The next night ...
There was noise in the palace and Luna couldn't sleep.
"Ugh what is that ringing?!", One of the twins yelled.
"I know girl.", The other one said.
They found Luna reading a page on her microphone and copied her since something like this had happened before.
By morning, a notification came on their microphones to move to the field outside the palace.
At the venue they saw a catwalk. Complete with photographers, glitter and lights.
"Welcome to your next test: the Catwalk, worth 35 points. This is a test of your walking posture and balance. The rules are simple, you will stand at the beginning of the Catwalk and be given two glasses filled to the brim with water and five books upon your head, you will need to walk down the aisle and back again without dropping any of these, the first maiden will be the last and the last will be first."
The last maiden shrugged then got on the platform. Before she was given the objects, Ms. Alexandra said,"Oh and one more thing, you will be spun around ten times."
"Wait what?!", The maiden yelled.
The spinning began and she fell the moment she was given the objects. Someone started vomiting as she was spinning, another literally helicoptered into the air and much more, a hundred and five more. Only the ballerinas were nailing this test.
It was Luna's turn.
This platform spins approximately twelve revolutions per minute, slow enough for me to keep my head straight.
Luna was put on the platform and spun around, she kept her eyes on a spot for as long as possible and turned her head as fast as possible to find the spot again.
She wasn't very dizzy when it was done, so walked with poise with the objects. Then she got distracted by the guard, Alister, he wasn't staring, she felt so guilty.
Just then she tripped, she safety rolled and caught the glasses and three of the fluttering books but the water and two others fell. She just kept on walking.
Stupid stupid!
She immediately checked her score count:
Additional points:
#1. Reading during sleeplessness- 6 pts
Main points:
#1. Walking posture- 7 pts
#2. Water delivered- 5 pts
#3. Books delivered- 4 points
Total: 19 pts
She checked and was still fifth. She looked at Alister again. First she yelled at him for looking at her but now she was looking at him.
The irony.
She later on found herself staring at the pictures of the Prince again. Just then she yelled,"Selasi!"
He appeared at her back and startled her.
"I need your help."
"Of course you do."
"I need your help to get past the Prince's Royal angels."
"Why?"
"I need to meet him."
"Why?"
"Please?!"
He rolled his eyes, grunted and moaned for several seconds before saying,"Fine."
"Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
She tried to hug him but he put his hand on her face to hold her back.
"Alright, no hugs."
A few minutes later…
The prince was reading when he heard a sound, just then a gorgeous and dark woman hung down from the top of his bed. Their eyes met…
"Hi.", Luna began.
"Hi.", He responded.
She flipped down then looked at him again.
"Do you remember me?"
"Should I?"
"Actually...yes, I'm the girl."
"Yes you are quite the beautiful girl."
"No, that's not what I mean. I mean, remember eleven years ago you met a Wathamban slave girl, well that's me."
"No I d..oh yeah... that was you?"
"Yes."
"Wow, you're much more beautiful than I... remember."
"Thank you. And you are much more handsome than I remember."
And she meant it.
"Are you one of the contestants?"
"As a matter of fact, I am."
Selasi told her she had to leave.
"Well I've got to go."
"Sure. I'll be rooting for you."
"Thank you."
When she got out, Selasi said,"You know him?"
"Yes."
"For eleven years?"
"Remember the times I used to run away from my training? That's when I met him."
Selasi whistled then led her away.
Luna was Lulu again and she had to clean the hall again. She opened her microphone and hacked into the particle fountain. The water flew onto the floor and started cleaning the place…
"Well look who's able to hack."
She turned back and saw Alister leaning on a wall.
"Alister, I didn't know you were free so I decided to do it on my own."
"I'm impressed, you learned the sequence so fast, or did you already know it?"
"No, I learned it."
"Huh, it seems like the cut hasn't healed."
"Oh that, nevermind. Also, I saw you spying on Alice."
Alice was the third contestant.
"What? Oh, um I... wasn't."
"You know you can't lie to me."
"Fine I was…"
Please don't read this lie!!!
"...I was just spying to see how she does it, she's so perfect and I wanted to be like her…"
"If you don't want to tell me the real reason it's okay, I don't like meddling in others' business anyway."
Phew!
"Okay, oh and thanks for everything, the help with the cleaning, the puddle incident and the ride."
"Don't mention it."
"Why are you so nice to me when you barely even know me?"
"I see the way people treat you because of your looks."
"Oh, thanks."
He nodded then left.
She just left. A few minutes later she had to serve the Empress's lunch. She carried the food to the largest boudoirs in the palace, it was grand. It had rhodium door frames with diamond and bronze door knobs. The door was bog oak wood and had silver filigrees in the design of a beautiful landscape. The doors automatically opened and the over seventy-seven square metre room was breathtaking.
The floor tiles glowed pink and purple everytime she stepped on them, there was a particle fountain at each of the four corners, there were tulips, daffodils, orchids, Blair roses, roses and other beautiful Saggezian flowers at every corner.
The bed was made of wool and purple. There were rose petals on the bed and floor and the Empress was sitting on a swing outside the doore to the balcony.
A doore is a clear forcefield which is used for smaller, less demanding jobs like doorways. They block unregistered persons but registered persons can pass through them like they were nonexistent.
Luna set the table and called her Majesty. The Empress was angelic, just as good as the pictures. Her blond hair shimmered in the light and her sea blue eyes turned dazzling electric sapphire in the light.
Luna placed the food down and stood by to wait for her.
"You can sit down if you wish.", She said with a British accent.
"Yes your Majesty.", Luna said.
Luna sat and analysed her etiquette and tried to learn from it.
"You are new, are you not?"
Is it that obvious?!
"Yes, your Majesty. But may I ask how you knew?"
"You sat down when I told you could."
"Oh I'm sorry if I made a mistake, your Majesty."
"Do not worry I do not mind, but Ms. Alexandra would. What is your name?"
"Lulu, your Majesty."
"Well Lulu, I hope I will see you again."
"Yes, your Majesty."
She took the ceramic cutlery and glassware and left.
She was walking without watching her way then bumped into two people sending the fragile and expensive objects flying.
She quickly caught the tray, the teapot and its lid and two glasses, while Alister caught the plates and a teacup and the Prince caught the rest.
Luna was shocked that she bumped into the Prince...and Alister!
Oh no I'm going to be fired!
The two men were surprised at how nimble and skilled the maid was.
"How did you do that?", The Prince asked.
She just remained silent and looked down, hoping he'll forget the question, but he didn't…
"I asked you a question, maid."
"I'm sorry, your Highness, it was a mistake. My father trained me when I was growing up."
"Like that?", The Prince asked.
She nodded.
Just fire me already, the suspense is killing me.
"I like that, you're…"
Here it comes…
"...promoted. Why don't you watch some of the contestants? Yeah, that's a good idea I came up with. You'll now serve the first three maidens, and only them."
"Thank you, your Highness."
What?! Now I get to watch them without spying?! Yes!!
She took the objects and left.