Chapter 5

• I knew lady Luck was not on my side but seriously what the heck is going on nowadays, I had no idea what Meredith is going to do when she realises that I'm not on my way to the kitchen yet and I'm just lost in this huge Castle or Palace.
• I seriously felt everything is a bit okay I mean all I have to do is go say sorry right. It cannot be that difficult yeah right, it is that difficult because I do not even have the courage to face Prince Edward at the moment.
• What am I to say? That after I tried to steal from him, that I understood and I appreciated the fact that he actually was able to tell the king and queen that they should accept me into the palace as a maid? I'm not even sure he was the one who said it.
• I do know one thing for fact that I will not make this opportunity pass me by, I will make the most of it even if it means that I have to go and meet the prince and kneel down to apologize over and over again.
• “I said come out from there” I heard that voice again and I was really scared because I have no idea who it is was and from the look of how he spoke, he sounds like someone who has authority to command.
• At this moment to say I am beyond flustered is an understatement, I had no idea what I was going to do and just then I heard that voice again. I made up my mind and rounded up the corner to see two old people I'm front of me.
• The grey hair is very prominent and they had on the insignia of the kingdom which must prove that they are elders in the council.
• “Who are you?” One of them asked, I was still feeling a bit of relief because I would do anything and I mean anything just so I would not see that prince throughout my days in the palace which although I know it's highly impossible yet it could still be done with diligence.
• “I do know that you are hale and healthy so why do you seem to not reply”. The second elder said, I flushed red when he spoke.
• “My apologies Elders, my thoughts went farther away from me as I stood before you. I have things to do alas I am new to the palace so I lost my way.” I replied to them honestly. I saw the first elder suspiciously looked at me. I mean I would find myself suspicious as well, I hid by the wall when two people were discussing and then saying you lost your way. It sounds like the start of a great novel found in the library in the orphanage.
• “Then what was the delay when I called you out?” The first one asked again.
• “That would be because I was frightened like I said I am new to this and I apologise for whatever my actions might have caused to your esteemed elder.” I apologized, praying they accept it, first day at work I cannot get fired not at all.
• “And nothing else young lady?” The second asked. I realized that whatever it was that they were discussing must be some secret as they are trying to see if I did hear anything. I raised my head to look.at them and smiled.
• The two elders I saw were a striking contrast to each other. The first was an older man, well into his seventies. He was a little hunched over, with a head full of white hair that was thinning in places. His face was lined with wrinkles, and his skin was weathered and tanned from time spent working outdoors.
• Regardless of his age, his eyes were still bright and alert, and he had a kind, gentle expression on his face. He carried himself with a sense of quiet dignity and wisdom that was apparent in every move he made.
• The second elder was a woman, who appeared to be in her early eighties. She was a little shorter than the man, and her body was frail and thin. She had a head full of silver hair that was pulled back into a bun. Her face was also lined with wrinkles,
• But her eyes were bright, sharp and full of life. She carried herself with a sense of poise and grace that belied her age. She was dressed in a simple but elegant dress, and had a shawl around her shoulders.
• She had a stern and no-nonsense look on her face, and it was clear that she was not one to be trifled with. I knew that if I do not get myself out of this situation then it's not going to be favourable for me at all.
• “I apologize but my head maid asked me to go to the kitchen to help Miss Jesse there. I was on my way when another maid asked me to help her check if there was any random maid around for her to get to help her.” I responded by mixing the truth with some little lie of my own.
• “Well the kitchen is not in this direction.” the male answered.
• “Oh now Philip she is new and I am sure that the must have heard of a staircase that leads to the kitchen from here am I right darling?” The female asked me. I nodded my head and gave her a smile with obvious relief showing on my face.
• “If you will excuse me elders” I curtsied before preparing to take my leave.
• “You are excused and take the stairs to your right when you go through the next corner.” The female told me and returned my smile while the male still looked at me in a suspicious manner. I walked away from them and this time around I did my best in remembering and staying in the direction in my head.
• I still could not calm down my beating heart since I met the Royals and it just so happen that he was right there. I know that I am meant to go and met him and ask for his forgiveness. And so the week went like that with me doing a lot of work, I entered my room in the palace, I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and wonder.
• The room was not large, but it was certainly grand, with high ceilings and furnishings. The walls were painted a pale shade of blue, and adorned with intricate gold leaf designs. The floor was made of polished marble, and a large window let in natural light, illuminating the space with a warm, inviting glow.
• My bed was an actual bed way better than the ones I slept in when I was in the orphanage and definitely a better replacement from sleeping on straws on a cold hard floor, with sheer drapes hanging from the frame, creating a sense of privacy and seclusion.
• The bedding was made of the finest linens, and the pillows were plump and inviting. A small table and chair sat next to the bed, providing a place for me to read or write. A large wardrobe stood in one corner of the room, holding all of my clothes and personal belongings.
• The wardrobe was made of dark wood, and had intricate carvings on the doors and drawers. A small vanity was located next to the wardrobe, with a mirror and a small stool for me to sit on while getting ready.
• The room also has a small fireplace, which provides warmth during the colder months and a large rug lay on the floor in front of it. The room was also equipped with a small balcony that overlooked the palace gardens, providing a peaceful and serene view.
• It was a beautiful and comfortable space that I was grateful to call my own. I walked out today again to see Meredith in front of my room. She had been taking her time to teach me the rules and the dos and don't of the palace which I appreciate her for that.
• “What is the story of Prince Edward and how is it that no one seems to know his face apart from those who worked in the palace.” I asked as we walked toward the laundry room. Meredith looked at me in a where did you live look.
• “He was sent to other kingdoms so he would be able to expand and learn more about what their politics is all about and he would know more on what there is in the neighbouring Kingdoms.” She replied. I do not want to give room to the thoughts in my head but sometimes I can't help but think that for a maid she is too knowledgeable. Apart from trying to survive I'm the street I have pretty much forgotten the formal education given to children.
• “And what year was this?” I asked again.
• “The early reign of our king so that should be something 16 summers ago if I am not mistaken.” She replied confidently. I calculated the years in which he was sent and realized that during those periods I was still in the orphanage and have not even thought of what my life would be few years after.
• “Oh I see that seems interesting I guess.” I murmured out a reply for her. By now we were done with spreading of the sheets given and I could still not help but wonder, she is a head maid yet she still does all these chores with us. She must have noticed my gaze because she smiled at me.
• “I do these things because I enjoy the strain and also being able to have someone to accompany. I have been exempted of my duties if I ever want them to but I do not find it that pleasing.” She answered my unspoken question. Just has I opened my mouth to ask another, I noticed a maid came in and looked at Meredith near me.
• “The Queen request your presence ma'am.” She said in a polite tone.
• “Alright you may go.” Meredith replied to her. She turned to smile at me before she left.
• And then just like that I am left with the thoughts of how I.am to ask for forgiveness from the prince, sealing my resolve I stood up and walked around searching for the prince. And finally Lady luck was smiling at me as I found him. I looked over my appearance and tried to appear as neat as possible to ask for his pardon.
• “My prince I have come to apologize for what I did then.” I started with extreme nervousness holding my throat reducing my voice to a little above a whisper.
• “Guards guards.” He shouted, I looked around trying to find the reason he would calling his guards. I turned to look at him again and I saw a smirk yet not a smirk bit resembling a smile on his face. The guards came in and he pointed at me.
• “How could all of you be so careless as to let a stranger near where a prince is?” He asked in a very commanding voice.
• “Apologies my prince.” One of the guards said, I was frozen on my feet, I knew that I looked like a ripe pumpkin with how hot my face felt at the moment.
• “Arrest this filthy thief from my sight and have her hanged the first light tomorrow morning.” He commanded.
• “What???” I heard my voice squeaked out as lost all sense of hope in me. I came here to apologize so how did this happen to me, I mean I was pardoned and given a job right? Should I have not come to apologize to him? Why is this happening. I am to be hanged by the prince I'm trying to apologise to.
• “I'm sorry please stop please stop.” I screamed at him as I begged him at the top of my voice. None of them entered his ear, he raised his head to look at me and it was the gaze that people give to filthy things that they want to dispose of.
• I cried louder when I was thrown into the prison again, tomorrow morning I am going to die. I stared just felt lost and I started thinking if leaving the sanctuary of the orphanage was the best that I should have done.
• I was not ready for marriage and I most certainly am not ready to die at the moment, the cock crowed, I raised my head and saw it was morning already, I saw the guards entered the cell and I was dragged out to the rope to be hanged.