The next day after a long walk we arrive , Of Course she didn't let me come alone , she made that husband of her's escort me!
My legs are worn out , they feel so weak , we don't have a horse which is the main mean of transport in our kingdom , they are mostly found in rich families,to some extent am glad we don't have one because even if we did , this old witch who has no compassion at all would have used it alone and make me run after him!
He went back after making sure I entered the massive, iron and metal sheeted , tall wide gate , full of guards around . The guards that am guessing were assigned to walk the guests inside took me to the venue . I don't have even the slightest energy to look around , am so nervous, anxious, tired and all that .
I raise my head for the first time after entering and my eyes meet a beautiful view of many girls in beautiful long dresses standing in rows and columns, seems I was the only one late, but luckily the royal family isn't here yet , their royal chairs are empty .
There's no way auntie Christabel is going to have a chance here because the competition is stiff.
In my average looking black dress which is oversize making me drain in it , I struggle to walk to the last column in the middle row. Those girls follow me with their eyes , some giggling, others laughing quietly, am sure there minds are full of " what is this lunatic doing here?" Even My hair doesn't suit me , even though it looks like girls' , it's not as beautiful.
My head hanged low , but it raises instantly when I hear a man's loud strong voice announce the arrival of the royal family.
I couldn't see them clearly because of my poor height , but hey! am not that short.
Why are they here all of them anyway , it's just a servant, it's not like he's choosing a wife or something; The king, the queen, two princesses, two prince, all of them.
When they start talking about what I can't hear clearly, I decide to take an advantage of my position and height to look around, behind me and sideways .
The first thing my eyes capture is the long walls surrounding all the palace compound at a far distance, obviously they are for security. There are knights standing at attention at the far end on my left as if ready for war.
Behind them there are long beautiful mansions which seem endless, ladies and men in uniforms busy walking around, others in and out of the mansions , am guessing they are carrying out their daily duties.
Behind me at a far end there is a beautiful garden of beautiful flowers of different colours, I could see butterflies flying around, there are green tall trees. Portions of green grass around and between them , there are pathways .
I must say this is the most beautiful scenery I've ever laid my eyes on , am almost unable to control my urge to run to those flowers and roll in them , I stretch my neck and stand on my toes to try and see more on the other side but suddenly there's this freshness in the air around me, like fresh dew of morning mixed with a hint of fresh pine.
My neck turn involuntarily only for my eyes to meet the presence of the crowned prince, my heart skip a beat as I straighten myself looking in front. Then as if I can't hold the urge to look back at him , I look at him again .
°°Blond black hair falling on his neck , briskly thick eye brows which seem to be knitted.. am guessing in frustration or so,, sea rover blue eyes which can draw anyone's eyes in , plump full lips with a natural pink color.. so soft even by just looking at them.. so kissable.. What?! I.. no! I didn't mean that.
..An Aquiline nose which complements his cheekbones so perfectly ,basalt jaw and Spartan shoulders which speak of strength, how is he this strong!? I mean , we're about same age for heavens sake! He's only 24 and am 18 , oh by the way,, I just turned 18 some hours ago .
In his layer of glittering robe, he walk with purpose and authority. Invisible power radiating from him as he pass by.
Unsurprisingly, he didn't even spare me a glance , but he was slow enough for me to admire his indescribable handsomeness, it's normal for me to admire him right?
Hand behind his back , the back of his left palm in his right palm he walk back to the front , looking at the ladies in the last row.
My mind goes back to roaming around about how am going back to make my aunt explored in anger . I smirk after making up my mind that she's never gonna be able to send me away from that home unless I decide on my own to leave .
Suddenly I come back to reality when two guards hold me one on each side dragging me to the front .
My heart start pounding as goosebumps trail all my body in fear! What have I done ? Did I mess up anything? But I... did they find out that am...
They make me stand infront of the prince who is standing looking at me amusingly.
" What is the meaning of your delayed response? Is it because you don't know the difference between rows and columns or you don't know a black color of your dress ?" He asks in a deep calm voice raising his left brow.
I have no idea what he's talking about so I shut my mouth like I'll never open it ever again in my life , even if I had something to say I doubt if I have any voice to say it. Eyes cast down..
Actually my voice isn't that manly and when I exaggerate it just a little bit it will totally become a girl's . Honestly, I hate my natural nature , I bet it's the reason why people take advantage of me .
" Didn't you hear me or you can't speak? " he asks again coming closer . I think am gonna pee on my self .
" Brother! Why don't you choose someone vigilant , a person who is presentable , a person who is fast and all that , you know... there are many presentable girls here , can't you see ?" I hear a female's soft voice say , and from the way she called the prince , it's obvious that it's the princess .
" Thank you my princess for your suggestion but am not choosing a wife.. it's a servant." his calm manly voice vibrate in the air again .
I didn't even have time to process what he has just said when he said another thing that got me on the off guard . " Take her in , I've decided on her "
I don't know where the courage to talk came from but I found myself opposing. "I can't my prince , I was forced to come here , and besides am sick and also I never do anything right , am sorry my prince but having me around will be the biggest mistake, I beg to be spared." I speak fluently , bowing down infront of both of them in respect.
" You see Shorty... that's the exact reason I picked you out." He says smirking and turning around. " Father , you can now have your way." He say and goes back to sit on his royal chair.
What?!!!? Shorty?? Did he just call me that..? Am not that short!! I.. and what does he mean by that's the reason?! What reason? uhg!!
The king clears his throat standing up which makes him appear taller because he's standing on the rocky stairs now.
He signals a man who is dressed like a general , the man starts to pick other girls from the group , many of them , I don't know what they are for .
Am taken away by a lady , we walk in one of the mansions , I don't have time and composure to look around, my brain is still wondering what just happened, so am just following like a zombie , we go up the stone stairs to a certain room , she pushes the door opening it and asks me to enter , when I go in she closes the door .
Her hand stretches towards me , handing me a black long dress with white decorations, white gloves and a head gear.
" Your duties from now on will be ; cleaning the prince's room , his robes and beddings that are supposed to be changed everyday, arranging all his stuff in order , inform him of meal time or take to him meals if he won't be able to join the rest of the royal family, prepare his bathe water , clean his battle costumes, wake him up everyday when light shows up, keep any secrete of the palace or of his room and many others that I can't remember now but those are the basics ."
How on earth am I supposed to remember all that ?!
" Put on those and come out , I'll show you around here and tell you the rules and more duties ."
More duties and rules?!
I do what she asked me to do . I walk out and find her waiting.
" Suits you perfectly, let me help with the head gear , it's not.. " she say bringing her hands on my head but I move away quickly.
" Tell me , I'll fix it " I say acting calmly but inside am screaming, what if she finds out my hair is artificial.
" twist it to the right ." She say looking at me weirdly, probably because of my reaction.
" Thank you "
I follow her as she shows me the places that I can't remember even one when she decides to send me to one .
" And this is the prince's room. No one who is not from the royal family enters in except for you , so if anything goes wrong in there , you will be accountable. He haven't had a servant for some days now and his room need to be cleaned , go get the things to use for cleaning from the store I showed you , someone in charge is there , he'll give you ,, and start the duties immediately. " she says walking away and I realise that if I don't say something am going to be in a big mess .
" Am sorry, I can't remember where the store is ."
"What?! You are.. uhg! Follow me!" She says agitated .
I follow her quietly.
After picking everything I come back and the guard on the prince's door let me in . Surprisingly the room is just clean , the lady exaggerated it .
But I decide to clean it anyway .
Suddenly the door opens and when I raise my head, my green eyes meet the blue shinny ones , I avert my eyes immediately my heart drumming , fear embracing me for the reason I don't know.
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