Chapter 1: Apricity
The chill had a stern grip on her from her toes to her pale fingertips, causing them to shake as she rummaged through the bushes. The winter nipped at her dry lips and she hugged her raggedy red cloak tighter.
Ever since her town was destroyed, Lily had been roaming aimlessly. With no protection from the harsh winter weather, hungry and face hollow, she currently wished she was a hibernating bear.
Her knees aching from the seeping in cold, she leaned back and looked up at the sky. Her exhale swirled into a small fog as she contemplated.
Contemplated how wonderful it was that the sun was out. Its pale yellow rays kissed her heart with a dash of hope and kind warmth that threatened to bring tears to her eyes.
Her gray eyes scoured the barren trees of the snow blanketed landscape. Fortunately, they spotted some berries glistening from the melted snowflakes under the helpful sun. She crawled-rushed, pouncing on them without even checking whether they were edible or not. She gobbled them up, her fingers scratching against the thorns.
"Ha-ya!" a male voice exclaimed before a net flopped down onto her head. Heart pumping, Lily thrashed to get out, her hand failing to get out her carved stone knife.
"Caught another-!" jollily exclaimed the fancy captor. " Oh. Niel, this isn't a squirrel!"
"I can tell, sir," an emotion-void voice replied.
"It's- It's-" The Marquis gasped. "It's a human! My bolts, get them out, get them out!"
Niel pulled her out and Lily could finally put an image to the voices. The one holding the net now had just dots for eyes and a slit for a mouth, body lean with a metallic-sheen. Meanwhile, the other robot - the Marquis - was impressively shining amidst the apricity with his silver skin, a thin neck holding an opal head. He stood dignified as he adjusted the monocle over his long, fabulous fur mustache.
Lily's stomach chose to howl like a wolf of the forest behind. Niel dropped her like it scared him and the net slipped off when she crouched in a ready to dash. She did resemble a wild squirrel transitioning its fur to a winter coat with her unkempt brown hair and red cloak being interrupted by her pallid skin.
"I knew my eyes couldn't deceive me this easily. Even so thin- My, you must have been starving!" The Marquis's tone tilted to of a nobleman's elegant shock. "What do you usually eat outside of berries? I only have breadcrumbs and nuts."
Lily quickly nodded her head, almost snapping it off. Without chucking it at her, the Marquis showed manners by handing it to Niel who dropped it to her open palms. She gobbled it up swiftly, missing the taste of the rich walnuts and almonds with the flaky bread until the aftertaste showed its presence.
Niel backed away.
"What a dirty, shabby, weird, gross, peculiar human- I love it! You, what's your name?"
"Li-" Lily squeezed her eyes, rubbing her throat. The winter captured her breath and her voice. "Lily."
"Let me introduce myself as well- My name is Marquis Remington Henceforth the Third. You are currently in my plot of land, eating my gardener Niel's winter harvest."
She carefully glanced at the gardener who blinked and curtly said, "They were for bird-watching."
"I don't see any companions anywhere nor any family crest on you." Marquis Remington caught sight of her thorn-scratched hands. "My, my, that has to be treated before you get dents. Well, then, come on in, be my guest!"
Lily leaped up to her feet and ran to the opposite direction but the net fell on her again and she was lifted up without any effort by Niel.
"Let's go! One, two, one, two-" The Marquis marched and Niel followed, their boots crunching the thick snow.
"Please don't kill me," she wheezed ever so quietly. "I am not worth it."
Niel rolled his eyes (presumably) while the Marquis laughed merrily. "Ohohoho, you are hilarious! So amusing! I like you. You would be a great addition to the family!"
They carried her like that over the hill and terror would have gripped Lily if she hadn't caught the whimsical sight of the grand and quirkily decorated mansion ahead. It shone like a beacon amidst the blinding white snow.
The Marquis told her more about himself, revealing how he was a famous merchant, recounting his collection of exotic, unique and rare items. Lily couldn't imagine any of it until they reached the place.
Two robot guards resembling Niel but with armor merely opened the entrance doors without any questions. She was suddenly overwhelmed with hot air peppering her skin with hospitality. Lily melted while her boots dripped water from the snow and the mud, prompting Niel to put her down.
The interior was like a museum, intricate items displayed on shelves and podiums, strange or foreign cultural patterns adorning the carvings of every surface. The Marquis started explaining the history of a flower before Lily's eyes closed and she collapsed from exhaustion.
When she woke up, she suddenly had new clothes, a bed, warm food and a job.
Marquis Remington told her, "I would love a human in my collection of workers! Please, join our family! You fit in the mansion just perfectly."
Like this, he took her under his roof. He did clarify that she can leave and that no, she wasn't being kidnapped. Lily happily chose to stay for the food, water, and shelter; she also got paid and that was a great addition!
She was shown the servants' room before being dressed in a simple maid's uniform. It was a black overalls dress with a basic white blouse.
A lithe mechanical lady, donned in a fancier maid's uniform, strictly showed her around the place. Warmth and splendor bloomed within Lily's chest, every layer of the chill running away.
"Here in the galley you will be served your meals."
"Yay!"
"Here's the bathroom. You have to share it with everybody else."
"Yay!"
"This is the backdoor for the staff. You get the firewood from here."
"Yay!" Lily's cheeks rose from her happy, content smile.
".....You have your list of chores. Now get to work." The maid shooed her away.
