Part 7

The maid almost jumped out of her skin, looking over her shoulder at the intruder. As soon as she spotted Prince Javier idly leaning against the wall with a smirk, she deflated. Still, her heart thudded against her chest, willing her to breathe through her mouth for a few seconds.

"Your Highness" She greeted a little too late, her hand fisted by her sides. Despite her rude behaviour, i.e. ignoring the royal standing in front of her; Javier didn't seem bothered.

He seemed to gawk at her through those eyes, a flash of brightness cutting through the night. The Prince turned to the railing and then looked up, before slowly turning back to Celina. "Its too dark out here, Celina. Would you care to light up a lamp?"

Celina raised her brow. Surely he hadn't come down just to say that. What was she missing? Goosebumps prickled her skin at way he kept staring. True to his word, it was dark, the only light source being the moon and the stars.

When she nodded her head, the Prince sighed in relief. "Thank you."

The new maid stepped in the adjoining room and fumbled for the light. Even though the castle had electricity, the Prince did ask her to get a lamp. So there she was—searching for the appropriate night lamp instead of flicking lights on. Celina found the lamp and turned it on.

Upon entering the balcony, she slid the door shut behind her. The light flickered on, and the maid was able to get a proper look of Javier standing by the railing.

And...wow. The Prince's eyes were green. That's the first thing she noticed—mirroring those green eyes Celina dreamed about, and he's also really attractive. Maybe almost obnoxiously so. Breath got knocked out of her lungs as she thought back to her dream. How did the maid not notice that Javier had green eyes too? This changed everything.

Then again, it's not like he's the sole owner of the colour green. It may be someone else lurking in her dreams other than the Prince who also happened to be master. She shouldn't be having any sort of thoughts about him.

Shaking her head, she looked up. Dressed in all black pyjamas, the Prince managed to look breathtaking. Tall, broad, and lean. His hair was messy, few dark curls escaping and falling over his forehead. The lines of his face were sharp and angled, lips plush and jaw defined. Suddenly, Celina felt very aware of her nightdress and how her hair must be a mess and skin sickly from lack of sleep.

"Celina?" The Prince called out cautiously, narrowing his eyes.

The maid jerked at his rough sound, snapping out of her thoughts. Her cheeks coloured when she realised Javier must've said something, but she was too busy staring to catch it. It curled her toes.

"I apologise, Your Highness." She blurted out, before adding hastily, "Still half asleep."

He furrowed his brows. "Maybe you should go back to sleep, Celina."

"No worries," She croaked, looking away to the ground. "I can wait here for a few minutes."

"Suit yourself."

The maid nodded her head, hanging the lamp on the wall, an effort to bring some light in to replace the bitterness and hopelessness that's festered in the deepest corners of the balcony.

"Thank you," Celina said awkwardly, squeezing the fabric of her dress in her hands tighter. This is very awkward, she thought to herself standing next to the Prince by the railing.

They both were staring at the same scenery while she's in her pyjamas. Very weird, indeed.

She wondered what the Prince was doing out on the balcony at two in the morning anyway, thinking of the tiredness she felt mirrored in Javiers face. What demons plagued his mind?

They have been quiet for too long, so she took the liberty of starting the conversation. "Your Highness Is that a grand piano in the living hall?" She blurted cheeks colouring.

The Prince appeared startled but then nodded his head. "Yes"

Okay. That's a good start.

Celina exhaled, unable to help but grin. "I heard you the other day. Playing. On my first day here." She bit her lip, "You're outstanding."

"Thank you," Javier said softly, a hand reaching up to his neck absentmindedly. "There's just something about having a huge musical instrument in your living hall. It lights up the room, I guess."

"So it's for the aesthetic?" Celina questioned, unable to stop herself only cringing a moment after. She had no business inquiring such things.

Instead of taking offence, the Prince shook his head. "Not always. I have that piano because I love to play. The sound is marvellous, and echoes in living room just adds to it."

"Your Highness, you're truly gifted," The maid blushed as she peered at him. "Is everything you play original?"

"Yeah," The Prince nodded, his eyes focused on anywhere but her. "No one to judge them but me."

Celina immediately thought of the haunting melody she had heard, throat clogging up. "I don't think you have anything to worry about," She said honestly but grimaced, fumbling for something else to say. The maid didn't know why, but she had an urge for them to continue this conversation - when the sun isn't up yet, and they are the only ones awake.

"How long have you been playing?"

The Prince froze. He abruptly took a step back and walked towards the door. "It's late. Goodnight"

Is it something she said?

***

The next morning Celina woke up confused, disoriented and cranky of all. She didn't get the proper eight-hour rest as her mother always insisted on. With sleep still in her eyes, the maid finished her shower in record-breaking time with clean hair and moisturised skin.

Standing in front of the full-length mirror in her uniform, a white full-sleeved shirt, a tight-fitting black skirt that reached her knees, and a very unnecessary, yet, 'compulsory' lace white apron. It was apart of the job, and she wouldn't fight them on it, Celina just had to accept it and get used to the garment.

She was surprised at how the work outfit hugged her curves and accentuated her figure nicely. The end of that skirt had flare which made difficult to bend over without flashing her panties. Back in her village, she didn't own any knee-length dress, always opting to cover herself till the ankles mostly because she was shy to show off her body.

Surprisingly, the apron complimented the outfit well as it completed the look, maybe it wasn't all that bad.

The maid didn't feel like eating in the morning, so she quickly brushed her teeth before sitting back on the bed. She started at nine, and it was only eight. One long hour till she could do anything she wanted. Mostly it was for them to eat.

Standing up, she paced across the room a couple of times before picking up all the clothes strewn on the floor. They were hers. Celina needed to do laundry soon. Stacking them in the bathroom in a pile only took up a few minutes of her time. After pacing a couple more times, she decided to leave her room and check the day's schedule.

The notice board in the kitchen had their morning duties sorted for each and everyone—even Alfred.

As soon as Celina found her name beside the Princes room, she audibly gulped. Cleaning his quarters was her duty.

Sighing loudly, she stopped at the supplies cupboard to collect the small trolley of supplies needed. It was a few minutes walk from the kitchen. As she rounded the corner of the hallway, the one that led to the rooms, mainly the Prince chamber Celina twisted her lips. It's not like she had an option.

The maid didn't waste time, just walked to her destination without looking back. She had her little supply trolley at her side while standing outside the room. Nerves raked her, and she had no idea why she was only here to clean the room. Besides, Beth would simply give her a punishment if she denied to do the work without any reasonable cause.

Celina had just encountered the easiest part of the job, entering the room. Only two simple knocks would be slight. But why was it so hard? Lifting her hand shakily to the door, the maid knocked two times and exhaled.

Footsteps echoed from the other side before the door opened and she assumed it was the Prince standing there, but she couldn't look up, frozen in fear. The maid couldn't help but latch onto her lip using her teeth, watching the shoes of the owner plant themselves to the ground with an air of dominance and authority.

"Y-Your Highness I-I've come to c-clean your r-room."

He cleared his throat and motioned to the room, scooting at the side. "I hope there won't be any snooping this time."

Was that his attempt at humour? She nodded her head and hid a smile anyway.

***