chapter eight
The next morning, Katherine followed the head maid to the kitchen.
She wore the crisp maid uniform. Her expression remained subdued.
The head maid's face turned authoritative. "Alright everyone, listen up," the head maid announced.
The kitchen staff halted their tasks. They turned toward the head maid, their faces reflected curiosity.
"Today, we have a new person in our midst," the head maid began. "She will help in the kitchen as an assistant."
Katherine's eyes dropped, slightly embarrassed.
"Although she is one of the guests participating in the crown prince selection," the head maid continued. "But something happened, and she is under the king's punishment."
Katherine sighed tiredly. Her frustration still lingered. "Let's not be formal about it..." Katherine said, cutting her short. Her tone lightened the mood. "Sorry to cut in..." She apologized. "I'll tell it myself." Her eyes met the staff's. "Here's how it happened. I got the invitation, and I refused to participate because it wasn't my thing."
Her voice carried a hint of defiance. "But it turned bad when the king saw one participant was missing... which is me."Katherine's expression turned wry. "I stubbornly refused to obey his invitation, and I was dragged here against my will." Her shoulders shrugged. "And now I ended up here in the kitchen as punishment for being disobedient."
The staff's faces softened as sympathy and amusement reflected.
The first maid's expression turned warm. "Don't worry, we got you," the first maid reassured.
The head maid's face turned kind. "We are here for you, and also to put you through," the head maid added.
Katherine's gaze met theirs.
Gratitude flickered.
Her smile returned. "Thank you, I appreciate," Katherine said.
The tension dissipated.
The kitchen staff welcomed Katherine. Their kindness eased her burdens.
~~~~
Some minutes later, Katherine helped set up the dining table for the invited guests. Her expression turned focused.
The ladies were already seated, waiting to be served.
As Katherine entered, holding a bowl of rice, Diana and Stella's eyes widened in surprise. Their faces broke into mocking laughter.
"Katherine, are you kidding me...?" Diana laughed. Her voice dripped with amusement.
"I thought it was a joke when I heard it... so, you're now a maid in the palace," Stella mocked. Her eyes sparkled with ridicule.
Katherine's face fell, defensive. "It's not what you think, okay?" Katherine said.
Her voice laced with frustration.
One of the girls leaned in, curious. "Do you girls know her?" she asked.
Diana's smile turned condescending. "Yes, she's our step-sister," Diana revealed.
The other girls' expressions turned shocked. Their eyes darted to Katherine, reassessing her.
"Just look at how you've reduced yourself... A maid!" Diana exclaimed.
The room erupted into laughter.
Katherine's face burned with embarrassment. Humiliation etched on her features.
Her eyes dropped, avoiding their gazes. Just then, Queen Charlotte entered the room.
The atmosphere shifted. Everyone stood, bowing their heads in respect.
"Is everything okay?" Queen Charlotte asked. Her voice calm, authoritative.
The room fell silent.
Diana and Stella's smirks vanished. Their faces turned demure.
Katherine's gaze met Queen Charlotte's, a flicker of gratitude passed.
The queen's presence had halted the mockery. For now, Katherine was spared.
The ladies resumed eating after Queen Charlotte's departure.
The dining table returned to calm, with gentle clinking of utensils.
Until one of the girls spoke, her voice tinged with excitement. "Have you girls heard?" she asked.
The others raised their faces, curiosity etched.
"I heard the crown prince is back," she announced.
Her eyes sparkled. The room's atmosphere shifted.
"I can't wait to meet my prince charming," she cooed.
Diana and Stella exchanged a disdainful glance. Their faces twisted in disgust.
"Who's your prince charming? Don't dream it," one girl blurted. Her tone dripping with sarcasm.
"He's not yours," another girl chimed in. Her voice laced with competitiveness.
The table erupted into a cacophony of opinions.
Arguments and laughter intertwined. The atmosphere turned rowdy.
Contemplation and speculation filled the air.
Katherine watched, detached. Her expression neutral, Observing the drama unfold.
The other girls' faces reflected determination.
Each hoping to capture the crown prince's heart.
The dining table transformed into a battleground.
Where alliances would be forged and broken, and the stakes were high the crown prince's affection.
Meanwhile, Dominic sat in his room, surrounded by his brothers.
Alex's face lit up with excitement. "You needed to be there... it was fun," Alex said, grinning.
Ethan and Lucas chuckled.
Their laughter filled the room. But Dominic's expression remained subdued. His eyes gazed off, distant and Unfocused.
Alex's grin faltered. "Not paying attention, huh?" Alex asked.
Ethan and Lucas exchanged concerned glances. "Earth to Dominic!" Ethan joked.
Dominic's gaze didn't waver.
His mind seemed elsewhere.
Alex tried again. "Seriously, Dom, you missed some drama," Alex said.
Ethan chimed in. "Father really lost it with that Katherine girl," He added.
Dominic's eyes snapped back into focus.
A flicker of interest sparked.
But his expression remained calm.
"Go on," Dominic said. His tone neutral.
Alex leaned in. "Father summoned her for the prince selection," Alex began.
"But she refused," Ethan continued.
Lucas chuckled."Can you believe it?".
Dominic's expression remained attentive.
Listening intently.
His brothers continued sharing the story.
Dominic's gaze never wavered. His interest in Katherine grew.
A subtle shift in his demeanor from detached to engaged.
♣
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♣
Two days passed.
The palace's grand hall filled with anxious chatter. The ladies, including Katherine, assembled. Their faces reflected anticipation.
The seer arrived, his presence commanding attention. His eyes, piercing and wise, swept the room.
The king and queen sat dignified. Their expressions solemn.
Their children's absence was notable. Dominic, Alex, Lucas, and Ethan were elsewhere engaged in royal duties.
The seer began to speak.
His voice resonated through the hall. "Ladies, the time of selection draws near."
His gaze wandered, settling on Katherine. Her eyes met his as she was Uncomfortable, she shifted.
The seer's stare deepened, Piercing her very soul.
Katherine's face flushed, Her eyes darted away.
The king's brow furrowed, concern etched on his face.
Queen Charlotte's expression turned curious. Her eyes observed the seer's intense gaze.
The seer's focus lingered on Katherine, As if uncovering hidden truths.
Katherine's discomfort grew.
She fidgeted.
The seer's gaze finally shifted. He continued addressing the ladies. "Each of you has been chosen for a reason." His voice echoed through the hall. "Your qualities and virtues will be tested."
The ladies listened intently.
Katherine's eyes remained downcast. Still feeling the weight of the seer's gaze.
The king and queen exchanged a glance.
Intrigue and apprehension danced in the silence, questions loomed.
What did the seer see in Katherine?
And what lay ahead for the royal family?