Chapter 17: The Unexpected Opportunity

Chapter 17: The Unexpected Opportunity
LEONA
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The sun was barely rising when I woke up. I lay there for a few moments, my mind buzzing with excitement. It felt as though I'd finally found a path, a solution to all my problems. The maid position at the palace—this could be my way in.
I moved with a sense of purpose, feeling an energy I hadn't felt in days. After a quick bath, I dressed carefully, pulling on something that would make me seem presentable, even if the wheelchair was a constant reminder of my disability. But today, that didn't matter.
I wheeled myself downstairs, the faint smell of something delicious reaching my nose. The kitchen was alive with the sound of sizzling food, and Haelyn was there, moving gracefully around the room, preparing breakfast.
When she turned and saw me, freshly dressed and ready to go, she paused, her brow furrowing slightly.
"Where are you headed?" she asked curiously.
I hesitated for a moment, but there was no need to hide my intentions. I'd made up my mind.
"I'm going to apply for the maid position at the palace," I said, trying to sound casual.
Haelyn's expression shifted to one of concern, and I could see her eyes narrow slightly, as if she were processing the idea.
"You're… applying for a maid position?" she asked with skepticism. "Leona, you're… crippled."
Her words were blunt, but I could tell she didn't mean to hurt me. Still, the sting of them hit harder than I expected.
"I know," I said, forcing myself to sound more confident. "But there's no harm in trying. I have to do something."
Haelyn didn't look convinced. She stared at me for a moment, her lips pressing together as if she were weighing her words. "Are you sure the palace will want… someone like you?"
I understood what she was implying. I couldn't blame her for thinking they might turn me away. I wasn't naive. I knew the world could be cruel, especially when it came to someone like me—broken and disabled.
But I grounded myself. I have to try.
"Haelyn," I said softly, "I don't want to be a burden to you. I know you've been kind enough to let me stay, but I need to do this for myself. For Fiona."
Haelyn opened her mouth to argue, but she closed it again, seeing the resolve in my eyes. She sighed, her shoulders slumping in a defeated way.
"Fine. But… why a maid? You could do so much more, Leona."
"I just want to help," I replied, a flicker of uncertainty in my chest. "I don't want to feel useless."
Haelyn didn't push further, though I could see she still didn't entirely understand my decision. But she respected it, and that was enough.
She gestured toward the stove. "Stay for breakfast. You'll need energy for your day ahead."
I shook my head, though I didn't want to disappoint her. "I can't, Haelyn. I have to go now."
I could see the hesitation in her eyes, but she didn't say anything else. "Alright," she said softly. "I'll keep breakfast for you. Take care of yourself, okay?"
"Thanks, I will." I smiled at her, then turned and wheeled myself out the door.



When I arrived at the palace, the sight of other women gathered there immediately made me second-guess my decision. They all seemed so… perfect. Tall, graceful, and confident—most of them didn't seem to have any physical issues. They were exactly the kind of women I imagined the palace would want.
A few of them glanced at me as I entered, their eyes flickering with disdain as though wondering what I was doing there. I felt the familiar heat of embarrassment rise in my cheeks, but I forced myself to stay calm. I couldn't let them see how much their looks affected me.
The line moved quickly, and soon it was my turn. The interviewers, a man and a woman, exchanged a brief, skeptical look when I entered. Their gazes lingered on me—on the wheelchair—before they quickly masked their judgment.
"Please, take a seat," the man said curtly.
I wheeled myself closer to the table, sitting straight. "Thank you," I replied.
The woman cleared her throat and glanced at the papers in front of her. "So… Leona, was it? Why are you interested in working here, and why now?"
I had anticipated this question. I'd rehearsed it in my mind a hundred times.
"I want to contribute," I said steadily, despite the knot in my stomach. "I'm capable of doing many things, and I believe I could be of service to the palace. I've had experience as a caretaker, and I know how to handle various tasks."
They exchanged another glance, and the man nodded slowly. "I see."
There was a long pause. Neither of them spoke, and I could feel their doubts weighing on me like a heavy cloak.
Finally, the woman spoke. "We'll contact you if you're selected," she said curtly, signaling the end of the interview.
I left the palace feeling defeated. I hadn't expected an enthusiastic response, but I'd hoped for more than indifference. As I wheeled myself back to Haelyn's house, my heart sank further. There was no way I'd be chosen.
When I got home, the house was eerily quiet. Haelyn wasn't back yet, and the emptiness seemed to echo in my mind. I wheeled myself to my room, my spirit feeling as heavy as my body.
I tried to think of other ways to get closer to Alpha Zane, but nothing seemed to come to me. My mind was too clouded with disappointment, the reality of my situation pressing down on me.
Just as I was about to lie down, something caught my eye—the sound of the doorbell ringing.
I groaned, feeling weary, but I wheeled myself toward the door anyway, opening it with a tired sigh.
There, on the doorstep, was an envelope. Confused, I picked it up and saw my name written on it in neat, formal script. My hands shook slightly as I opened it, and what I saw inside stunned me.
It was a letter from the palace.
"We are pleased to inform you that you have been selected for the position of maid. You are expected to begin work tomorrow."
I stared at the letter, my mind racing. This couldn't be real. How could I have gotten the job?
But there it was. The words were clear, and they were unmistakable.
I had been chosen.