Chapter 4

"So that's th' duchess," Shamus says after a while.

I know it's not a question but I still reply. "Yes, that's Madame or the duchess as you call her."

"I have been wantin' to ask ye, why do ye call her Madam?"

I take a moment to think before I reply. "I... don't really know. I think it's just because it feels like the right thing to say. I've been calling Madame like that since the first time I met her."

"How did ye meet exactly?"

"Well, I think it was two years ago when she found me. I had some... problems and she helped me, she made sure they didn't bother me anymore. Madame took me in, she treats me like her daughter and I've been trying to make it up to her ever since."

"She sounds like a fascinatin' woman."

"She really is. But how about the queen, what is she like?"

We stop walking and just stare at the flowers. "She's th' most beautiful woman there is. She's kin', carin' an' always does what she thinks best. In one word, she's feisty." Shamus looks at the sky, shielding his eyes from the sun. "It's almost noon, if th' queen wants to visit this place the-day, I have to go now." He starts walking again.

As I turn around I see a lone rose lying on the path. 'The poor thing broke off.' I pick it up and run to catch up to Shamus. We walk back through the mansion and onto the lawn where a coach stands, four black stallions in front of it.

"They're beautiful," I whisper, almost afraid that they might disappear if I talk too loudly.

"They're 'er majesty's royal steeds. They truly are magnificent, aren’t they?" As he starts walking towards the coach, I run after him.

"Shamus!" He turns around as I reach him, holding up the rose which I now see is white as freshly-fallen snow. "Would you give this to the queen, as a token of appreciation for bestowing such a great honor on Madame?"

"I can do 'at," he says with a smile. I watch him get into the coach and keep waving until I lose sight of him.

The next few hours, I spend cleaning. As the only live-in maid, I became quite skilled at cleaning the whole house in as little time as possible. So, by the time the bell rings, the only chambers I haven't cleaned yet are the servants’ chambers and halls; and the kitchen which are areas the queen and princess won’t be visiting anyway. Before I open the door, I put all the cleaning tools away and wash my hands, wiping them on my apron.

The first thing I see as I open the door is Shamus. He smiles warmly at me before stepping aside, showing a beautiful woman dressed in a deep red dress, the body lined with rubies. Her kind blue-purple eyes sparkle and her deep red lips are curved in a radiant smile. Her sand-colored hair shows strings of white. Next to her a girl stands, her dress is blue, the body lined with sapphires which match her blue eyes perfectly. Her hair, almost golden in the light, seems to wave in a breeze only she can feel. She kinda reminds me of the little girl from my dream, but how can I dream about a princess? Shamus brings me back to reality by saying, "Let me introduce, Clarissa, queen of Alemea, an' 'er daughter Persephone, crown princess of Alemea."

I mentally shake myself. 'Don't blow this, you don't want to disappoint Madame, do you?' I quickly curtsy, "Come in, your majesties. Welcome to the Bioux residence. Madame is waiting for you in the sunroom."

"Lead the way," the queen says. I close the door and lead them through the mansion while telling them all about its history. Too soon we reach the doors leading into the sunroom. I knock three times. "Come in," Madame calls. I open the doors and step inside, letting the queen and princess pass.

"Queen Clarissa, what a pleasure to see you. And you must be princess Persephone, welcome to my humble home," Madame says, sending them a respectful nod. She looks at me and says, "Thank you for bringing them here, Em. Now, will you be so kind as to bring tea? After that, you can go to your room. If there is any need for you we shall ring."

"Yes, Madame," is all I say before I curtsy and leave the room. I quickly walk towards the kitchen, glad to get away from there.

So that's what the queen is like. She's so much different from what I had initially thought. And the princess, she's so pretty, but she seems uneasy being here. As if she's afraid of something.

I enter the kitchen and quickly put the kettle on the stove while I take out a cake which I made only this morning. After having cut the cake, I place it on a serving tray next to the fanciest cups we have. In the meantime, the kettle has started whistling and quickly I take it off of the stove. Quickly, I add some tea leaves to the boiling water before picking up the tray and making my way back to the sunroom.

Once there, I knock on the door before opening it and walk in. As quietly as I can, I put down the tray and start placing the cups and cake in front of the three ladies. After I put down the teapot, I walk towards the doors only to turn around, waiting to be dismissed. As Madame gives me the sign, I curtsy once more before leaving. Once in the hall, I have to try very hard not to run all the way to my room. Who knew it could be so nerve-wracking to have a guest like the queen?