Rise from the Ashes: The Maid’s Revenge

Name: Rise from the Ashes: The Maid’s Revenge
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Author: Joyce

Joyce

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Second Chance Ancient Times Protagonist

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Introduction

I, along with Rosemary, served as a maid at The Commander's Manor. She was once the daughter of a fallen noble family from Cumberland, while I was a helpless orphan rescued by the Lady of the Commander. She held herself aloof, indifferent to the world, while I regarded her as a sister, close and trusted, always putting her needs above my own. I made plans and managed things on her behalf, hoping to carve out a sliver of hope for us within the tightly guarded walls of this manor. Yet, she scolded me for being too ambitious, willing to humble myself for a few silver coins. However, she never refused any benefit I managed to secure for her. I picked up a Pearl Dangler lost by a valued guest in the garden, but she preemptively lied to the Lady of the Commander that she had picked it up, and was appreciated and rewarded by the Lady of the Commander for doing so. I went to great lengths to offer practical advice to our young master, Henry, and earned his trust and favour. Yet, behind my back, she accused me of harbouring ill intentions and coveting things that did not belong to me. When the mercenary rebels raided the manor, I risked my life to flee the town, taking a letter to the capital to deliver news of the attack. She, however, falsely claimed that I had betrayed the manor by revealing its secrets to the rebels. In the end, I was executed by the furious guards and townspeople as a traitor. In my final moments, I knelt before her, breathless and pleading for her help. But she coldly responded, "I had warned you before: contentment is key. Live without greed, without rivalry, and you will live in peace. Look now, this is the outcome of your own making." When I opened my eyes again, I found myself back on the very day I first met Rosemary.

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Chapter 1 I Will No Longer Suffer in Silence

When I woke up, my hands were still submerged in the cold laundry basin, with the half-washed clothes weighing heavily on my fingertips. Elena was dragging her clothes from her basin over to mine.

"I really can't wash any more," she complained, her tone tinged with a hint of command. "The rest, Liana, you’ll have to wash. I'm exhausted and need to rest in the house for a while."

Elena, two years older than me, was the distant niece of the manor's steward, Mr. Carter.

Though the connection between her and Mr. Carter had long been as weak as a candle in the wind, she still used this relationship to bully us servants.

She always found excuses to slack off, pushing her work onto others.

In my past life, I tolerated her in order to keep things peaceful in the manor.

But now, having been given a second chance at life, I wouldn’t put up with this any longer.

I shoved the clothes she had pushed over back at her. "Elena, I still have to deliver the washed clothes to the master’s house. I'm simply too busy."

"From now on, you handle your own chores. I’m not helping you anymore."

Elena’s eyebrows shot up as she put her hands on her hips and shouted, "Alright, Liana! Every time I ask for your help, you make excuses. Do you want to get a beating?"

Sitting on a low wooden stool, I calmly continued to sort the clothes in my hands, ignoring her yelling. "Elena, if you have time to make a fuss, you could have washed a few more pieces of clothing by now."

"You—"

As Elena fumed, Rosemary sighed softly from the side.

"Ah, what’s the point of arguing over such trivial things?"

She twirled her finger in the water, furrowing her brow as she reproached me, "Liana, stop being so willful. It’s only two pieces of clothing. Just wash them for Elena."

I sneered inwardly. Of course, she could afford to stand there and give advice without lifting a finger.

I retorted, "Why should I? I always wash for her. Why doesn’t she ever help me?"

Rosemary shook her head, adopting a superior attitude, and said, "One must be magnanimous and not sweat the small stuff. Liana, you're too petty."

When Elena heard Rosemary take her side, a smug smile spread across her face. Seizing the opportunity, she poured her basin of clothes directly into mine.

With a pleased grin, Elena stood up and stretched like a cat that had just stolen a fish. "Thanks, Rosemary. I’ll remember this favour."

"Liana, you should learn from Rosemary. Look at her poise, and then look at you..." Elena sneered, casting me a disdainful glance.

I wasn’t about to let it go. Holding the basin, I was about to pour the clothes back into her basin, but Elena nimbly dodged.

Rosemary stood up to block me, lightly furrowing her brow as she said, "Liana, as a lady, you should not be so competitive. Washing a few more clothes will help you cultivate a calm mind. It’ll be good for you."

I was furious, nearly fuming with anger. As expected, those who are always so quick to show "goodwill" are the ones who never have to lift a finger. If she were really magnanimous, why didn’t she just help?

Elena shot me a mocking glance and clapped her hands as she turned to leave.

Looking at her retreating figure, my heart felt like it had been pierced. Flashbacks from my past life flooded my mind—those days of oppression, tolerance, and the tragic end that followed. In a daze, I clenched my fists.

This time, I would no longer suffer in silence.