Chapter 4.

Riya woke up before dawn since that horrifying dream didn't let her sleep. The terrifying dream still lingered in her mind, making her feel uneasy,she looked out the window and realized it was about time to get out of bed,she took her bath quickly dressed in her maid's uniform, preparing for another long day of work at the castle. As she looked out the window, the darkness outside seemed to echo the daunting tasks ahead. With a deep breath, Riya bid her father farewell and set off towards the castle, ready to face whatever the day had in store.

When she got to the royal kitchen, The cook, a stout woman named Mrs. Jenkins together with her mother, were already busy preparing breakfast for the castle's inhabitants. Riya joined in, helping to chop vegetables and stir the porridge.

As the morning wore on, Riya's tasks took her to various parts of the castle. She cleaned the floors, dusted the furniture, and helped the other maids with their duties.

Despite the hard work, Riya found joy in her tasks. She loved being part of the castle's bustling household, and she took pride in keeping the castle spotless.

But as she worked, Riya couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off. She kept thinking about the strange dream she'd had the night before, and the mysterious figure who'd appeared in it.

As Riya went about her duties, she couldn't shake off the feeling that the dream had left her with. She kept thinking about the mysterious figure, and the way he had seemed to know her.

She wondered if it was just a silly dream, or if there was something more to it. Riya had always been a practical person, not one to believe in omens or portents. But there was something about the dream that had felt real.

As she polished the silverware in the dining hall, Riya's mind began to wander. She thought about the figure's piercing blue eyes, and the way he had smiled at her. She felt a shiver run down her spine as she remembered the way he had seemed to see right through her.

Suddenly, Riya heard a voice behind her. "Riya, what's wrong?" it said.

Riya turned to see one of the other maids, a girl named Emily, looking at her with concern. "Nothing's wrong," Riya said quickly, trying to brush off her thoughts. "I was just...lost in thought."

Emily nodded sympathetically. "You've been working hard lately," she said. "Maybe you should take a break?"

Riya smiled gratefully. "No, Emily am okay," she said.

But as she put down the silverware and followed Emily out of the dining hall, Riya couldn't shake off the feeling that something was waiting for her, just out of sight.

Riya and Emily were responsible for cleaning and maintaining the castle's many rooms, including the guest chambers, the great hall, and the royal family's private quarters.

As they worked, they chatted and laughed together, making the task more enjoyable. They talked about their families, their friends, and their dreams for the future.

As they were dusting the furniture in the great hall, Emily turned to Riya and said, "I'm so tired of cleaning. I wish we could have a day off."

Riya smiled sympathetically. "I know what you mean. But we have to make sure the castle is spotless for the royal family."

Just then, the castle's housekeeper, Mrs. White, appeared in the doorway. "Riya, Emily, I need you to clean the east wing today. The royal family will be using those rooms for a special guest."

Riya and Emily exchanged a look. The east wing was one of the most difficult areas to clean, with its intricate tapestries and delicate furnishings.

But they nodded obediently and set to work. As they cleaned, they chatted and joked, making the task more bearable.

Riya and Emily were done with the work Mrs.White told them to do and were heading to the kitchen, thinking they were done for the day, only to be welcomed by another chores when they opened the kitchen door, Riya and Emily were so tired but decided to help the cook, Mrs. Jenkins, prepare lunch for the castle's inhabitants. They chopped vegetables, stirred pots, and set the tables.

As they worked, the kitchen was filled with the delicious smells of roasting meat and freshly baked bread. Riya's stomach growled with hunger, and she couldn't wait to taste the finished meal.

Just then, one of the kitchen servants, a boy named Tim, came running in. "Mrs. Jenkins, the king has requested a special dessert for lunch today," he said, out of breath.

Mrs. Jenkins looked up from the stove. "What kind of dessert does he want?" she asked.

Tim consulted a piece of paper in his hand. "He wants a lemon tart with a special message written on it in icing."

Riya's eyes widened. "That sounds like a lot of work," she said.

Mrs. Jenkins nodded. "It is, but we can do it. Emily, can you help me make the tart crust?"

Emily nodded, and the two of them set to work. Riya, meanwhile, helped Tim prepare the lemons and sugar for the filling.

As they worked, Riya couldn't help but wonder what the special message on the tart would be. And why had the king requested it?

As the tart was finally ready, Mrs. Jenkins handed it to Riya to take to the king's table. Riya carefully carried the tart, admiring the intricate design on top.

When she arrived at the king's table, she gently placed the tart in front of him. The king smiled, his eyes twinkling with pleasure.

"Ah, excellent work, Riya," he said. "And now, let us reveal the special message."

With a flourish, the king removed the small pastry decoration covering the message. Riya leaned in, curious.

The message, written in elegant icing, read: "Welcome, Lord Herbert Robertson. May our alliance bring peace and prosperity."

Riya's eyes widened in surprise. She had heard rumors of a visiting lord, but she hadn't realized the significance of his visit.

The king smiled, pleased with himself. "Lord Herbert Robertson is an important ally, and I wanted to make a good impression," he explained.

Riya smiled, feeling happy to have been a part of the special occasion.

After revealing the special message, Riya curtsied and backed away, her task complete. She returned to the kitchen, where Mrs. Jenkins and Emily were waiting to hear all about it.

Riya smiled, still feeling a sense of pride and accomplishment. "It was a welcome message for Lord Herbert Robertson" she said. "The king seemed very pleased."

Mrs. Jenkins nodded, satisfied. "Well done, Riya. Now, let's eat and get some rest.There's still a lot to do before dinner.".