Chapter 3

Maya rose at dawn, her limbs heavy but her mind sharp. She had little time to herself before her duties began, and today's task held new importance. She was to prepare the princess for her meeting with the prince of Elkodia. Walking through the quiet morning halls, she heard whispers from a group of servants nearby, their voices soft with excitement.

"The prince of Elkodia is so handsome," one said dreamily. "I wish he'd notice me, just once."

"Don't be foolish," another replied with a sigh. "He's royalty. He could never marry outside the royal line."

"But that doesn't mean we can't admire him, does it?" a third laughed softly. "To even be in his presence would be enough."

Maya shook her head slightly, their voices fading behind her as she reached the princess's door. She knocked twice, as Elara had shown her, the sound firm but respectful. After a pause, a cool voice from inside called out.

"Come in. Don't stand there like a statue."

Maya entered, bowing her head. The princess sat on the edge of her grand bed, her nightgown a silken white that made her skin seem to glow in the morning light. Even in her natural state, with her hair slightly mussed and her gaze still softened from sleep, her beauty was undeniable. Her figure was lithe and elegant, her skin flawless in a way that seemed almost otherworldly. Maya felt an unbidden pang of insecurity and quickly banished the thought.

With her head bowed, she hurried toward the bathing chamber, her feet moving swiftly to prepare the bath. She filled it carefully, making sure the water was the right temperature, then added the lavender oils and rose petals the princess favored. The air filled with a light, soothing fragrance.

"Your bath is ready, my princess," Maya said softly, bowing again as the princess walked past her, her expression indifferent.

While the princess bathed, Maya moved quickly, her mind already on the next task. She searched through the wardrobe, eyes flicking over the various gowns until she found one she thought most fitting for today: a rich blue silk that would set off the princess's eyes. She laid it out on a stand near the vanity, carefully smoothing the fabric so it would be flawless when the princess dressed.

Once the gown was ready, Maya returned to the bed, tidying it with swift, practiced movements. She pulled the covers taut, fluffing the pillows and setting everything in place so the bed looked untouched and pristine.

When she was done, she glanced toward the bathing chamber, hearing the faint splashes as the princess washed. Maya straightened, her hands clasped at her waist as she waited, her own reflection cast in the polished wardrobe door. 

Elara moved through the grand corridors toward the queen's private chambers, her steps measured but filled with purpose. Behind her trailed a small entourage—a skilled stylist, a talented perfumer, and a jeweler with a carefully guarded box of the palace's finest gems. In her own hands, Elara held a gown an opulent creation in deep crimson, threaded with shimmering gold.

Her small procession followed her as she made her way to the princess's quarters. When she entered, her sharp eyes landed on Maya's carefully chosen blue gown, laid out on a stand near the vanity. Elara's face twisted with disdain, her eyes narrowing slightly. With a slight gesture of her hand, she dismissed it, ordering it to be removed.

"This simply won't do," she murmured, the words cutting through the silence of the room. "Take it away."

Maya quickly gathered the blue dress, trying to keep her expression neutral. She had chosen it with care, but Elara's authority was absolute, and there was no room for objections.

Elara turned to face Maya, her expression unreadable. "I'll be out of your way soon enough, but know this—within the next hour, I expect the princess to be nothing short of perfection." She paused, her gaze fixed on Maya. "Ensure that no detail is missed."

"Yes, Elara," Maya replied, her voice steady as she bowed.

With that, Elara nodded and stepped aside, watching as her team began their work.

The stylist moved first, her fingers deft and graceful as she arranged the princess's hair, weaving it into a flowing braid that framed her face perfectly. A soft curl fell beside her cheek, giving her a touch of effortless beauty while still maintaining a regal air. Next, the perfumer opened a delicate glass bottle, releasing a light, captivating scent—a blend of rose and amber that would linger subtly as she moved, a fragrance that would remind anyone in her presence of warmth and elegance.

Then came the jeweler, placing a gleaming necklace of rubies and diamonds around her neck, and matching earrings that caught the morning light, casting faint glimmers across her face. Each piece was chosen to enhance her features, to make her beauty striking and impossible to ignore.

At last, Elara herself approached with the crimson gown. As the princess slipped into it, Elara adjusted the gown, smoothing the fabric over her shoulders and setting each layer in place. The rich red fabric, with its gold accents, fell perfectly around her figure, bringing out the brightness of her eyes and the fairness of her skin.

Elara took a step back, her eyes appraising the princess with satisfaction. "Yes," she murmured, mostly to herself. "This is how a princess should look. Proper, polished... powerful.

As soon as Elara swept out, Maya quietly began tidying up, slipping back into her usual routine. She moved through the princess's room with practiced speed, her hands smoothing out the sheets, straightening pillows, and picking up anything left askew from the earlier preparations.

The princess was still at the vanity, admiring herself in the mirror. The gown sparkled in the morning light, catching every movement she made, its deep crimson hues complementing her perfectly. She lifted her chin, tilting her head to inspect the diamond necklace as it glinted around her neck, a satisfied smile on her face.

But as she adjusted her gaze, the princess's eyes caught Maya's reflection in the mirror, and her expression shifted. Her eyes narrowed, and she muttered, almost too quietly to hear, "Ugly."

A faint snort escaped her as she continued looking Maya up and down with undisguised distaste. Then, a sharp, mocking smile played across her lips.

"Come over here, ugly," she drawled, her voice dripping with disdain. She pointed vaguely toward the floor. "There's a spot you missed."

Maya hurried over, her gaze sweeping the floor, searching for any dust or dirt she might have overlooked. But as she knelt down, the princess smirked, tapping the mirror and laughing quietly.

"No, no," she said, feigning surprise, her eyes glinting with cruel amusement. "I meant you. That face of yours—what a shame to be so hideous."

Maya kept her eyes down, swallowing back the sharp retort that rose in her throat. She reminded herself of the queen's orders, the veil that covered her as both a reminder of her place and a shield from this kind of humiliation. She forced herself to keep her voice steady.

"I'm sorry, my princess," she murmured. "I will see to it."

The princess tilted her head, leaning forward as though trying to peer beneath the veil. "I wonder…" she mused, her voice soft but taunting. "Are you even more hideous under that thing?"

She reached a hand toward Maya's face, as though she might tear the veil away, her laughter low and mocking. Maya instinctively leaned back, her heart pounding as she fought to maintain her composure.

"Forgive me, my princess," Maya said, her voice as calm as she could manage. "The queen has forbidden me to unveil myself."

The princess snorted, rolling her eyes and waving a dismissive hand. "Yes, yes, as if anyone would want to see that face anyway." She returned to her own reflection, smoothing down the gown and tilting her head just so, her disdain for Maya already forgotten.

Maya lowered her gaze and returned to her duties, the princess's laughter still ringing in her ears. She could feel the sting of shame and frustration welling up, but she pushed it down, letting the sound of the princess's voice fade as she went on with her work, knowing that she, too, was only a shadow in the life of the palace.

The princess was summoned to the throne room, and as she walked, her gown seemed to shimmer with every step. Sunlight poured in from the tall windows, catching on the delicate gold threads woven into her garment, and each gleam of light made her appear ethereal. She held her head high, moving with a poise and elegance that underscored her royal bearing, each step measured, every inch of her projecting confidence and power.

She reached the throne room and paused just before the grand doors. She took a deep breath, smoothing her gown with practiced grace, and then entered, bowing low before the king and queen, who sat in their regal seats. Her gaze was steady, and her movements flawless as she rose from her bow and took her place in the seat designated for her, just a step below the thrones.

The queen's gaze swept over her, lingering on her gown with a look of approval. The royal family, adorned in resplendent garments rich with gold and intricate embroidery, reflected the traditions of their kingdom, where clothing was not only a display of wealth but of cultural pride and heritage. Gold adorned every detail, symbolizing the legacy and history they carried, a legacy that would be passed to the future ruler.

Maya's POV

After the princess was summoned to the throne room, the rest of us were called to the kitchens to prepare for the day's grand meal. The kitchen buzzed with activity, pots clanging, spices filling the air, and the scents of Eldoria's finest dishes beginning to waft through the room. Each dish was carefully chosen to reflect our kingdom's heritage, and the chefs worked with precision, arranging everything to perfection.

Around me, the servants whispered, their voices soft but eager.

"Did you see the princess today?" one asked as she stirred a pot of stew, her eyes glinting with excitement.

"Oh, she looked stunning," another replied as she rolled out dough, glancing up with a dreamy sigh. "That dress—fit for a queen."

"She'll definitely catch the prince's eye," a third chimed in as she worked nearby, a knowing smile playing on her lips.

Their chatter blended with the hum of kitchen work, but each word sank deep. I kept my head down, trying to focus on the task in front of me. But the memory of the princess's mocking words slipped into my mind, along with that sneer on her face, as though just looking at me was an offense.

I felt myself drift, the sounds around me fading as a single question gnawed at my thoughts. Am I really that ugly?

Before I knew it, a sharp pain snapped me back to the present. I looked down, realizing I'd sliced my finger while chopping vegetables, a bright bead of blood pooling at the cut. I hissed softly, clutching my hand, but the pain wasn't just from the cut; it was deeper, lingering from her words, stinging with a sharper edge than any knife.

Elera's sharp gaze immediately fell on me, her eyes narrowed in disapproval as she scanned the red staining my hand. "Maya," she said, her voice firm. "Go. Before you spoil the floors with your blood."

I nodded, murmuring an apology, and quickly tore a strip from the edge of my sleeve, wrapping it tightly around the wound to stop the bleeding. Keeping my head low, I hurried out of the kitchen, feeling the weight of her disapproving stare follow me out.

After Maya left the kitchens, Elalra watched her quietly, a calculating look in her eyes. Noticing the bloodstains on Maya's old dress, she followed her to the tiny chamber Maya called her own. Elara carried a royal blue gown, finely made yet simple enough for a servant. Inside, she found Maya's worn, stained clothes folded on the bed. Without hesitation, she took them, laying the new gown in their place.

Before leaving, she left clear instructions for Maya: to change immediately and report back to her. With that, Elara exited the room, leaving behind the fresh gown—a mark of her authority and, in her way, of her peculiar brand of kindness.

When Maya returned to her chamber, her eyes widened at the sight of the dress. Its rich color felt strange and foreign, a stark contrast to the humble life she was accustomed to. Tentatively, she ran her fingers over the soft fabric, taking in its elegance. She slipped out of her old clothes and into the new gown, feeling a strange mix of gratitude and discomfort at wearing something so beautiful.

She looked around for her veil, her heartbeat picking up when she couldn't find it. She remembered Elara's words about taking her dress to the dressmaker, but she hadn't imagined the veil would be taken too. Standing there without it made her feel exposed, vulnerable in a way that her usual, worn garments had protected her from.

Without wasting another moment, she hurried out of her chamber, head down, trying to keep herself unseen as she made her way to find Elara. Perhaps Elara still had her veil with her, or knew where it had gone.

As she turned a corner quickly, her head lowered, she suddenly collided with someone. She stumbled back a step, a soft gasp escaping her lips as she looked up.

A tall young man stood before her, dressed in refined clothes that spoke of high status. His expression shifted from mild annoyance to curiosity as he looked her over, taking in her face, and then her gown.