Chapter 2 – First meeting

Madeline was walking in one of the castle corridors, with roses in hand. Her feet softly paddled on the castle floor. It was early morning; most servants resumed their work. Some are starting their cleaning routine, and the others are busy in the kitchen preparing breakfast.

Madeline was given a task to change the flowers in the guest rooms by the head servant. "Madeline!" the head servant, named Emilia, roared. Madeline quickly went to the woman's side, and Emilia placed the freshly plucked flowers in the child's hand, saying, "Change the flowers in the guest rooms. Quickly!" she added.

Emilia was a cantankerous plump old woman known for her strictness. She had long auburn hair that was always tied in a bun. She had worked in the castle since she was young, and all the servants were afraid of her stern gaze. She was adept at her work and expected everyone else to be as well. Madeline remembered the old woman's commands and gripped the flowers carefully. She knew she must finish this task perfectly, or the old woman might punish and reprimand her. 

Emilia was infamous for her severe punishments, which ranged from withholding meals for an entire day to locking offenders in an abandoned room of the castle or forcing them to spend a night in the stables. Her methods were designed to instill fear and obedience, and they were well-known throughout the castle. These punishments were not just threats but harsh realities for those who crossed her, serving as a constant reminder of her authority.

Madeline, even though a young and innocent child, had not been spared from Emilia's cruelty. She vividly remembered one particularly harsh punishment: being made to kneel on a floor covered in salt for an excruciating hour. The mere recollection of the searing pain and discomfort sent shivers down her spine, giving her goosebumps. This experience had left a lasting impression on her, a haunting memory.

She opened each room in the castle and got the wilted flowers and changed them into fresh ones. Once she finished her work, she began walking down the corridors and passed one of the castle stairs, which looked enormous. The stair is wide, with golden railings and leads to the royal chamber, in which most of the servants are prohibited from visiting or even taking a step into. Only a chosen number of servants are allowed to serve the royals directly. Those long-serving servants are highly skilled in the operations of the castle due to their extensive experience.

Madeline, being a young girl, was also prohibited from setting foot in the royal chamber. Her mother also forbade her to meet any of the royals to avoid being caught or to learn their secret. Unbeknownst to her, Madeline had already met one member of the royal family, none other than the prince, the sole heir to the throne.

It was a bitterly cold and rainy night, the kind that seemed to seep into the bones of anyone unlucky enough to be caught out in it. The castle, normally a place of warmth and light, was now engulfed in darkness, the rain beating relentlessly against the windows like an angry drum. Each strike of lightning illuminated the room momentarily, casting eerie shadows on the walls.

For Madeline, a mere five years old, the storm was a terrifying spectacle. She lay beside her mother in the cramped confines of their servant's quarters, the only solace being the sound of her mother's soft breathing. The room itself was sparse, containing only the essentials — a wooden bed, a small table, a solitary window offering a glimpse of the tempest outside, and a wardrobe for their clothes.

Unlike the grand chambers reserved for royalty and guests, there was no cozy fireplace to ward off the chill. As the cold crept deeper into the room, Madeline, feeling a sense of unease, gently shook her mother awake. With a mumble, her mother stirred, still lost in the depths of sleep. 

Madeline peeked out from under her blanket, her eyes wide with curiosity and fear as she surveyed their dimly lit room. Being a young child, her imagination ran wild, transforming the shadows cast by the flickering candlelight into eerie, shifting figures. Each indistinct shape seemed to take on a life of its own, moving and morphing into ominous forms that danced along the walls and ceiling.

As the minutes ticked by, her fear grew more intense. The once familiar room now seemed like a mysterious and frightening place. Every creak of the floorboards and rustle of the curtains amplified her terror, making her heart race. The shadows, which her imagination had turned into monstrous beings, seemed to close in on her, making the young girl feel increasingly terrified with each passing moment.

Determined to dispel the cold and fear, Madeline slipped out of bed and tiptoed across the room in search of a candle, her small hands trembling slightly with each step. She hoped the flickering flame would bring not only warmth but also a sense of comfort in the midst of the storm's fury.

Madeline, clad in a white nightgown, tiptoed softly through the castle corridors. However, being unfamiliar with the castle's layout, she often found herself lost. Spotting a grand staircase, she decided to explore further, hoping to encounter a fellow servant for company.

To her dismay, the hallways were deserted, enveloped in darkness. The little girl had not brought anything with her, not even a candle to illuminate her path. Fear gripped her heart as she quickened her pace, nearly stumbling against the castle wall. The sound of approaching footsteps, growing louder with each passing moment, intensified her anxiety.

Her heart raced as she entertained thoughts of encountering a ghost, monster, and wolves reminiscent of her mother's bedtime stories. The footsteps got louder and nearer, the girl looked behind her but no one around, only darkness. In her scared state, she hastily opened a door and sought refuge in one of the unlocked castle rooms, finding herself in a dark and chilling space.

"Who are you?" a voice emanated from the room's center. The girl presumed it belonged to a child of her age, though she couldn't discern anyone in the darkness. Suddenly, illumination flooded the room as candles by the bed were lit. A boy of her age, holding a candle, sat on the bed and directed his gaze towards her. "I'm addressing you," he said. "I...I...I'm Ma...deline," the girl stuttered, feeling flustered.

"Are you a servant?" the boy inquired. "Yes, I am," she responded. "Servants are not permitted here." "I'm frightened by the thunder," Madeline added. "I can't sleep." "Ah, you're afraid of the lightning and thunder," the boy remarked. "You may stay if you wish, I don't mind. But remember to leave once the sun rises. It wouldn't bode well if others spotted you; you'll surely face consequences. I'll illuminate the rest of the candles to dispel your fear. Darkness can be daunting, can't it?"

The boy rose and proceeded to light all the candles in the room. The boy kept engaging in conversation with Madeline, who happened to be six years old.

The next morning, Madeline woke up to the warmth of the sun entering into the room. As she glanced around, she realized she was in an unfamiliar chamber. Recalling the events of the previous night, she scanned the room and noticed the empty bed at its center; the boy she had spoken to was nowhere to be found. Remembering their conversation and his advice, she quickly got out of bed and stealthily exited the room in search of her mother.

She eventually found her mother engaged in conversation with Emilie, both wearing expressions of concern. Sarah was also present, looking equally worried. One of the servants spotted Madeline from a distance and called out to Theresa, who hurried over to her daughter. "Where have you been? I've been searching for you everywhere," She exclaimed with a mix of relief and worry. "Didn't I tell you that wandering around the castle is not allowed? What if the royals had seen you?" she chided gently. Madeline, looking contrite, replied, "I got lost, but I'm okay, Mother. I'm sorry."