CHAPTER 1

The Arrival of the Prince Charming or Villain ?



Staring at my little mirror, I contemplate myself for the last time. With my stomach tied, I place the object on my desk and look at the girls. I did not expect a compliment from them, but I would have liked to receive a small smile. After all, we are the servants of the kingdom and not rivals.

Dorcase- You should relax.She said with an arrogant look when adressing her friend.

Belinda- I really don't need your bad vibes today.

Dorcase- He'll be looking at me anyway. She keeps putting her lip gloss in her makeup bag.

-What's he looks like? I asked politely.

Accacia- Pff.. You don't stand a chance anyway. She rolls her eyes.

Bélinda- Poor girl. She laughs.

-I just asked you a simple question. Why so much hatred of one person?

Bélinda stares at me and rushes out of the room. I've been trying to fit in for a few months, but I feel like some girls are trying to shut me out for some reason. I'm all alone here. Away from my sisters, my only family. And here I am rejected by the people with whom I can have a conversation without feeling at the bottom of a ladder.

I see Dorcase approach me, caressing my shoulder, I wanna spit in her face "girl keep your pity for you" but she's my boss so I just give her a little smile and watch her leave me alone in this little room. I should join them to welcome the prince, but I don't want to. For months now, we've been preparing his arrival as if it were the arrival of Jesus Christ. I'm tired.

Dorcase- Young lady, hurry up and show yourself down before you attract the queen's wrath.

So I get up and follow her to join the other servants lined up in front of the gate to welcome the prince.

I'm the last one in line and unfortunately I arrive at the same time as the Queen. I bite my lip to avoid to swear out of clumsiness. The first thing that I understand about the Queen is, she hates delay, no matter how long it take, after time you've crossed the line. Instantly I lower my head and ask her forgiveness for my delay.

The Queen- Approach my beautiful, I will not come to you. She said in a sarcastic tone.

It's by a disturbing step that I approach her with my most beautiful prayers from the depths of my heart. I want to avoid the death, or even the wrath of this woman. When she have you on her sight you can no longer escape her.

The Queen- What is the reason for your delay? She asked coldly.

-Sor..sorry.I stammer. I'm really sorry, I didn't see the time.

The Queen- Repeats it clearly. She order.

-I said...

She cuts me and arranges her long purple dress that sparkles.I don't know who her tailor is but all the dresses that he makes for her are beautiful and seems to be so expensive.

The Queen- I don't know if you were born to destroy the beautiful day I prepared for my son but you are defeated in the name of the Almighty.

I keep my head down and press my arms hard against me, I felt that all the attention was on me and yes, I was indeed spoiling her mood, but it was not at all intentional.

The Queen- I didn't quite hear your apology, by the way.

-I.. Pardon my Queen. I said in lawer voice.

The Queen-You idiot ! She said by slapping me. Don't ever waste my time on your nonsense again.

I raise my head suddenly touching my cheek with tears in my eyes. I didn't think she was that pissed off at me for daring to go after me like that.

-Bu..but.. my Queen ?

The Queen-Go back to your place. I hope it will be a lesson to y'all. The next one who dares to be late I fire her. She ends up staring at me.

Deeply, I'm bubbling, I want to leave this palace. Tears come up but I look up in the air to prevent them from flowing. It's hard what I go through here every day, I feel like I'm being treated like an object while I'm a human and I have no say. My goal of helping my sisters is always in the corner of my head, which is why I'm squeezing my heart.

Bélinda- She needed a little correction. She giggled.

I am about to answer her, when a guard interrupted us by shouting loudly and clearly the name of the King. Out of respect we bow down to welcome our majesty.The musicians invited by the Queen, arrive accompanied with their instrument by dancing and singing around the King and the Queen.

They’re settling on their throne set up at the entrance specially for the arrival of the Prince. The atmosphere is festive and joyful, it gives the smile. We are used to seeing parties on this kingdom but this one is completely different from the others. We can see it by the smile of the King. He's been waiting for his son for years, from what I hear.

The old men called the wise and some members of the royal family dance or enjoy the buffet. Princes and Princesses from other villages were also invited to attend this big party, but my gaze is mainly on Princess Hencha. She’s the most coveted princess in this country. In addition to being extremely rich, she is of unimaginable beauty.

Among all the princesses, she always manages to stand out from the others. Her wardrobe is simply magical, she is always dressed in a unique piece like her first name. I appreciate it, even if I never had the opportunity to talk to her but I feel like I am attracted by her beauty.

Dorcase-Hey! She said by jostling me. Stop daydreaming and come back among us.

I nod my head and place my hands behind my back and at the same time the portal opens greatly on a first black car welcomed by the musicians, it is followed by another vehicle more impressive with tinted glass. This one stops just behind the first car. I look at the girls, who they were all excited to know which car the Prince was going to get out of. I just bite my lip so I don't publicly mock their reaction. They really made their best makeup for him I hope he'll notice.

After a few minutes of waiting a guard opens the door of the second car. And that where we see first his shoe Richelieu. I can only guess that it is the Prince who will get out of this car, so he puts his foot on the ground and when he gets out of the car his beauty hits me.

The traditional sun yellow boubou brings out its muscular build and elegance. He’s very beautiful. When our eyes cross I immediately look away, feeling uncomfortable that he has seen me.Very quickly he is welcomed by his father and his mother who take him in his arms.

They chat for a few moments and then he greets the other guests.

Dorcase-Look, I knew she was going to kiss his ass. She said in a contemptuous tone. I hate her.

Bélinda-I don't know who she thinks she is, but we have to get her down.

Tabita-I completely agree with you, besides she's not even that beautiful but all the men in this country dream about her.

Bélinda-I won't let her ruin my chances of dating the Prince.

It’s only by looking far away, that I understand their frustration. The prince is just chatting with the charming Princess Hencha and they look pretty close. Whatever is good news, the sooner he marries her the better the chances the king has of successors are positive.

While I wait quietly in my corner, I see the queen approaching us. I sit up and hope she gives us the green light to go inside. My feet are on fire, I can’t stand standing anymore. With a determined step, she stares at me again and takes me by the arm. I look at her confused while letting her guide me behind the plot; the place where the other maid and I do the laundry.

The Queen-Don't look at me like that. She says, by letting go of my arm. Anyway, Tonight Princess Hencha and The Prince will be sleeping together, I hope.So I want you to go upstairs and get her room ready.

-All.. right. I said,completely embarrassed.

Why is she so direct with me? I don’t have to know what her son and The Princess are planning to do tonight, at least I’m not the right person she’s talking to, I know so many servants who would have dreamed of being in my place to make gossip about it every night before they go to sleep, I’d rather not name them.The Queen notices that I am uncomfortable, so she adds by flattering me:

The Queen- I chose you because you are fast compared to the two service idiots. So please come upstairs. She said it by showing me the Prince's room.

-but my Queen, if I may....

The Queen-You know what I hate the most about you ? She said by cutting me off.

-Eumm...

The Queen-You're supposed to tell, "What my Queen ?"she imitates my voice. And then I'm supposed to give you my reasons, you know? Anyway, we're just wasting time; go do what I asked you to do.

-Yes.

The Queen- And also everything I told you is a secret. Neither Princess Hencha nor the Prince know about it, so be discreet.

-Yes my Queen. And I also wanted to ask you...

I didn't even get a chance to finish my sentence, that she goes off by staring at me like I'm nothing. So it's by blowing that I hurry to go upstairs to prepare the Prince's room. I'm a little apprehensive about going in his room, I've never been in it. I walk down the long hallway filled with family pictures, and I finally get to his door.

I take a deep breath and press the handle to go in. And to my surprise he was there. The naked torso, standing with his gaze fixed on a work of art, a glass of vain in his hand.

I close my eyes of regret the second I see myself fantasizing about his perfectly sculpted Greek god body.

-Excuse me, my Prince. I am really sorry, I thought the room was free and that I would be able to...

The Prince-Good God. He Whispers.

-I'm sorry, I thought you was downstairs with your guests.

The Prince- What brings you here again? I can't breathe two seconds without being interrupted. Breathing, just two seconds is not possible. He moans. Who sends you again?

-Yes and I’m very sorry my Prince.

The Prince- What do you want ?He asks while staring at me ?

-I just h-

The Prince- You know what.. He said as he approached me with his glass of vain. I’m more than tired of seeing you, just get out of my room.

He pushes me towards the entrance, but I stop.

-I can’t. I must arrange your room under the orders of the Queen.

The Prince- So what ? Just go. He says,rolling his eyes.

-I’m sorry but I have t-

The Prince-Don’t try to piss me off. Now, you and your ugly make up can get out off my view. I have a headache.

-Oh wow. I say, chocked by the brutality.

I wasn’t expecting him to be as mean as I remained clogged.In front of him, the right body, paralyzed by his words.

The Prince-Are you still there? He said, staring at me.

-Yes my Prince. I respond codly.

The Prince- what’s your name again ? He says as he approaches his face to mine.

-What's yours ?

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The Prince and The Maid