Chapter Eight

Chapter 8

“Very well then,” Melioda began to say as he turned her face slightly to the side looking for someone in her slightly busy office, “Persephone!” she called out as a meek girl made her way to us.

Her unblemished face came into my line of sight as her dark brown hair, tied in a ponytail complimented her heart shaped face. She must have been one of the most beautiful people I had seen since I had entered the palace. It was unheard of for a servant to hold this much beauty because majority of the time they would be too tattered and not very well dressed to be able to see their beauty.

But this girl seemed as though she was fed and bred in a wealthy household. Her posture her demeanor, everything about her screamed nobility of some sort. Melioda tuned to me again with a disapproving face.

“This is Persephone, she was one of the candidate for the lady in waiting, and since she had the most training in serving his highness the crown prince, she is going to be the one passing down her knowledge o you, since she wont be needing it.” She said with spite in her voice.

‘If I had a choice, I wasn’t going to be here either.’

“Persephone, see to it that no error is made and make sure she is knowledged and learned in all areas as to not displease his majesty.” Melioda said making herself clear passing on a warning.

I see…

So, there was no mistake to be made.

“Yes,” Persephone answered obediently as she tuned to me with a warm smile directing me out of the office.

Once the doors were shut, I let out a heavy sigh. It hasn’t even started but here I was, already being disapproved of. If Conrad was here, he would have laughed at this entire situation. After all, he was to blame. Who sends a person not ready in any way to their death with open arms and a flowery path?

“So, you are familiar with the Grand duke?” Persephone said bringing me out of my thoughts.

“Pardon? Yes… my family is of county level, the Duke and I are acquaintances, and because of his recommendation, I was able to be bestowed the honor to serve His highness the crown prince,” I said lying through my teeth.

Is anything, the only true words that came out of my mouth was being acquainted with the Grand duke. Persephone nodded as we walked down a hallway to what seemed to be a storage room. Entering, Persephone rummaged through the boxes and found a uniform for me.

“Wear this,” she instructed as she directed me to a changing room. Closing the door as so not to expose myself of the scars formed by whip marks that tainted my skin, I slipped off the dress I was wearing and changed into the attire. Looking at myself in the mirror, the dull colors of the dress made me look as though I was mourning. I tied my black hair in a bun as I made my way to Persephone.

We made our way out of the room and back through the hall, Persephone began to explain how to go on about the days. Starting at the crack of dawn. His highness Usually wakes up at early dawn, but there are certain days, or more so specific days, he would sleep in and wake up once the sun has risen. According to Persephone, his highness should not be disturbed during his office hours unless it is an urgent matter. I am not allowed to draw the curtains in any room he occupies unless he requests otherwise, why? Well I have no right to question that as Persephone says. It is only my duty to do.

We had spent the rest of the day going through my duties as well as learning the parts of the palace. If Melioda seemed to be disapproving of me, the female servants were quite hostile. But there was no need to make friends. All I had to do was make sure there was no trouble caused then everything would go smoothly. But judging by the looks of it, it seemed as though that was all my wishful thinking.

Reaching my room near the late night, I had changed before slipping into bed. Tonight, was a full moon. The rays f the moonlight lit up the dark and empty room I lay in as my mind drifted. I could not help but be thankful that I had managed to live one more day. All of this felt like I was walking on a shards of stone that pierced me reminding me of the risky path I was walking.

Sighing I turned to my side as I forced myself to drift off, there was no time to lose sleep, I needed all that I could get, cause my intuition kept telling me that tomorrow was going to be a long day.

*

The quietness of the morning had me sighing in relief as I prepared myself. I couldn’t afford to make a mistake on my first day. By the time I had made my way out of my bedroom, the chirping of the birds echoed through the open windows. It was almost time.

Walking down the hall I froze.

Where was his highness’s chambers?

I groaned in a slight panic. I was so engrossed in learning everything, I had forgotten to ask Persephone the exact location of his chambers in the hallway and exactly what days he would sleep in and what days he would be awake.

‘Vanessa, you are so stupid…’

Walking down the hallway, all the doors to the rooms looked the same. Seeing one of the servants I walked up to her.

“Excuse me…” I called out as she stopped to turn to me.

“What is the matter?” she asked as though in a hurry.

“Uh, which room belongs to his highness? And do you know whether he would be in?” I questioned as she gave me a look I did not quite put into place.

“Well sure, His room is exactly at the end of the hall on the right side,” she explained as she hurried away before giving me a chance to assure his presence.

Rushing, I walked to the door. Unsure of whether he was in or not I decided to knock. Waiting for a reply I knocked again as no answer was heard, assuring me that he was not inside, before opening the doors to the room and making my way inside.

I felt my heart thump as I sighed in relief at the empty bed. Today must have been the day he wakes up early. I made a mental note to ask Persephone to specify the days in which his highness would wake up early and which days he would not. Making my way to the bed, I pulled the sheets as I dropped them to the floor. Making my way to the curtains, I was about to open them to let in some light so I could see as I hesitated, deciding against it. After all, we were not allowed to draw the curtains unless we were given permission. Sighing I turned around only for my heart to jump out of my chest as I fell, coming face to face with the same red jeweled yes that haunted my me night after night. Watching me expressionlessly as I felt my breath getting caught in my throat.

There he was, sitting on the couch opposite me. His blood red eyes stared at me as though I was a threat. Soon I hearth the unsheathing of a sword as I felt a cool metal pointed at my neck.

“Who are you?” His voice sounded cold and merciless. I felt a small prick at my neck as he stared down at me.

One mistake…. and I was dead.