Chapter 16 Introduction to the Palace Life
A soft knock sounded on the door, opening slightly.
Isabella grunted, as she opened one eye to take a peep. The scene before her was shocking, and she quickly sat up.
Trolleys upon trolleys were rolled into the room. Clothes, shoes and everything you could think of.
An old woman of imposing features walked towards her. Isabella surmised she would be in her 50s.
She watched as the strange woman walked to the windows and dragged the curtains open, forcing sunlight into Isabllas's room, thereby making her groan.
“Greetings, Ms Thorne.” She said stiffly as she faced her.
“My name is Mrs Louvre. I'm the head of household staff.”
Isabella nodded, still amazed at the authority the woman was wielding towards her.
“I'm here to make sure you are prepped before your meeting this morning.” She continued.
“Meeting?” Her brows were raised in confusion.
“Your queenly duties start today.” Mrs Louvre continued, not bothering to go further.
Isabella nodded gently, too amazed to respond. Lucien hadn't told her he had agreed to her demands.
“I'll be out in some minutes.” She waved the headstaff out, gazing at the clothes in awe. What was she to do with so many clothes?
“That won't be necessary, Ms Thorne.” Mrs Louvre shook her head as she snapped her fingers and three young girls appeared.
“They're here to help you dress.” She said as she motioned for the girls to take over.
“I don't think that's necessary,” Isabella said, protesting lightly. She could prepare herself for whatever meeting was going to take place today.
“That's an order, Ms Thorne.” Mrs Louvre said, making Isabella whip her head up to meet her ferocious eyes.
She looked like she was daring Isabella to refuse.
Isabella swallowed gently and glanced at the three girls in the room, with their heads bowed. But she was no fool. She could see the smiles on their lips.
“Alright,” she said gently. She would have to speak with Lucien about his head of staff. When she said she wanted to be treated with respect, she meant it with every fibre of her being. But for now, she was going to play the stupid one.
“Hello, my lady,” Two of the girls stepped forward and curtsied. “We'll be helping you with your bath.”
She opened her mouth to refuse, but she could see Mrs Louvre staring hard at her, so she did anyway.
“I can take my bath myself.” She said strongly.
“Strip.” The voice came.
She'd been expecting some form of resistance from the head staff but this was way over the top.
She looked at both girls who were staring at her, expectant of her next move.
She swallowed gently, closing her eyes to prevent the tears which had gathered from shame from dropping and began to remove her clothes. She'd asked for it after all.
To be treated like a queen.
The girls led her to the bathroom, where rose petals lay on the water. She settled into the water, closing her eyes all through as strange hands touched her.
She breathed deeply when she felt a hand on her clit and opened her eyes immediately. What was going on?
“What are you doing? Is…is that necessary?” For heaven's sake, it was private for a reason.
“Yes ma'am, the girl whose hands she assumed was washing her private part said gently. “Mrs Louvre said to do a good job.”
She nodded gently and settled back into the water, but this time with her eyes open.
Truth be told, she was enjoying the bath, because the girls were gentle and kind.
The last drop of scented water landed on her body, and the girls stepped out of the water.
She sighed and collected the towel handed to her before stepping out.
What was the usefulness of the towel? She smiled ruefully as she draped it around her body.
The girls had stepped out, leaving the last one who ushered her to a seat in front of the mirror. She could feel Mrs Louvre’s eyes on her back, watching her every move.
I'll be in charge of your clothes and hair, ma'am.” She said, bowing slightly as she poured some lotion on her hands before applying it to her.
She looked genuinely sincere as she did her magic with her hands.
“It's time for your clothes.” Mrs Louvre’s intimidating voice sounded right behind her.
Isabella shook her head in amusement even though she wasn't in any way amused. The woman was acting like she had some personal scores to settle with her.
And she was going to allow it, to see the extent to which she was going to prove her power.
She pointed at a simple silk dress staring at her. It looked simple but elegant. Her style.
“Too simple.” The headstaff shook her head, as she reached for a blue gown.
“I won't be wearing that.” Isabella pointed out, her face set. She could accept anything, except what would make her uncomfortable.
The blue dress had heavy stones pleated on it. It was going to be a chore walking around in that kind of dress, especially with the long day she had ahead of her.
“Fine.” Isabella watched as she huffed, before motioning to the girl to do her bidding.
She hid a small smile, but kept the smug look on her face.
And she was right, she said as she stared at herself in the mirror. The silk gown held in all the right places. It had a slit that she'd not noticed earlier right at the top of her knees, but the slit made it even finer.
“This is perfect,” she said smiling as she turned to the girl who also had a small smile and a look of admiration plastered on her face.
“Now, let's get the hair done.” She said, when she'd had her fill of admiring herself in the mirror, totally ignoring the headstaff who had a scowl on her face.
The girl nodded eagerly. “Any idea in mind ma'am? Especially one that complements the dress?”
Isabella shook her head, her mind blank. She was a very simple person and had always packed her hair in a bun.
“You're the professional here. Make the decision. I trust your judgement.” She said and smiled when she saw the surprise in the girl's eyes.
“That's the hallway ahead.” Mrs Louvre continued to chatter as she showed Isabella the entire palace.
Okay, the entire palace was a stretch. They were in the main palace, walking to see some of her attendants as the woman had put it.
She craned her neck to see if she could catch a glimpse of Elias, but her son was not the main person she was looking for.
She wanted Lucien to see her. She couldn't explain it, but she needed him to see her and suck his breath in, unable to comprehend the extent of her gorgeousness.
“And that is the King's private dining room. Of course, that's where you'll also have your meals.”
Mrs Louvre added as an afterthought, making Isabella smile. The woman was trying to make an enemy out of Isabella but she didn't care.
Not when she knew she'd done nothing wrong.
They continued, stopping at where three people lined up, their heads bowed.
“And these are your personal staff.” She pointed at the three people. It was a young man and two women.
She looked around for Betty. She needed a familiar face among her staff. Someone she could trust with all her heart and not have to look over her shoulder in fear.
“Betty will take care of the young prince fully. His Majesty’s orders.” Mrs Louvre supplied.
Isabella nodded stiffly. She was sure it was the woman's handiwork. She wielded a lot of authority in the palace, even as a servant.
She'd placed these people here just so she would be able to keep an eye on Isabella.
The young man stepped forward. He looked like he was in his thirties. “My name is Collins, Ms Thorne. I'll be managing your schedules and itinerary.”
Isabella nodded, and he stepped back.
The middle-aged woman stepped forward next.
While Collins had been expressive of what he thought towards her through his eyes, this one, Isabella couldn't read her.
She looked…
“My name is Melody, Ms Thorne. I'll be handling your wardrobe and quarters.”
Isabella nodded slightly, trying to hide the disappointment she felt within her. She'd wished the girl who'd done her would have been assigned to do that.
Melody looked like she was in her fifties as well. She looked slightly younger than the headstaff.
The last girl stepped forward. Her eyes were happy and unlike the previous two, she looked like she was genuinely excited to be here.
“My name is Mira, Ms Thorne. I'll be your personal attendant.”
Isabella nodded. At least there was someone who looked genuinely happy to serve her.
“Now, to the next on the list, your classes.” Mrs Louvre announced and turned back, heading to one of the rooms.
“My classes?” Isabella wanted to be sure she'd not heard wrong. Classes had not been part of her agreement with Lucien.
Mrs Louvre's smile was thin, triumphant. "Everything a Queen needs to know. Etiquette. Protocol. How to address the council without embarrassing His Majesty.”