Page 16 of Enchanted Kingdom
“Where are you from?”
She smiled. “Now? Kavan Keep. As a child? Rallis. You didn’t think they’d actually have Enchanted as servants, did you?”
No, no I did not.
“My mother came here when I was young to work as one of the queen’s attendants. I have worked at the castle my entire life.”
I gave that a thought. “Do you remember Rallis?”
She sighed. “I do. I am glad life led me to the castle, but I will also forever think of Rallis as home.”
And with that, she went to the lavatory. Soon the water was running, and some sort of music was playing.
I walked in, curious.
She pointed to a small black box, playing the most beautiful sounds before shoving me toward the filling tub.
Well. If I had to be stuck in the castle with the royal brats, at least there was a tub and music. Maybe this extra time wouldn’t be so bad after all.
* * *
Three hours later,I felt like pampering was an understatement. My light brown hair was down and loose for once in my life. It was also curled and treated in such a way that I wanted to keep running my fingers through it. I wore it up so often I had forgotten how long it was getting. It was well past my shoulders and now liked to tickle the middle of my back.
My makeup was done again, but somehow it seemed more extravagant than my mother and Flora had been able to do for me. And my fingernails and toenails had even been painted light pink.
It was ridiculous. I looked at my reflection and barely recognized myself. I was now in a day dress that was starkly nicer and softer than my everyday gray dresses worn at the bakery.
We were just finishing up with my fingernails when a knock came again, bringing my guard. He was a stern looking man, who did not look pleased in the least bit to be babysitting a woman in the Assemblages.
“I am your guard,” he stated simply. No name, no further introduction. He was tall and skinny. So skinny I wasn’t sure if he was strong enough to lift a sword. “You are not to leave your room without me present.” He looked at his wrist where a band rested. “We will leave in two hours to head to the evening dinner. I will knock when it is time.”
And with that, he let himself out.
Silvia rolled her eyes as soon as he was gone. “Don’t worry, not all of us are as stuffy as some of the guards.”
Another knock on the door sounded, and Silvia’s eyes went wide as if she worried he’d heard her.
But it was someone else, a woman who could barely be seen around the flowers she was carrying into the room. She walked the massive vase and flowers over to the nightstand and placed them down gently.
With a smile, she held up a finger and went back out the door to bring a large rectangular box in silver wrapping back in. “These were all sent for you, miss,” she said with a smile while she placed the box on the bed. “One is your gown to wear this evening. Your other gowns will be delivered soon. Good day, miss!”
My eyebrows reached for one another while she made her way back to the door. “Thank you. I think.”
Silvia grinned as soon as the door clicked shut. “Someone must have made an impression.”
I looked to the flowers and the box feeling nothing but suspicion and dread for the night to come. “Or maybe the princes sent these gifts to everyone.”
Silvia aggressively shook her head. “No, they did not. This morning the attendants were supposed to get handed your dresses for this evening, but I was not given yours.”
Who was I to question her? She knew more than I did of the ways of this castle.
Silvia gestured with her head for me to open the box.
I approached hesitantly. The wrapping on the box was beautiful. Did I want to see the gown that was surely lying inside?
The box lid slid open smoothly. A piece of paper laid on top next to another small box.
I picked it up and opened it gently.
