Amora

Chapter Five

We sat there talking for hours sharing our life, laughs, and even some tears. Marlee told us all about her first-ever heartbreak and sent us all into tears. She was dating another maid like herself when she was around 15. They were in love as they could be for a year but he lost feelings and dumped her for a merchant’s daughter. Mary told us about her younger brothers who just do not understand the difference between work and play. They were supposed to sweep up the hay on someone’s farm but that task was not complete because the boys decided it was time to play hide and seek. How could you blame them? Playing is so much fun. Macy told us about her family who started as poor maids just scraping by with a few jobs here and there. Until her father was offered for him and his family to come work at the castle as maids. First, they all worked in the basement doing the work no one else wanted to do. Then, her older brother was drafted into the army, her father moved up to being the head maid for the royale barn, and her mother moved up to being one of the queen’s maids. It was a touching story to see how far they have come.

“Now your turn, miss,” Mary clapped as we were all sitting in a circle on the floor of my room.

We probably should have sat on the king-size bed, or the white couches overlooking another garden but no, we all sat on the floor having a ball.

Smiling, I look down letting out a sigh. Should I tell them about my family or about my heartbreak that happened just the other day? Do you think they would tell?

“Which story would you like to hear? About my first heartbreak or my family?” I ask them for their opinion.

“Someone broke your heart? How could they? You are so beautiful,” Mary says in disbelief.

I respond as I laugh, “I guess we are going with that story. Don’t tell anyone, though.”

They all nod and come in closer as I start, “I met him when I was 14 while he was only 15. His family is from Clover and his family will do any work for money. My family and his family are great friends. I remember my sister and I would stay up at night talking about how cute he was. Oh let me tell you, he was such a heartthrob. He takes your breath away with his blonde fluffy hair and chocolate eyes. Anyways-”

All of our heads turned when there was a hard knock on the door. Marlee stands up to open the door when we are greeted by a very angry Miss Anna.

“You have 15 minutes to make it to dinner, Lady Celine, and if you don’t, you will ruin my reputation!” She screams to me, but then flattens out her dress and calmly states, “I will see you at dinner, goodbye ladies.”

“Time must have gotten away from us. Like they say in America, time flies when you’re having fun.” I giggled but my maids started rushing around pulling me with them.

They sit me in front of a huge mirror with pounds of makeup waiting to be put on my face.

“I don’t like loads of makeup,” I state waving my hands for them to stop.

They all nod getting back to their rushing behavior. Marlee dabs some power on my face and some clear lip gloss on my lips. Macy pulls back some of my hair and ties it with a white ribbon. Mary helped me into a cream long dress that was made of the finest silk with jewels sewn into the top.

“Here are your flats for dinner, Miss,” Macy states, setting them down on the floor in front of me.

“Thank you all for helping me get ready. I have never looked this good before,” I thank them for slipping on the shoes.

“It's our job, Miss,” Mary giggles.

“Now, hurry along, Lady Celine. Don’t want you getting in trouble with Miss Anne,” Marlee urges me along.

Picking up my dress, Marlee holds the door open for me as I wave goodbye to them and start to head down to my first dinner at the castle. There were candles lit on every post down the hall so I could see where I was going. Down in Primrose, it didn’t get dark till late but I am assuming here is very different.

All the turns looked the same. I meant to be taking rights but I think I took some lefts. It all looked the same; beautiful gold ceilings that were as high as the sky, marble white floorings, a grand staircase in the middle of it all, and all the same looking door opening to different places. Guards were standing spaced out. Trying out the first door I saw, and it welcomed me to the ladies' room. Shaking my head at myself, I close the door and turn the other way trying to remember the exact way to get to the Great Hall as they call it.

“Excuse me, miss,” a guard taps my shoulder.

Turning around, I am greeted by a guard who looks to be a few years older than me, with brown hair slicked back under his navy blue hat, and in his navy blue uniform with a red stripe going over the shoulder.

“Are you lost?” He asks, trying not to chuckle.

“Yes sir, this whole palace is a maze. I am trying to find the Great Hall for I am already late on my first day here,” I explained to him as I smiled.

“I will show you the way, m'lady,” he bows as he holds out his arm the way for me to follow.

As we walk, he keeps his hands behind his back and his face looking forward. There was a cold silence among us as I followed him, and silence did not sit well with me.

“My name is Celine Sonny if you didn’t already know,” I introduced myself to break the silence.

“Yes, m’lady, you are Lady Celine Sonny of Primrose,” he states, still looking forward as we continue to walk.

“Are you going to tell me your name?” I asked, looking in his direction, mimicking his movements of putting my hands behind my back.

“My name is Guard Leo Louis the Third,” he introduced, slightly looking over my way.

“It is very nice to meet you,” I smile when he stops at two recognizable grand doors.

“Here we are, miss,” He informs me, opening the door and bowing.

“Thank you, kind sir,” I curtseyed, then started walking towards Miss Anne who looked extra mad today.

A grey curtain covered the front part of the room covering where the royales ate. Miss Anna was sitting there across from Miss Ivery and Luciana. Her hair was pulled into a high ponytail where her red hair was curled.

“And where have you been?” Miss Anna sternly asks as I take my seat in front of her.

“I got lost. Did you know this place is like a maze?” I ask her as the other two start to slightly laugh trying not to show it and there was a chuckle from someone I didn’t know.

I looked over to the curtain which was the direction I heard the laugh from. You could see the shadow of the people behind them. We all knew who they were. There was no denying it was the royal family. On the tour, they said that's where they ate.

“Lady Celine,” Miss Anna states with a firm tone then lowers her voice into a whisper, “Eat your food.”

Smiling, trying to act more ladylike, I pick up my spoon and take a sip of it glancing her way. She smiles and gets back to her meal, as I roll my eyes and continue eating.

Once we all finished the food and the maids came and took the dishes away, Miss Anna stood saying, “It was a pleasure to eat with you Miss Ivery and Lady Luciana Clove of Clovers. Lady Celine and I will be on our way, goodnight to you.”

As Miss Anna walked away fastly, I curtsy fast and used all my speed to catch up to her. Can’t be out of line, right?