It was already the next week, and the day Thalia was supposed to start school had finally arrived. The excitement in the maid's quarters was palpable as Catherine, Tina, and the others helped Thalia get ready, fussing over her uniform as if she were preparing for a royal event.
"Hold still," Catherine said, adjusting the collar of Thalia's crisp white shirt. "You want to make a good impression, right?"
Thalia smiled nervously, her heart racing at the thought of what the day would bring. She’d never imagined she’d be going to school with the princes, much less in such a formal setting. The uniform felt stiff against her skin, a far cry from the servant clothes she was used to wearing. It made everything feel more real, more daunting.
Tina, ever the optimist, grinned as she straightened T
