Melina just watched in confusion as she saw Berlin leave and enter the hall. She didn't understand what the sudden warning meant but was sure that it rang danger bells at the event.
She had thought of it anyways. Knowing that it was most of the people from different districts of the Kingdom that were going to be present, she was aware that the palace might not be safe for anyone especially servants considering how large the palace was. She let out a soft sigh before entering the hall where all the maidservants were present.
Ms Carlos paired her with a petite looking maid who was wearing similar clothes as her before assigning them to the kitchen and giving directions.
They made their way to the kitchen and from the girl's behaviour on their way, Melina could tell she was a very shy and naive person.
'Gosh.' She banged her hand on her forehead, catching the attention of the girl walking beside her, who was wondering why she did that but didn't dare to ask why she did that. Silently, they both did their assigned chores in the kitchen, making the different dishes they were asked to make while subtly staring at each other's dishes to know whose looked better.
After they were through assembling the dishes in a presentable manner, the guard, Tynan whom she had slowly unknowingly begun to have feelings for came to take them to the venue where the funeral was to take place.
As they through the different rooms leading to the funeral ground, Melina couldn't help but take small peeks at Tynan who noticed all along that she had been staring at him but decided to act like he didn't see anything. It was a rule Afterall for Knights, to be very careful and try not to show emotions whenever they were under the spotlight. He kept a straight face until they got up to the ground where the funeral was to take place and the guard, Tynan didn't even need to direct them anymore as they began to direct themselves...mesmerized by the place they standing in.
The young maid, who had come with Melina almost left the cart of foods and drinks she had been pulling all along. The place looked so stunning, that they forgot for a moment why they were there and wanted to keep strolling until Tynan called their attention.
"I hope Ms Carlos has informed you that in an event like this, maids are not meant to be seen around." He paused for a moment to see their reaction which he had expected a bit. They were not aware yet and seemed even confused.
"Let me make it clearer. In an event where there are so many guests such as this, it is a tradition that women, especially not servants should be seen around people unless they were there to serve a guest. Anything contradictory to this is Death." He said in a scary way that sent chills down their spine.
Melina just looked in disbelief as he spoke. She remembered aunt Paloma telling her something like this when she was younger but she took it to be a joke...she was probably exaggerating but now, with the way the few guests who were around even stared at them both with irritation right now at why they were both standing there, she could tell aunt Paloma made it sound even better than it wasn't. She saw Tynan point towards a small room that had been created for every servant in different departments to stay until their presence was needed.
Not asking any questions, the two bowed in respect to Tynan which he returned to them before he left the place.
The two entered the small room where they dropped the cart they had been carrying loaded with food and beverages. There were no chairs or tables to rest on so they had to stand. The small room had a tiny vent where one could also see what was going on outside in the venue.
They watched as several guests enter the hall with heavy clothes and accessories...if one didn't know, he would think they came for a soiree. They looked all smiley and happy while discussing with each other, it was hard to believe it was a burial of a loved one...not to talk of the King.
As time passed, the hall that had been empty when she and some of her fellow maids had come in a while ago was now filled with guests. It was so crowded to Melina that she now seemed to be thankful they didn't let people like her who were naive and fragile be out there because she was sure she would get lost, considering she had never once been here before and didn't know how the hall was built.
Was this why the lady, Berlin had warned her to be careful? Maybe she heard rumours about people who got lost or harmed during events like this and just wanted to tell her so she didn't fall victim? Even though she tried to reason it out, she still couldn't understand. Why did she tell only her? Or did she probably just tell each person but did it lowkey? She doubted that was the case but if that was a better explanation then she would take it. She was still certain that something was quite awkward about the girl but brushed it away.
Now was not the time to start thinking about other people but herself, she supposed as her legs had already begun to give away. She gave a glance at the girl beside her who too, seemed to be feeling tired already but played strong.
'Maybe occupying her mind right now was the best thing.' She assumed as she tried to think of ways she would get to see ain't Paloma if she showed up as well as that Prince who...
Her thought was interrupted when she suddenly heard cheers from the hall and whispers from the young women close to her who she could see but couldn't see her.
Curious, she sprawled her neck from the back to see who had arrived and when she followed their trail, she saw a group of people standing with guards behind them and dressed in a uniform royal attire that made them look unique. Obviously, it was the royal family.
She thought it was over until finally, everyone in the hall...both those sitting stood up and bowed their heads low.
She turned again to see who it was and behold! She sighed.
Of course, it was him again...