Sylvia the Maid

Morning came as I quietly awoke from the cramped bed I had shared with Elizabeth the night before. There were no windows to show me that the sun had risen, but the small clock above my mini map told me the time whenever I needed it.

Elizabeth was sleeping in my arms, breathing in and out, over and over. Her hair was messy and tangled from sobbing into me last night. I was kind of enchanted by it, but I quickly shook myself out of it. Not literally of course, as I didn't want to wake her, but just mentally.

As my thoughts stirred awkwardly in my mind, I accidently nudged Elizabeth ever so slightly, which caused her to move in her sleep. I had hoped that she would pull away and try to sprawl out on the small bed, but instead she nestled in even closer to me, making it impossible to escape her without waking.

Great, now I'm trapped.

I don't want to wake her after what she went through last night, but I also don't want to be here right now.

Almost as if answering my prayers, Elizabeth pulled away and moved to the other side of the bed, leaving my warm embrace. Taking the opportunity, I quickly got out of the bed and stood up, stretching high and low.

After I finished stretching, I just stared at Elizabeth's back, as she had rolled over when she moved. Why did she leave my embrace? Was it too stuffy?

Whatever, that doesn't matter. This time, I literally shook myself out of my thoughts. With that, I quietly left the room, only to bump into an Elf on the way out. Just my luck. I hope the noise didn't wake Elizabeth.

"I'm so sorry madam!"

The Elf I bumped into quickly apologized without looking me in the face. I guess she figured out I was a girl by looking at what I was wearing.

"Please, there is no need to be upset. Accidents happen."

The Elf looked up at me with teary eyes and a big smile on her face.

"Do you mean it?"

The Elf wore a maids uniform and had blonde hair and blue eyes, like every other Elf. Her voice was slightly strained, as if she was certain she was going to be punished for what she just did.

"Uhh, yes."

Her face lit up hearing my words and she wiped away her tears.

"Thank you!"

She almost yelled out her words as she jumped forward and hugged me. I was so surprised that I almost pushed her away at full force, but I stopped myself just in the nick of time.

As the maid Elf hugged me, I heard a groaning from the room that I had just exited. Did she really just wake up Elizabeth? Do you know how long it took for her to fall asleep?

After a few moments of hugging me, the maid came to her senses and quickly pulled away.

"Oh my gosh, I'm sorry!"

As she spoke, she attempted to smooth out my already fairly smooth outfit as if she had ruined it in just a moment.

"I didn't mean to do that! I'm sorry for being impulsive!"

And just like that, the maid was bowing again. It seems like she isn't the best at her job.

As she was bowing, Elizabeth opened the door with her messy bed head and looked out at the two of us.

"Would you two mind keeping it down a little? I was sleeping."

The maid stared wide eyed at Elizabeth and it looked like she thought she was going to die.

"Princess Elizabeth Emily White! I'm so sorry for disturbing you!"

The maid bowed even lower for her than she did me, her face being only centimeters from the floor. How did she do that? Are Elves super flexible?

"Do not worry Sylvia. I know it was an accident, therefore I am not upset. I simply wish you would be quieter, as I am still fairly tired. Now, if you two will excuse me, I'm going back to bed."

With that, Elizabeth turned around and closed the door behind her. I could hear her footsteps as she walked towards the bed and I listened as she just threw herself on it, falling asleep only a moment later.

Sylvia, the maid, kept her head bowed low even though Elizabeth had left us a few moments before.

"Uhh, you do know you can raise back up, right?"

"Yes, I know, but I just disturbed the princess! In fact, I disturbed the only princess that shows me any kindness! Therefore, I will stay in this position for ten minutes as punishment!"

Sylvia was completely determined to do just that. I could tell because of my incredible instincts. I guess Sylvia looks up to Elizabeth. I think I might like Sylvia a bit more now, despite her obvious flaws.

Seeing as Sylvia was busy with her self punishment, I guess I should ask one more question before I go.

"Sylvia, would you happen to know where I can get some food?"

Hearing my question, Sylvia immediately shot upwards, ready to answer my question.

"If you wish to get food, all you need to do is talk to one of the butlers in the dining hall, which can be found if you turn down the third hall on the left going that way."

Sylvia answered my question perfectly and accurately, not leaving out any important details. I must admit, I'm a bit surprised. I guess she is fairly intelligent, but just a little clumsy.

"Thank you."

Sylvia's face turned a slight shade of red hearing my words.

"Miss, you do not need to thank me. I was merely doing my job. Wait, I need to be bowing right now!"

Realizing that she had forgotten about her self punishment, Sylvia immediately bent back downwards with her face only centimeters from the ground.

I guess I should leave her be.