hail Mary full of grace

Chapter 9

Lunar woke up with a start..did she just have a bad dream or was she hallucinating?She looked at the other end of the bed.It was neat and well arranged,a sign that no one slept there which means she was yet to meet her husband.

She climbed down the bed headed for the bathroom and yelped when she noticed the three chamber maids standing erect and watching her curiously..each one of them holding a dress for her to choose from.

"How long have you been standing there"?she asked catching her breath but of course none of the maids opened their mouth to reply.

Someone knocked on the door

"Come in",Lunar said half-heartedly as a dark haired girl walked in..she had brown eyes and caramel skin..she was one of the New handmaids assigned to lunar

"Greetings your highness"she bowed politely

"And you are.."

"Greta..your highness"

"I wasn't asking your name,who are you?"

"Am sorry your highness..I am your personal maid"Greta said carefully and smiled.She never stopped smiling even when she was hurt..it was a skill she'd learnt to practice in the palace.

"Great...can you tell me what day it is?"Lunar wasn't really asking a question

"It's Sunday your highness"

"Lunar is fine by me"

"Your highness??"Greta asked

"I said call me lunar"Lunar Said feeling hungry already.."am late for mass,is everyone waiting for me?"

"For what,my lady?"

"Why, for church of course, it's past 8am,am I right?"

"My lady nobody goes to church in this palace"Greta revealed and the princess looked at her confused..she didn't understand a thing the girl was saying

"What do you mean nobody goes to church,why not?,is it a crime?"

"You could call it that..my lady"

Lunar was quite for a while,she was trying to digest something..she knew she wasn't really a good girl but she never missed church for anything and even her father made it a compulsory commandment so she was surprised everyone in this palace were pagans.

She turned to the three chamber maids who still had their eyes fixed on her "leave"she said but it was almost like the maids were rooted to a spot "I said leave,I will call you if I need your help"the princess repeated and they left obediently..

"Tell me something about this family!"

"What would you like to know my lady"?Greta asked eagerly..she loved talking and was the loquacious type.

"Do you know where his majesty the king is??"

Greta hesitated before answering in a quiver "I have no idea"she said and for once she realized she'd spoken more than she was supposed to...Lunar didn't say a word..she just stood up,went to the drawer,got her crucifix and began to recite hail Mary .

After the prayer she replaced the crucifix back in the drawer and turned to Greta who had a stunned look on her face

"What!"

"My....."the girl stuttered,,she was all white with fear