But I'm Just Her Servant

1.

My name is Autumn Reece. I'm 16 years old. My favourite colours are red, pastel pink and pastel blue. My favourite house animal is a cat, despite my favourite wild animal being a fox. I don't particularly have a favourite food. My left eye is emerald green and my right eye is electric blue. I have thick, curly brown hair that's usually scraped back into a lose ponytail. My figure is quite plump, yet I have a prominent jawline and cheekbones when I smile.
Lastly... I'm homosexual.

The family I'm to serve is the Gardner family. Specifically, their eldest daughter, Ruby Gardner. Ruby Gardner has allegedly never stepped outside her garden in her life. Mind you, it's quite a large garden. It's over 4 square acres. That garden is the only world Ruby knows, apart from the mansion built neatly in the middle. Ruby's parents were looking for an accomplice- Friend, if you will, -for their daughter. After all, it's important to have their daughter develop social skills before giving her away into marriage.

Without any further ado, I shall begin my story.

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"What makes you think you're qualified to do this job?" Mrs. Gardner stared at me coldly with her steel eyes, making me shift uncomfortably in my chair.

"I.. I just think this job is best suited to me. I'm friendly, I'm good at hairstyles and make up, I can give decent advice, and... Well, I need a place to live. My parents won't allow me to live with them anymore." I tried my best to sit still despite my anxiousness to be granted the job. Mrs. Gardner's eyes clouded over with empathy, and a wave of relief washed over my body. My pity story had worked.

"Coincidentally, Autumn, you're the only suitably-aged young girl who applied for this job. To add to that, you seem like the perfect friend for my dear Ruby, and you shall be introduced to her shortly. To pass the time, why don't you unpack?" Mrs Gardner smiled warmly, extending her arm to usher me into my bedroom.

An estimated hour later, a timid knocking came from my door. This was presumably my future accomplice, Ruby. Smoothing out my white skirt, I quickly walked to the door to greet the girl. Upon opening the door, I saw a pale, thin, raven-haired girl with subtle blue eyes. Her hair was waist length, loose and wavy around her shoulders, and looked like it had been combed several times. She was wearing a delicately made pale blue dress, which had neat, unworn lace tracing the cuffs and collar. Her shoes, though I was surprised to see them in such a grand house, were plain grey ballet shoes with white bows on the end. Comparing this girl's outfit to that of Mrs. Gardner, I would easily say the clothes were brand new.

"Hello," she spoke quietly, apparently trying to avoid eye contact, "my name is Ruby. You must be Autumn."

I smiled warmly, offering my hand for her to shake. I was surprised, however, to be embraced tightly in Ruby's arms.

"We have much to discuss." She whispered happily, linking my arm in hers and leading me around the mansion.

Ruby gave me a simple tour of the mansion, carefully avoiding the kitchens and the rooms of her parents as an assumed caution. She was most likely raised believing that common people steal often, so it would make sense to be wary of the places where food and jewellery are kept when introducing a common person to the layout of the house. I made a mental note that I needed to gain Ruby's trust, and continued learning about how I was to behave.

"You'll hear a bell ringing whenever you're expected to gather in the dining room," Ruby explained happily, "there are three meals a day and on Sundays there's a desert feast with ice cream, and cake, and jelly, and all the staff are invited to eat with us. So, there are usually three bells a day except for Sundays."

"Pardon, but what if I'm expected to gather in the dining room?" I asked curiously, unsure of whether or not I'll be summoned.

Ruby laughed, and stopped walking for some time, "You won't be summoned, the gathering bells are for maintenance staff. You're barely even staff."

A nervous giggle escaped my throat, causing Ruby to erupt into intense laughter, soon followed by me. A long time of laughter later, we linked arms again and continued discussing appropriate behaviours around the mansion.