As Heidi and Rosie finished changing the last of the bedsheets, Heidi let out a satisfied sigh. "Finally, we're done."
Rosie nodded in agreement, her hands red and sore from a day of scrubbing and cleaning. "I wish we could've worked in the big kitchen instead. At least then we wouldn't have had to deal with all these dusty bedrooms."
Heidi chuckled and walked over to the window, gazing out at the arriving guests. "But then we would've missed the show. Look at them, Rosie - all dressed up in their fancy silks and pearls."
Rosie joined her at the window, eyes wide with wonder. "I know, right? It's like they're from a different world. I wonder what it's like to live like that."
Heidi's smile turned enigmatic as she packed up the dirty linens into a bag to be washed "Good... That's what that world must feel like."
Rosie nodded in exhaustion, "c'mon Heidi, let's take these to the laundry and rest for the day"
Just then, the door slid open and sir Gideon came into the room.
The girls bowed on seeing him, their eyes curious about his unexpected entrance.
"Heidi you are needed to attend to one of the guests" sir Gideon said.
Heidi furrowed her brows, "we were assigned to clean the rooms sir"
Sir Gideon nodded, "quite true, but I don't think any other slave can handle them. I will send another maid to assist Rosie while you assist the guests"
Heidi bowed "yes sir"she muttered even though she was extremely tired from the day's work.
She gave Rosie a reassuring smile and followed sir Gideon out of the room.
"Listen to me carefully Heidi," sir Gideon instructed, his voice low and serious"you are going to be attending to lady Charlotte and lady Anna. They are the daughters of Baron Michael, a very important figure. Lady Charlotte isn't a problem but lady Anna is quite exuberant. Make sure to listen to whatever she says and give them nothing to complain about"
Heidi nodded, "yes sir, I'll put that in mind"
Sir Gideon nodded, "Good"
Heidi followed him quietly as her eyes wandered around the castle. She had never entered the inner palace as it was reserved for the royal family and very important guests. she only entered once when she was still very young and was almost punished by lady Vivian.
It was nothing compared to the other part of the castle where the slaves stayed. She bowed as some courtesans walked past them. Courtesans were girls who had been trained from young age to please important guests mostly men. They were choose carefully as one had to be very beautiful and fair skinned to become a courtesan. It was a position much higher than that of a slave.
"We're here" sir Gideon said pulling Heidi out of her thoughts.
Sir Gideon knocked on the door, and after a brief pause, it swung open to reveal Lady Charlotte, her blonde hair cascading down her back like a golden waterfall.
Sir Gideon and Heidi bowed in unison, their heads dipping in respect. "This is Heidi, my lady," Sir Gideon said, his voice low and deferential. "She will be attending to your every need during your stay."
Lady Charlotte's gaze settled on Heidi, her eyes sparkling with a warm smile. "Ah, welcome, Heidi. Please, come in."
Heidi nodded, her eyes cast downward, and stepped into the room, closing the door behind her.
As soon as Heidi entered the room, she felt a pair of extremely soft hands drag her down to the bed.
"I have a lot of questions for you Heidi, I've been waiting" Anna said rather ambitiously.
Heidi's eyes widened as she quickly sat up from the bed, her mind racing with the implications of sitting on the guest's bed without permission.
"Sorry about that Heidi, this is Anna. She is my younger sister"
"By just two minutes charlie, we are twins" Anna said rolling her eyes.
Heidi's raised her eyes a little and widened as it fell on Anna.
She had ginger brown hair but her blue eyes and facial features were the same as that of lady Charlotte. They were both extremely beautiful and lovely.
Heidi quickly brought down her eyes before she would be caught staring.
"Anyways Heidi" Anna continued, "why do you keep looking down at the floor?"
Heidi bowed, "forgive me my lady but it is customary, I cannot look into your eyes as I am but a slave"
Anna sighed, "that doesn't sound fun. while you are here alone with us, I want you to look up"
Heidi gulped,"that is a grave offense my lady"
Charlotte smiled, "please Heidi, I don't think I would like it if you were looking down to the ground all the time"
Heidi bit her lips as she gently raised her head all the while hearing sir Gideon's scolding voice inside her head"
"That wasn't so hard right?" Charlotte asked with a small smile.
"Come Heidi, I have a lot to ask" Anna said taking Heidi's hand.
Heidi quickly withdrew her hands wondering how many rules she had broken already.
"Forgive me lady Anna but my hands would only soil your lovely hands, they are quite rough"Heidi said politely.
Anna considered Heidi for a while and decided not to push her too much, "fine" Anna said, her voice a bit downcast, "then sit with me while I ask my questions"
At this point, Heidi felt beads of sweat form at her forehead. "I will have to decline my lady, how could I sit with my lady?"
Anna's face fell as she flipped on the bed, "fine, but answer my questions okay"
Heidi nodded with a smile, "I'll do my best to be of service to you my lady"
Anna smiled as she proceeded to ask her first question, "tell me Heidi, what does the first prince look like? I have only heard rumors that he looked like some fallen angel or god but I'm too excited to wait for tomorrow"
Heidi offered Anna a smile, "I have never seen the first prince as he has been away for a very long time but most of the older slaves say he is quite a sight to behold"
Anna giggled in excitement, "I heard whispers of the first prince being cursed"
Heidi bit her lips unsure if this was something she could talk about, "well... His essence is yet to show up as the bloodstone had rejected him"
"That's sad" Charlotte said sitting down beside Anna.
"Cursed or not, I definitely can't wait to meet prince Viktor" Anna said smiling mischievously.
"Prince Markus also seemed lovely" Charlotte said thoughtfully.
Anna's eyes narrowed as she looked at her sister, "was that a compliment Charlie?, you wouldn't even meet his gaze throughout the dinner"
"Don't read too much into it Anna, I was just saying" Charlotte said, her cheeks turning red.
"I'm sure you were" Anna responded with a sly smile.
Heidi smiled as she watched the sisters continue their banter. She didn't realize when she unconsciously let out a yawn.
"Forgive me my ladies" Heidi quickly bowed in apology internally scolding herself.
Charlotte smiled, "it's fine Heidi, your must be tired from doing a lot of work"
Heidi quickly shook her head even though Charlotte was saying the truth, "of course not my lady, I'm not tired at all"
Anna smiled, "you can go now Heidi, I and Charlotte will take care of the rest"
"It's ok my lady, I'll quickly spread the bed and..."
"Go on Heidi, that's an order" Anna said with a reassuring smile.
"Thank you my ladies" Heidi bowed as she left the room, glad that she could finally rest. Although a part of her couldn't wait to tell Rosie about these peculiar twin sisters.