ALEXEIN

Claudia Vanhsauften

“Alex, can you tie the other end of this”- Serena, a 10 year old girl, one of the many children slaves the castle has.

“Sure Serena”- Alexein, who finally found herself comfortable being with children near her age. There’s Thomas,10 years old, helps in the kitchen. Lily, 6 years old and somewhat helps in cleaning and the laundry.

“ Are these the last batch Lily?”- Serena. Lily then looks back at Mary who was in charge of squeezing the laundries dry. “Yep, after this we can work on the maids room ”- Lily with her cute voice.

“Good, it's really nice to have you Alex”- Serena.

“Glad to help”- Alexein. It had been 3 days since she arrived at the castle, it was certainly far bigger than the Spencerton Manor, and quite more lively. She immediately became friends with Thomas while looking for food in the kitchen and now she’s friends with most of them.

They were having their break and eating some bread that wasn’t acceptable to be given to the nobles-mostly according to Chef Sonny. Laughing out loud and making jokes about the room of Sheena-one of the maids.

“I mean, why does she leave her drawers sitting there on her bed, come on have some shame woman”- Serena and continued laughing. “ Children, where is Alexein? “- Katherine, the Chamberlain holding her glasses and looking at the children. “I'm here Miss” – Alexein. “Bye guys”- they waved goodbye and Alexein followed Katherine to the room she was assigned next to the princess’.

“ Now remember child, you cannot treat the Princess like a friend. She is going to be the crowned princess, you must be very careful”- Alexein loved Katherine’s company despite only meeting her a few days ago when she felt the castle was just another den of monsters dressed as humans in noble clothing, Katherine stayed with her and showed her the castle. She smiled

“I'll be fine Miss”

“ I know” Katherine undid her hair kissed her temple and bid her goodnight. She felt the gentle breeze from the slightly opened balcony of her room. She walked closer and before closing it she wanted to take a peak of the castle at night.

Shivering in her lovely night gown and loose hair, she came closer to the edge of the balcony and saw the garden from her room.

“wow, so pretty”- she said in awe. A wide smile appeared across her face. It felt like the moon was solely focused on her, as the wind blew hard and covered her face with some of her hair, she still couldn’t stop smiling.

Then, she suddenly froze, lost the smile on her face as she saw a little boy, older than her standing in the garden and looking at her surprised.

Alexein full of anxiety ran to lock the balcony and close the binds. She lay in bed and covered herself with the blanket, hoping that she wasn’t thoroughly seen by the child in the garden.

Next Morning

Alexein continued to be anxious while dressing herself, She made sure to tie her hair tightly. She decided to give herself fringes in order to hide her identity from the child. After wearing her shoes, she went to Katherine who complimented her new look.

“It suits you”- she said. The two of them walked to the front of the castle's main entrance and waited for the princess' arrival. An hour passed before they could finally start hearing the neighing of the horses with the carriage befitting a princess, with its lavish gold ornaments and velvet carpet to be walked on.

A child walked down the carriage with the escort of her own knight. She was smaller than Alexein indicating she was younger. She felt uncomfortable with the white silk on her face, hiding her appearance.” I am Princess Claudia Vanhsauften, your soon to be crowned princess and future queen”- we all bowed.

“Greetings, Your Highness I am Katherine the Chamberlain and this is Alexein, she's going to be your lady in waiting. Alexein curtsied “ Greetings, Your Highness, let me escort you to your chambers” - Alexein

“Let's go”- the princess little voice sounded so tiny and cute as she held Alexein's hand and proceeded to her quarters. The knight stood guard outside and the princess finally lifted up her veil and looked at alexein.

“how old are you?”- the princess with

golden threads of hair, indication of a royal lineage and emerald-colored eyes with long eyelashes, pink and very plump lips and proud nose. Even the shape of her little face was that of a heart.

“I am eight years old now, Your Highness."

“Im seven, get me some refreshments alice”

"Understood Princess”

Alexein couldn’t complain, instead went to the kitchen and had the chef prepare something from scratch.

“Alex, how was the princess? She beautiful? “- Mary

“Yeah, was her eyes sparkly?”- Lily

“Was she kind?”- Thomas

“Calm down guys, you’re squeezing her”- Serena

Alexein laughed

“ You guys will see her sometime in the castle I’m sure of it, for now let me bring her highness’ her cupcakes okay?”- she continued to laugh and left them just as curious as they were.

“ Carlos, come here”- Princess

“You called princess?”- The Knight answered and went inside

“I don’t like this, eat it”- Alexein was shocked but did not react.

What's her problem, I’ve already tasted the cupcakes it was safe- Alexein said to herself.

“ Alice bring me to the prince”- she stated

“Forgive me your highness, but you and his highness cannot meet until your engagement ceremony later tonight”- Alexein reasoned

“Why can't we meet now?”- Princess Claudia

“Due to this Kingdom’s traditions, you both must preserve your appearance on the same night of you engagement to ensure that Selene, the goddess of the moon blesses your marriage your highness, it is quite romantic”- Alexein further explained.

“Really? I didn’t hear about this from our Kingdom. They didn’t even let me bring an adviser”- the princess pouted that made Alexein smile.

“would you love to hear more stories about this Kingdom Your Highness?”- Alexein

“ Not now, maybe before I sleep tonight “- Princess

“Understood Your Highness”

“Carlos go train or something”- Princess to her Knight

Alexein felt the Knights worry, he was supposed to keep the princess safe yet the princess is shooing him away.

“I’ll be with the Princess, sir Knight”- Alexein finally said.

The knight had no choice but to leave.

A few minutes later someone knocked.

Alexein stood and answered the door.

“The prince is offering this as a gift to the princess “- a knight holding a basket of sweets and a doll.

“What's that”- the princess now wearing her veil went to get a closer look. She snatched the basket from Alexein and went to her table to write a reply.

“ Give this to the prince and tell him I adored the gifts “- the princess as charming as ever.

The knight simply saluted and left.

“ Alice come help me eat this”- princess

“Pardon you highness let me taste it first”

They both ate the sweets and the princess played with her doll all morning .

“ But princess you must wear an Arkavian dress “ It seems that the princess did not like that idea

“I have my own dress! I don’t want to wear your dresses!”- The princess is currently throwing a tantrum and Alexein simply doesn’t know what to do, until...

“ Your highness I have an idea, will you hear me out?” Alexein started whispering to the princess

Engagement Night

All the nobles were invited to the very first engagement of the future official king that would start the generation of kings. Located at the ballroom of the castle, every detail was carefully incorporated to the celebration.

A banquet is also being held in the different corners of the kingdom to celebrate the engagement of the prince.

The trumpet finally sounded, signaling the princess’ entrance.

“Princess, are you ready?”- Alexein asked

“ yes, lets go”

Alexein escorted the princess showing her off to the room without her veil, wearing a dress incorporated from the Kingdom's traditional dresses and the princess dress from her kingdom. Alexein stitched the two together and has created a wonderful masterpiece.