Author's note: This is my first fanfiction, so I apologize if this isn't all that good. I also apologize if the chapters are too short, they seem longer on paper. Enjoy!

The sounds of birds tweeting and the castle bell echoing throughout the kingdom awoke the young girl who lived at the very top of the Blake manor. As she rose from her stiff bed, a soft knock came from the door.

"Maeve? Are you awake?" A woman's voice questioned from the other side of the wooden barrier. Maeve Donovan was the nineteen-year-old stepdaughter of Alexandra Blake and the stepsister of Alexandra's daughters, Diane and Emily. Their families came together when Alexandra married Maeve's father Joseph eleven years ago, but tragedy struck when he fell victim to an unknown assailant. Although Alexandra could not stand Maeve, who was fourteen at the time of his death, she was still responsible for the girl as she had no other living relatives. The child was put to work in the manor, cooking and cleaning for the Blakes. Maeve quickly learned how to take care of business around the manor thanks to her best friend and fellow servant under the family, Kate Callahan. And that is just who was knocking on Maeve's attic door. She opened the door and found her twenty-five-year-old friend standing in front of her.

"Good morning Kate." Maeve moved aside as the older girl walked into the room. The attic was small, with only enough room for a bed, a small dresser and a changing curtain in the corner. Kate moved the curtains concealing the window as the castle's clock tower resonated in the early morning air.
BONG… BONG… BONG...BONG… BONG… BONG…

"Six o'clock. We only have an hour to prepare for the day." Kate sighed as she removed a light brown dress from a hook on the wall and passed it to Maeve; the dress hugged her torso and flowed down to mid-calf with mid-length sleeves.

"Another day, another chore." Maeve sighed as she came out from behind the curtain and plucked an apron off the hook on the wall. She stared longingly out the window and leaned against the window sill. "Kate, can you imagine at least working in the castle?" Kate stood next to the younger girl and followed her gaze to the castle, the towers standing proud against the early morning sky. The clock tower read 6:38.

"And wait hand and foot on the King and the Prince? I feel like we would be treated better here with your step family." Kate answered, frowning.

"Well, I believe otherwise."

"Okay, say they do treat us better. Mistress Blake would sooner marry a swine than let us go." She and Maeve both giggled at the thought of that.

"It's almost seven, we need to get breakfast started."

"Kate, could I have a minute, please? I'll meet you in the kitchen."

"Of course." She held Maeve's hand for a moment before exiting the attic. Maeve looked back to the window as the sun rose higher in the Quantico sky.

"It would be a dream come true to work in the castle if it meant leaving Stepmother and Diane. Emily has never done anything despicable towards me. If Kate and I ever escape, I'll bring Emily along if she is willing. I just hope I get the chance." The clock tower struck seven as Maeve left her miniscule bedroom to begin her day.
BONG… BONG… BONG… BONG… BONG… BONG… BONG.