her and no one else for his Grace.” She nodded, turning towards the kettle as it began to whistle.

“Are you happy?” he asked.

“Aye,” she let slip “when you are happy, then why shouldn’t I be?”

***

The plot wasn’t uncovered till the dinner at the ball as Amaya overheard Miss Soojung speaking to the sommelier.

Poison was her revenge and the Duke was her intended victim.

So when she did rush across the large room to knock down the crystal jar containing the Duke’s favourite wine, she attracted more attention than ever. Duke Zhang Yixing turned to her with astonished and angry eyes as she reached for the wine glass clutched in his hand and plucked it from his grip and throwing it on the ground.

She didn’t know her actions would have consequences other than the saving of her love’s life. Sure she was rewarded handsomely with affectionate smiles and a raise. But when she slept that night she didn’t expect the attack.

She didn’t know she would be lying again on the streets, beaten to a pulp by Miss Soojung’s cronies who had come to extract revenge on the failed plot. She didn’t think her last breaths would sound like this.

She didn’t think she’d die alone.

But she did that night.