FORBIDDEN ATTRACTION

It all unfolds in a grand, opulent chamber within the palace walls. The King and Queen, resplendent in their finery, sit upon thrones, flanked by their trusted advisors. Before them stand a dozen young women, all vying for the coveted position of maid to the young Princess Sophia.Each candidate is dressed in her finest attire, attempting to make a favorable impression. The room is thick with tension as they await their turn to be interviewed.Aria, a petite, raven-haired beauty with piercing green eyes, stands demurely at the back of the group. Her simple yet elegant gown and modest demeanor set her apart from the more ostentatious displays of the other candidates. As the interviews proceed, the King and Queen of valdoria pose questions about each candidate's experience, skills, and character. One by one, the young women respond with varying degrees of confidence and poise.When Aria's turn arrives, she approaches the throne with a quiet grace. Her voice is clear and melodious as she answers the royal couple's queries, revealing a deep understanding of child development, a talent for music and storytelling, and a strong sense of loyalty and discretion.What sets Aria apart, however, is her unwavering compassion and empathy. When the Queen inquires about her approach to soothing a distressed child, Aria responds with a gentle smile, "Your Majesty, I believe that every child's tears hold a story, and it is our duty to listen and understand. I would cradle Princess Sophia in my arms, sing a soft lullaby, and whisper words of comfort until her heart is calm once more."The King and Queen exchange a knowing glance, impressed by Aria's heartfelt response. As the interview concludes, it becomes clear that Aria's kindness, intelligence, and dedication have made a lasting impression on the royal couple.In this moment, Aria stands out among the other candidates, her humble yet radiant presence illuminating the grand chamber. The King and Queen nod in unison, their decision made. As the interview comes to a close, the King and Queen nod in unison, their decision made. Aria, the unassuming yet extraordinary young woman, shall become the trusted maid to their beloved Princess Sophia."Thank you, Aria," the Queen says with a warm smile. "We shall send for you shortly to begin your duties. The king and queen wanted to be the ones to conduct the interview for their lovely daughter because they didn't trust that anyone would pick the right candidate, only if the prince was around, then he would have done it, but he was in another kingdom attending to other important duties."You have shown us that you possess the heart and skills to care for our precious daughter."Aria curtsies deeply, her eyes shining with gratitude. "Thank you, Your Majesties. I am honored beyond words to serve Princess Sophia and the royal family."As Aria departs the chamber, the other candidates cast envious glances her way. They know that they have been outshone by this quiet, unassuming young Aria. Aria looked around the castle and she was amazed by how beautiful it looked, earlier on when she came in she was to nervous because of the job and that was why she couldn't admire the beautiful castle, she couldn't help but be awestruck by the grandeur of Blackwood Keep. The castle's imposing walls seemed to close in around her, its stone façade a testament to the power and legacy of the Blackwood dynasty. She felt small and insignificant in the face of such majesty, her footsteps echoing off the stone floors as she made her way through the winding corridors. The tapestries that lined the walls seemed to whisper secrets of the past, their intricate threads weaving tales of love, loss, and betrayal. The air was thick with the scent of old wood and smoke, a constant reminder of the castle's ancient history. Aria's gaze was drawn to the grand staircase, its ornate banister gleaming in the flickering torchlight. She ascended the stairs, her footsteps slow and deliberate, as if she was tracing the path of countless others who had come before her.As she reached the top of the stairs, the chandelier above cast a warm glow, illuminating the path to the private chambers of the royal family. Aria's heart raced with a mix of excitement and trepidation as she wondered what secrets lay hidden behind the ornate doors, what whispers were shared in the darkness of the night. The castle was a labyrinth of secrets and mysteries, a place where the past and present collided. And Aria, with her humble beginnings and uncertain future, was about to become a small but significant part of its story. Aria was very excited as she stepped into the small but beautiful house she lived in with her mother "mother mother!!! I got the job she said as she pulled her mother into a warm hug, "oh my dear I'm happy for you her mother said with a genuine smile, I knew you'd make it my shining star. The next few days came with Aria arranging her luggages as she was getting ready to go, the royal carriage pulled up in the Forthergill's home "Aria they are here, Aria mother called from outside, Aria came out with her luggages and her mother hugged her "make sure you write letters to me, and be good, Mrs Forthergill said to her daughter. "I promise I'll do that mother, Aria replied, the guards helped her get her luggages into the carriage. This was going to be a new chapter for Aria in her life because she didn't know when she was going to stop her job as the princess personal maid, maybe when the princess would be eighteen and that was going to be in fifteen years, Aria laughed at her own thought, she didn't mind doing that,as long as she was able to provide for her mother's needs and also her needs, then she was ready to dedicate her life to serving the princess. It was a two hours ride to the castle and she was mesmerized by the beauty of the kingdom,when they got into the castle some maids helped her carry her stuffs somewhere while she was informed that the queen wanted to see her, she was led to the garden by a guard where she met the queen sitting down "you can leave us now, the queen said to the guard that brought Aria, "have your seat, the queen continued making space beside her for Aria to seat on the bench. "I'm glad I choose you for this post Aria and I hope I don't regret it, the queen said with a gentle smile "I promise you that you won't regret it your majesty, "I trust I won't, princess Sophia is so fond of her brother and he would have been here for the interview if he didn't have something else to do, Aria nodded with a smile she wondered why the queen was telling her that, but she already knew about the infamous prince Alexander Blackwood of valdoria, famous for his looks and wealth, she also heard that he was a very ruthless prince, some people called him the dark prince, "let the guard escort you to your chamber, I hope you enjoy your stay here Aria, the queen said, " I sure will your highness, Aria replied with a polite bow as she trailed after the guard in front of her, rumors also said the queen was a very nice person and so far, those rumors proved to be true. Aria followed the guard through the winding corridors of the castle, her curiosity piqued. She had never seen this part of the castle before, and the guard's stern expression didn't offer any clues. As they climbed a flight of stairs, the decor became more opulent, with intricate tapestries and glittering chandeliers.The guard stopped in front of a door adorned with gold filigree and opened it, he pushed open the door, gesturing for Aria to precede him. Aria's jaw dropped as she stepped inside. The room was fit for a queen, with lavish furnishings, plush carpets, and walls adorned with priceless artwork. A grand four-poster bed stood at the far end, its curtains embroidered with gold thread."I...I can't believe this is my room," Aria stammered, her eyes darting around the opulent space.Aria's mind raced as she took in the appearance of the room she didn't expect to be treated as royalty. This was more than she expected.