Chapter 13
The royal estate was overwhelming. Its towering walls, grand archways, and sprawling gardens made me feel like I'd stepped into another world, far from the modest hospital room where I'd left Arwen. This was the kind of place I'd only ever seen in glossy magazines. I couldn't imagine working in such a vast estate, much less for vampire royalty. The purebloods didn't necessarily frighten me, but they did make me uneasy—there was a presence about them, a quiet power. But I'd do whatever it took to help my family, even if it meant pushing through that discomfort.
At the entrance, a tall man with silver-streaked hair waited, impeccably dressed and with a demeanor as cool and composed as the estate itself.
"Good morning, miss," he greeted, his voice smooth and slightly accented. "Welcome to the Royal Estate. You may call me Swain," checking the document in his hand, "Iris is it? I'll be escorting you to the interview room. Please follow me"
I nodded in agreement, and we walked in silence after that. Each step I took echoed against marble floors. My heart raced in my ears, as my anxiety grew with every step. The distant murmurs of other staff and the faint rustling of curtains in the morning breeze also met my ears. I gazed upward a few times, noting two large crystal chandeliers. Their beauty hung above us, catching the light and scattering tiny rainbows across the walls. I took a breath to calm my heart. And was mesmerized by the painted portraits and other classical artwork.
As we continued down upstairs toward another hall I noted the portraits were of past royals and a beautiful family was in the middle of several gilded frames. The woman had my same eye color and hair. I suddenly felt an itch and adjusted my wig on the top of my head.
The man whom I think was called Swain led me into a comfortable parlor, where several others were already waiting. I noted I was the only human, one of the finest dressed grimaced on my arrival, their fangs glistening in the faint light, they whispered to their companion. As I continued looking around at each of the others, Swain led me to another set of French doors. I would not be waiting with the rest in this parlor. I sighed in relief. From what I could tell, most were hybrids, though a few purebloods stood among them, easy to identify by their regal bearing and strikingly flawless features and fangs. After I was through the other set of doors I wasn't sure how to feel, aside from being grateful that I wasn't on the menu with multiple others being hybrids.
"Please take a seat," Swain instructed, gesturing toward an empty chair near the front. His gaze lingered on me briefly, and he shut the French doors behind him as he addressed the congregation. On the other side of the doors I had just walked through, I could hear his muffled loud voice . "The Prince is searching for staff who are not only capable, but who understand the gravity of working within these walls. Your duties will be demanding, but so are the rewards. I will be with you each momentarily. These doors will be opened only by me when the prince is ready for you."
The others in the room looked as tense as I felt, their eyes down cast. Swain continued to speak, his words steady and clear. He spoke of honor and duty, of what it meant to serve a royal household. His tone left no doubt that only those fully committed would be welcome here.
"Now," Swain said, finally reaching the end of his speech. "You'll each be asked a series of questions. When I call your name, please follow me."
He called names one by one, and the tension in the room mounted with each person who left. I focused on steadying my breathing, forcing myself to remember why I was here. Arwen's face flashed in my mind, and my father's bruises, and his ventilator flashed in my mind. My father was a head taller than me but with all the medical equipment sustaining him he had looked so small. I took another deep breath to steady myself, I couldn't let my nerves get the best of me now, the cost of his treatment loomed over me like a neon sign.
Finally Swain called my name. I stood, smoothing my hands over my dress as I followed him down another long hallway into a smaller, more private room. This room felt even grander than the one before, with dark wooden walls, a large desk, and high-backed chairs that looked too formal to be comfortable.
"Take a seat, Miss…?"
"Iris Galloway," I replied, meeting his gaze.
Swain nodded and took a seat across from me, picking up a thin stack of papers and a pen. "Miss Galloway, tell me—what makes you believe you would be a suitable fit for the royal estate?"
"I'm a hard worker," I began, struggling to keep my voice steady. "I learn quickly, and I understand that working for a place like this requires both skill and discretion. I might not have experience with a royal estate, but I do have experience working under pressure."
He didn't break eye contact as I spoke, and it felt as if he were weighing each word, peeling back the layers of my answer. "I see. And what, if anything, makes you uneasy about serving pureblood royalty?"
I hesitated, surprised by his directness, but answered honestly. "I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous. The purebloods hold a power that feels… different, and there's a weight to that. But I'm here because I'm willing to face that fear. I have to support my father and brother, and I'll do whatever it takes to uphold them."
Swain's face remained unreadable, though something in his eyes softened just slightly. "What support are you referring to? Surely your father is the head of the house and he supports you and your brother," he said.
I looked down at my hands and looked up at him with tears in my eyes, " yes that was the case until two days ago he was in an awful accident. I'm coming to grips with the costs and with his amount of care and I need something better than just tip money to help him. I know you don't know me from anyone else here but I truly need something that will get him back to recovery. I won't go anywhere else. I'm smart and reliable sir. I just need to help him get better."
"And what are you prepared to give up in service to this estate? The Prince values loyalty above all else."
The gravity of his words wasn't lost on me, and I thought of everything I'd already sacrificed—time, sleep, my own plans for the future. "I'm prepared to give whatever's needed, Mr. Swain. I have no intentions of failing here."
For a long moment, he regarded me in silence. Then he nodded and wrote something on his paper, closing the folder. "Very well. The Prince will consider each candidate carefully. You'll be informed of his decision shortly."
As I left the room, I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding. Walking back through the corridors, I felt a strange mix of relief and apprehension. The estate was vast and intimidating, and yet, as I passed through its halls, something in me began to settle. The choice to work here was daunting, but it was also the only choice I had if I wanted to keep my family afloat.
If I was offered this job, I would face it with all I had. This wasn't just an opportunity—it was my last chance to give Arwen a real chance. Whatever the future held within these walls, I would face it head-on.