"Master, wake up. It's morning already."
Warm sunlight streamed through the window, spilling across Bai Yi’s oversized bed.
Bai Yi lay sprawled on his back, arms and legs wide open. Beside him, Lian Ye slept messily—mouth agape, drool pooling on the pillow.
"Tch. Morning already?"
"Yes, Master. Time to rise for breakfast."
Bai Yi only shifted slightly before sinking back into the blankets.
Xiao Ling stood beside the bed, hands folded neatly at her waist. She gazed down, expression solemn, at the two tangled figures. Watching Bai Yi sleep so peacefully on the soft mattress, she abandoned her plan to forcibly rouse him again.
*A new day has begun.*
*Midnight has passed. Yesterday is gone.*
*Today is fresh…*
*Has Master forgotten me?*
Xiao Ling’s mind drifted back to her first days as a novice maid.
…
Back then, Queen Ellyria hadn’t yet assigned Bai Yi a Personal Maid. But as a general of the Great Empire, he needed an attendant for formal occasions—lest rumors spread that his achievements relied solely on the Queen’s favor. Though few dared voice it openly, nobles loved to pick at his reputation.
"Bai Yi-sama," the Head Maid said stiffly, bowing a meter away. "It’s time to select a Personal Maid."
"I know. Stop pushing. I’ll choose myself."
"But, Bai Yi-sama—"
"Tch. Shut it. My choice."
The Head Maid fell silent as Bai Yi’s frown deepened, his eyes flashing annoyance. Every maid in the room held their breath. None dared meet his gaze for long. None dared contradict him. They feared his status. Feared his power.
Bai Yi sighed, exasperated by their trembling deference, and turned to leave.
Unseen behind a wooden door, trainee maid Xiao Ling watched it all. She didn’t know why everyone feared him. Didn’t know he was a general.
…
"*Why* did you do that? Do you realize how outrageous your actions were?"
The Head Maid’s face twisted in fury. She gripped a broken feather duster, her pupils wide with rage. Before her, Xiao Ling trembled, head bowed, tears thickening her voice.
"I-I’m sorry…"
She pressed a hand to the raw red welt on her pale arm—the mark of the duster’s strike.
"You had *no right* to interfere with Bai Yi-sama!" the Head Maid snapped. "No right to stop him leaving the Imperial Palace—even if the Queen forbade it! You’re just a rookie maid! Who gave you authority over his movements?"
Xiao Ling stayed silent, shoulders shaking. *But the Maid Academy taught us to correct our masters’ mistakes… Why am I punished for doing my duty? Why do they cower from him?*
"Listen well!" The Head Maid jabbed a finger. "You’re just an intern. Stop trying to curry favor—it’ll ruin you! Stick to kitchen duties. Some palace matters aren’t for your ears."
*Curry favor?* Xiao Ling’s heart ached. *So this is betrayal? Must I abandon my duty to stay liked? Is that why everyone avoids him?*
"Don’t you *dare* cry!" The Head Maid raised her hand. Xiao Ling squeezed her eyes shut, bracing for the slap—
—but it never came.
"Bai—Bai Yi-sama!"
A strong hand clamped around the Head Maid’s wrist mid-swing.
Xiao Ling peeked open her eyes.
"So *you’re* why they all fear me?" Bai Yi’s voice was low, icy. The Head Maid shuddered, face draining of color. "I don’t care if others fear me. But forcing a new maid to do the same? If I hadn’t overheard, you’d have shipped her to the scullery, wouldn’t you?"
"I—I—"
"Get out. I know you were pushed here by that Bedeckes noble bitch. If I see you in this palace again…" Bai Yi crushed the broken duster into a ball and tossed it aside. "Disappear."
The Head Maid scrambled away without a backward glance.
"Master…" Xiao Ling whispered when they were alone.
"Tch. Finally got rid of that nuisance." Bai Yi turned to her, the anger gone. "What’s your name again?"
"Xiao Ling, Bai Yi-sama."
"Hm. Xiao Ling." He studied her tear-streaked face. "You don’t fear me?"
She blinked. "Why should I?"
Bai Yi almost smiled. "Yeah. Why indeed."
"Since you're not afraid of me, you'll be my Personal Maid from now on. Got it?"
"Huh? Me? But I'm just a newbie..."
Before Xiao Ling could finish, Baiyi waved his hand to cut her off.
"I said it's you—no more excuses. I'm in a foul mood today. Come clean my room later. I have to head to the military camp. Don't dawdle."
"But..."
"This is an order! A master's order to his maid!"
An order?
Xiao Ling gazed at Baiyi before her. His eyes darted uncertainly; his face was slightly flushed as he forced calm.
Is the young master helping me?
She suddenly realized the sour ache in her heart had vanished. In its place, a warm, comforting current flowed gently through her.
So... Young Master isn't entirely as terrifying as they say.
"Yes, Young Master Baiyi."
When all her emotions finally converged, a sweet, charming smile bloomed on Xiao Ling's face.
...
But after that day, he forgot it all.
Every single thing.
...
Staring at the boy lying quietly on the bed, Xiao Ling felt a faint, stabbing pain in her chest.
The pain was just a series of light pricks. Yet it pierced deep into her heart.
She'd been his maid for so long, yet...
Yet every day, the young master failed to remember her name. Failed to recall her face clearly.
Every single day, he forgot her completely.
Even once—just once—
If only, when you wake tomorrow and see me first...
You'd say my name...
A warm tear broke through her swollen, reddened eyes. It slid slowly down her fair, delicate cheek.
Young master, I just want you to remember my name.
Finally, the tears dammed in her eyes burst free like a flooded river. They streamed endlessly, gathering at her chin into drops that fell to the floor...
