I twirl my light brown hair with my finger, bitting down on my lip so hard it's sure to draw blood.
The castle is even bigger than I imagined.
I have never felt like an imposter more in my life.
I saunter through the immaculate garden, meandering over anything that looks too important to step on. I don't know why though, it's just grass. Royal grass.
The guard escorting me hasn't said a word, a permanent scowl plastered onto his face. I follow closely behind, afraid to irritate him any further. I tug at the my dress, wondering if it's a bit short, if it were any other setting I wouldn't mind showing my gorgeous long legs, but definitely not here—not in the castle.
Not with the prince around.
Who am I kidding anyways? What would the prince want to do with me? I need to get over myself.
"You got that?"
I freeze. I've been too engrossed in my thoughts, and now I have no idea what the guard just said to me. He's glaring at me now with those piercing blue eyes, willing me to speak.
I gulp slowly. "What was that?" I ask, lip quivering.
"Are you that slow?!" He snaps, his voice rising up a few notches.
I say nothing, in hopes to dissipate the situation, but that seems to make him more upset.
"What are you, dumb?" He says, prompting me to step back in fear. I feel the heat creeping up on my face.
"I said walk down that hall to meet your fellow workers!" He explains, pointing at a dark oak wood down far into the hall.
"Thank you" I mutter, scampering away. As I walk down the hall, I remind myself of why I'm here and why I'm doing this, I'm not going to get all flustered by a grumpy guard.
I gently push open the door, and I'm greeted with 6 pairs of judgemental eyes, sizing me up. I try to act as confident as I can, striding over to the edge of the room, but I know they can read me like a book.
"So glad of you to finally join us" one of them says. I notice she's way older than the rest of the women. She's also the only one downright glaring at me, pudgy arms on her waist. She's about the same age as my mother, the same salt and pepper hair and wrinkled alabaster skin—she doesn't look nice though, at all. I don't think I'm that late anyways, what's her problem?
"I apolo-"
"Save it" She cuts in, rolling her eyes.
My face burns as I hear one of the girls snicker, and all I want to do is punch her in the face. Our eyes meet, but she doesn't hide her amusement. I glare back at her and she responds in a slight smirk.
"I trust you all know your assigned duties" The woman states. "Remember you are not allowed anywhere out of the west wing, don't go wandering and don't do anything stupid" This time she's looking right at me, oh come on. "Your job is to clean, and nothing else. Are we clear?"
"Yes ma'am" We say in unison.
"You're all dismissed" She says finally, and we all disperse.
I'm tasked with cleaning the music room in the queen's chambers, so I set forth towards the supply room to get some cleaning supplies. The rest of the girls are huddled inside, whispering to themselves.
"He's even hotter than I imagine" One of them chimes, she has long wavy auburn hair, tied studiously to the back.
I don't know who they might be talking about, possibly a new guard? I don't really care either way. I grab what I need and start walking away.
"Look, it's the harlot" One of them calls, chuckling to herself. It's the one who laughed at me today. She's looking at me, waiting for me to react, but I don't give her that satisfaction. I'm already used to name calling by now.
I shut the door behind me and don't look back. I amble my way to the music room, unlocking the door and gently shutting it behind me.
Time to get to work.
As I begin dusting off the surfaces—although there isn't much to clean— I hear the sound of muffled footsteps.
Is someone in here?
It's definitely not the queen, she hardly leaves her room.
I wonder if it's one of the other maids trying to get me flustered. I turn to the direction of the sound, but there's no one there.
Maybe I imagined it?
Except I hear the sound again, whoever it is is trying to be quiet, and they're not doing a very great job.
"Hello" I tiptoe towards the sound, ready to yell at whichever maid decided to do this.
Just I turn the corner, I collide head first into something.
No, not something, someone.
I look up, and see a tall young man smirking at me.
Oh no. No no no no no.
This can't be happening.