"Fourteen-year-old Amée is a Servant Girl with a Genius IQ Stuck as a Scullery Maid in Castle''

In the cold stone kitchen of Château de La Roche, fourteen-year-old Amée moved swiftly between pots and pans, her nimble fingers scrubbing and scraping with practiced ease. The scent of roasting meat and fresh bread mingled with the earthy smell of the scullery. Though her body performed these menial tasks, her mind soared far beyond the confines of her station.

Amée had always been different. From a young age, she demonstrated a keen intellect that set her apart from the other village children. Her mother, a washerwoman, and her father, a blacksmith, recognized her brilliance but were powerless to change her fate in a society that valued lineage over intellect. When her parents died of fever, Amée was sent to the castle to work as a scullery maid, a position that barely allowed her to breathe, let alone dream.

The castle bustled with preparations for the upcoming feast, celebrating the fief lord's return from a successful campaign. Amée's eyes flitted to the windows, catching glimpses of the sun-drenched courtyard where knights and noblewomen gathered. Her heart ached with longing—not for their fine clothes or rich foods, but for the knowledge they possessed. She yearned to read the books in the castle's library, to understand the mysteries of the world.

One evening, as she cleaned the remnants of the day's meals, Amée overheard a conversation between the steward and the castle's librarian. They spoke of a rare manuscript, newly arrived from the far East, containing secrets of alchemy and mathematics. Amée's heart raced. She had to see it.

The opportunity came a few nights later. The feast had ended, and the castle lay in a rare state of quiet. Amée slipped out of the scullery, her footsteps silent on the cold stone floors. She navigated the labyrinthine corridors, her knowledge of the castle's layout gleaned from years of servitude. Finally, she reached the library door, its heavy oak frame a formidable barrier.

With a deep breath, Amée tried the handle. To her surprise, it turned easily in her hand. She slipped inside, her eyes widening at the sight of shelves upon shelves of books and scrolls. The air smelled of parchment and ink, a scent more intoxicating to Amée than any perfume.

She found the manuscript on a lectern, its delicate pages illuminated by a single candle. Reverently, she turned the pages, her eyes devouring the strange symbols and equations. Though she had no formal education, her genius mind deciphered the patterns, unraveling the secrets of alchemy and mathematics.

"Who are you?" a stern voice demanded.

Amée looked up, her heart pounding. A tall man stood in the doorway, his piercing eyes fixed on her. It was Sir Étienne, the fief lord's trusted advisor and the castle's librarian.

"I-I am Amée, a scullery maid," she stammered, dropping to her knees. "Please, sir, I meant no harm. I was only curious."

Sir Étienne studied her for a long moment. "You can read this?" he asked, gesturing to the manuscript.

Amée nodded, too frightened to speak.

"A scullery maid with a mind for alchemy and mathematics," he mused. "How very unusual."

He stepped closer, his expression softening. "Rise, child," he commanded gently. "You have a gift, one that should not be wasted in the scullery."

Trembling, Amée stood, scarcely daring to believe what she heard.

"I will speak to Lord Guillaume on your behalf," Sir Étienne continued. "You will be given a place in the library, where you can study and learn. But you must promise to use your knowledge wisely."

Amée's eyes filled with tears of gratitude. "I promise," she whispered.