Maid

21

Life is an unpredictable journey that one says, now Nina sees it with her own experience. Her maids were packing her stuff and other necessities needed for her. The northern part of the territory is the coldest place, surrounded by mountains and snow. They stowed clothes according to that climate.

The maids were so much better than her, so she sat aside watching them.

"Your highness, you should pick someone from these three girls. They were going to accompany you to the north. They will become your maid," the head of the maids said to Nina.

She turned to the girls who are younger than her. Considering her family's financial status, if she had been born in Sinatra, she would have ended up as a maid. Because this is the only place women will have a safe work environment. Her father preferred Nina to work in a palace than anywhere else.

These girls were like her, Nina put herself in their place before deciding. She would never want to leave her family and go with them to an unknown place where anything could happen.

"I don't need them, Mrs. Batista. I can manage on my own," Nina replies.

"No, your highness. You have to choose someone. It's a strict rule, we can't change that," Mrs. Batista sounds strict, just like Agnes.

"But I don't need anyone, I like doing my chores," Nina politely refused.

Mrs. Batista dropped the towel and came to Nina with a severe look on her face.

"You need assistance when you go to a place like that; you just now got married, it will be hard for you to take care of everything. We can't see you doing all your work and our sole purpose is to serve the royal family. You are royalty now; you shouldn't be like a commoner anymore. So kindly let us do our work," Mrs. Batista gave a big rant.

"Okay. I will select one from them," Nina agreed and looked at those girls who were looking like they were about to cry if she chose them.

"I don't know how long it will take for us to return. If any of you is homesick, you don't have to come," Nina asks.

"They were all homesick, your highness. No one wants to leave home but their priority is to save the royal family, so don't ask them, you should decide,"

Mrs. Batista is getting on her nerves.

"Mrs. Batista, it's better if someone who's willing to come with me. Who has no close family members to look after," Nina said.

"Well, then Sylvia would be perfect for that," she said. Nina didn't expect this at all. That was so instant.

Nina's eyes moved to the girl standing in the middle. She looked slightly older than the other two girls and she's good-looking. Her eyes were also ocean-blue in color and her long raven hair was braided tightly.

Sylvia came forward and bowed, giving her respect. But her face carried a deepest sadness and discontent which Nina can see. Even the other girls would have taken it easily but this girl looks like she's going to cry once she gets out of this place.

Mrs. Batista introduced her like this, "Sylvia Beischel's parents died when she was four. She has no sibling and no relatives except her maternal aunt and uncle who brought her up as their daughter, with love and care,"

"Oh," Nina nods, having nothing to say to Sylvia.

"And I am her aunt," Mrs. Batista revealed.

"What?" Nina was surprised.

"Yes, she's my sister's daughter,"

"Oh, Nice to meet you, Sylvia," Nina smiles.

Sylvia smiles too but the sadness is still there. Mrs. Batista isn't a soft-spoken lady, if Nina was in Sylvia's position, she would be happy to leave this place, her cunning aunt but why is she giving her the opposite reaction.

That time, one of the guards came, "The King wanted to see you," he said to Mrs. Batista.

After they left, Nina went to Sylvia. "Do you like to come with me?"

"Yes, your highness,"

"But you look like you don't want to,"

Nina whispered, "It's fine if you don't want to come, I will talk to your aunt,"

"No, please don't do that. I am happy to serve you, your highness,"

Nina nods, still not convinced by her answer. "If you change your mind, you can tell me before tomorrow,"

"No, I am not going to change my mind. It's my Aunt's decision," Sylvia answers. Nina wondered what's wrong with her.

Yesterday just how Sylvia is struck, she was struck too when the King asked her to stay here but Theodore has taken the decision for both of them which she can't oppose. There she realized, they both have a few things in common.

"Sylvia, don't worry. We will have a great time there in the middle of the war," Nina said and Sylvia chuckled.

"Yes, your highness,"

"You can go home and get ready. Meet your friends and say that you are leaving, okay,"

Sylvia nods with a smile, "You are kind, Thank you," saying that she left the place.

Nina came out of her place only to collide with Theodore. She avoids looking at him and walks away but he grabs her hand.

"Is this how you avoid me, quite silly," he chuckled.

Nina tries not to glare at him.

"I am not avoiding you,"

"Then where are you going?" he asks.

"To…" she scratched her head because even she didn't have an answer.

"I am going to take a walk,"

"Walk, huh?" he smiles, "I have nothing to do now, I am going to join you in your little walk, what do you say?"

"No," she retorted.

"Thank you," he smiled as she said yes and held her hand.

"I said No,"

"I don't take no for an answer," he replied and dragged her to the back of the palace where he took her once.

"The weather is great here, I am going to miss this warmth," he said.

"Where will we stay in the north?" she asks.

"We have a home. It's not like this palace but quite decent," he answers.

"Have you packed everything?"

"Yes, the maids did. Mrs. Batista compelled me to choose a maid,"

"I know she's harsh. She has been serving the royal family for twenty years. Just listen to what she says, she knows everything better here," Theodore advised.

"She's not the only one harsh here," Nina mutters.

Theodore stared at her and Nina realized that her stupid mouth is going to be her end.

"I know I compelled you again," Theodore started but Nina cut him off and said,

"I am happy to come with you wherever you go but you should have at least informed me,"

Theodore clenched his jaw and looked away.

"Forgive me," She apologized for no reason.

"I grew up this way. People listen to what I say without talking back," he said, which is more like an excuse for his attitude and he didn't ask forgiveness.

"I can understand," Nina sighed, hoping that he won't do it again. But who knows, he is an expert in shattering her expectations. However, she can't be angry at him for this. Just because he's controlling her life it doesn't change the fact that he's one of the finest men she knew in her life.

"So who did you pick?" He changed the conversation as it might lead to more arguments.

"Uh… Sylvia,"

"Sylvia? Mrs. Batista's niece," Theodore recognized her immediately.

"You know her?"

"Yes, I know. She works here for a long time and a relative to the important member of this palace,"

His answer gave her relief because Sylvia is quite good-looking and knew men have eyes for all women.

"What?"

"Nothing, she looked unhappy when her aunt chose her,"

"Probably afraid," Theodore smiles.

Yes, it could be fear. But for what? or with whom?