40

40- Danielle

“I am truly pleased that I am able to meet someone as good as you Lady Danielle. Lord Aries was right to introduce such fine woman to me. I truly adore ladies who are inclined in terms of history and knowledge for I am an advocate for ladies having the same knowledge as of the gentlemen.” Lady Carlitta praises me as soon as we were done talking about the East civilization before it even became a propering land.

Lord Aries introduced me awhile ago to Lady Carlitta, he thought that we’ll both get along well since we both love historical events. In my opinion though, he only did that so he could avoid all the questions Lady Carlitta has. She is one hell of a talker and she has a wide range of weird and knowledgeable questions that thankfully I was able to answer. We have been talking for awhile and I gues the fates has other plans for me afterall since Lady Carlitta happens to be a wife of some nobleman that’s been working in the East. He is not here today but he sent Lady Carlitta as his representative and that means that she getsto decide if their family is going to sponsor anyone or not.

“You praise me too much my Lady, I’ve learned a lot today because of you. Who knew the East kingdom used to like sand tea. I could never imagine someone liking the taste of sand but here you are surprising me with such information.” I am flattering her of course, I already know about this fact but I just pretended I didn’t since she looks so happy when she was able to partake some information to me. Plus, I am using every means to satisfy her and hopefully make her my sponsor.

“Well, what could I say? I’m the wife of someone who loves working with the East Kingdom, information about them comes easy to me” She laughs and I did too even when there is really nothing to laugh about. “You know what? I think I should give you my support for this years choosing ceremony. I would want the next leader of this kingdom to be someone who promotes the right for ladies to learn and be educated. Just like the Queen and the current Crownprincess. I want that flow to keep going and I have a feeling that you’ll be the best choice for that. What do you say we make another historical partnership happen?”

If I could jump, I would really do it but my feet is starting to feel the strain of just standing the whole time and I am surrounded by many nobles. Jumping up and down like a little girl isn’t just an option. So instead I smiled and bowed in front of Lady Carlitta.

“I can’t thank you enough for the opportunity my lady, I promise to do my best during the events.” I said to her in glee and she just keeps on laughing. She grabs both of my hand to hold it between hers.

“You should already know that its going to be tough out there, but you have to show them what a genius and wise lady could do to change the world. I want to give you this chance and I hope that you make it. If you ever need anything, I will leave you my personal number and you can call me anytime. I will be watching your every move so you make it as entertaining as it could be.” Lady Carlitta smiled to my with hope in her eyes. For the first time since we started talking, she seemed normal and she had this glint in her eyes that’s different.

After that little moment of happiness, I had to be escorted back to where the royal family was. I was only told that the event for today is nearing its peak so we have to join the royal family so we can all say our thanks and good bye’s to the guests.

I stood next to other ladies and waited for the royal family to say their closing speech. I fixed my dress and smiled for the camera’s since its directed towards us again.

King Julius and Queen Tatiana stood side by side and they both smiled to each other as they talk. I couldn’t help but admire the relationship they both have. The way they look at each other is not fake nor just a scheme, they were true and everyone could see how much they love each other. Even with the King having other wives, he still looks at the Queen with so much love and so did the Queen. I still don’t understand how can a woman love a man so much even with so many other ladies. I guess i’ll only find that out once I get the chance to be with someone who has the same destiny as the King. I look at Prince Luke and though how would I feel if someday, if we do end up being together and he presents me with one of his ladies, would I be able to handle it like the Queen did? Would I be able to share what is supposed to be ‘only mine’?

Right now, I don’t really think I can handle sharing someone that I love to someone else. The fear of ending up being alone and being forgotten is just too much for me right now, plus I am still new to the concept of liking someone too much its actually confusing.

One step at a time…one step at a time.

Every guess look at front as soon as the King steps forward. He addressed everyone in general and said his thanks for the effort of showing up and enjoying the party. Soon enough he talked about things of the past and how the world has changed for the betterment of everyone. He made some of the nobles laugh and some nod, some looked unsatisfied but others were amused. The King said some things that didn’t really matter people responded well to his every word, if it wasn’t for the Queen stepping up, things might have taken a bit more longer than it should.

“Apologies, our dear King has forgotten the art of concise speech and even took the liberty of walking us all through history.” Queen Tatiana says in a teasing tone and everyone in the crowd chuckled as she made fun of her husbands little speech. She is the only allowed to mock the king and no one else, if someone else does what she did, the reaction would have been different.

“As much as we want this time to go longer, some things must come to an end. But it also doesn’t mean that when things end, there wouldn’t be any continuation.” The Queen smiled and with her soft and sweet voice she said thanks and greeted everyone with her own version of farewell. Everyone clapped and bowed when the royal family waved and went ahead.

The organizers then told us that we’re done and that we can now go to our places but we were given enough time to say our farewell to some of the people we have gotten to meet and well, acquainted with. I went to say my goodbye to Lady Carlitta and promised her to do my best. As much as I can. I wanted to say thanks to Lord Aries for letting me meet someone who can support me but sadly he already left earlier than anticipated.

I didn’t get to see my father nor my brother so my guess is that they already went back to their own chambers inside the inner palace. I might need to visit them while they are still here. My brother should be brooding right now, things didn’t go exactly as how he wants it to be but we had a deal and I already have my sponsor. I just want to see his face when he finally accepts that I won. I guess now have the liberty of enjoying my sibling get annoyed with me. It’s a new feeling but I kind of enjoy it.

As instructed I was led back to my place where a set of lady servants was waiting for me, including Lalita. I was told that starting today, aside from the team I already have, I will also receive a set of ladies who will attend to my every needs.

“Good Evening Lady Danielle” They all bowed in unison as they welcome me inside the room.

“My lady, I hope you had a fun time during the event. These are the new ladies who will be serving you from now on and since I already know what you will be asking them, I took the liberty of explaining to them what you would like them to do. So ladies” Lalita takes my things and then she turns to the ladies. I stand confuse as each of them stood up straight and smiled in front of me. All five of them.

“Greetings my lady, though I am still confuse, my head lady said its fine so I’ll be doing it anyways.” The first lady, standing in right across me said in a confuse and a little bit scare tone. She was wearing the same uniform as the rest but she’s much smaller than the rest so her whole demeanor just screams cute. “My name is Risa, my lady” she bowed after telling me her name. I smiled towards her she rose up and that made her blush.

“I’m Janice and this is my sister Joedy, we are pleased to be of service to you my lady” My attention went to the other ladies who stood in front of me. They were standing side by side and now that I have a better look on them, they both have the same eyes but they are not similar looking. Janice has a more circular face than her sister and Joedy has a plumper lips than her sister; both exhibit exquisite beauty nevertheless.

I also smiled to them as I move to look to the other ladies.

“You can call me Basheeta, my lady. But the people who knows me call me Shee.” Judging by her monotonous tone and he serious expression I have a feeling that she’s really not from here and most likely a slave given to the royals. Though its already the new age, some kingdom still buys and own their slaves and sometimes they exchange this people to gain favors from those who are in high ranks or to just basically impress some asses.

I didn’t ask her of her origin since it might still be a sensitive topic to her, but I made a mental note to somehow make her talk about it when the time is right. So I move on to the next girl and she looks a bit older than the rest and also a bit more sophisticated than me. Honestly speaking, she looks more of a lady than I am.

“I am Sol my lady.” She smiled, but her smile didn’t reach her eyes, so I know that she’s only pushing it. The other ladies looked at her as well as if they recognize her and when I looked as Lalita, she had a look that only says recognition. Sol saw my confusion so to clear things out she spoke again. “I used to be Lady Solidad Martinez, daughter of late Lord Martinez who happens to be accused and confirmed murderer. So now stripped of my rank and my dignity. I serve you as my way for paying my fathers crime.”

No wonder she looks more of a lady than I am, she is one. I heard of her fathers crime and it was a huge issue for everyone. Lord Martinez owns a lot and he happens to be a big business who also ventured far and wide, everybody thought he was the best so when his crimes came out things got really messy. I didn’t know what happened to his family, just that after he was sentenced to a lifetime in prison, his family was stripped of their ranks.

I feel sorry for Sol, I understand what she feels like though I am in a different situation, I still have an idea how this big changes could affect the way you see things. I don’t want to shun her for her real identity. She’s just like me, hiding and doing her best to survive.

I was happy that Lalita already told these wonderful ladies how I want things to be when they are around me. I want to know their names so that we could all be familiar with each other and avoid any sorts of miscommunication. I want to call them by their names so that it would be intimate. Though it is not allowed in the palace, I want to bend this tiny rule of now calling servants by their names, because they are human too and they are the ones doing all the work. They deserve to be called properly.

“Thank you for being honest with me. Lalita may have already told you about me wanting to know your names but I would still want to explain myself to you.” I sincerely look to each one of them. They’ll become one of the people that will help me in the future and I want to memorize each of their faces because they will be the ones who’ll see me at my best and at my worst.

In this kingdom, each lady maid are assigned for life to their ladies or their masters. They are examined and sorted to high ranking nobles to where they’re skills will be in great need. There won’t be any changes unless they commit a crime against their master or their own master gives them up. They also have the freedom to go, as long as they have a good reason for leaving their duties. They’ll be paid and treated accordingly as long as they stay true.

Like I said before, some ladies do dream of becoming a lady maid for the royals because the job pays well and because they still have the freedom to choose whether to stay or leave.

“I am not like the other ladies and I am usually chill. As you should already know by now. I am not a noble nor I am someone high in ranks. You could say I’m lucky to even be here but that’s not really the case here.” I walk in between them so that I could talk to them all “ I don’t care where you all came from, to me you are all someone I can count on and someone who I can be myself with. So you can do the same. Be comfortable with me and correct me when I do something that’s… well bad. I want you ladies to feel comfortable while being with me and don’t feel all the pressure of being someones lady maid.”

Mom used to tell me how some of the head ladies inside the palace would take their power for granted and my mom being the head lady herself would often tell me that its not the best way to treat ladies who helps you everyday.

“You are all my equal when we are alone and just to avoid others from reprimanding you guys, you can act like any lady maid would do when they are around other people. Can we make that a norm between us ladies?” I hopefully asked them and they all looked at me with wonder in their eyes. Almost all of them anyways since Sol was more of studying me and and Shee just kept looking, like how she did before.

They were hesitant to agree but they don’t really have any other choice but to follow me. Though it is not enough to me, I can handle their hesitation for now. They’ll understand me soon enough and they’ll eventually see what I want things to be between us. It’s not like things will be different for all of us anyways so they’ll grow to like me soon enough. Well I just wish they do because God knows how much I need their help from now on.