The carriage took maia straight to the palace. Every bump and jerk she felt made Maia even more nervous about the meeting with the crown princess. She originally intended to decline the inventation but was sent another letter requesting her urgent presence. Maia only met the crown princess once at the winter ball, which she was hired to sing, but at the time, the crown princess was known as Victoria the Duchess from Kress.
****
As Maia sat in the elegantly appointed tea room, her hands fidgeted nervously in her lap, fingers intertwining and then separating in a restless dance. The rich aroma of freshly brewed tea filled the air, but Maia barely noticed it as her mind raced with thoughts of the impending meeting. She had been waiting awhile for the crown princess's appearance; she twisted uncomfortably in her still unaccustomed to the palace's magnificence.
Glancing around the room, she noted the ornate decor―intricate tapestries hanging on the walls, delicately painted portraits of Soren and the crown princess right in front of her. on a wall where the winter sunlight streamed through the tall windows, casting cool glare patterns on the painting. Despite the surroundings, the minutes seemed like it dragged on painfully. Each tick of the clock felt like an eternity as she anxiously awaited, her heart pounding at the thought of their encounter.
The door handle creaked as it was unlatched, allowing Maia to rise from her seat with a gentle grace. She bowed deeply to Victoria, who entered the room alongside a distinguished gentleman, the very man who had delivered the delicate white envelope on the day of her performance. Both were adorned in elegant attire that reflected their high status―Victoria in a flowing gown that shimmered subtly in the light and the gentleman in a suit that exuded sophistication.
Maia felt a pang of self-consciousness as she glanced down at her worn, tattered dress, a stark contrast to the royal elegance before her. She instinctively fisted the fabric, reminding herself why, of all days, she chose to wear her cleaning clothes to work earlier.
"You may sit, Maia," Victoria said warmly, her voice soothing and inviting. Maia settled onto the comfortable pink plush couch that softened under her, the fabric feeling like a gentle embrace.
"I must say, your performance was truly remarkable," Victoria continued. "I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it." Maia felt a rush of anxiety at the compliment, her initial nervousness beginning to ramp up.
"Thank you, Your Highness," Maia said, her voice barely above a whisper as she almost lowered her gaze to the polished floor.
"Please, relax," Victoria replied, her tone a mix of formality and impatience. She studied the timid woman standing before her, an inscrutable expression flickering across her face. "I know this meeting may come as a surprise, but I have a request to make of you."
Victoria's sharp eyes roamed over Maia, taking in the details of her attire. The Maia wore an old brown dress, the fabric thin and faded, with small flowers that had lost their color over time. The dreary garment hung loosely on her slight frame. Over it, she had draped a burgundy wool coat, also dull with age, that seemed to swallow her whole. Her tan stockings were frayed at the edges, and her leather boots, once a rich hue, were stained and scuffed―clear signs of neglect.
Victoria couldn't help but think, 'What does he see in this wretched girl?' Maia's appearance was painfully unrefined, yet the princess brushed aside her thoughts with an air of superiority; such trivial matters were beneath her. With a flick of her wrist, she dismissed the flaws, refocusing on the purpose of their meeting.
"A request," Maia repeated in confusion.
"Yes, I want you to perform. As you may know, the crown prince's birthday is coming, and I want to hire the best of the best, and at this moment, your name is creating a buzz." The princess smiled, but it never reached her eyes. "It does pay very well," she added for extra comfort.
Maia was torn. She didn't want to add any additional work to her plate or even be bothered by anyone from the palace, especially the crown prince who wants to make her his mistress. Still, she didn't want to disrespect the crown princess by declining such a lucrative job, but Maia truly wished to avoid both the royals.
"Don't be rude, answer her Highness," Mr Diener interrupted her thoughts.
"I-" Maia started and bit her lip, contemplating. But she knew giving a meager excuse would make her seem ungrateful for such an opportunity. "I will accept the job, your Highness," she finally relinquished.
"I knew you would understand," Victoria chimed as she waved for Mr Diener to hand Maia two envelopes and excused herself.
***
As Maia entered the theatre, Ms Evelyn caught sight of her as she was engaged in conversation with an investor. The moment Ms. Evelyn turned her full gaze toward Maia, her expression transformed into one of shock and disbelief. Her eyes widened dramatically as if they might pop out of their sockets, taking in Maia's disheveled and filthy appearance.
"Oh, is she one of your performers?" the man asked, furrowing his brows.
"No, she is the cleaning lady," Ms Evelyn chuckled as she redirected the man's attention.
Maia was too wrapped up in her world even to realize her surroundings, so she went to her dressing room.
"Miss Maia," Evelyn exclaimed with urgency, her voice echoing off the walls as she forcefully shut the dressing room door behind her. "Have you gone―psycho?" she exclaimed wildly.
Maia rested her forehead on the cool surface of the vanity, her long, curly red hair cascading over her shoulders in distress waves. Her arms hung limply at her sides, a picture of exhaustion as she let out a heavy sigh. "I think I might've," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, as a sense of defeat settled over her.
"You really need to stop wandering around like that," Ms. Evelyn scolded, her brow furrowing with concern. She softened her tone slightly, asking, "What on earth happened at the palace that left you looking so utterly drained?"