Royal Disaster

Chapter 14: Duties

Emrose

I was escorted by a servant inside a room as big as our house. The walls were painted beautifully, not an imperfect image showing. Even the ethandun seal on the tiled floor was carved exquisitely. Gold-plated chairs and tables were the highlights of the the room. I have never seen anything so perfect in my entire life.  I have always wondered what it feels like to live inside the heart of this kingdom. I imagined it would be magical and I imagined my happiness and fulfillment soaring above the sky I could not dare reach it.

But my expectations seemed to be so high for me to be feeling the opposite. Me being here is a mistake and I can feel it in my gut. I am not wanted here.

"You must be Emrose?" I heard a voice behind my back. I turned around and saw a petite lady with blonde hair and pale skin. Her figure resembled my mother in so many ways but she was not as beautiful.

"Yes, my lady." I curtsied and let my head stay down.

"I am Farah." She paused. "The prince specifically told me to take care of you. I am the principal lady-in-waiting." She smiled.

"It is my greatest pleasure and honor to meet you, my lady." I lifted my face up and smiled cheerfully.

"Yes, you truly are a beauty. No wonder Alastair never left that village without you." Lady Farah said plainly.

"Oh, thank you for such kind words my lady." I tried to hide my blush. "But I believe that I was not the reason for it."

"Very well, then. We shall find out soon enough." She clapped her hand excitingly. "You shall be appointed as one of the ladies-in-waiting of the Princess Adela, Alastair's fiancee. You are aware of that, I assume?"

"Y-yes, my lady." I answered. 

"Do you know what a lady-in-waiting is? and her duties?" I could hardly tell if the tone in her voice was either insulting, or she was really just curious if I was as dumb as she thought I was.

"I do have some knowledge with the palace duties, my lady. My mother never approved of me learning all about it, but I firmly believed as a child that it would be of use to me in the future." I smiled and prayed she would agree.

"Well your mother certainly did not expect you to be here for her to be prohibiting you to learn such reputable duties." Her words were thick, as though she was insulted about what I said about my mother. She started to back and forth slowly in front of me.

"To start off, a lady-in-waiting first and foremost ensures that all the needs of the one she serves is taken care of." She stopped pacing and looked at me, "In your case, it is Princess Adela that you are serving."

I nodded, both hands on my lap. She is very authoritative when she speaks. As she should.

"Ladies-in-waiting are usually hand-picked by the queen herself, but since Princess Adela is not yet the queen, this unusual arrangement of your recommendation as her lady-in-waiting is quite probably acceptable at this point." She stopped, "However, if she finds your work exemplary, as queen, she might retain your status as lady-in-waiting and might marry you off to noblemen in the court."

She continued to educated me on my duties as the princess's lady-in-waiting for the whole afternoon. My hopes of a brighter future for me at court is now slowly coming to life. I have to do the best I can to excel in the tasks appointed to me.

"That's it. I hope you remembered everything I have discussed with you. I will not repeat them again." She gave a stern smile.

"Thank you for enlightening me with my duties and responsibilities, Lady Farah. I will not disappoint you, nor Alas." I smiled brightly. 

"One more thing, you are to address his royal highness as Prince Alastair at all times. Your little rendezvous in the woods should be totally forgotten by you and the prince himself." She said firmly. "For both  of your sakes."

"Y-yes ma'am. I apologize." I stuttered and bowed my head down, embarrassed. It was clumsy of me to call him Alas. I have to get it through my head from now on that he is the prince. Lady Farah was right, anything we shared in the woods must totally be forgotten. I cannot risk losing this great opportunity.

..

After escorting me to my chamber, Lady Farah gave me one last look of curiosity as she said, "Your face is very familiar. I think I've seen it somewhere." She didn't give me the chance to answer as she slowly retreated. That's strange. I never thought my face is very common here in the country. But then again, how would I know? I have never seen this much people in my life.

I haven't realized it was late already not until I yawned and stretched my back. All we did with Lady Farah was talk and run through guide books the whole afternoon but my exhaustion surprised me. I was used to sleeping early back home and going to bed relaxed. I have to get used to this unusual set up from now on. Besides, I have no other choice, do I? 

As I prepared myself for bed, I chanted a little prayer for my family. Asking the heavens to protect them as He protected me all the way here. That they may not worry as much as I think they are right now. That they may find peace in my decision. That they may steer clear of thoughts of following me here, to try to retrieve me. Especially Elchard. The things he would do for me, I cannot imagine how far he would go. 

But certainly he wouldn't dare challenge his better judgement in this delicate situation, would he?

These thoughts were what helped me slowly drift away into a slumber.

..

I didn't know what time was it, but I was awakened by the knob trying to move itself. What is this? Are there elements in this room that are not welcoming me? For heaven's sake, spare me from this exhaustion and fear. I removed the sheets off of my body and sat up, debating if I should approach the door or not.

"Rose?" a voice called out the door.

Elchard? What the hell is he doing here? 

"It's me, Alas. I.. uh.. er.. I came to see you. May I come in? Or.. uh.. I mean.. Can you come out for a moment?" 

Oh God it was the prince outside my door. What was he doing here in the middle of the night?