Rhefa ran frantically through the ornate halls of the palace, her footsteps echoing off the marble floors. She clutched the well packaged delicate gowns tightly in her arms, her heart pounding with each passing moment.
As she turned the corner, she nearly collided with a pair of guards.
"Excuse me, pardon me!" she panted, rushing past them before they could even react.
Her destination was the princesses dressing rooms to deliver each gown to it owner, tucked away at the far end of the palace. She had been tasked with delivering
Dodging startled courtiers and darting around ornate vases and candelabras, she finally reached princess Rose's door. With shaky hands, she knocked.
"Come in" Anna the princess maid said.
"Your Highness"she bowed. I have your gown!" She announced before entering the room.
The door creaked open, revealing the princess herself, resplendent in her delicate undergarment.
"That gown!" the princess exclaimed. "I expected it to be delivered by someone... more worthy than you."
Rhefa bowed her head, "I am sorry, Your Highness," she murmured. "I will leave it here and take my leave." She handover the gown to Anna "You got this" Anna gave her assuring smile.
Rhefa breathed a sigh of relief as she make her way to the dressing room shared by the other concubines daughters , her legs trembling with exhaustion. But she knew she couldn't stop now; there were still other tasks to be done before the ball starts.
She walked through the bustling palace halls, her hands clutching the four heavy silk gowns tight to her chest. She had been tasked with delivering it to the other four princesses who were getting ready for the grand ball for the evening. She knocked on the door to their dressing room and was greeted with a chorus of annoyed voices.
She stepped in the and bowed respectfully"Your Highnesses, I have brought your gowns for tonight's ball" she said softly.
"Finally, you're here!" princess Belle, the first concubine daughter exclaimed. "What took you so long? Idiot"
Rhefa tried to explain that she had been delayed by a crowd of people in the hall, but before she could finish her sentence, another princess spoke up.
"And what is this?" she sneered, eyeing the gown with disdain. "Do they expect us to wear what your filthy hands touched, you low life" Princess Isa, the second concubine daughter spoke out.
The other princesses erupted in laughter, mocking Rhefa.
The third princess chimed in "Do you even know how to deliver a gown properly? You lowly servant" Princess Leah, the third concubine daughter voiced out.
"I can't believe they sent this ugly thing to deliver our gowns. How can anyone expect us to attend the ball looking our best when we have to deal with servants like her" Princess Ella, the fourth concubine's daughter added.
Their insults continued as she laid the gown out for them to try on, each princess making snide comments about her appearance and her lowly station.
"Do yourself a big favor by not serving any lords or dukes at the ball, stay in the kitchen where you belong, don't chase them away with your ugliness" Princess Belle warned her.
Their beauty isn't to be compare to her beauty even after their heavy make up and sophisticated dresses, they knew her present in the ball is a threat to them, no man will look at them when she is there.
She felt her cheeks burning with embarrassment and humiliation. She wanted to cry, to run away and hide from the cruel words of the princesses. But she knew she couldn't let her emotions show.
So, with a heavy heart, she bowed and swallowed her tears and made her way out of the room. As she walked down the busy palace wall, She felt a sense of defeat and despair. She had always dreamed of becoming a lady-in-waiting, serving the royal family with pride and grace. But now, all she wanted was to disappear, to escape the harsh realities of palace life because of the way the princesses treated her. She knew she didn't deserve such from them because she was an easy soul but they seems to despise her.
As she walked, unaware of the situation around her, within a blink of an eye she bumped into someone and stumbled backward almost fell, but he caught her hand to prevent her from falling, he looked at her , thier eyes met and she froze in disbelief,
"It was him! the nuisance at the market earlier" she thought.
He smirked at her before letting go of her hand, causing her to fall on the cold marble floor.
The other servants, who were busy working nearby, stopped in their tracks and looked at her with concern, but the cold gaze from the man made them leave the area.
The Prince had arrive earlier at the palace while the whole servants was present at the palace entrance to welcome their crown prince. Rhefa was the only one absent during the welcoming because of the delay from the seamstress.
Unaware of his status, she stand up with anger, her day has already been ruined "Are you a stalker? Are you so blind that you couldn't watch where you going?" She fired at him.
Crown Prince Eric expression didn't change, he grinned at her words "Look who is talking, you are the one that bumped into me, I already told you if you are so desperate for death i can make your wish come true".
She scoffed in disbelief "My life is so interesting, I live in this wonderful palace, I am an acquaintance of the crown prince , why should I die?" She fumbled.
Eric couldn't help but burst into mocking laughter "You! An acquaintance of the crown prince? He asked in a downgrading tone.
Rhefa rolled her eyes "That none of your concern, what are you doing here Mr stalker"
"I don't need to answer your questions" he said and walked pass her without looking back to take a glance at her.
"What a loser" she said and left for the kitchen.