Chapter 5

Alicia's POV

In no time, an alarm was implanted inside me, set to beep if I ever dared to escape. The kitchen restrictions forbidding me from touching plates or cutlery were soon forgotten when the palace maids assigned me more strenuous tasks.

"Alicia," the head maid called out.

Without hesitation, I rushed to her side, lowering my head in a show of submission, avoiding any eye contact. I knew too well the consequences of defiance as the memory of a previous maid who suffered severe chastening, enduring a week of starvation, lingered in my mind.

"Your duties will include mopping the floors, cleaning the windows, doing the laundry, and attending to her highness in the king's chamber. From this day onward, you are officially assigned as her personal maid. Do you understand?" she snapped, her sharp tone shattering the last remnants of my fading courage.

"Y-yes, ma'am," I stammered, my voice barely audible.

"I said, I can't hear you!" she bellowed, jolting me into a state of composure. With newfound resolve, I stood firm and repeated my response, this time projecting my voice louder and clearer.

"Yes, ma'am!" I responded emphatically, gripping the foul-smelling hem of my gown, painfully aware of the offensive odor emanating from it.

"Good. Once you've completed all the tasks I listed, one of the maids will assist you. You'll then have the opportunity to bathe and change into fresh attire. From this day forward, you are no longer a prisoner among others but a personal maid exclusively serving Queen Melissa," the head maid explained, to which I nodded in agreement.

The head maid's eyes bore disdain and utter disgust, leaving me questioning my own worth. After she departed, I couldn't ignore the pungent smell emanating from my gown; it was enough to make me shudder.

The prison was a desolate world, hardly fit for any normal person, but my stepmother's cruelty had made me abnormal, leading me to this pitiful state—a princess turned prisoner.

As I held the sponge in my hand, I glanced up to find a daunting sight of numerous used plates and cups in front of me. Overwhelmed, I murmured to myself, "I must start somewhere... If I manage to survive this ordeal, my stepmother will face the consequences. She turned my life into a living hell, and I swear, she will pay dearly."

Suddenly, my thoughts were interrupted as Mrs. Sinclair caught me in her gaze, causing me to instantly grow shy and avert my eyes.

"What's bothering you, dear?" she inquired, entering the kitchen.

"It's evident, isn't it?" I gestured towards the messy plates and the disarrayed floor, explaining what had initially angered me.

"Oh, my dear, allow me to help you with that." Mrs. Sinclair crouched down and began mopping the floor.

"Thank you, but please be quick before the head maid returns," I responded calmly, my voice tinged with exhaustion.

"Wait, she's coming back?" Mrs. Sinclair sounded surprised.

"Yes, and with a maid to dress me for whatever awaits," I replied briefly.

"Something else besides the Alpha Astor matter?" Mrs. Sinclair inquired, sprinkling a bit of soap on the ground to make it cleaner.

"I believe Alpha Astor deliberately assigned me as a personal maid for his future queen, Melissa," I stated, wiping a bead of sweat from my forehead.

Mrs. Sinclair immediately stood up, her expression filled with concern, and set the mop aside. The kitchen now sparkled, glistening like a glass floor. "Are you alright with this?" she asked, genuinely worried.

"I don't really have a choice or a say in the matter. It feels more like an order, so being cool with it is irrelevant. I just have to comply," I explained, rushing over to Mrs. Sinclair and embracing her tightly, seeking comfort as I rested my head on her shoulder while she soothingly patted my back.

"Oh, you poor dear. Don't worry. I'll always be here for you if you need someone to talk to, okay?" Mrs. Sinclair reassured me, pulling away from the hug and gazing into my eyes.

"Okay," I replied softly, managing to muster a faint smile.

"Good. Good. What else do you need me to do? It looks like there are still quite a few plates left. Shall I help you organize the ones you've already rinsed?" she offered abruptly.

"Well, I would truly appreciate the help, but I think you can't anymore." My gaze drifted to the large clock hanging at the back of the kitchen, prompting Mrs. Sinclair to glance at it as well.

"Oh, right. I'll take my leave then. It's 11 pm, and I suppose the head maid will be on her way here, just as you mentioned earlier. See you around, my dear. I love you." Mrs. Sinclair planted a tender kiss on my forehead and departed.

To her, I will always be like a daughter, a reminder of the child she lost to the soldiers sent by Alpha Astor during the war. She endured the painful loss of her only child, and I can't help but feel sympathy for her.

Perhaps that's why she took an interest in me, often remarking, "You look like my daughter. You are just as pretty as she was," a sentiment she repeats to me every single day back in prison.

"I love you too, Mrs. Sinclair," I whispered softly as I watched her leave. Just before she could make a U-turn, she turned back, gazing at me for what felt like an eternity before waving and finally disappearing from sight. With a heavy sigh, I resumed my washing.

At times, I couldn't help but wonder if this was how Cinderella truly felt. Perhaps one day, I would encounter my prince charming and experience a twist in my own story.

However, little did I know that my twist in fate would bring more hardships, and these challenges were tougher than I could have imagined. Hardly had I finished the chores when the head of the maids entered the room, her presence demanding attention as she surveyed the surroundings. Trailing behind her was another maid, who appeared beautiful and composed.

"I can see you've finished. Did someone help you?" she snapped, but I held my ground and quickly responded before her intimidating demeanor overwhelmed me—something she had a habit of doing frequently, making me feel on the verge of despair.

"No, ma'am. I managed everything on my own. No assistance," I replied, attempting to suppress my timidity.

"Alright then. This is Nora. She'll be responsible for washing and dressing you up. If you have any needs, make sure to inform me first. Is that clear?" she inquired, glancing at me while I clutched the tip of my grimy gown, my gaze directed downwards.

"Yes, ma'am," I replied as calmly as possible, trying my best to maintain composure in her presence.

"Good. Now follow. You are dismissed," she stated, resuming her inspection of the kitchen. The place had never appeared so pristine, with the floor and every corner sparkling white. I glanced back to check if she was still observing, but she seemed to have departed.

Following Nora, the maid assigned to assist me tonight, I trailed behind her like a lost puppy until we reached a door, which she opened, ushering me inside.

"Okay. My name is Nora. What's yours?" she finally broke the silence that had lingered between us as we walked down the hallway.

"I'm Alicia," I responded, a hint of indifference in my voice.

"Alright, Alicia, can you please remove your clothes so I can dispose of them?" Nora asked, her eyes fixed on me as she gestured towards my attire.

"Sure. Yes, I will," I responded and slowly moved away from her, taking off my clothes and placing them on the floor. Even my undergarments were in a sorry state, emanating an unpleasant odor.

"Okay. You'll need to remove them all," Nora suggested, and I complied, doing as she asked. It had been a long time since someone had bathed me; those days had ended when my father passed away. My stepmother ensured no maid was assigned to care for me, turning me into a mere servant within my own kingdom.

I wonder if she's content now, wherever she may be. Lost in my thoughts, Nora's voice became faint until she tapped me, bringing me back to the present moment.

"Alicia, are you okay?" Nora's concerned eyes met mine, but the scars from my mistreatment by my stepmother and brother left me unable to trust anyone else. The only exception was Mrs. Sinclair, who resembled a maternal figure to me.

"Get into the bathtub. The water is warm, infused with scented herbs to make you smell better. I'll join you shortly," Nora instructed, pointing towards the left.

"Alright," I responded, choosing to ignore her previous question. Spending about thirty minutes in the bathtub, I heard the door creak open, and I instinctively submerged into the water, my imagination running wild with dreadful scenarios.

My mind raced, fearing it could be a serial killer or someone else menacing entering the room, but then I remembered Nora had stepped out for a while.

"Alicia, Alicia. It's me. Where are you?" Nora called out, prompting me to emerge from the water, surprising her in the process.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you," I reassured her, feigning innocence and remaining calm.

"Alright, let's get you freshened up. I've already wasted too much time. I went to dispose of your clothes," Nora explained, taking charge of the situation.

"Okay," I replied, maintaining my silence and not engaging in conversation with her. She began scrubbing my body, even entering the water to ensure she did her job thoroughly. Throughout the process, neither of us exchanged a single word. Once we finished, Nora dressed me in the most beautiful garments reserved for personal maids to the queen, emphasizing the necessity for me to look exceptional.

Nora proceeded to showcase the clothes I would wear from that day onwards, and she skillfully styled my hair in the most suitable manner. Despite not being adorned in a princess gown, I felt like royalty, and my beauty surpassed any description.

"That will be all, Alicia. I shall take my leave," Nora said softly, preparing to depart. Just as she was about to leave, I called out to her and embraced her in gratitude.

"Thank you, Nora," I murmured against her shoulder before releasing the hug. She left, leaving me alone in the room once more. At least I would finally experience a comfortable sleep on the spacious bed. In prison, rest was a rare luxury, haunted by blood-sucking demons, making me wonder how the little children managed to endure such an environment.

As soon as I finished preparing, a knock echoed on my door, breaking me out of my reverie.

"Alicia, it's time for you to come and meet the queen, who eagerly awaits her personal maid," the head maid's voice penetrated through the door, signaling the moment had arrived.