The butler swiftly leads me to the servant quarters where I am instructed to take a bath and change into another dress. After bathing and changing into the new set of clothes, I am led to the royal quarters.
The butler was quite short, but his footsteps was swift. I pant as I try to catch up with him, as he swifts through hallways and stairs. He finally slowed his steps when we arrive at a long wide hallway which I presume is the Royal quarters owing to the exquisite paintings, portraits, and statues that adorn the walls and corners. He slows his step a little more and lowers his voice as I catch up.
"Rule number one: as a servant, you're not allowed to run through this passage. Walk fast or slow, but never run. It's considered disrespectful."
I nod, my eyes fixed on the floor.
"Rule number two: don't let your curiosity get the better of you. Do not peer into any of these rooms. Do your chores and leave. And don't stop to admire any of the art. Not a single painting or statue."
He stops abruptly, turning to face me before a large, intricately carved door. "Rule number three, the most important: do not steal. Theft is a highly punishable act among servants. The Queen's previous maid was caught stealing to feed her sick sister. You don't want to know what happened to her."
He turns back to the door and knocks gently. A soft but commanding voice says, "Come in."
The butler enters, leaving me to stand outside. I watch as he says a few quick words, bows his head, and then gestures for me to enter. He gives a final, shallow bow and closes the door behind me.
Filled with fear and anticipation, I take slow steps with my head bowed like I saw the butler doing.
"What is your name?" The same soft, commanding voice asks.
"Griselda Capell," I say, my eyes still on the floor.
"I asked for your name, not your practically nonexistent surname." She laughs, the sound cold and sharp. "Capell? How utterly common." I can see her place her right leg over her left, leaning back in her seat with an air of casual power.
"Look up." The command is more forceful this time.
I do as I'm told, and the opulence of the room slams into me. A lean woman in a flowing red gown that complements her pale skin sits on a plush white sofa. Her lips are a vibrant red, and her red dress spills over the cushions. She swirls a glass of red liquid in her hand. Wine, I think, but as she takes a sip, the thickness of the drink makes my stomach churn. I know it isn't wine, and I control a sudden urge to gag.
Slowly, my gaze shifts to the bedroom, taking in the whole interior decorations: the queen's size bed which is covered with a plush purple duvet. The light white curtains that cascade down to the bed covering a part. There's also a large full size mirror, which is beside a magnificent wardrobe.
Her dressing table is filled with several tiny bulb like glasses, which I guess are perfumes, or whatever it may be. Unconsciously my eyes were still roaming over the place when I hear a teasing voice right behind me which startles me.
"Looking for something to steal?" The voice asks right behind me. I jump, a small gasp escaping my lips.
I turn swiftly, and my mouth falls open. It's the man from the carriage. He's walking to a seat, an amused expression on his face as he chuckles at my reaction. I quickly compose myself, clasping my hands and lowering my head slightly.
He walks over and takes a seat a little farther from the Queen. It's the man from the carriage earlier. He has this amusing look on his face while chuckling as I immediately comport myself. With folded hands and a slightly bowed head, I face the Queen.
The queen laughs. "Paupers like her surely can't resist ogling at things they'll never have in life. It's a sad little affliction, isn't it?"
Her words sting. I was only admiring the room, but I should have remembered the butler's rules. Don't look at or admire anything at all. I think it's over, but she continues, her tone turning to ice.
"Paupers so consumed by their poverty that they'll even sell their own. Their stench reeks of poverty and unfortunately those who get attached to them. I can only imagine how desperate her father is, to think of selling her as your mistress, Aidan. His audacity. Giving us a pauper as a prince's mistress."
She gives a loud, derisive laugh. "Aidan, can you imagine yourself with… this?"
The shock of what she said, that the man from the carriage is a prince named Aidan hits me hard. My sadness and anger grow, but I fight back the tears. I can't let them see me cry. I shouldn't be angry at her; my anger belongs to my father for selling me and my mother for doing nothing to stop it.
I feel a pair of eyes on me and glance up. Aidan's intense gaze is piercing mine, his expression unreadable, yet his eyes seem to convey… something. I quickly avert my gaze, bowing my head to show respect.
I take a deep breath, silently praying that my tears will simply vanish or dry up.
"You may go to your room," the queen says. "Your work begins tomorrow before sunrise, but..."
The door swings open, revealing another man, roughly Aidan's age. He has the same warm, honey-brown eyes as the queen and a mass of dark brown, slightly ruffled hair. He's charming, overwhelming, but not as striking as Prince Aidan.
He walks past me, goes to the queen, and kisses her hand. "Morning, Mother," he says.
"Morning, Maverick," she replies.
He glances briefly at Aidan before sitting beside the queen. Aidan acts completely indifferent, as if the other man doesn't exist, which makes me question their relationship.
Maverick's eyes roam over me, which makes me feel totally uncomfortable.I silently pray that I'd be asked to leave.
"Who's she?" Maverick asks, his question clearly directed to the queen.
She chuckles. "She's the daughter of the pauper who sold her to us as Aidan's mistress, or whatever else she's fit for." She says in a berating tone.
"Interesting." He smiles, his eyes still raking over me. "So, Aidan, are you interested in taking her as a mistress? Because if you have no use for her, I certainly do."
My palms grip together as a shiver of fear runs through me. I can guess his "use" for me owing to his constant roaming of eyes over my body. I risk a quick glance at Aidan, meeting his intense stare and furrowed brow. I instantly look away.
"Keep your eyes to yourself," Aidan says, his voice cold. "She is already Mother's personal maid."
A wave of relief washes over me, but it's short-lived.
"Temporary," the queen adds, a cruel smirk on her face. "Just temporary."
"Till then," He says calmly, swiftly standing up and leaving the room.
Maverick scoffs in anger. "Wait till I have her in cuffs in my chambers, then we'll see your reaction." He says it angrily, his stare directed at Aidan's retreating figure before he storms out of the room.
I shudder at his words. My parents have gotten me into something I am completely unprepared for. I've heard the stories of how servants who were sold to the royal family have no rights, no protection from abuse.
"Griselda, is it?" the queen asks.
I nod with a bow. "Yes, my queen."
"You will begin working as my personal maid tomorrow. You'll meet Aine outside, who will brief you on my schedule, my do's and don'ts, when and where I take my tea, and everything else. Is that clear?"
"Yes, my queen." I give a quick bow.
"Leave." She orders.
I practically rush to the door, closing it behind me and leaning against it, heaving a sigh of relief.
"Exhausting, right?" a soft voice says.
I turn to see a girl, around thirteen, smiling at me.
"It's completely exhausting and uncomfortable talking to the queen for the first time," she says. "But you'll adjust. I'm Aine, by the way. What's your name?"
"Zelda," I say, feeling a sense of comfort just talking to her. "Griselda."
"I'll call you Zelda," she says. "It's a beautiful name"
"The queen said that you'll..."
"Yes, yes, I know," she cuts me off. "I'm aware. But first, I'll show you your room. It's located here in the royal quarters, at the end of the hallway, It's a special room for the queen's personal maid. It puts your status automatically above every other maid except the head maid. It's also to ensure you can respond to her calls without having to run." She starts walking, and I follow.