Chapter Five: Nicknames

The next day was my very first day working at the royal castle. I got up at 5 in the morning.

'Mmm...where are you going?' Lord Elize asked me.

'To work?' I asked, a little unsure of the answer myself.

'So early?'

I nod.'Does my lord need anything?' I ask.

I nod lightly.

'I want 2 things.' I say despite myself.

'Whatever is it?' Li asks me with a face full of smiles.

'Mm...first of all, I thought we agreed on you calling Elize.'

'Second,-' I pat the spot beside me on the bed.

'Come here.'

The prince was lying on his side, his hand propping up his cheek. He had a bit of a smirk on his face. Still, I nod and obey. I sit on the soft bed, and his highness immediately pulls me down.

I pull Li down and embrace him. All rumors were true! There were rumors circulating that a wolf was even warmer than the finest of blankets.

'Your Highness, I-'

'Shh. Just keep quiet, if you wish to speak to me, call me Elize.' I hushed him.

His warmth was unlike anything I had ever experienced. I wanted to relish in his warmth for at least a moment longer. 'Your Highness Elize, are you perhaps...intoxicated?'

I asked his highness because he was acting really weird right now. My entire body burned. His Highness's face was buried in the crook of my neck. It took a moment for his highness to respond.

'I swear I'm not. I'm just a bit cold. Hope you don't mind.' I respond. 

And that was the absolute truth. Not a bit of it a lie. I spotted Li's ear turning red from the corner of my eye. I smiled despite myself. I loosened my grip on him. 'If Li wishes to leave, I have no objections.'

Thank the good gods!

I quickly scrambled out and straightened my clothing. I bowed.

'Shall I take my leave now, Your Highness Elize?'

I felt a bit disheartened. Li scrambled up quite quickly. Did he not enjoy my embrace? 

'I told you, you are free to go. Though I'd prefer for you to stay and lie with me a bit longer.'I told him.

'My apologies.'He simply said and left.

Hmph! Fine then, I'll let him go. Does he know just how many of the maids here would dream of lying in the same bed as me?

Wait-

What the fuck?!

Why would I think any of that?

What in bloody hell?

My heart started beating faster as I tried to piece together why I was thinking such thoughts, and there was only one explanation. Actually, two, but the first is the more probable one.

1. I'm in love

2. I'm drugged

I don't think I'm drugged, so the second option..? That would certainly explain my rather unusual behavior. When exactly did this happen? The earliest "unusual" thought was probably...the first time I met him?!

I'd only ever heard of love at first sight, never thought I'd experience it! I couldn't help but chuckle.

What had gotten over the prince?! It wasn't my place to judge, though. I made my way to the palace where the other maids were.

'Hey!' A bright human said as she came over. She had blonde hair and blue eyes.

'Hi,' I acknowledged.

'I'm Brille Adams, you?' She continued.

'Liam Isaac.' I replied mundanely.

Brille smiled warmly.

'I'm guessing you're the new maid, the one the prince assigned.'

My face grew hot at the mention of the prince. 'Y-yeah.' I choked out.

'Well then,-' Brille began. 'I've just got to show you around!' She said enthusiastically.

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A good thirty minutes later, a guard with soft blue hair and ocean-blue eyes interrupted our little tour.

'Liam Issac?'The left asked me. I nodded my head.

'The queen wishes to see you. Please come with me.' He said.

I compliantly went with him, waving goodbye to Brille.

'Mm...might I ask why the queen needs me?' I asked. 

The blue-haired soldier just shook his head. I furrowed my brows and pouted as I contemplated why. 

After the incident with Liam, I wanted to ignore him, but alas, he delivered himself to me.

After walking a bit further, I saw a familiar figure. One who had pulled me into an embrace just this morning.

'Your Highness!' Liam and Niko said as they bowed. I hummed in acknowledgment before asking, 'What is my new maid doing with you?'The question was directed at Niko.

I turned to Li, not bothering to hear Niko's answer. 'Don't tell me you've already forgotten what happened today morning. If you haven't, I can't fathom why you'd be roaming about with him.'

I watched in satisfaction as Li's face turned a beautiful red.

'Your Highness, please, don't misunderstand. I wouldn't even think about having an affair with the likes of him. I was merely guiding him to the queen.' Nico replied.

With the likes of me? Right...I'm just a wolf. Nothing special

I saw Li's face droop at Niko's words. I glare at Niko.

'I will lead him to my mother.' I stated.

Niko nodded and walked off. I watched his retreating back and then turned to Li.

'Hello there.'I said to Li, giving him a warm smile.

I looked down. 'Hi, Your Highness Elize.'

Listen, I wasn't trying to get close to the prince or anything, but the prince did order me to call him Elize, and an order is an order. I couldn't see His Highness' expression, but I had a feeling he was smiling. Either way, he seemed to be in a better mood.

I smiled as Li called me Elize without me having to tell him. I escorted him to my mother. I do wonder why she wanted to see Li, though. We reached the main hall. The main hall was where a royal decree was made. It was also where balls and meetings with either the public or our soldiers took place.

I knocked and languidly strolled in once I got an affirmative noise. My mother gave me a confused look. Even after Li came into her view, she still looked confused. 

'What?' I asked her.

'Why are you here? I thought I told Niko to go bring Liam.' My mother said.

Oh, so that was it. I shrugged without bothering to explain. She sighed, letting the matter go before turning towards Li.

'First of all, welcome to the castle, dear.'The queen said. I bowed

'Thank you, Your Majesty.'

The queen smiled softly before continuing. 'I recognize you and your mother's state, and I wish to help, so I have sent 10 thousand gold coins to your mother.'

Did I hear that right? Ten thousand gold coins?! I bow even farther down. 'I thank Your Highness' generosity.' I said.

'Only ten thousand?' I ask my mother. 

Ten thousand was far too low. Liam must be utterly disappointed. I should make it a point to give him at least a hundred diamonds later.

I look at His Highness Elize in shock. What does he mean by 'only ten thousand'?

'Ahem. If Liam does well in his job as your maid, we'll give him even more. This is just to fix them financially.' The queen spat back, quite obviously offended and maybe even ashamed at the prince's accusations.

I shrugged. I'll make sure that he does well. 'Vamp. You can leave now.'My mother told me.

I cocked an eyebrow at her statement. 

'I need to talk to Liam about his duties, how he can contact his mother, the rules a maid has to follow, and such. Your presence isn't needed.'

I tried objecting, but in the end, it was futile. 'Hmph! Fine then. Li, you better be back to our bed chamber by six this evening!' I said and stormed out. It really wasn't fair. He was MY maid after all.

Not long after the prince left, the queen started giggling.

'It seems my son has taken quite a liking towards you, my dear.' She said in between laughs.

I put my head down. 'Y-you think so, Your Majesty?'

'Mhm. Once my son finds something he fancies, he doesn't like other people, even his own mother, to have even a single glance at it. I bet he desperately wishes he could lock you up in your bed chamber and be the only one who visits you.' She chuckled.

I shuddered at the idea. I think the queen noticed this and quickly added, 'Of course, he wouldn't because he knows you won't like it.'

I smile despite myself. Now what shall I do? The queen began explaining what my duties were.

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By the time everything was done and over with, it was already five forty-five. Since my 'curfew', if it could even be called one, was six, I decided to go back to the maid's room to collect my stuff and maybe even talk to Brille. 

On my way back from the maid's room, I soon bump into that blue-haired guard from before. 

'Uh...I apologize. I got in your way.'I said, bowing my head. He probably thought I dirtied him.

He didn't respond for a while. 'I...should be the one apologizing.'

I made a confused noise.

'I offended you earlier, and...you were hurt because of me. Could you please forgive me?'

Someone...was apologizing...to me...wow.

'O-of course.' I stuttered.

The guard's face immediately brightened."Thank you. My name is Niko. What's yours?' He said, giving me a warm smile.

I think my heart just skipped a beat.

'M- my name's Liam.' I said hurriedly. I glanced at the clock. Oh no! It was going to be six in five minutes!

'Umm, I have to go now, see you around!' I said quickly as I dashed over to the prince's bed chamber. 

I knocked on the door. 'Your Highness? You Higness...Elize?' I called out, whispering the last part.

The door swung open. 'Li! O've been waiting, you know!'The prince said.

Li had come a good 2 minutes earlier than he was supposed to. He must've really wanted to see me. I smiled and let him in. 'So, tell me about your day.'

'Umm, well...I made a new acquaintance.'

'Oh, and who?'

'A girl named Brille.'

'I see... Do you like her? How would you feel if she were fired?'

'Umm, I like her quite a bit. I would feel bad if she were fired.'

'I see...'

I shuddered thinking about what her majesty told me.

'Your Highness, we'd better retire now.' I advised, hoping he wouldn't think about firing Brille anymore.

I shrugged but complied nevertheless. And thus, our day ended.

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