The morning sun shone brightly above her, causing her to squint in return. She knew that it was still early in the morning, the time before anyone else besides her Ji-min. Standing, she stretched and washed her face in the fresh water, feeling the cool liquid run down into the opening of her silk night gown. Wrapping the white blanket around her body, she stuffed the pillow underneath her arm and made her way out of the garden and into the house. “Good morning Mrs. Jung”.   Shin Hye froze as the door opened, and slowly lifted her head. Ji-min, her main maid stood there with a warm smile, holding the door open for her. Looking down at her bare feet, she pulled her eyebrows together and nervously smiled, greeting her in return. “What was Ji-min doing up so early in the morning?” Shin Hye thought. Maybe she had overslept and it was later than she thought. Glancing across the room, her eyes fell upon the grandfather clock, gasping as she saw that it was ten in the morning. She had overslept! Casting guilty eyes towards her maid, she told her in a quiet tone to meet her upstairs in her room. As Ji-min left, Shin Hye rushed up the stairs, bundling up the sheets to prevent her from stumbling on them. Bumping her head into somebody, she fell forward and quickly lifted her head to find Yong Hwa looking at her with rage burning bright in his eyes. “Watch where you’re going you blind useless thing”, he harshly spat out, swiftly pulling out from under her. Walking past her, he didn’t bother to help her rise from the floor. It was the first time Shin Hye had been in such close proximity with him. She had hoped that when that day came, it would feel wonderful, but it didn’t. Rising off the floor, she made her way into her room, closing the door. Blinking back tears, she turned and smiled at Ji-min who stood behind her, a warm smile plastered across her face. “Would you like some tea?” she offered. “I’m not yet dressed”, is all Shin Hye managed to say without meeting her eyes. “Would you like me to prepare your bath Mrs?” Ji-min inquired, pointedly looking at her haphazard appearance before lowering her eyes.   Shin Hye flushed red before silently nodding her head. Smiling, her maid walked out of the room, appearing a few moments later with a wooden container of scalding hot water. With the help of another maid, they stumbled their way to the tub, pouring out the steaming water. Ji-min rubbed her moist hands on the outside of her plain gown before turning her attention to Shin Hye. Sighing, Shin Hye allowed herself to be unclothed by her maid, blushing as she did, longing to cover up her bare body. As Ji-min packed away her filthy night gown, she rushed to the tub, dipping her foot in before fully immerging herself. Rose petals were lightly sprinkled upon the clear water, adding color to Shin Hye’s flawless pale complexion. Murmuring with pleasure, she allowed herself to get pampered by the two maids, closing her eyes as they gently scrubbed her body. It was over all too soon, and reluctantly, Shin Hye stepped out of the now murky brown water, shivering as she did. A warm cloth was set over her as the maids carried the tub out to pour out the dingy liquid. Ji-min, now alone, came walking back into the room, a creamy ivory dress hanging off her arms. The smooth satin garb hugged her perfectly around her slim waist, made even tinier as Ji-min tugged at the stays of her corset, all the breath out of Shin Hye’s body. Dots momentarily danced across her vision at the sudden lack of freedom the dress allowed her, but the sensation soon became familiar. Nimble fingers danced across her smooth locks, plaiting them into an elaborate hairstyle which accentuated Shin Hye’s features. A hiss of pain escaped her rouged lips as Ji-min forced her dainty feet into pearl studded shoes, beautifully highlighting the crystals that were embedded in her bodice. Bowing her head, Ji-min quickly walked out of the room, but not a moment later, she re-entered with a puzzled expression. “Did you make your own bed ma’am?” she asked. Clearly, Shin Hye hadn’t slept in her chambers last night, so she thought of a quick lie. “Oh, I thought to spare you the trouble as you seem to do it every morning without complaint”, Shin Hye told her as she looked at her reflection the mirror provided. Nodding once, her maid exited the room. A woeful look flashed across her face before self-pity set in, and she couldn’t help but hate her life as she sat there, gazing at herself. Refusing to let her feelings ruin her day, she walked out into the tea room and observed the maid as she set everything down in front of her. Smoothing down her full skirt, she gracefully placed herself upon the mahogany chair. Suddenly, she felt tired of having everyone do everything for her.   “It’s time I learn to do some things around here other than blowing out candles”, she thought.   She could start by learning the names of her maids, and finding out more about their lives; by the looks of it, some were even her age. “What is your name?” she politely asked the maid attending her. “Na-yun,” she answered shyly, looking up at Shin Hye. “May I ask how old you are?” “Seventeen ma’am”, she replied as she poured her tea. “Would you like to join me for tea Na-yun?” Na-yun was quiet as her small gray eyes widened with surprise. Shin Hye knew she wouldn’t know how to answer her, but yet she awaited her response. “If that is what you wish”, she said after a while. “Sit”. Taking a seat across from her, she laid her hands on her white apron, and entwined her calloused fingers. Scooting to the edge of her seat, Shin Hye reached for the tea kettle and poured Na-yun a cup. “Oh, no ma’am, please allow me”, she protested, and quickly reached for the kettle. “No, please allow me. You do this for me all the time, the least I can do is return you the favor”, she argued, smiling warmly at her. Sitting back in her seat uneasily, she squirmed, clearly showing she was uncomfortable with this strange turn of events. Shin Hye reached out a lace covered hand, and passed her the cup of tea. Taking it, Na-yun blew at it lightly before taking a small sip. “So, where are you from?” Shin Hye asked, trying to make small talk. “From Gwang-ju, but I came here when I was a little girl”. “What of your parents if you don’t mind me asking”. “They work for your husband in the fields”, she replied, looking out the window. Shin Hye and Na-yun had spent over an hour talking about their parents, and once in their conversation, Shin Hye had made her laugh. She was uneasy around Shin Hye, unused to the manner in which she treated her, but in time, she would learn to be herself around her. “Where on earth had you been child?” Ji-min, the main maid who had greeted Shin Hye in the morning entered the tea room, wringing her hands upon her apron, as if wishing it was Na-yun’s neck. “I asked her to join me for tea. Hopefully I haven’t gotten her into any kind of trouble?” Shin Hye quickly answered, rising. “Not at all. I was just wondering where she had run off to”, she said, looking at Na-yun with confuse