SENT TO THE KING’S PALACE

“ ugh…. Do I hate her.” One of the maids says, looking at the door. “ Who does she think she is? I think she needs a reality check to know she is just a human and nothing more.”

“ You know she sleeps with them willingly, having some guards wrapped around her fingers.” Another voiced out, siding with the first maid.

“ I think it’s best we all get back to work, instead of discussing what Saoirse does and doesn’t do.” An elderly maid says, butting In on the conversation. “ You do know we have a deadline to meet.”

Her words put an end to the conversation with the rest of the maids carrying on with their work.

When we were done with our respective works, we were called back into the hall where Madam Perrine was going to give us the final decision about the routine change.

We stayed in lines, waiting for her to come into the hall for the second time that day.

Like in the morning, we didn’t have to wait long, before she walked with the same trio trailing behind her.

“ Heads up.” She commands. “ The decision has been made concerning the routine change. Prior to my announcement earlier today, a selected few has been chosen to work in the King’s, while some of you get a new task given to you.”

“ The list would be placed on the table over there.” She points to a small table at the side of the entrance of the hall. “ You are expected to check where you have been assigned to and be prepared the next morning. That’s all for today.” The head maid said, given us one distasteful look, then left the hall with her entourage following behind her as the female among them placed a paper on the table, walking out.

We all moved in line to the table, checking out the list. I kept my focus on the table, my heart beating faster with each step I took.

I sighed when it got to my turn, closing my eyes and taking a deep breath. I never knew I would be this scared to check my name on the list.

Slowly I peeled my eyes open, looking down at the list. My finger traced down the name and I gulped when I got to mine.

Micaela Whitlock.

I traced my name, moving my finger to the right side.

The King’s Palace.

No,

Please No.

This can’t be real.

I can’t be assigned to the King’s Palace, this was all a dream. A bad dream.

I could feel my heart beating rapidly along with the panic that sat at the back of my throat.

“ Can you move out of the way, So that the rest of us can check the list Instead of standing there being dramatic.” Saoirse, venomous voice, spat behind me.

I didn’t get the time to move out of the way, since the queen bee thought it was funny to push me aside, catching me off guard. Loosing my footings, I fell flat down on the floor, my but hitting the floor hard.

A loud groan escape my lips, I stayed sifted on the floor trying to ease the pain knowing for sure that it would bruise

After managing to lift my body up a little, a loud shriek filled the room, and I was pushed back down with more force than before.

My teeth clenched tightly together, holding back a groan. I felt a figure tower over me, causing me to lift my head up, coming face to Saoirse pissed off face.

“ I don’t get it. Why would they pick you, when clearly I’m a better fit than you? Why why why.......” She screamed, straight on my face.

“ Do you think I wanted to get picked.” I whispered, looking at her dead in the face. “ I prefer enduring whatever tortured given to me here then be in the other side of the Palace.”

She scoffed, folding her hands to her chest. “ I guess you won’t be pleased, I mean, it’s best to say your last prayer. There is no way you are going to make it through the day.” She smirked cockily. “ Good luck, not.”

Saoirse rolled her eyes, walking out of the hall with Roselani following behind her.

The other maid passed by me, some gave me a cold smirk while others held pity. I got up from the floor, dragged my legs out of the hall, down the stairs, going back to my room.

There was no way I would have any appetite to eat, not after the list. I walked to the bed, laying on it without getting out of my uniform. My body was cooped up like a foetus, my hands hugged my body and I laid there thinking about what my faith might be.

Numbness filled me, my mind refused to work. I didn’t know if it was due to confusion, fear, denial, or it was the three put together.

Saoirse was right, there was no way I could last a day.

I was going to die.

I guess my time was up, maybe it won’t be such a bad idea. Now, I can finally join my Family and Tatiana in paradise, if there was one.

♧♧♧

It was the next morning and everyone expected to be at the King’s Palace, stood at the entrance of the second Palace, waiting for the guards in charge of taking us over there.

We set out to the other Palace which took about half an hour since we had to walk over there.

On getting there, we all had to write our names down, including our age and gender. Then we were directed to the slaves quarter.

A few minutes later, an elderly looking woman, clearly one of them, walked into the quarter, standing in front of us.

“ Alright, listen up. I am madam Despina, the head maid for this Palace, “She spoke fiercely and filled with confidence.

“ From this moment on, you all belong to the king. Forget about your old lives you lived an hour ago. Forget about whoever was your master. Know that you belong to the king and queen. Your only purpose here is to serve and please your master all the days of your miserable lives.” She smirks. “ You all are privileged to serve such great master like his majesty, King Orpheus Selinofoto.”

There it was again.

That word.

Why do they keep telling us that?

It was obvious how well they loved and respected their king, they didn’t have to force us humans to like them? Not after everything they had done and still doing to my kind.

They were monsters.

Nothing was going to change my thoughts about them.

I kept my face passive, looking at the new head maid, Madam Despina as she spoke, this time it was about a rule we were meant to follow.