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CHAPTER 6

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MARIAH

The king gave me 3 days to recover before I was being moved to a lower floor and I was given a maid uniform. I didn’t understand why. He treated me so nicely that first day, he gave Sir John’s entire family immunity from death to get me, yet now that he has me, I am a maid. It just doesn’t make sense. 

For the last 2 days I have been waking up every morning and cleaning the same rooms on the same floor, continuously, just waiting to catch a glimpse of his highness.

But today was a new day, and I was sick of waiting around for someone to tell me what was happening. I walked down the steps to the first floor and looked for anyone that could help me, but strangely there was no one around. I walked around, going up to the third floor where I heard the sound of giggling coming from one of the room doors.

Happy to have found another living thing I didn’t think twice before I barged into the room. My heart swooned as I saw the cute little girl sitting on the floor with a little cat in her arms. She squealed jumping up and trying to hide the cat behind her back, hoping I wouldn’t see it. The little angel looked up at me with big blue eyes, her bottom lip jutting in fear.

“Please don’t tell” she said with watery eyes, and I swear my heart broke a little. I looked around the room and noted the light pink colours used. It was a bug contrast to the bland grey walls throughout the rest of the castle. I gave her a small smile and closed the door behind me, before I made my way over to her and sat down. 

I won’t tell. I promise” I said holding out my little finger for her to take in her own. She looked at my finger and smiled sealing the promise by hooking our fingers. “Thank you so much” she squealed setting the small cat on the floor before tackling me into a hug. I hugged her back, my heart swelling at the show of affection. I hadn’t ben hugged in a very long time, it was nice.

She pulled away from the hug her hand in my hair as she hit me with a tidal wave of questions, “Who are you? What’s your name? Where are you from? How come I haven’t see you before?” I laughed a little at her curiosity but ultimately I found it adorable. I loved inquisitive children, they were so full of wonder and question that it made me smile. They were so good and pure; it was amazing how they remained untainted by the world of today. “ I’m the new maid, my name is Mariah, I’m from a small village , near the border of France and you haven’t seen me before because I only work on the second floor.” I said answering all her questions. 

She stared at me through narrow eyes before a childish smile broke out across her face. “Nice to meet you Ms Mariah, I’m Lyla” she said, her one front tooth missing in action as she spoke. “It’s nice to meet you too, Lyla” I said with a smile I peaked over her shoulder at the small fluff of fur that sat behind her on the floor. “And who is that cutey? “ I asked playful causing Lyla to shake with excitement as she turned around to pick up the cat. 

“His my new friend. I found him in the garden and he was too cute to leave behind. “ she gushed before turning to face me with worry in her eyes. “you’ll let me keep him, right? “ she asked sadly and in that moment I found myself nodding my head. “Of course”. 

I didn’t realize how much time had past that I’d been playing with Lyla until there was a knock at the door. Lyla jumped up and stuffed the cat in her closet before proceeding to do the same to me. I let the little girl pull my arm and push me into her spare cupboard before picking up the cat. “Shhh” she said childishly before she closed the door and left me in the smaller cupboard with the cat. The door opened and I heard the sound of a trolley rolling in. “Miss Lyla. Your supper” the woman said blandly before leaving the room, I peeked through the crack in the door and had to hold my mouth to keep from gasping as I saw the King himself standing by the doorway. I froze, a little bit of fear made its home in my gut as I suddenly felt extremely nervous. What would he do if he saw me here? 

“Lyla the head maid has reported to me that you’ve been disobedient toward her and the other staff. “ the King said in irritation. It was clear that he’d rather be anywhere else. Lyla remained quiet as she looked at the floor, but I could see her shaking a little. “Why? You know I told you to behave! Why do you still make things difficult for everyone?! “ the king said, his voice rising as he reprimanded the girl. Lyla started to cry as she looked up at his highness. 

“I don’t like the head maid. She’s mean to me” Lyla said with tears falling down her plump cheeks. “She calls me a bastard and locks me in my room all day  and only open to give me food. “ Lyla sobbed, heart-broken. The King rolled his eyes before glaring at her. “Maybe she’d let you out if you weren’t so God damn annoying. All I ask is for you to listen, it’s not that difficult” the King said. I felt myself grow angry as he turned to leave the room, but what Lyla said next shocked me to my core. “You wouldn’t have to worry about me if you didn’t kill me parents” she spat before getting up and trying to run out of the room. 

She couldn’t even make it to the door before the King pushed her into the wall. “We don’t speak of that” he growled and I swear his eyes changed colour. My heart stopped beating and before I could think about it I jumped out of the closest to help her. The kings eyes snapped to me and I felt my body clench in  fear as a tear rolled down my cheek. The King smiled sarcastically. “Finally decided to show yourself huh? “ he said coldly as he let Lyla drop to the floor, coughing and wheezing. He turned to me and pushed me to the wall inhaling my before he growled, pressing my body further into his. After another second he stepped back, letting go of me. 

I took the chance and ran to Lyla, kneeling down and wrapping my arms around her. She put her head in my shoulder and began to cry as I stroked her back. “Shhh, it’s okay” I said letting her cry everything out. I didn’t even notice when the King left the room, too focused on what had just happened. The poor girl had gone through so much. 

Eventually Lyla fell asleep in my arms and I was able to put her in her bed, letting the cat sit next to her. I was filled with anger as I stood up and marched out the door, looking for Butler Aldridge. I found him in the kitchen ordering some of the other maids around as I walked up to him. "Take me to the King” I demanded looking up at him. He paused looking down at me with disgust. “No” he said before he continued with his work. I felt my last nerve snap as I picked up one of the knives lying around and pressed it to his neck in anger . TAKE ME TO THE KING” I yelled at him but he just chuckled, pushing the knife away from him before saying “No”. 

I don’t know what made me do it, but I turned the knife around and pressed it to my neck, deciding to take the chance that maybe my life was valued here. “take me to the king” I said again, calmer this time around. He paused again and put his clipboard down before he laughed. He wasn’t taking me seriously. I pressed harder, chasing the bright red liquid to spill from my body. He paled as he tried to stop me. “What are you doing?!” he said in fear picking up a cloth and pressing it to my neck. “Take me right now” I said  slowly and he nodded keeping the cloth to my neck as he lead my to the 7 floor, to meet the King.