Melina woke up in the morning to see the sunlight piercing through her room. She got up slowly while stretching her hands before making her way to the window she had closed yesterday and opened it. A smile crept on her face as she saw the bright light that shone outside with the same view that visited her the previous night but in a brighter setting which made it even more surreal.
She couldn't believe that those maids had made her miss so many things since she came here because of their rivalry attitude and all this while, she had thought it was just her life as a maid that was complicated. She had to admit that since aunt Paloma left, this was the most peaceful sleep she ever got in this castle. She had slept like a newborn child throughout without having to worry if anyone might attack or hurt her in the process.
Even when she never slept outside but in this room with them, they would maltreat her and make her sleep on the floor, which was honestly more horrible than sleeping in the woods. She hoped she would never see their faces again after today but knew it was all a dream that would never come true.
Clearing the thoughts off her mind, She finally remembered what the occasion today was. She quickly rushed to the bathroom, washed up herself, arranged her room and after cleaning the wound on her head, she changed to the dress Ms Carlos had given to her yesterday. She went to stand in front of the mirror in the room and couldn't help but admire the dress as it had different colours unlike the one she usually wore which looked plainer. It also looked more fitting on her body which made her think of a suitable style she would tie her hair into.
She thought of most of the hairstyles aunt Paloma had done for her when they were in the former quarter and finally, came up with an idea. She tied her hair into a neat ponytail while letting a strand of hair fall on the side. Then she put some of the perfume oil that had been given to her by aunt Paloma on her skin for a nice fragrance.
She again stared at the mirror examining herself, not knowing why she suddenly just wanted to feel feminine and look good at the occasion and didn't want anyone to perceive any smell or odour from her. The only obstacle she had now was the bandage on her head that would attract so much attention at the event, she guessed. It was still just healing so she needed to be very careful and avoid anything that could lead to an even worse scene. Now feeling comfortable with herself and seeing that it was time to go to the hall where Ms Carlos would instruct them on what to do, Melina quickly left her room straight downstairs to the hall.
As she advanced to where she was going, she saw how the palace had been sadly decorated with dim colours to show that they were mourning the death of someone. Still walking further through the pathways that led to the hall, she noticed some of her fellow maids starting at something in amazement. Curious, she ran off to where they were and when she turned to the direction they were facing, she too was stunned.
It was a cave art painting of someone who she assumed was the King since she had seen him formerly and he was similar to this. It was large and framed with flowers around it with an inscription at the bottom saying,
'King Williams Lucas.'
Then another script under it that she couldn't see clearly but guessed it was how long he had lived. This was the first time in her life, she had to be honest that she ever saw a painting this pretty...not like she was even given any chance before now to see any paintings. All her life had been surrounded and yuk k tangled to chores in the castle and nothing else.
"The painter did a great job." Came a delicate voice she recognized, pulling her out of her thoughts.
"You again." She said looking at the girl. It was almost like she was stalking her. How did she find her just now when she came here? "I hope you're not following me."
"Why would I though? I only came here for a similar reason like you." She replied, looking at Melina with her still maintained and calm aura.
Melina still felt her confidence and presence to be eerie. Nothing seemed right about her from her accent down to her looks and behaviour. For a maid who had grown up here, her dialect was a little too high class which reminded her of the Princess she had encountered the other day when she was injured. She snapped out of her thoughts again when she heard Berlin say something again.
"The decorators too did a good job. Though the atmosphere around here looks sad because of the neutral colours they made use of, I like how they portrayed the feelings so convincingly." She smiled while looking around.
One would think she was the one directing the funeral with the amount of charisma she spoke with. Feeling slightly intimidated as that was how she always felt whenever someone of higher education unlike her spoke, she decided to leave when Berlin stopped her.
"Wait!"
"Now what do you want?" She asked the girl looking displeased that she was wasting her time.
"Oh...err...I just wanted to say that you look extremely pretty today in this dress and hairstyle..." She commended and Melina was about to say thank you when she suddenly continued her statement.
"...however, I'd advise you to be very careful today during the funeral. There is more to the story than meets the eye." She warned with a wink😉 before abruptly walking away, leaving Melina confused.