Chapter 4

Really? And that's all true?" I responded. Although I've heard a lot of rumors about the Gahndors, I could never have imagined one this intricate. It was hard for me to believe, especially since I'd heard largely good things about the royal family my whole childhood.

Macy wiggles uneasily. "Well... they are just rumors, but they make sense when you look at the Gahndors themselves. Prince Kohl, for example, is known for being quite... cold... with his people. And King Galen isn't much different." 

I'm going to ask her to explain when there's a quick knock on the door. It opens a few moments later, and an elderly woman glances inside. Her face is lined with wrinkles that come from frowning too much, and her blonde hair is full of grey strands. Her slate-grey eyes locate mine, and as she fixes her stare on me, a shudder runs up my spine. We just look at each other for a little while. She then grinned.

"Miss. Agnarys, you're here. Good. My name is Greta, and I am the Head Maid." She beckons as she moves outside. "Come, child, follow me. Miss Greenwood will finish packing away your stuff while you're gone."

Macy lowers her head. Head Maid Greta ushers me out of the room and down the corridor after she gives me one more comforting smile. She picks up a quick pace right away, and I have to run to keep up.

"You have a big responsibility here, Naomi. We usually only assign the finest maids to the Queenstrials, but I decided to make an exception seeing as you're a noble." She looks me in the eyes. "I believe you will have a lot of second-hand experience from being raised as a noble, and any gaps you may have, we will fill in with my lessons."

We stroll down hallway after hallway as I nod and try not to breathe. I'm not about to ask, but I have no idea where she's going me. When we finally arrive at a door with a black paint job, she turns to face me and touches the golden knob. "I have a lot of faith in you, Naomi," she replies. "Just follow my instructions, and you'll be a great maid in no time."

She opens the door with a push. There's a blackboard and one desk inside.

The hours passed quickly. It wasn't as hard as I had anticipated to take class with Head Maid Greta. It was really pretty easy, and I didn't even realize it was six o'clock until Greta looked at the wall clock and waved me away. I'm now making my way along the hallways lighted by torches, trying to find the locations I had noted when I first arrived. An argent vase. two embroidered snakes on a tapestry. A golden trinket. I turn a corner and find myself in a familiar corridor with doors painted black, and I can't help but feel proud of myself. I should definitely learn my way around this place by heart.

I locate door 52B and open it. Entering, I watch Macy pulling at her boots while wearing what appears to be the maid's uniform. It's a far cry from what our estate's maids wore. For this outfit, black dress pants are all that are needed instead of a black skirt and a white petticoat. The silver Gahndor symbol is embroidered on the breast of a black blouse. She doesn't seem to care that her laces are loosened when she sees me because she gets up and runs over.

"How was it? Did Greta go over everything?"

I nod slowly to her. "Yeah, she taught me... a lot. I think I have the important aspects down, at least."

Macy cries out and snatches my hands. "That's great! I'm sure you'll make a wonderful maid. I wouldn't be surprised if they promote you to a higher position. Did you know higher positions can choose what they want to do? I know I would work in the gardens if I could."

I give her a smile. It wouldn't be too horrible. Then at least I could tend to flowers instead of standing at someone's feet waiting for commands.

And that's when I realize that, for the first time since I became a maid, this girl has given me a positive outlook on the job. That's enough to persuade me that I could absolutely become accustomed to Macy's company.

Macy lets go of my hands and glances back at the window, where the sun is setting. "It's six... so the opening ceremony would be over by now. The First Feast is starting soon, though. Greta told you the arrangement, yes?"

I give a nod. Greta had dragged me aside just before I had gone, telling me that my first assignment would be to wait tables at the First Feast, where the ladies of the Queenstrial would have dinner with the royal family. Macy would get the room ready for the girl we were paired with in the interim.

I still find myself dreading it. Mother had pulled me out of the competition, so even though I had managed to escape the Opening ceremony, which gave me great comfort, I would now have to serve the girls who would have been my opponents. I had a feeling that Althea would be grinning and waiting for me at the table.

I let out a sigh. Not that I have an option. So I put on a big smile and trot to my bed, where the covers have an outfit on them that looks like Macy's.

"Do you know whom we're assigned to yet?"

"Yes," responds Macy. "Gertrude Cliffgard. I can't wait!"

Reaching for the blouse, I halt. I've already met the Cliffgards. We had numerous dinners with them and their three kids, as well as their oldest daughter, Gertrude. Though I'd never met Gertrude, it was clear that politeness wasn't Gertrude's first concern from the way she stared at my sisters and disregarded concerns from her own parents.