After starting my job at the royal palace, I moved into the women’s dormitory. Using the savings from my school days, I equipped myself with modest but respectable belongings.
My days were busy yet fulfilling. On weekends, I spent time with Adeline, sometimes joined by her female classmates or Freddie. Life felt settled and comfortable—until the unexpected arrived.
It was a letter from my mother.
The single sheet was scrawled with phrases like “You never contact unless I say so,” “Be considerate,” and “Repay your debt.” The tone was blunt, and the handwriting was haphazard. Summarized, it amounted to one demand: “Send money.”
I ignored it entirely and tossed it into the incinerator.
However, to avoid the nightmare of her showing up at my workplace, I reluctantly sent her a portion of my salary—about one-seventh—along with a carefully worded reply:
“Dear Mother,
I left home with nothing and had to procure necessary items for my surroundings. As I am in a position akin to a servant, it has been impossible to send anything for the past few months. Enclosed is the full amount I can currently provide.
Please understand that I may not be able to send more for several months.
Amanda”
(It was, of course, a lie.)
Believing I worked as a menial servant in the palace, my mother would surely be pacified for the moment. Smirking to myself, I sent off the letter.
* * *
As I continued my routine of occasional remittances, life remained peaceful until Adeline’s graduation approached. One weekend, Adeline appeared visibly pale, stammering nervously.
“Sister… what should I do? I think I’ve been found out.”
“What happened?” I asked calmly.
“My ticket to the neighboring country—it might have been discovered.”
“…Did Mother say anything to you?”
“No, not a word. She was even in a good mood.”
“Then let’s wait and see. If she asks, say it’s something I gave you for safekeeping. I’ll handle the rest.”
“I’m so sorry, Sister… I never expected her to go through my room while I was at school. I should have locked it away…”
“It’s not your fault, Adeline. The one at fault is the person who rifled through your belongings without permission.”
Adeline still looked devastated, so I hugged her tightly, repeating, “It’ll be okay,” as much to reassure myself as her.
* * *
The following week, Mother summoned me to meet her at a nearby café.
Appearing in garishly extravagant clothes that clashed with her plain features, she wasted no time on pleasantries.
“How much can you send this month?” she asked bluntly.
“…What’s this about?”
“Adeline is planning a surprise family trip for me! Isn’t she thoughtful?”
“…(So that’s what this is about.) If it’s a surprise, doesn’t that mean she’s already prepared everything?”
“The tickets coincide with my birthday. She must want to surprise me. I should act as if I don’t know, shouldn’t I? But I need to polish myself to avoid embarrassment when walking beside her.”
“…Are you planning to visit a spa? Can’t Father provide for that?”
“I already spent this month’s budget on clothes, shoes, and accessories. That’s why I’m asking you.”
Resisting the urge to question the necessity of this “polishing,” I put on an apologetic expression.
“Mother, I’ll do my best to send slightly more next month. As a new employee, I can’t offer much yet…”
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