It was almost time for her to come out of her time out. The girl in the corner was only nine years old and born to a royal family in Germany, but she didn't want it, any of it. She showed her rebellious state not in public, but by creating turmoil and reeking havoc inside the mansion. She was very cute for her age. with curly red ringlets for her hair, and forest green eyes with the depth of the deepest darkest forest in the land.
The door opened and a mad stepped in. "Young mistress" The elderly women said. "Your mother wishes to speak with you." The girl got up and walked to her mothers' study room. She knocked on the door and heard a voice say "Enter" before she went in. In front of the fire place was a woman that looked nothing like her except for the eyes.
"Stephanie" the women said to the little girl, her back to her facing the fire. "I have had it with all this distress and disobedience!!!!! If you cannot act like the noble you were born to be, then we have no choice but to banish you from the family."
Stephanie stood there in shock at what her mother just said. "Some of your casual clothing has been packed for you and is waiting outside for you. This will be the last time I see you"
All the little girl could do was cry from fear of the outside world.
It had been ten years to the day since it happened. She had learned how to survive on the streets quite easily by using her charm. She had lived in an orphanage near a village near a castle where another rich family lived. But now she was 19 years old and had out warmed her welcome. The orphanage was for children, not adults like her.
She was already packed and waiting for the time when the warden would kick her out. It was beautiful fall weather outside. The trees where beginning the change from summer to winter. All the younger orphans where giving her parting gifts and wishing her a good trip.
"Don't cry my friends" she said picking up Claire, the youngest of her friends, and wiping away the young girls tears. "I will be back once I get some money. I will get you all something really good and warm to eat before Christmas. I promise" Stephanie said as she looked down at them and started to sing them the lullaby that they grew up with.
A hard nock on the door, and a slurred voice indicated it was time for her to leave. She gave all the children one last group hug and fallowed the warden out.
She had very little money and could barley find something to eat. Once she finished her dinner, a small sandwich and a glass of wait, it was beginning to rain. She found and abandoned barn with some tall grass and hunkered down for the night.
The next morning, she decided to try and find a job. On the way to the town square, she picked up and abandoned newspaper and flipped striate to the jobs page. There were a few of them that seamed easy to get until she looked up and saw an ad for a made up and the Jurgen's residence.
The add said it was a learn on the job work offer and they get payed more than the average person gets a week. It was ether a scam or it was a slave job, ether way if she got the job she could keep her promise to the children of her orphanage early.
Later that day she fallowed the sloping driveway up through the forest and up to the castle gates. They were opened for interviews and she was the first, and seemed to be the only. "I was right, slave labor" Stephanie said to herself and she walked up to the front doors and knocked.
An old butler opened the door, took one look at her and glared. "I am sorry, but we have already donated to the orphanage and the homeless shelter" she said while closing the door. "Thank you but that is not why I am here" she said placing her foot into the door to stop it from closing. "I am here to answer your add" she said holding up the newspaper.
"O that" she said looking her up and down with a disgusted look on his face. Sure she didn't look the part with her rag type clothing and her untidy hair, but she didn't care. If this guy was going to make accusations just be appearance, then this job wasn't worth it.
"I am sorry miss but I don't think-"He was cut short by another voice, by the sounds of it, a nobleman. "Gustav, that's enough. Let ous first give her an interview before we turn her away" said the mysteries voice. Her knees started to wobble just by the sound, he almost sounded like her father and her father was the only person who loved her before he died. It was deep and meaningful, full of pride and wisdom. "Yes Master Robert" Gustav said bowing to the shadows before ushering her in, making sure not to touch her. "Please come in and make yourself at home, the master will be with you momentarily."
She sat down on the couch in front of the fireplace. She tucked on ankle under the other and placed her hands folded in her lap like she was taught when she was a little girl. Her posture was strait up in a proper stance and she looked around, her eyes getting us to being inside. The place had a gothic, Victorian style to it that was more homey and welcoming then one would imagine.
Unknown to Stephanie, the master of the castle and the butler where watching her every move. "What do you think Master Robert, do you think she will suffice?" There were a few minutes of pondering silence before Robert answered with a satisfied tone "Yes I think she will do just fine."
About 15 minutes had passed before there was movement at the stairway. She stood up, brushed herself off, and waited for the person to present themselves. "I am Robert Jurgan, the Master of this castle" He announced. Stephanie had never seen this person before; he had purple hair and ruby eyes. He wore red slacks with a white dress shirt and a short green vest. She curtsied, being polite, before introducing herself. "My name is Stephanie Arora, and I admire your castle, Master Robert" she added at the end.
"That you, it has been in my family since the medieval ages" He said looking around with pride in is poster. "Wow talk about a family heirloom." she said sarcastically then mentally kicked herself in the but for saying something like that. There was the fantast hint of a smirk on Roberts face but when she looked again it was gone.
"If you will pleas fallow me I will show you to your room." Robert said walking up the stairs. "Um dos that mean I got the job?" she asked fallowing him up the stairs and down the hallway. "What do you think." He said without looking at her.
She was looking at all the paintings and tapestries on the walls and the suits of armor decorating the hallway. She didn't notes him stop at a door. She nearly ran into him, catching herself at the last second on the edge of the wall. "This is your room" he said opining the door. She had a fireplace, a full size bed, and her own desk and bathroom. She even had a balcony. It was very plain but by the end of the week she would take care of that. The knight walked up to the dresser and opened the door to reveal a few made uniforms. More like a black knee length skirt and a button up blouse. "This is your day uniform, check in with me at 7am, sharp to get started on your chores" she said walking out and lightly shutting the door.
"Ok, he may be a little stick up but how hard can this be" she said smiling as she walked into the bathroom. "Hot water for the first time in ten years!" She said as she got undressed and walked into the shower, washing all the dirt from her skin and gunk from her hair. She got out after and hour, wrapped her hair in a towel, put on one of the robes that was hanging on the door and walked outside. She stopped dead, someone had started a fire in her fire place, and that someone was still in the room, sitting in the chair facing her, eyes calculating.