Chapter 14

The anticipated morning came faster than Nalani hoped. She couldn't sleep a wink at night. Her thoughts were plagued with worry. Her every thought was invaded by the handsome but cruel king. She tossed and turned all night trying to get some sleep but sleep evaded her. She even wished she was back on the streets selling fruits than being in this cursed castle.

The king already hated her, so what was she to do as his personal maid. The position felt like a trap. A way to find fault in her and punish her again. How many times will she be whipped if she stays in the castle? She shivered at the thought. Her first punishment was horrible and she wouldn't want a repeat of it.

Maybe she should grab Kellen and run away in the dead of night. They could start new lives in a small town far away from the castle. Nobody would come looking for them. They were nobodies, women with no title ,no land and no money. They could rent a piece of land and start farming. She wasn't new to farming, she was sure they could get along just fine.

But what about her father? What about the promise she made to avenge her father's death? What would her father think of her? She felt like a coward and a terrible daughter for thinking of running away.

She had to stay and fight. She had to avenge her father's death. It was the only constant thought in her mind for the past years. She can do this. It's the least she could do for the man who raised her. Having had only three hours of restless sleep, she woke up and prepared for the day.

She woke Kellen and together they went to have breakfast. Breakfast was the same as always as everyone ate in silence. Despite the food being delicious, she couldn't eat more than a few bites. She was too anxious to eat and her stomach was full of water.

She dreaded the sound that would signify it was time to see the king. Is there no way to get out of this? She wondered if she could ask Mrs Smith, she would know what to do. When they finished their breakfast, Kellen left to go and clean the throne room, while Nalani stayed behind to look for Mrs Smith.

She found Mrs Smith talking to an older gentleman in the kitchen area. Her head was bent as she listened to what he was saying. Not wanting to intrude the private conversation , Nalani cleared her throat noisily.

" Ah! Nalani you are here . I was just about to go searching for you" said Mrs Smith.

" I guess I found you first"

" You did. " She turned to the gentleman she was talking to " I will talk to you later"

The man nodded and left them alone.

" Sit down child "

Nalani sat on the closest stool she could find.

" Mrs Smith, what will be my duties now that I am the king's personal maid?" Asked Nalani

" Huh! You will be doing everything you are asked to do by the king. As his personal maid you will bring his meals, prepare his bath, clothes and run his errands. Basically everything the king asks for."

" So like a slave?" Nalani sneered

" Child...you will not be servicing the king in anyway if that is what you're worried about"

" Servicing the king??" Asked a confused Nalani

" You don't know what that means?"

" No.. please tell me"

" It's nothing. Sometimes I forget you are so young."

" Okay"

" The king will be clothed by a manservant. He will also be helping the king take his bath. So don't worry about that"

" What?? Was that something I would have been doing?"

" Yes, but this king doesn't like it when women see him naked" Mrs Smith

" I understand that"

" He says they misbehave. I wouldn't be surprised if one of them tried to have sex with him"

" Who would want to sleep with him"

" Alot of women Nalani. The king doesn't have a Queen so every lady in the Kingdom wants to find favour and become the next Queen " Mrs Smith sighed

" Queen! More like a funeral if you ask me"

" You wouldn't want to be Queen?" Asked a curious Mrs Smith

" No! Especially not his Queen. I can't stand the man"

Mrs Smith laughed at Nalani's answer . She could sense that Nalani was no ordinary girl. Maybe she will get through the king. After all he is single with no Queen nor concubines. Perhaps this headstrong girl will be the one to steal the king's heart.

The thought warmed Mrs Smith's heart but she knew this was only a dream. For some reason the two don't get along. What will happen now that they have to spend so much time together? Will she quit immediately after?

" Let me prepare his Majesty's breakfast" said Mrs Smith

Nalani watched as Mrs Smith prepared everything and placed them on a beautiful gold tray. She handed the tray to a confused Nalani

" What am I supposed to do with this?" Asked Nalani.

" Take it to his Majesty's quarters . Weren't you listening when I told you your duties?"

" Oh yeah, sorry. I will take this to his Majesty "

" Do you remember where his chambers are located?"

" Yes"

" Go on then, don't be late"

Nalani left the kitchen carefully carrying his Majesty's breakfast. She followed the path leading to his chambers. At some point she took one wrong turn after another until she found herself outside the castle.

The loud gong rang at the same time scaring her. She was so shocked that she let go of the tray she was carrying and everything came crushing down.  The glass plate broke pouring all the contents on the ground. The glass cup carrying his tea also broke into pieces.

" Aargh! What have I done!!" screamed Nalani.

She went on her knees immediately and started picking the broken pieces and placing them on the golden tray that was surprisingly left intact. What should she do now? She was angry at Kellen before for being clumsy but what about her. She ruined an entire breakfast that took so much time and effort to prepare .

After she picked every broken piece up, she went back to the kitchen with her head down. How will she explain this to Mrs Smith. How could the universe be so cruel to her. One mistake after another, when will she catch a break.

As soon as she entered the kitchen everyone stopped what they were doing and stared at the tray she was holding. Some didn't even hide the shock on their faces while some went as far as gasping in shock.

Mrs Smith was too suprised to say anything. Another mistake meant another punishment.

'Why can't this girl's be careful' wondered Mrs Smith.

" Nalani, what happened?" She asked when she was close enough

" Everything fell. I am sorry....I don't know what happened....what do I do?" Asked an upset Nalani.

She could already imagine how much trouble she caused. It was already past seven o'clock. The king must be up by now and she didn't have any breakfast to serve.

" Mrs Smith please help me" she begged

" Sit on the stool and try to come down. We will prepare something new for his highness"

Nalani sat on the stool and waited. She was getting impatient as to how long she was to wait. Can't they hurry up abit. She was already in a lot of trouble as it is.

" How long will this take" she mumbled

" If you hadn't dropped his breakfast we wouldn't be here, now would we" one of the cooks said sarcastically

Nalani was ashamed . She mumbled an apology before she decided it was better to be quiet. The cook was right . They were cleaning up her mess. The least she could do was be patient and take her punishment like a grownup.

The breakfast was handed over to her like before. This time she asked for help. One of the kitchen maids directed her to his highness's chambers and all she had to do was follow. She saw which turns she took that were wrong and memorized it in her head. The kitchen maids stopped at two large brown doors.

" This is his Majesty's chambers. I have to go" the kitchen maids said quickly.

Nalani watched her leave. She left her at the lions den. Mustering as much courage as she could find she knocked three times on the door.

" Come in" said a voice from inside the chambers.

On one side of the door was a small table, she placed the tray on it and opened the door. Once it was open, she took the tray and walked inside.  The king's chambers were huge.  When they say chambers they meant more than one room. She could spot two doors leading to other room and one leading to a balcony. The room was bigger than any room she had seen in the castle. A thick carpet was on the floor .

She removed her shoes and advanced further into the room. A huge king-sized bed was at one side while on another was a desk and a chair.  The bed was on a platform so it was higher than everything else in the room. The room was filled with light that made everything look magnificent. The king's room was well furnished to suit his position.

As soon as Nalani walked in the king observed her. He looked at the girl who was seriously inspecting his room in astonishment. He let her look to her heart content before he could ruin her mood.

" You are late" he announced.