The smell of roasted chicken hits me as soon as I enter the common room. Everyone was hustling and bustling about, trying to get in as much food as possible before the grant event starts. I quickly make my way over and join the crowd to get my fill. No one wanted to work on an empty stomach.

After eating breakfast, I get on to my first shift. Today I was to do the last touches in the ballroom before the grand opening. Several types of flowers were delivered earlier, and I was to arrange them beautifully in the entrance, hallways, and on the tables in the Great hall where the guest will din in after the ball.

After a couple of hours, with help from half a dozen people, the castle was beautifully decorated from top to bottom. Looking around, I couldn't help but notice that the entire theme of the party had a very feminine touch to it. Almost too feminine. As If the party was targeted to impress the ladies.

Looking at the list of work Luanda has appointed me to do, I move on to my next task, setting the table. I quickly make my way to the pantry to get the dishes. Several housemaids were rushing into the hallway carrying boxes of candles that smelt amazing; scented candles I assume. My eyes follow them as they light the candle and hand them over to fellow housemaids. Each of them starts muttering a chant I can't recognize and levitate the candles with their hands towards the ceiling, joining the already existing ones.

They must be witches.

Reaching the pantry, I carefully stack dozens of plates and carry them back to the Great hall. After several rounds of walking back and forth carrying the dishes, I work on setting the table. Arranging the plates, glasses and cutlery came naturally to me and I seem to know the order of everything without Luanda even having to explain it to me.

That's it. Either I was a maid or a member of the royal family. There's no in-between.

I sigh happily as I lay the last spoon down.

"Emery! There you are, dearie. I have some work for you,"

Ah shit, here we go again.

I turn to face Luanda, plastering a very fake smile. Don't get me wrong, I love this lady. But I am beyond tired already and just want to get back in the bed.

Realizing that she called me Emery, I look at her questioningly.

"The triplets told me earlier. So their nanny just called in sick and I can't find anyone who they actually listen to. Please be a darling and help them get dressed, will you?" She asks, her eyes pleading.

My mood immediately lifts thinking about spending time with the triplets. Sure they were annoying devils, but it was better than doing mundane household chores. "Ok sure, anything else?"

"Yes. After getting them ready, I want you to get dressed as well. You will be part of the team serving today at the ball. I will send a cleaner uniform to your room. Be at the ballroom in an hour," she says before scurrying off.

Yay! More work to do. The king sure took this manual labor punishment seriously.

Getting the triplets dressed as I predicted was a headache. A good sort of headache. After several attempts of debating and trying to escape, all three of them were immaculately dressed in formals with their wild curly hair gelled to perfection. I sniffle a laugh seeing their sore expressions.

"Don't laugh, we will for sure get revenge on Ricky for making us wear this hideous outfit!" Greg huffs, crossing his arms.

I roll my eyes at their exaggeration. "Yeah right. Off you go. I have to get ready now."

Glancing at the clock, I groan seeing that I had spent fifty minutes trying to get the triplets ready and now only have 10 minutes to get myself dressed. I pick my steps and run to my room.

After a very rushed shower, I hurriedly slip on my new uniform and try to put my wild curls into a braid. Making my way back to the ballroom, I am immediately hit with the beautiful smell of fresh flowers combined with the one coming from the scented candles levitating on the ceiling.

The large windows in the ballroom were covered with crimson red drapes. They were opaque, letting the moonlight seep through them making the intricate designs imbedded in the fabrics shine. Magic.

Several large chandeliers hung on the ceiling casting a golden glow in the room and in the room's corner, a live band was playing lively music. My eyes finally lay on the far center of the room where the king's throne was perched on a raised podium. Empty.

Where is he?

Seeing that the guests have started arriving, I hurriedly walk towards the cookhouse. Several housemaids were gathered, dressed neatly in identical uniform as mine. Luanda was calling each person forward and appointing them their duty and position. She calls me forward and assigns me with managing drinks in the east corner of the ballroom. Far from the entrance as well as the throne podium.

How will I find him at this rate?

Just as I pick my first batch of drinks and place them on the serving tray, the music picks up its volume and several guests pile into the ballroom.

The party was officially started.

I spend the next hour moving carefully, through the crowd, serving drinks. After several rounds of walking back and forth refilling the drinks, my back and legs were throbbing in pain. After several failed attempts of craning my neck to try to find the king, I had given up that too. While the guests seemed to be enjoying the party, laughing, and dancing, I was utterly bored out of my freaking mind.

I wish the triplets would do something mischievous.

Noticing that I was running out of drinks again, I walk towards the nearest buttery. The small room was filled with barrels of drinks for refilling and was empty when I entered.

"Psstt,"

I jump, started, the drinks almost slipping from my hands. Looking around, I see no one in the dim room.

"Who is it?" I ask, looking around again.

"It's us. Look up!" I look towards the ceiling and sure enough, there were three figures levitating in the ceiling. They had their backs pressed against the wall for support.

"What are you three doing up there?" I ask, suspicious.

"Um nothing, we were just playing hide and seek," Gresie answers too quickly.

"Yeah right. And who is seeking you if all three of you are up here?" I ask, raising my brows.

"Giles was the seeker and now he found us," Greg answers, backing his sister.

"Ok, then why are you all three still here. Shouldn't you move to the next round?"

All three looks at me sheepishly. Cheeks reddening.

"We can't come down," Giles mumbles. so quietly that I almost miss his words.

"Why?"

Gresie clears her throat, embarrassed. "Because we are still young, we can't fly independently yet."

"We learned how to levitate, but didn't learn how to come down yet," Greg admits.

I bark out a laugh hearing them.

"And you thought that you will somehow figure it out after getting stuck in the ceiling?" I ask, my voice muffling with laughter.

All three of them look at me with pleading eyes.

"Ok fine ill help you."

I stand straight below Giles and open my arms wide. "Come on jump, I'll catch you."

After several minutes of persuading them to trust me, all three jump into my arms one by one. lastly placing Gresie on the floor, I huff out a breath.

"Ok now off you three go, I have work to do," they nod before running off giggling to themselves.

Smiling to myself, I get my work done and walk back towards the ballroom. I get back to my mundane task of serving drinks again.

I hear the crowd suddenly start murmuring excitedly.

"She's here!"

A crowd of creatures flocks towards the entrance hurriedly. I too move with them and crane my neck to see what's going on. I groan disappointedly when all I could see was several heads.

Suddenly the lady in front of me bends lightly and heaves. Her face contorting uncomfortably. She puts her palms towards her mouth, trying to hold the substance coming from her mouth. Putting her hand down, she and I stare shocked at the object in her hand.

A tiny slimy frog was lying on her hand.

We both scream.

Those brats!

I look around to see that many others too were facing the same issue. The ballroom was filled with screams and cries of both men and women as they tried to get rid of the slimy creature coming out of their mouths. Some start running outside and others towards the lavatory.

The entrance that was buzzing with excited people earlier was now deserted. Taking the opportunity, I quickly walk forwards to see what's going on.

As soon as I step outside, I am hit with the familiar intoxicating scent of the king and my eyes immediately lock onto his figure standing in the bottom of the stairs.

He doesn't seem to notice me as his attention is focused on the carriage slowing down and stopping in front of the steps.

A butler hurriedly opens the carriage door. The king steps forward and gracefully raises his palm towards the now open door. I see a hand grab his, and a poised figure step out of the carriage carefully.

A full-blown smile tugs on the king's lips as his eyes lock with hers.

"Who is that?" I ask worriedly to the fellow housemaid standing beside me. A sinking feeling in my stomach.

"That is Princess Anastacia Monroe, sole heir to the throne of Kingdom of Lagance, fiancé and future queen of our beloved king."

***

So I was super busy the past week and couldn't update as often as I used to. To make it up, I will update more this week.

Thoughts on the king's fiancé?

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