Valerie's POV:
As we drove up to the Palace gates, Mr. Michael spoke into the intercom, "My name is Michael Goodman, and I'm the driver for Miss Mira Weldon. We're here on an invite from His Majesty the King." After a minute, the gates swung open, and we drove into the courtyard, taking in the breathtaking sight of the Palace. The building loomed before us, its walls towering high, with turrets and spires reaching for the sky. Even at night, the Palace was bright with many lights, illuminating its grandeur. The well-manicured lawns and beautifully trimmed hedges added to the Palace's majesty.
We stopped at the steps leading up to the Palace, and Mr. Michael helped us out of the car. The double doors of the Palace opened, and two footmen greeted us, assisting Mr. Michael with our luggage. An elderly man, emerged, dressed in a black suit, white shirt, and black tie. He looked strict, with a thin face and piercing eyes. He walked down the short stairs to meet us, bowing slightly. "Hello, my name is Thomas Smart, and I am the Majordomo of this household, the butler."
Mira curtsied gracefully, and I followed suit, my heart racing with nerves. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Thomas," Mira said. "I'm Mira Weldon, and this is my maid and best friend, Valerie Alaric."
I muttered a quick "nice to meet you, sir."
Thomas smiled politely. "His Highness won't be able to attend to you today due to the late hour, but he will most definitely see you tomorrow, Miss Mira." He turned to lead us inside, saying, "Let me show you to your room."
As we entered the grand foyer, I couldn't help but gasp. The ceilings soared high above us, adorned with intricate frescoes. The walls were lined with gilded mirrors and portraits of royalty. The room was majestic, with grand stairways on either side leading upwards. Thomas walked with us, explaining, "This is the south wing of the Palace, and this is its foyer. The state rooms, guest suites, bedchambers, throne room, and the main dining hall are all located here."
He led us through a set of double doors opposite the ones we entered, we found ourselves in an even more majestic foyer. This one was bigger than the first, with a ceiling that seemed to touch the sky. The walls were adorned with portraits of royals, and the clean marble floor was so polished that I could almost see my face in it. The room was breathtaking, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe.
Mr. Thomas then pointed to our left where there was a set of double doors, "This is the west wing," and to our right where there was also a set of double doors, "and this is the east wing, which is the royal family's suites." He handed us each a pamphlet, saying, "This will help you navigate the Palace"
Just then, a maid, appeared, dressed in a crisp black and white uniform. She bowed to us, and Thomas said, "Julie, please show our guests to their room. And please make sure you use the elevators." I had never seen an elevator in a house before, but I had heard of them.
Mr. Thomas turned to us, continuing, "Miss Valerie, you will stay with Miss Mira for tonight, but tomorrow morning, you have to meet the housekeeper in her office in the north wing."
Mira and I nodded, saying "thank you" in unison.
He smiled politely. "I hope you have a comfortable stay, Miss Mira and Miss Valerie. If you need anything, please don't hesitate to ask. Goodnight." We both replied "goodnight" as we followed Julie towards the west wing doors, Mira smiling and taking my hand.
"We're really here, Val," she whispered.
I smiled at her.
As we walked into the west wing's foyer, I couldn't help but notice its grandeur. It was similar to the south wing's foyer, with grand stairways on either side and a set of double doors across the room. I wondered what was behind those doors, but we didn't pass through them. Instead, Julie led us around the stairs to the right, where a hidden elevator was tucked away. I gasped as I stared at it, taking in the crest of Calonia - a lion on a blue background - emblazoned on the door. Julie pressed the button, and the elevator doors slid open, revealing a golden interior. We stepped inside, and Julie pressed the button for the first floor. As we rode the elevator, I felt a thrill of excitement.
When the doors opened, we found ourselves in a brightly lit, very long hallway with doors on either side. The hallway was lined with pictures and other decorations, and the floor was made of polished marble.
"This is the guest suites of the west wing." Julie said as she led us further into the hall, stopping at a door with a key card slot. She pressed a key card into the slot, and the door swung open, revealing a big room with sofas, a table, and a vanity. This was the sitting room.
Further into the room was another door, which Julie opened without a key card. Inside, we found a bigger room with a queen-sized bed at the center, along with other furniture and decorations. There was also an en-suite bathroom. Julie explained that this was Mira's room and handed her a key card. "This is your key card, my lady," she said. "It opens this room and other doors in this wing, except for the rooms of other people."
Mira smiled politely and thanked Julie, who bowed and hurriedly left the room. I looked around, taking in the beauty of the room. "This is beautiful, Mira," I said, sighing in awe.
Mira exclaimed, "I know, right?" We decided to unpack tomorrow and also agreed to call our parents tomorrow to let them know we had arrived safely. Before getting into bed, we changed into our nightwear, feeling more comfortable and relaxed.
As we lay in the soft bed, looking up at the ceiling, Mira said, "This feels like a dream, Valerie. I'm glad you're in it."
I smiled, feeling the same way. "Me too," I said. "Tomorrow is going to be a long day."
Mira murmured a sleepy "hmm" in agreement. I stifled a yawn and said goodnight, and Mira softly replied, "Goodnight."
We cuddled under the covers, and I turned off the light, feeling like I was in a sleepover. As I closed my eyes, I knew that this was just the beginning of an incredible but terrifying adventure.
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I woke up early, feeling refreshed and energized. I quickly got out of bed and headed to the grand bathroom to take my bath. The bathroom was enormous, with a large tub, a separate shower stall, and a long counter with two sinks. The walls were made of marble, and the floor was covered in a soft, plush carpet. I hurriedly took my bath, feeling a bit nervous about the day ahead.
After my bath, I dressed in a simple but elegant outfit - a white blouse, a pair of black trousers, and a light grey cardigan. I put my hair up in a ponytail and applied a bit of makeup. Mira was still sleeping, so I sent her a text saying, "I'm going to the north wing to meet the housekeeper, I will see you later." I didn't want to wake her, so I left the room quietly.
As I walked out of our suite, I contemplated calling my parents but decided it was still too early. I left my phone in the room, not wanting any distractions. I took a deep breath and headed out into the long hallway, which was quiet and empty. I wondered if there were other people staying in the west wing, but I didn't see anyone.
I quickly took the elevator, not wanting to run into anyone in the stairs. As I rode down, I wondered if I would see Prince Nova, but I pushed the thought aside, focusing on my meeting with the housekeeper. I relied on the pamphlet Mr. Thomas had given us yesterday to navigate the Palace.
When I arrived at the north wing, I greeted the two guards at the door, who were wearing the royal uniform. They nodded stiffly at me, and I continued on my way. I looked at the pamphlet and stepped through the north wing door, entering a foyer with stairs on either side. Some maids were hurrying around, even at this early hour.
I took the stairs instead of the elevator, heading to the second floor, where the housekeeper's office was located. As I walked, I encountered some guards and maids, who looked at me strangely, as if they weren't expecting me to be there. I shrugged it off, focusing on my destination. According to the pamphlet, the North wing was home to the servant's rooms, the guard's rooms and the kitchen; no wonder I had seen a few maids and guards at this hour. I wondered if the housekeeper would be at her office at this time.
When I arrived at the housekeeper's office, I took a deep breath and was about to knock when the door suddenly opened. A girl of about 21 or 22, with dark hair and hazel eyes, dressed in a maid's outfit, hurried out. She barely glanced at me, rushing away. I looked after her, thinking she was a bit rude.
Then, I heard a voice say, "Come in." I jumped, then composed myself, arranging my hair and smoothing my clothes. I took a deep breath and entered the room.
The office, was warm and small. The walls was painted a cream colour and a few framed prints of rolling hills hug on it. The air was fresh and clean, scented with a hint of Lemon and Lavender. The desk was situated close to the window, and behind it sat a woman who looked like she was very elderly. She was chubby, with a round face and a kind smile, but her brown eyes seemed strict, and I felt a bit nervous as she looked at me. Her grey hair was pulled back into a tight bun, and she wore a pair of reading glasses perched on the end of her nose.
"Take a seat, Miss...?" she said, her voice raspy and firm.
"Alaric," I replied, sitting down in the chair opposite her.
"Are you Miss Mira's maid?" she asked, her eyes narrowing slightly.
I nodded respectfully, feeling a bit intimidated by her stern demeanor.
"Hand it over," she said, her hand outstretched.
I quickly realized she was referring to the envelope Alia had given me, and I handed it over. She opened it and glanced at the resume Alia had prepared for me. I was entirely grateful to Alia and made a mental note to call her and thank her as soon as possible.
The older woman stared at the resume boredly, her eyes scanning the page before looking up at me. "Valerie Alaric, 20, 2 years of experience as a maid...?" she drawled, her tone skeptical.
I nodded, feeling a bit defensive.
"Is that right?" she asked, her eyes piercing.
I nodded again, feeling a bit more confident.
"Can't you speak, girl?" she asked, her voice a bit sharper.
I flushed and stammered out, "Y-yes, Mrs. Bertha."
She wagged her finger at me, a small smile playing on her lips. "No, no, I am called Big Mummy here."
I was taken aback, wondering why she was called Big Mummy. "Of course...Big Mummy," I stammered out.
She smiled a crooked smile, seeming to enjoy my discomfort. "That's far better." She looked back at the resume in her hand, her eyes scanning it once more before nodding. "It says you have experience in serving."
"Yes," I replied, feeling a bit more confident.
She nodded, then stood up, her movements slow and deliberate. She was dressed in a long, flowing gown with intricate patterns and colors, and her feet were shod in comfortable-looking slippers. She also held a walking stick in one hand, which she used to support herself as she moved. I realized she was really old, and I felt a bit more at ease.
Mrs. Bertha looked back and said, "What are you staring at, girl? Come on, we don't have all the time."
I flushed, realizing I had stared a bit too long. I immediately followed her, wondering if she had eyes at the back of her head.
"Leave the resume," she said over her shoulder, not looking back.
I immediately dropped the resume and hurriedly followed her, feeling a bit more nervous than before.
Mrs. Bertha shut her door and led me through the hallway, where I noticed that several maids and even guards greeted her cheerfully but with respect. I finally summoned the courage to ask, "Mrs - I mean, Big Mummy, where are we going?"
She looked at me knowingly and said, "For your test."
I stammered, "Test?"
She only grunted in reply and said, "If you don't pass this test, then you cannot be a maid in this Palace, and that means you will have to return to Eldrida."
I quickly looked up in horror, realizing I couldn't afford to fail. Mrs. Bertha led me down the stairs to the south wing, where I took a moment to admire the beautiful foyer. Sunlight streamed through the high windows, and everything looked fine; I could even hear birds singing.
We took the elevator, and Mrs. Bertha punched the 3rd button. In what felt like 10 seconds, we arrived in a beautiful hallway similar to the one in the west wing.
She led me to the first door and opened it with a key card, which was different from the one Mira had - this one was black and golden, and a bit larger. We entered a room that was even bigger than the one I had shared with Mira. The bed was enormous, with intricate carvings and a soft, fluffy duvet. The room was decorated with elegant furniture and beautiful paintings.
Mrs. Bertha pointed to some cleaning tools in the corner of the room, which included a vacuum cleaner, a mop, and a bucket with cleaning solution. She said, "Your test is cleaning."
I sighed in relief internally, thinking this would be easy - I had done it many times before. With confidence, I said, "Big Mummy, I'll be done in a jiffy."
But before I could grab the cleaning tools, Mrs. Bertha's next words stopped me in my tracks: "What are you talking about, girl? You're cleaning all the rooms in this hall." My neck snapped back to her, and I almost screamed. My eyes widened in shock as Mrs. Bertha smirked, relishing in my expression. "We're going to have guests for the King's birthday, so I want all the rooms clean."
I was about to protest, but I stopped myself with determination. I wasn't going to give up easily; I was going to earn my spot here, one way or another. Mrs. Bertha said sweetly but wickedly, "Were you about to say something?"
I forced a smile and said, "Yes, Big Mummy."
She smiled widely.
I continued, "I was going to ask if I should start right now?"
Mrs. Bertha's smile wiped off her face, and she looked surprised, but she quickly composed herself and said, "Of course."
She handed me the master card and said, "This is for the rooms; it also opens almost all the rooms in this Palace, but I'm pretty sure you won't go that far." I nodded, thanking her.
Mrs. Bertha said, "When you're done, you can come to my office - that is, if..." She stopped herself, and her grin returned. "Never mind that, dear. I'll be off." Then she left the room.
I sighed; how was I going to clean all the rooms in this long hallway? I counted 14 rooms in total, and I was sure they were as big as this one, with en-suite bathrooms. I sighed again; well, I better start cleaning.
After a while, I had cleaned three rooms in total and sat on one of the beds, catching my breath. My stomach growled; I was hungry. I considered going downstairs but stopped myself. I was going to finish this. I stood up shakily, determined to prove myself and earn everything I would receive here. With that, I steeled myself, ready to head to the next room.
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Mira's POV:
I woke up on an unfamiliar bed, but it suddenly dawned on me that I was in the Palace. I excitedly stood up, knowing I was meeting the King and Prince Nova today. I wasn't surprised not to find Val here; I checked my phone and smiled at the text she had sent me.
As I was about to go to the bathroom, I heard a knock. I passed the living room and went to answer the door, wondering who it was. I was surprised to see a girl in a maid's outfit standing there, looking hesitant. She curtsied, looking down, and said, "My lady, I am your personal maid, and I'm here to help you get ready for breakfast with the royal family."
My eyes widened; breakfast with the royal family? I was definitely nervous, and I wished Valerie was here. I let the girl come in, and she walked confidently to the room and into the bathroom. I wondered what she was doing, but she came out and said, "My lady, your water is ready."
I nodded, smiling, and said, "Thank you." The girl approached me, and I asked, surprised, "What are you doing?"
She looked shocked and said, "I want to help you take your bath."
I chuckled in understanding, and the girl looked at me as if I had grown two heads. I said, "It's okay, I'll take my bath on my own."
The girl's eyes widened, and she stammered fearfully, "My lady, I can't let you; if Big Mummy finds out, I could lose my job."
I wondered who Big Mummy was. I reassured the girl with a smile, "I won't let anyone find out; I promise." The girl still looked fearful but nodded.
I asked, "What is your name?"
The girl looked surprised but said, "Bellamy."
I smiled genuinely, "That's a lovely name." The girl blushed and looked down.
I added, "And my name is Mira, not my lady."
The girl's neck snapped up, and she said, "My lady, if someone finds out..."
I said, "Like I said earlier, no one will find out, and you can call me Mira here or when we are alone, okay?" The girl nodded fearfully.
I said to remove the tension from the girl, "You can help me with my clothes, okay?" The girl nodded eagerly. I smiled, amused.
I bathed, enjoying the hot water Bellamy had prepared for me, deciding I would let her prepare it for me from now on. When I got to my room, Bellamy had laid out a simple white dress with golden sandals on the bed for me. I smiled and said, "Thank you," I let Bellamy help me put it on. She styled my hair in soft, loose waves that cascaded down my back, and applied makeup skillfully. I breathed, looking at myself in the mirror, "This is beautiful, Bella; can I call you Bella?"
Bellamy nodded, blushing and avoiding eye contact, saying, "Thank you, my lady...I mean, Mira."
I grinned coyly and intertwined my arm with Bellamy's, ignoring how the girl stiffened. We left the room and headed towards the hallway; Bellamy suggested we take the elevator since we were already late. The small dining hall where the family ate was in the North wing on the 3rd floor. I hoped I ran into Valerie, but I didn't; I wondered where she was.
When we got to the door leading into the dining hall, I felt nerves take over. Bellamy noticed and smiled reassuringly, saying, "I'm sure my lady will do great." I smiled, feeling grateful. Bellamy said, "I'll be here waiting for you," then whispered, "Mira."
I almost laughed and said, "Thank you."
I heard the footman announce my name and I took a deep breath and entered the room.
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