CHAPTER 3

An Enemy.

-Can you just avoid violating my personal space? I say detaching myself from it.

The Prince- Yes. Sorry... He says by rolling his eyes.

-Thank you. I wont tell you anything about how to be a good Prince, you are supposed to know all that. I say with my arms crossed.

The Prince- I’m a Prince, not a God.

-You behave as if you were one. I continue by raising an eyebrow out of disgust. In the future, realize that I am not your slave and nor your object, for you to allow my personal space to be violated in this way.

The Prince- Slave,Servant is the same thing, right? In both cases you obey orders.

-Oh, wow. You have some in there.

The Prince-Yeah.. whatever. He say changing the subject.I was serious earlier. I really meant it.

I raise an eyebrow not understanding what he was saying.

The Prince- You know what..forget it, you better get back to your room.

-Yes, my prince. I respond with a sarcastic tone .

The Prince- Stop it.

-What ?

The Prince- The air you take with me. He said more seriously. Change it before I fire you. I have my reasons, after what I’ve heard about me today. And above all. He says by pointing at my chest. Your phone, my dear.

I roll my eyes and go back to my room. You know what ? I hate this Prince even more. How can he be this sexy ?..Umm.. anyway.

So I throw myself on my bed, thinking about what happened earlier. He’s so bizarre with me. I prefer to stop thinking about this Prince.He gives me a headache. I feel like I am facing a math exercise with thousands of calculations.

Besides, did he really think I was going to fall for him with his “teach me”? What a dork, he probably has the habit that this little game works with the other women he meets. Even if honestly the Prince is a handsome man and he has a voice just... arrrh I MUST STOP THINKING ABOUT HIM! He even manages to haunt my thoughts.I hate this guy.

I decide to take the picture of my father that I hid under my pillow. I hope I get a sign from him, any sign that makes me want to stay here.

In fact,I thought if I agreed to work here, I would learn and understand why my father would rather die for his people than stay with his daughters. I wanted to feel close to him by getting closer to this world, to his world.

Since childhood, I loved when he told me his adventures as the King’s right-hand man; every day he had a few things to tell me. I could spend my days listening to him, sitting on his knees looking at nature, or when we went for a walk with my sisters, he would tell us everything he knew about this Kingdom. It’s not a lie when I say that I know a lot about the politics of this Palace.

I miss him terribly.

I didn’t feel close to him by staying here, on the contrary.. by staying here my hatred for this Kingdom has only increased. I had the impression that my dream had just broken. I saw another conception of the Kingdom, quite the opposite of what my father told me when I was younger. "A palace where the King and the Queen welcome you with open arms, a place where you don’t know the difference between home and the palace because you feel so good". I saw that, it was completely false, it’s hardly if they know your name here.

———

The next morning, while everyone is sleeping, I prepare myself quietly.I set myself the goal of trying to wake up before everyone else. That way, I have time to have breakfast undisturbed.

I go down to the servants' kitchen, I squeeze myself a glass of fresh orange juice and I drink it in one sip. I am very thirsty.

I hope there’s a beautiful day today, I don’t want any negative energy here. Whether they’re evil maidens or the queen. Today I’m going to smile.

I bake an omelette while chanting a little song. I feel like I’m going to have fun today, I haven’t met a witch yet, so I can hope to have a good day.

Tendaji- Hello.He says on entering the kitchen

-Hello. I respond by a smile. How are you?

Tendaji- I’m fine and you ?

-I’m super super super great.

Tendaji- I see that. You look like you’re in a good mood today.

-You’re right. I said by turning my omelette over the pan.

Tendaji- And what’s that pretty smile worth?

-I don’t know...Life?

He laughs and I imitate him. Tendaji is a good friend here. He is the only boy I can consider as someone I am close to. He is the King’s driver and we often have lunch together. Unlike me, he has been working for the King for two years now.

He followed in the footsteps of his father, the King’s former driver. The first time I saw him, we directly matches, he’s my opposite but we complement each other so much on certain point that sometimes I wonder even if I have not found my friendly soul mate.

Physically, he’s not very tall, but he’s not to small. I would say he’s average. He has matte skin and a face of a mannequin, square jaw, white teeth a real TV star.

In addition to being kind, he’s helpful, pleasing,in fact he’is a lovely person.

Tendaji-Alloooo, is Amina still with us? He said waving his hands in front of my face.

-Yes. I’m laughing. I was just in my thoughts.

Tendaji- Yes of course. Anyway;Don’t you have something to tell me? He says while sitting on a chair.

-No. I’m thinking about it.

Tendaji-Humm.. Okay. How was your first meeting with the Prince?

-Why does everyone keep talking about this prince. I say with a breath. I am tired of talking about him.

Tendaji- Wow, what happened ?

-We’re just not on a same page.

Tendaji-Well then I know a little what kind of person he may be but, Princess, spill the tea now.

-Okay..I look around before I continue, then I whisper as I approach Tendaji. I hate him.

Tendaji- Oh. Stop your cinema with me I know you like it, it pleases everyone here.

-Aahh. I said, putting the omelette on my plate. Do you want some?

Tendaji- No thanks. Don’t try to change the subject with m-

Bélinda- Look at who I see. She said as she walked into the room. Couple of the year.

-Please don’t make me lose my appetite.

Bélinda- As if what you eat is good.She says with her eyes rolling. Tendaji your friend doesn’t know how to cook, does she ?

I look at Tendaji rolling his eyes. We’re so used to her attacking someone in this palace that we prefer ignoring her. Moreover, Tendaji is not at all the kind of person to enter into conflict. He is rather “peace and love”.

-Bélinda, just shut your dirty mouth.

Tendaji-Good morning, my Queen.

I close my eyes and bite my lip. She had to be there to interrupt me, I don’t want to be yelled at like a child again. And I know Bélinda will take advantage of that. She’s evil.

-Good morning, Queen. said I, bowing.

Bélinda-My Queen.

The Queen- Can I have an explanation? Why aren’t you working ?

-We’re sorry. Said I, lowering my head.

The Queen- Yeah whatever.

Bélinda- My queen, she just insulted me when I told her to come with me to do the laundry.

-Wait w..what ?

Tendaji- It’s not true.

The Queen- I don’t care. I’m not here to solve your stupid fight.

She throws her icy look at me and I stay silent.

The Queen- The three of you I want to see you at work as soon as I leave this room. Bélinda, don’t take me for an idiot because the next one I fire will be you.

I smile and look at Tendaji. I’m so happy, she didn’t believe what she says about me.

The Queen- You two. She said pointing Bélinda and I. Inform the girls that there will be a maid’s meeting in an hour with the Prince.

I bow by thanking her and she goes with her two servants. I turn and look at Tendaji smiling.

Tendaji- You can see that as a sign.

Bélinda- A sign Yeah ? Stupid girl. She says living the room.

-Unbelievable.

Tendaji- This girls.. I hate her behaviour.

-Me too..