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The girl fixes up her apron one more time before hesitantly reaching out. A gentle knock echoes through the empty corridor, and then the door finally opens. The head maid is already dressed up, just finishing tying her hair up in a bun. She looks the new maid over, then frowns behind her dark-rimmed glasses. However, she still gives a nod.
“You’re on time. Good. Today, you’ll follow me. Pay attention to your duties, not to the gossip around. And stay. quiet. Got it?”
The maid nods, straightening up without realizing it under the older woman’s watchful gaze. As they walk down the corridor, the head maid speaks again, her voice even and low, not disturbing any of the residents still peacefully sleeping in their chambers.
“As a maid of his majesty, Prince Rosehearts, your first task of the day will be to prepare water. The prince’s skin is very sensitive, so make sure the water has fully settled in time. The temperature also cannot be too hot. Our prince gets burned easily. Which reminds me…” She turns suddenly, her gaze cold as ice as it pierces the young girl. “Under no circumstances are you to open the curtains in any room our prince enters. He has a severe sun allergy and requires staying in the shade at all times!”
“Yes, ma’am!” The girl can feel a chill running down her spine. She knew what she was getting into when she applied and went through the thorough examination process. This must be what the head maid meant by not paying attention to the gossip.
“Poor girl…” Two maids passing them whisper as they walk by, eyes sympathetically fixed on the new servant. A swift glare from the head maid follows, making them drop their heads low and hurry away. The girl can feel her throat going dry.
The following day, she’s on kitchen duty. It’s a lot more demanding than she thought, and she doesn’t get a break until around lunchtime. Under the head maid’s watchful gaze, she helps set the table before she’s finally released to return to the staff mess hall. She’s surprised to find the place full of cheers and laughter. The center of attention is a well-dressed man with bright orange hair and a twinkle in his green eyes. Of course, she recognizes the castellan instantly, bowing her head in greeting. “Master Diamond-”
“Hey now, Cater’s just fine.” He gives a wink, and a pleasant warmth spreads through her instantly. “We’re all working together to keep the Rosehearts family happy, right~?”
She takes a seat next to him, her aching legs finally getting a moment’s respite. Cater chats with everyone, remembering all the small details about each servant. He asks about the cook’s aging father’s health, shares a fun story about the baker’s brother, and even brings out some trinkets he grabbed in town for the children of the chaperone who just randomly stops by.
Their pleasant time is ended suddenly when an armored boot steps through the door. The man is tall and a little average, but not unattractive. He sighs a bit before calling out to the castellan. “Cater, you got a moment? Our prince needs to discuss something with you regarding some subject he’s been studying.”
The man gets up with a dramatic face, almost looking like he’s headed to an execution. “Guess it can’t be helped then. Once our Riddle sinks his teeth into something, he doesn’t let go easily.” And just as he’s almost out the door, he shoots a wink at the head chef. “And remember what I said! Sensitive tongue, so go easy on the garlic.”
On the fifth day, she slips up. While handling some cleaning supplies, she runs right into a kitchen hand with his arms full. Clatter fills the hall as beans spill all over the marble floor. The boy stammers to quickly collect them again, but by the time he’s halfway done, the guard captain is already by their side. He pinches the bridge of his nose, but offers a kind smile as he leans down to help. “Come on, let’s get this cleaned up before our prince sees.”
“Does the prince come by here often?” The girl asks without thinking.
The man – she learned his name is Trey – gives an awkward chuckle. “Not really, but better not risk it. He can’t stand any messes, so this could be a huge thing.”
She nods, redoubling her efforts to find every last lost bean. But her curiosity gets the better of her. “Prince Rosehearts has some… interesting needs, right?” She starts the question carefully, eyeing the man usually by the prince’s side.
Trey meets her gaze and she knows he understands what she means. A slight frown crosses his face. But before he can answer, it’s the kitchen hand who speaks up. “Well, that’s just how things are! Be glad you’re not the queen’s personal maid, that’s when you’d see some really unique demands!”
The guard forces out a chuckle, shaking his head as he hands the last of the beans to the boy. “While I don’t necessarily disagree, it might be better to avoid discussing the issues we may have with the royal family in their own house. You never know who may be listening.”
It’s on the seventh day that she finally gets to meet the prince. Usually, she would have longer to learn everything necessary, but the head maid must attend to the queen, and most of the others are busy cleaning up after a lavish tea party. She carries the tray of coffee and light snacks to the prince’s room, head low and steps steady as she was taught. When she reaches the room, she sets the tray down and knocks. One breath, two, three, she opens the door.
Prince Riddle is sitting over a book, much too thick for what she thinks appropriate for a boy his age. He doesn’t even look her way, just motions for her to set the tray down next to him. He looks small, petite, nothing like how the other servants described him. In a way, that’s scarier. She gulps down her fear and steps closer. No sooner does she put his order down than he sneezes suddenly, giving her a confused look. He sniffs the air, and she feels her heart beginning to beat faster.
“Almond-sweet, but cherry bitter…” He mumbles to himself, then fixes her with a glare. “Do you have blackthorn on you?”
Unconsciously, she clutches the hem of her apron where a few dried blossoms are sewn into the fabric. “N-no, my prince.” Her voice is so faint that she worries he might not have even heard her at all. “Maybe some got on me from one of the visitors during the tea party. My apologies, I will… go wash my uniform right away!”
“You should.” She jumps at the voice of the guard captain, whose presence she didn’t even notice until now. No wonder, since he stands by the door. She gives him a pleading look to save her, and he offers a reassuring smile. “Our prince’s allergy to that herb is quite strong. I’ll take the cart back so you can go deal with it.”
She gratefully sets the food down, scurrying out of the room, staying back only to thank the captain for his quick intervention.
“Captain Trey!” The head maid lacks her usual composure as she storms down the hallway towards him.
Trey waits for her, a little perplexed. “Yes, madam Cinque? How can I be of assistance?”
Finally, she catches her breath, massaging one of her temples with her fingers. “It’s Sice, the new girl. I cannot find her anywhere today! Please tell me you’ve seen her?”
He can only offer an awkward smile as he shakes his head. “My apologies, I haven’t even heard of her. Is it like her to just up and disappear like this?”
“It’s not.” The head maid sighs, then shakes her head. “At least I didn’t think it was. I heard you helped her out with something last night, so I wondered if maybe she mentioned something…”
“Nothing to me, I’m afraid. But maybe she just came down with a sickness or something and will turn up later?”
She gives him a grave look. The turnover rate of new maids here is way too high. Then again, if these girls cannot handle the pressures of serving the royal family, perhaps they’re all better off without them.
The head maid apologizes for taking up his time and walks off, but before he can relax, there’s another voice whispering in his ear.
“Oops, got a little carried away, hm~?” Trey glances back into those enchanting red eyes just before they shift in their color once more. Cater’s hand sneaks around, poking playfully at his shoulder. “You should clean up before meeting up with our prince. Not everyone has eyesight as poor as dear old Cinque.”
Trey glances down, suppressing a groan as he sees what Cater’s pointing at. There, on the carefully brushed collar, are six tiny spots of blood.
“I'd better hurry then.” He sighs, already undoing the fibulae. “Can’t keep our prince waiting his whole single lifetime.”