As soon as the maid left their room, the girls in her group started fighting for the bed they wanted. All of them seemed to desire the ones furthest from the door. Lila just waited patiently until all but the last bunk near the entrance was taken. Then, once everything calmed down she and Daphne made their way over to the one they would be sharing, and started laying out the blankets allotted to them.

They did not receive any instructions for this first day, except that supper would be at seven o-clock. Lila licked her lips and felt her stomach growl at such thoughts. She tried to avoid such daydreaming as she changed out of her clothes, not wanting to make herself feel any hungrier since the meal was not for another two hours.

"I feel bad for the men picked to work out in the garden. You know I heard the King punishes people more severely out there." One girl suddenly said.

Lila paused to look at the rest of the women in the room. They were all gathered around the small shared table, each one looking to share some far-fetched gossip.

"Indeed, the King spends so much time out there he does not like to see servants, especially when he is relaxing." Another girl added.

"I heard that he ruthlessly executed most of the servants in the castle after the death of his parents. Apparently, he was not happy with them, even though they had cared for him all his life!" Still another said.

Daphne whimpered from beside her.

"Oh my!" She whispered.

Lila just rolled her eyes. Honestly, these stories were so ridiculous, and there were a hundred of them to be heard. She doubted all such idle talk held any truth or merit. It merely seemed to be a favorite pastime of servants to talk about the one paying them to work, just like back in her village. Lila had a feeling that the King was simply the same as others like him, nothing better or worse. Quick tempered, impatient, selfish, arrogant, and of course, self-righteous. Why would he not be? He was an all-powerful King! Indeed, to expect the opposite of a man like him was unrealistic, but to paint him as a devil was just as foolish. After all, if he was really so bad, surely the entire country would reflect that, and not just his palace.

The gossiping continued for a while, much to Lila's dismay, with the stories getting ever more extravagant and crazy with each moment that passed. She did her best to ignore it all until supper came around, for which they were led into the kitchen. They ate a simple serving of stale bread and warm water, a meal that neither satisfied nor filled anyone. Then after returning to their room everyone changed into their nightgowns and prepared for bed.

Finally, at about nine o’clock, the girls put out the lamps and got into bed for the night. Lila let out an exhausted sigh, looking forward a good night rest. Tomorrow, she was going to start working in this castle. A place far from home, living alongside many people she had never met before. Her days would be filled with long hours and harsh work, as well as loneliness.

Lila suddenly found herself feeling homesick. For the first time in her life, her father was not here to bid her good-night and kiss her forehead. He was back home in bed, without her to keep him company and watch over him throughout the night.

Just then, someone tapped her shoulder. Her eyes flew open and she looked over to see none other than Daphne’s face in light of the moon. Her violet eyes seemed to shimmer in the silver lighting, though they were filled with fear.

"D-Do you think the things they were saying are true? What if this job is more dangerous than we thought?" She asked fearfully.

Lila had to calm her own racing heart before she could even answer.

"Do not let it worry you Daphne. Most rumors get worse as they are passed along. I am sure all these stories have only been exaggerated. I doubt he is different from any other man with power." She said logically.

Daphne seemed to let her reassuring words sink in carefully.

"You are probably right. Thank you Lila. Goodnight, sleep well. Sorry to have bothered you." She said, sounding extremely relieved.

Then she climbed back down to her bed and didn't get up again. It took some time after that, but eventually Lila found herself able to relax once more. She just had to do exactly what she told Daphne to do: not worry herself. She simply could lose heart after coming this far!

After about an hour, she finally fell asleep. The next morning came quickly with Lila waking to the sound of loud knocking.

"GET UP LADIES! TIME TO GET TO WORK!" The head maid shouted from the hallway.

Everyone jumped up quickly and got dressed into their uniforms, which consisted of a simple apron and a grey bandana for their hair. When they exited the room the head maid was waiting with the rest of the groups.

"Now ladies, I will not be saying this twice: you are all good for nothing servants, and rest assured you can all be easily replaced. You will keep your heads down and your mouths shut. If I catch anyone slacking off or wandering around where they do not belong, you will be punished. If you make three offenses, you will be sent home without question. Do not take these warnings lightly girls, because I will not feel bad for you." She said harshly.

All the girls started looking around with unease as the head maid began assigning their tasks. Lila's group was assigned to sweep and dust the hallways and rooms downstairs along the west wing, which included the library, the ballroom, and kitchen areas. Other groups were assigned to the front of the castle, the east wing, and the rest were stationed in areas upstairs.

Afterwards, they were allowed to the kitchen to eat breakfast, after which they were led to their first cleaning destination. Lila for her part, got started with her tasks immediately, watching and copying the experiences maid’s efficient routines as best she could. The head maid herself would come by every hour or so to check on them. She did not take kindly to slackers or slow pokes, a category poor Daphne soon found herself in.

"Hurry up girly! Do not think your pretty face will help you take it easy here!" The maid shouted coldly.

"I-I am so sorry! Forgive me, I am not used to the tasks is all." Daphne nervously replied.

The woman glared down at her, perhaps with a hint of anger and envy.

"Watch your tongue, you little brat! Do you want to go home already?"

Daphne blushed and shook her head. "N-No ma'am! I am so sorry!”

The woman crossed her arms. "Just get back to work, insolent child!"

She nodded fervently and quickly went back to sweeping. Some of the girls nearby giggled at Daphne’s embarrassment, but as soon as the head maid left Lila came over to her side to help her finish up. She supposed this work was harder than her friend had been used to at home, so she merely needed some time to adjust to their routine.

"Hey, do not let her scare you. I am sure you will improve very quickly." She said softly.

Daphne shook her head and wiped away some tears. "Oh Lila, what if I mess up again? What if she does indeed kick me out? I have been here less than a day and I have already made a mistake!"

Lila smiled. "Do not think like that, it will do you little good. Everyone makes mistakes, just be sure to learn from them quickly."

Daphne nodded. "I suppose you are right."

For the rest of the day, the two of them worked to finish their assignments together. The chores were indeed strenuous and tiresome, but manageable. However, Lila was disturbed to find that some of the maids in her group seemed to be slacking by gossiping the day away with each other. Some of the guards nearby even neglected their posts to join in with the talk!

"Oh my! Did you hear what happened to Eliza the other day? She nearly escaped death!" A young girl said with big eyes.

"What happened?" Someone asked.

"Well, she spilled the King's tea outside his door and he was extremely cross about it! Luckily for her though she ran away before he saw her face."

A young guard chuckled. "Oh please, you should see how his new tutors are being treated! I bet you all they will be imprisoned by the end of the week."

All the women gasped quietly and continued murmuring things to one another. Lila frowned, feeling quite irritated by the prospect of having to listen to such idle talk every single day even while at work. Added to that, when you were here in the castle the rumors all felt so much more real, when back home this kind of talk just sounded like far-fetched myths and legends. Yet here there was true suspense and fear in every word spoken! Hundreds of these secret whispers were being passed along in every part of the castle by almost all of the maids and servants, each one sounding more extreme than the last. Lila was starting to feel a little concerned by some of the things said, wondering if she had indeed misjudged the situation as a whole. Although, just the same she supposed that worrying would do her little good. Even if she had been wrong about doubting their truthfulness before, there was not much point in turning back now.