BUT I'M NOT A NOBLE!

The kingdom of Bellevue was usually ripe with activity, with citizens, gardeners, and even servants getting up with the sun. The day started early in this kingdom, as plant work usually did. Lots of sowing, tilling watering, and harvesting to be done. The horticultural kingdom was renowned for its fragrant flowers, spices, herbs, and teas. Lots of flower shops, botanical gardens, and landscapers preparing before the influx of traders and customers. Yet it wasn't only the city that was buzzing with activity, the castle was as well. Well, most of the castle was. In the basement levels of the castle, in the staff living quarters, I, Jiya, the lady in waiting for Zinnia, the princess of Bellevue, was still sleeping. Slumbering peacefully, nestled under covers and nuzzled into my pillow, that is until a beam of sunlight decided to shine right into my eyes. A groan escaped me as my thick lashes parted for my brown eyes to glance around, but I was surprised at what I saw. Or rather lack of what I saw. The room was empty, with lines of beds neatly made and abandoned. I couldn't help but pout at this, I constantly told the others not to let me sleep in. I was a servant just like them, so I should have been on the same sleep schedule. I could cook and clean until it was time to tend to the princess, I didn't need to be treated like I had a different status just because of my job. That's what I told my fellow staff but they ignored me. Worse yet, the Queen, King, and princess ignored me as well. Often told that I should move upstairs with them, and have my room. But, that felt wrong to me. Felt like something I didn't deserve. I was lucky enough to even be able to call the castle home. To have a roof under my head and warm food in my belly. To be able to not only know a princess but to serve a princess, to be part of her daily life, to be her companion and closest confidant, Her best friend. That was more than someone like me could ask for. I was practically living in the lap of luxury and for what? Because I was lucky enough to have been taken in by the head maid. Hilda Grettles, faithful servant of the king and queen for more years than I'd been alive. All because of her I was brought here, raised here, and could call this castle my home. A home I wouldn't otherwise have. I'd been in this castle my entire life and wasn't even sure where I was originally from. Mama Hilda told me that my mother had traveled here with my father, looking for a cure for his illness while heavily pregnant with me. She unfortunately died in childbirth, and my father left me with the wet nurse, too sickly to have cared for me. He later succumbed to the sickness, but everyone believed he actually died of a broken heart. The wet nurse needed to find someone to raise me, and Mama Hilda, who could have no children of her own, was glad to be obliged. And so this castle became my home. An infant being raised in tandem with a princess. It was almost funny to think about, I knew this castle back of my hand but I had once been terrified of it, clinging to Mama's skirt for fear that I'd get lost in the long halls and never be found. Hah, and now I ran back and forth throughout the halls and floors every day. I walked into the communal bathrooms to begin my hygiene, washing my face and staring up at my reflection. Thick, wavy, black hair. Big brown eyes, warm golden brown skin, soft full lips. It was the same face I saw every day, albeit more rested the usual. "Did you know you used to be a scaredy cat?" I teased my mirrored images as I brushed my hair into a ponytail. "Yeah, but I'm over that now! I'm all grown up, this castle doesn't scare me! AHAHAHA!" I was in the middle of boasting to myself when I heard a "Good morning!" From behind me, screaming and dropping the brush, as it nosily flattered against the marble floors. I guess part of me still was a bit of a scardey cat. I turned to see a middle-aged lithe woman whom I knew as Aster, a strawberry blonde with grey eyes that were constantly hidden under bangs. I smiled sheepishly at her "Good morning" I began before noticing the tray in her hands and quirking an eyebrow. Why was Aster bringing a meal tray back into the living quarters? She must have noticed my expression because it was now her smiling sheepishly "Ah, well I didn't expect you to be up so soon. I was going to bring you breakfast in bed" I went to protest but she continued, speaking fast enough to cut me off. "We just wanted to give you some time to rest before all the running around you'll have to do this week, for the princess's wedding preparations and all. Especially since we know you'll be packing up and moving to the Rivera kingdom with the princess soon." I softened my gaze a little as I listened. "It was Ms. Grettle's idea but everyone felt the same. You're always working so hard, that we just wanted your last few days here to have pleasant memories too. Besides, we hardly see you once you're on a roll, so ...this is our way of being a little selfish and keeping you with us a little longer" I'd laugh softly and shake my head "Aster, I appreciate it, but I don't know if I'll have time to just laze in bed and eat breakfast. " "But the princess doesn't need to be up for another two hours." "Yes, but that's two hours that I could be using to get errands done or-" Aster would tsk at me And hand me the tray. "Sit down and eat, you have time. Listen to the birdsong. Stare out the window. You may not be a child anymore, but you're still our baby. Let us give you a few minutes of peace. At least for the sake of not thinking you'll run yourself ragged in some foreign kingdom where we aren't even near enough to force you to take a break". I'd laugh, taking the tray and sitting on my bed. "Fine, I'll eat. But you really shouldn't worry about me, Prince Xantus probably fusses over me even more than Zinnia does. The two of them together, I'm not sure how I'll get anything done." We'd giggle and chat as I relaxed and ate my breakfast, and as much as I hated to admit it. It was rather nice.