SOLD (2)

The butler swiftly leads me to the servant quarters where I am instructed to take a bath and change into another dress. After bathing and changing into the new set of clothes, I am led to the royal quarters.

The butler is quite short, but his footsteps are swift. I pant as I try to catch up with him as he meanders through hallways and stairs. He finally slows his steps as we arrive at a long wide hallway which I presume is the Royal quarters owing to the exquisite paintings, portraits, and statues that adorn the walls and corners. He slows his step a little more and I catch up with him, and he begins without any prior talk:

"Rule number one, as a servant you're not allowed to run through this passage. You're meant to walk slow or fast but certainly don't run! It's considered disrespectful.

Rule number two, don't let your inquisitiveness get the better part of you. Don't peer into any room here. Get your chore done, then leave! And don't stand to admire any portrait, painting or whatever it may be.

Rule number three, the last but certainly not the least; Don't steal! Theft is a highly punishable act among servants. The Queen's former personal maid was caught stealing to fend for her sick sister and you don't want to know how she was killed."

He stops in his footsteps and turn to glance at me, turns around and gently knock on a door. It was a large one with intricate designs on it.

We wait for some seconds before a 'come in' is heard. The butler walks in while I stand outside. He walks in, says a few words with a bowed head and walks out gesturing that I go in. He bows briefly before closing the door and leaves.

Filled with fear and anticipation, I take slow steps with a bowed head like I saw the butler do.

"What's your name?" A soft commanding tone asks but I dare not look up.

"Griselda Capell."

"I only asked of your name not your 'as good as not existent surname.' Capell?" She laughs and I can see her elegantly place her right leg over the left one and leans back in her seat.

"Look up!" She says, more like commands. I look up to just notice the glamour before me. She's lean wearing a red flowing gown which suits her pale skin, her lips is splashed with a bright red color and she is seated on a white sofa which her dress sprawls over covering most part of the space, elegantly she swirls her glass whose contents are red in color. I guess it wine but seeing her take a drink from it, and seeing the thickness of the drink as it slowly slides down, I immediately understand what the content is and I control my sudden urge to throw up.

Immediately, I shift my gaze to the bedroom, to the queen's size bed which is covered with a plush purple duvet to the light white curtains which cascade down to the bed covering a part. There's a large size mirror, which is beside the wardrobe. Her dressing table is filled with several tiny bulbs like glasses, which I guess are perfumes, or whatever it may be. Unconsciously, my eyes are still roaming over the place when I hear a teasing voice right behind me which startles me.

"Looking for what to steal?" I turn around swiftly to have my mouth form an 'O' shape which I quickly close. He walks over and takes a seat a little farther from the Queen. It's the man from the carriage earlier. He has this amusing look on his face while chuckling as I immediately comport myself, with folded hands and a slightly bowed head, I face the Queen.

She laughs, "Paupers like her surely don't let go of the opportunity to ogle at things they'll never get in life." I feel sad by her remark but keep calm, I was only admiring the room but I think I should've kept the butler's rules in mind, 'don't look at or admire anything at all'. I thought it ended there but she continues,

"Paupers who are so consumed with their poverty mentality that they won't spare a thought to sell out one their own."

She laughs, "Goodness gracious. Their stench reeks of poverty and unfortunately those who get attached to them. I can imagine how poor her father is, to decide selling her off as your mistress or anything she's deemed fit. His nerves, giving out a pauper as a Prince's mistress. Aidan, do you imagine yourself getting hooked on with this?" She asks and gives out a loud derisive laugh.

I'm shocked at the discovery that the man with me on the carriage is the... I decide not to spare it a thought as I'm saddened and angered by her words, my eyes brim with tears but I decide not to let them out in order not to anger her or look weak. I shouldn't be angry at her, no I shouldn't, that anger should be directed at my father who decided this life for me, and my mother who did absolutely nothing to shield her daughter from this life.

I notice a pair of eyes and look up to see his intense gaze peering deep into mine with an expressionless look, but his eyes seems to convey some words, I immediately avert my gaze considering it disrespectful to stare back at him.

I take a deep breath and silently pray that the unshed tears in my eyes dry up quick.

"You should go to your room. Your work will begin tomorrow before sunrise but…."

Before she's through with her speech, the door opens to reveal a man about Aidan's age. He has same honey brown eyes like the queen, with dark brown slightly ruffled hair. His appearance is overwhelming and charming but definitely not as Aidan's.

He walks past me, walks to the queen, grabs her hand and kiss them while muttering a greeting.

"Morning, Maverick." She responds.

He stares briefly at Aidan and sits beside the queen. Aidan acts indifferent as though he doesn't exist, he doesn't even spare him a glance which makes me question their relationship.

He sits and roams his eyes over me which makes me feel totally uncomfortable as I silently pray that I'd be asked to leave.

"Who's she?" Maverick asks which is obviously directed to the queen.

She chuckles and says in a berating tone, "She's the daughter of the pauper who sold her to the royal family as Aidan's mistress or whatever herself can be considered useful for."

"Interesting." He chuckles and roams his eyes over me continuously.

"So Aidan, are you interested in taking her as a mistress or... Mother, if Aidan has no use for her then I certainly do."

I grip my palms together as trepidition fills me over his words, I can certainly guess his use for me owing to his constant roaming of eyes. I slowly glance at Aidan trying not to be obvious as possible but immediately meet his intense gaze directed at me with furrowed eye brows, I avert my gaze immediately.

"You should keep your eyes to yourself because she's already your mum's personal maid." He says in a cold voice. I relax at his words but tense again when the queen adds, "Temporary… just temporary."

"Till then." He says in a calm voice and leaves the room swiftly.

Maverick scoffs, "Till then indeed. Wait till I have her in cuffs in my chambers let's know your reaction." He says angrily and storms off the room.

I shudder at his words but try to hide it, what has my parents gotten me into? I am certainly unprepared for this life. I've constantly heard of the stories of the royal family, how servants who were sold to them and had no freedom were dealt with. If you're employed to work here without being sold, you'll have some certain rights but that isn't the case with being sold to them, you entirely have no say in any treatment melted out to you.

"Griselda right?" She asks.

I nod twice.

"You'll start working here as my personal maid tomorrow. You'll meet Aine outside now who will give you a heads up on my schedule, do's and don't, when, how and where I have my tea and the rest. Clear?"

"Yes, my queen." I answer with a bow.

"Leave." She says calmly and I rush to the door, shut it and lean on it while heaving.

"Exhausting right?" I turn to see a young girl of about thirteen years staring at me while smiling.

"It's totally exhausting and uncomfortable talking to the Queen for the first time, but you'll adjust in no time. It was so with me here my first time. She laughs. I'm Aine by the way, you?"

"Zelda, Griselda." I say totally feeling comfortable talking to her.

"I'll call you Zelda, it's a nice name." She says.

"The Queen said that you'll…"

"Yes, yes, yes. she cuts me off. I'm aware but first I'll show you your room, then we'll discuss that and put it in writing before you rest. Your room is located here in the royal quarters, at the end. It's a special room for the Queen's personal maid, considering your status which is automatically above every other maid except the head maid. It's also to enable you to be swift in responding calls without running." She says while walking.