Kyla's POV
The men unceremoniously dropped me onto the cold, hard floor of a grand house, their faces devoid of any emotion. One of them called out to a lady, who emerged from the shadows, her eyes scrutinizing me from head to toe.
“This is the new maid for the queen,” the man said, handing me over to the lady as if I were a mere commodity.
I groaned inwardly, wondering how many miles I had been taken away from the palace. The thought of being so far from Gibson and the life I once knew was almost too much to bear.
The woman paid the men, and they departed as quickly as they had arrived. I was left standing before her, my eyes locked on hers as I attempted to reason with her.
“I'm no maid,” I informed her, hoping against hope that she might understand me. “I was kidnapped,” I explained, my voice laced with desperation.
But the woman's expression remained unmoved, her eyes cold and unyielding. “Just shut it,” she snapped, her voice dripping with disdain. “The queen doesn't like lousy maids.”
I knew I had no choice but to follow her, the weight of my circumstances settling heavily upon me like a physical burden. The night wasn't safe for me, and I couldn't risk being out in the open, vulnerable to further danger. The thought of being at the mercy of these strangers was daunting, and I felt a sense of desperation creeping in.
With a heavy heart, I trailed behind the woman, my eyes scanning the unfamiliar surroundings with a mix of curiosity and trepidation. My mind was racing with thoughts of escape and rescue, my brain working overtime to devise a plan to get back to the palace and the people I loved.
Just then, my stomach growled loudly, protesting the lack of food for what felt like an eternity. The woman's ears picked up the sound, and she turned to me with a hint of surprise. “You will be given food before you start,” she assured me, her voice a little softer than before.
I was led to a small kitchen, where a simple but satisfying meal was laid out before me. I devoured the food and drank the water greedily, feeling a sense of relief wash over me as my hunger was finally sated. It was the first proper meal I had eaten since leaving the palace, and I felt a little happy, a small spark of joy igniting within me.
But as I ate, my thoughts turned to those I had left behind: Kira, my mother-in-law. I longed to be reunited with them, to feel the comfort and security of their presence. The food and water had temporarily lifted my spirits, but the ache in my heart remained, a constant reminder of all that I had lost.
The maiden who was tasked with teaching me the ways of the palace staff entered the room, and I watched her with obedient eyes, despite having already received similar training from Kira. I pretended to be a novice, eager to learn and please, as I had decided to start anew.
I realized that I couldn't go back to my old life, not now that I was so far from the palace and had been separated from everyone I loved. The thought of being lost and alone was daunting, but I steeled myself for the challenges ahead, determined to make the best of my situation.
The maiden began to instruct me on the various duties and responsibilities of a palace maid, and I listened intently, taking mental notes and asking questions to clarify any doubts. I was determined to fit in and avoid drawing attention to myself, at least until I had a more profound understanding of my new surroundings.
After completing my training, I was led to a small chamber where a maid's uniform was laid out for me. The dress was a simple yet elegant design, with a white apron and a cap to cover my hair. I put on the uniform, feeling a sense of transformation as I gazed at my reflection in the mirror.
Once I was dressed, I was escorted to a carriage, which was waiting to take me to my new assignment. I climbed aboard, my heart racing with anticipation and a touch of fear.
The carriage finally came to a stop, and the door swung open, signaling the beginning of my new life. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the challenges ahead, as I stepped out of the carriage, leaving everything I once knew behind.
As I entered the palace, I was greeted by the stern-faced woman who had brought me here. She led me to my new quarters, and I was surprised to find that my room was significantly different from those of the other maids. The furnishings were more luxurious, and the bed was softer than any I had ever slept on.
I sank into the plush mattress, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. “Mmm,” I sighed, letting my head rest on the pillow. For a moment, I forgot about the hardships I had endured and the uncertainty that lay ahead.
But as I looked around my new room, I was reminded of my new role. I was to be the queen's maid, and my room was strategically located near hers, so I could attend to her needs instantly's notice.
A shiver ran down my spine as I thought about the responsibilities that came with my new position. All I had to do was follow the queen around, catering to her every whim, and yet, I couldn't shake off the feeling that there was more to this role than met the eye.
As I settled into my new bed, exhaustion finally caught up with me, and I drifted off to sleep. But my rest was short-lived, as the door burst open, jolting me awake.
“Where is this fool?” a voice demanded, piercing the silence.
I groggily opened my eyes, disoriented and still feeling the weight of sleep. “Ummm,” I yawned, my voice husky from slumber.
The woman's impatient tone cut through my foggy brain. “Hurry, Her Majesty is waiting for you!”
I sprang into action, hastily getting dressed without even having a chance to bathe. I had overslept, and now I was running late for my morning greeting with the queen.
As I rushed out of the room, I turned to the woman, who was still scowling at me. “Thank you, milady,” I said, trying to sound polite despite my frantic state.
The woman's expression remained stern, but she nodded curtly, watching as I hurried out of the room.
I sprinted as fast as my legs could carry me to the chambers, my heart racing with anxiety. As I burst through the doors, I was met with a sea of maids, all of whom were already in attendance. I was the only one who was late, and I knew I had to make a good impression.
I tried to slip in unnoticed, squeezing myself into the midst of the other maids. But it was too late, I had already been spotted. The queen's stern voice cut through the air, freezing me in my tracks.
“Stop there,” she commanded, her tone brooking no disobedience.
I felt a shiver run down my spine as the queen walked up to me, her eyes narrowing as she took in my disheveled appearance. I tried to apologize, but before I could utter a word, I heard a loud, ominous sound…
“Fiaam!”