A Maid?
Aurora's POV
I woke up with a sharp, sudden crash, my body hitting the wall hard. The ship was shaking wildly. I felt dizzy and confused, realizing I must have been asleep. That last memory of King Karn’s face in the glowing orb faded as I scrambled to sit up.
"What was that?" I yelled, rubbing my head.
"A small adjustment in the air," Kraye's voice replied. It was deep and calm, even though the floor was still vibrating. He stood by the huge front window. "We are here."
"Where is 'here'?" I asked, pulling a thin silk blanket around me, wondering how it got there.
"My home. My main city," he said, pointing a big claw at the window. "You will find it... comfortable."
The ship stopped moving with a soft hiss. A ramp lowered. It wasn't rough metal, but a walkway of smooth, black stone that had a gentle light inside it.
But what really made me freeze was the group waiting for us.
Dozens of Kraye's people, smaller Crab-aliens with blue, shiny shells, were lined up. They weren't holding weapons. They were kneeling.
"My King, welcome home," their voices chirped together, making a strange, high-pitched song. But all their many black eyes were staring at me.
I frowned, looking at Kraye. "Why are they... doing that?"
Kraye gave a dry, scratchy laugh. "They are greeting you. They know how important you are." He took one step, and two small Crab-people instantly rushed forward, placing a thick, woven mat of gold fibers right where my foot was about to land.
I hesitated, lifting my foot. "A mat? For every step?"
"It is required," Kraye insisted, urging me forward. "You are our honored guest. Where you walk, the ground is special. No dirt should touch your feet."
As I took my next step, two more subjects quickly picked up the first mat and laid down a new one. The path ahead was a continuous, moving carpet of gold fabric.
"This is honestly too much," I whispered.
"It is respect," Kraye said simply. "Look."
As we walked, one of the aliens carefully put a circle of bright, glowing flowers, lilies that pulsed pink and green, on the mat before I stepped over it. They were treating my walk like a sacred event.
"Why this crazy amount of worship?"
Kraye stopped and tilted his armored head toward me. "Crazy? You are wanted by Karn, the cruelest power in space. For you to come to our safe place... it makes us better. We see you as the holy shield that will protect us from his anger.
He paused, then showed that weird, non-human smile. "Also, we find human beauty wonderful. You are beautiful, Aurora."
Before I could reply, we reached a large, open area. The floor was smooth and decorated with pieces of colored shells. Two huge, quiet, floating platforms covered in soft silk waited nearby.
"We are close to the royal living area," Kraye announced. "Please, step onto the carrier."
I gave in and stepped onto the soft cushion. The platform rose silently, carrying me easily over the heads of the still-kneeling subjects. As I passed, they threw more flowers, making a rain of glowing petals.
"So, I'm your shield and your favorite statue?" I asked, leaning back against the cool silk.
Kraye, walking beside the floating carrier, chuckled again. "You are both, and more. As a guest on Planet 444, you will always have comfort and respect. You are perfectly safe here. Karn’s power stops where my admiration begins."
The floating carrier finally brought me into the central palace. It wasn't a living room. It was a wardrobe.
The room was huge, bigger than a sports gym. The walls were lined with clear cases, filled from floor to ceiling with clothes, just like a human room on earth.
"Welcome to your quarters, Aurora," Kraye said from the doorway. "I trust the selection will be enough."
"This is... crazy," I breathed, walking closer to the closest case.
"Only the best is suitable for the shield of Planet 444," Kraye responded. "We have clothes from two dozen galaxies. Wear what makes you happy. I will return shortly."
He left, and the door closed. A soft click made me turn around. A small, delicate alien stepped out from a hidden panel. She had soft, lavender skin and wore a simple uniform.
She bowed so low her head almost touched the floor. "I am Elara, Mistress Aurora. I am here to serve you personally. I will see to your needs, your clothes, and your comfort. I am yours to command."
"Assigned? Like... a maid?" I asked.
"A personal slave, if that is the word you prefer," Elara whispered, still looking at the floor. "But here, we see it as the highest honor to serve the one who guards our safety. I am here for your every wish."
I didn't like the word 'slave,' but I felt like royalty. "Okay, Elara," I said gently, "you can look up. And please, just call me Aurora."
Elara carefully raised her eyes. "As you wish, Aurora."
"Where do I start?" I asked, looking at the thousands of outfits. "I need to feel clean and dressed, not like I just crashed a ship."
Elara instantly became busy. "Of course. We will start with a scented bath. Then, we will find an outfit fit for a princess."
She led me to a stunning bathroom where the water was glowing blue. After the long, luxurious bath, Elara led me back, and the dressing session began.
"Try the Silken Web of Xylos," Elara suggested, pulling out a shimmering white and silver dress. "It feels like nothing."
I tried it. It felt like cool air on my skin. "No, too cold," I said.
"Then the Robe of the Sunken Star?"
This one was dark, heavy, and speckled with tiny, steady lights, like wearing the night sky. Too heavy.
For the next hour, Elara was amazing. I tried on thirty different outfits: a shiny red dress woven from insect silk, a battle suit made of silver scales, and a transparent gown that somehow kept me covered. Elara was fast and perfect, always offering just the right comment.
"That metallic green brings out the color in your eyes, Mistress," she said as I put on a green tunic. "But we will save the casual ones for the gardens."
It was tiring, but fun. I was a princess in a high-tech fairy tale.
Finally, I chose a long, elegant dress woven from a shiny bronze fiber. It was simple but screamed money and power.
"Perfect," I said, checking the mirror. "Now, Elara, what about my hair? And where is this Kraye taking me for dinner?"
Elara bowed. "The hair styling machine is ready, Mistress. As for the King, he is get
ting ready to introduce you to his main advisors. They are very eager to meet the “Sacred Shield.”