~Emily~

Zzzzzzzzzzzz


The alarm blared noisily, making my eyes flutter open. I blinked my eyes slowly but the rays from the scorching sun made me close them back immediately.

'Damn!" I groaned, putting my pillow over my ear. It was my first day as the king's personal maid and I had no idea on what to expect.

'Morning sleepy bones," Steph said, tapping me gently as she brushed her hair backwards.


'Huh! Have you been awake?" I asked, my eyes widened in shock.

'Not everyone sleeps like a log of wood you know?" She said, grinning sheepishly as she brushed her hair.


Suddenly we heard a knock on the door. 'It's morning fools, get dressed," Crystal yelled from outside before going to the next room.

'Bastard," Steph whispered, her face twisted in a frown which made me chuckle.

'Shit! I am late," I muttered, jumping down from bed as I dashed to the bathroom to freshen up.

The bathroom was slightly better than a typical maiden bathroom. The walls were painted white with a hint of gold at the edges. It had a functional shower and a slightly better interior than the outside.

After about ten minutes, I was done dressing up. 'How do I look?" I asked, smiling sheepishly as I swirled my blue gown.

'You look….the same," Steph muttered, rolling her eyes. 'I'm off, see you later," she added before going out.

'Pftt! Really?" I scoffed, a small frown on my face. I quickly packed my hair in a ponytail before heading out too.

'You can do this, Emily," I muttered.

________

'You are late," Crystal barked, her eyes blazing with an intensity that sent chills down my spine.

'I'm…. I'm sorry," I stuttered, my eyes drooped as I fiddled with my fingers.

She stared at me for a while, her face etched in disgust as she leaned closer. 'I don't know what the king saw in you, but you can never be like us," she muttered, rolling her eyes one more time before stepping out.

'Phew!" I exhaled, adjusting my gown as I approached the kitchen.

The kitchen was at the last part of the castle and it was usually difficult to access.

As the King's personal maid, I was not permitted to do anything without the king's permission.

'Wow!" I exclaimed, sniffing the air as the smell of eggs and bacon hit me immediately I entered the kitchen.

The kitchen was packed to the brim, with different maidens making one dish or the other.

'Excuse me," someone tapped me from behind. 'You are the king's maid right?" She asked, her gaze fixed on me.

She was a small, petite young lady with brown curly hair. Judging by her blue maiden gown, I presumed she was also a maid.

'Yes, I am," I replied, forcing a small smile on my face. 'Come with me," she muttered, walking away as I followed behind.

After walking through the hallway for a while, she finally stopped in front of a door. 'No matter what you see, don't ask any questions," she said before entering.

'Huh!" I exclaimed, my brows creased in confusion as my eyes darted back and forth. We were inside another kitchen but this time, a more majestic one.

'This is the king's personal kitchen," the maid said, her voice warm and tender.

She had blue eyes unlike the rest of them. ‘Is she human too?' I wondered.

'So here are the lists of things the king doesn't eat," she said, handing me a long piece of paper.

My eyes widened in shock as I quickly glanced through it. 'The king doesn't eat leavened bread?" I asked, my eyes squinted.

'He doesn't," the maid replied, her gaze still fixed on me.

'Why doesn't he eat all these things, is he norm…."

'Shh!!," the maid said, cutting me off, her eyes darting back and forth as she pulled my arms, dragging me outside.

Once we were outside, she let me free. 'Do you like your life?" She asked, her voice laced with urgency.

'What do you mean?" I replied, my brows furrowed in confusion. 'Do you want to live?" She added, staring at me.

'Of..course, who wouldn't?" I stuttered, still oblivious of what was going on.

'I guess you are not familiar with things around here, listen to me attentively," she muttered, speaking in a hushed tone.. 'To survive here, you must live by three rules."

'What rules?" I asked, my voice low and even as I stared at her keenly.

'First of all, don't ask questions, don't allow your curiosity get you killed and lastly avoid the king's fiancee,"

'Huh! The king's fiancee?" I asked, my brows creased in confusion. 'Why should I avoid her?" I added innocently.

'You will find out soon enough," the maid replied, a small smile on her face.

___________

'Here, take this to the king, it's his breakfast," Crystal said, handing a tray to me. I could clearly see the disgust written on her face, she obviously gloated about me but who cares? Not me.

'And make sure you stay beside him till he's done eating," she added before I walked away.

Even though I was the king's personal maid, I had never seen him up close but I bet he was more attractive than the maids gossiped about.

After walking for a while, I was finally in front of his door, my heart pounding in my chest.

I gently knocked on the door but not without being searched by the guards in front of his chamber.

'Come in," he growled, his loud baritone voice sending shivers down my back.

'Phew! You can do this, Ema," I muttered underneath my breath as I entered slowly, my heart beat increased with each step I took.

The king was backing me, facing the window with a bottle of vodka in his hand. 'Y-your breakfast is ready, my lord," I stuttered, fiddling with my fingers.

'You can keep it and leave," he muttered, his eyes still fixed on what he was watching through the window.

'I'm sorry my lord, but I was asked to stay here till you are done," I muttered, my voice barely audible.

My words must have gotten to him because he turned almost immediately, his eyes piercing into mine.

'Damn!" I mouthed, my mouth slightly opened as I stared at him in shock. Right before me was the most attractive creature I had ever seen.

His hair was packed in a ponytail with a few strands scattered around his face. He had a little cut on his lips but it looked fresh.

'What's your name?" He asked, his tender but harsh voice made my tummy flutter.

'E-Emily," I stammered, Avoiding his piercing gaze. 'Wait here Emily, I will be back in a minute," he said before dashing out, leaving me alone in his massive chamber.

I remained fixated on the spot he left me earlier as I grinned from ear to ear. 'The king spoke to me," I muttered, giggling sheepishly.

'I don't blame the maids at all, I would do the same." I thought, a small smile on my face.

His room was a typical king-like room, with statues of wolves at every corner. Just like him, it had this strong oak scent.

My eyes scanned through the room in search of anything of interest but I caught a glimpse of something familiar instead.

I immediately dashed to the shelf, it made a small creak as I opened it stealthily.

'What do you think you are doing?" A voice sparked behind me.