Novel & Cerita The Ladies-in-waiting

"Elizabella." Michelle shakes Cassandra's hand second. "I'm Elizabella'smaid, Michelle." "Nice to meet you," the blonde says. "These are the ladies of the harem." She begins to point to some of the girls. "That's Evalyn, Katalina, Jane, Sulpicia, Athenodora, Didyme, Ivona, Arlena, and Camellia. There's more, but they're probably out with men right now." She says it so nonchalantly, like being with a barbarian man is a way of life.

And the best part of it all is that I don't have to wear that damn corset. My body is already slender and elegant, so why do I need to wear a corset? Hmph. “Your Highness, The Lady in Waiting Sophie and Lady in waiting Laura have arrived.” Exclaimed a guard outside. “Let them in.” Sophie and Laura gave their respectful greetings. The two of them always look luxurious in their beautiful lacy dresses. And do not forget about the additional jewelry accessories flauntering in both arms, which are outrageous in number. It was obvious who they wanted to flaunt it to.

The place felt more like a dream than a prison. “Come with me,” she told Mariel. The maid walked half a step behind her, attentive. They hadn’t gone far before Lyria saw them. Three women seated around a low marble table beneath the shade of a broad tree. They were beautiful. Almost unreal. Long, shining hair. Flawless skin. Effortless elegance. Lyria slowed. “They are…” she whispered. “The king’s favored concubines,” Mariel replied quietly. “Which ones?” “The dark-haired one is Lady Seraphine. Beside her, Lady Mirelle. And the one in blue is Lady Ariselle.”

Most of the lights on the ground floor were on, so too were the ones overlooking the courtyard, but the rest of the building was lock up by darkness. On the last floor, belonging to Her Excellency, Lady Eva Vinchï, her daughters, Faith and Stella and their maids, everything was dark and gloomy. What else would one expect, though, as the night was already far advanced, and the ladies were people who took their night’s rest very seriously, especially, when there was nothing extraordinary on ground.

Several other maids, all veiled like us, stood in quiet rows with lowered heads, awaiting instructions. A tall woman entered from the far end, regal, composed, and dressed in dark plum robes with a silver crescent brooch on her chest. The Head Maid, no doubt. Her voice, when she spoke, was sharp yet calm. “You are here to serve. To obey. To disappear when not needed. You will be watched, and judged. Fail once, and you’ll never step in here again.” Her eyes roamed across the room like blades. “Night Helpers—step to the left. Linen Assistants—right.”

A week had passed since Lila first set foot in the Harrington manor, and already, the enormity of her responsibilities had begun to weigh on her. As Lady Victoria Harrington’s new lady-in-waiting, she was expected to cater to every whim, no matter how trivial or demanding. Victoria was a woman of impeccable taste but little patience, and her disdain for those beneath her social class was palpable. Lila had quickly learned that any misstep, no matter how small, could lead to swift and merciless retribution.

“They are Lady Maya’s ladies-in-waiting.” I see. While Nana was teaching me about the ways of the royal hierarchy, she mentioned that a royal woman can have multiple ladies who cater to her every need. They are less like a maid and more like a friend, a confidant, someone who’d guide you through life in the palace.

"What's a lady-in-waiting?" Vanessa had another look on her face that made Nine's cheeks redden. Of course, she was beginning to look stupid but it wasn't her fault. This was all new to her. "I'm here to help with you things that you cannot do on your own. Your dressing, makeup, etiquette classes, and other things. Not excluding helping you in the bathroom if need be," Nine stared wide eyed. "Bathroom?" "Well, yes," Vanessa said, "You might need a foot massage, or a certain place scrubbed—"

They marched in a single file line as they approached the Ladies Royal Apartments. “All right. Here we go,” with a light tap on the door the Butler opened the door, “ My majesties, may I present to you your Ladles in Waiting.” He stepped sideways and motioned for them to enter. Five lovely young and attractive women walked in with their heads bowed. And behind them skipped in a sweet little girl who didn’t know to hide her excitement. “Sir, did this one mean to enter here?” Alexandre questioned. “Yes, my Queen. She was quite keen to help Raven and learn from her. I hope this wasn’t a misjudgment.” He wrang his hands as he didn’t know what to expect yet.

At a corner, not far from where they stood was a glass door that led to a garden, and a few chairs were positioned around the door for the relaxation of the ladies. Despite the fact that it was morning, and a lot of the maids should be busy with their chores, the room was quite busy, while some ladies walked out of the bathroom and changed into the black maid gown which hardly got to their knees, some hovered around the sofa and gossiped while others scrolled through their phones as they waited for their friends to change. Lara raised a brow at the gossiping and idle girls who hardly noticed their presence and frowned. "Don't you girls have work to do?" She asked, the ladies looked up at the