Annunciatia hadn't been working at the palace for very long. Young, uneducated and naïve, she was hired into a world of humiliation and cruelty. She was foolish and she was small and meek. Her colleagues were so awful toward her. Knowing she wouldn't be able to do such challenging tasks, she was forced to clean the windows but they were so tall and high up that she couldn't reach. At the end of each day, the others would ridicule her for being so neglectful. It wasn't her fault that she was tiny. Not even that could dampen her spirits. She had an affinity for animals. She loved each and every one and treated all creatures with the respect that they deserved. She even harboured a dog in her sleeping quarters. He was a lovely thing with a big wet snout and floppy brown ears. She named him Bayard. She adored him and vice versa. Even though she was aware of the strict rule about keeping pets, she didn't care one bit. All she cared about was her dog. So, the servant worked at daylight, enduring the horrible fellow servants, and by night, she was playing with Bayard and teaching him how to communicate with humans. But one day, buried secrets were about to be revealed.
The teenage girl was scrubbing the floor. Her slender delicate hands were sore and cracked from the dreadful soap she was using. To forget her troubles, she started to daydream about what game she was going to play with her dog. Suddenly, she was awoken by the soft coo of the Queen.
" Oh, stop it, Tarrant! It tickles!"
" That's why it's called tickling, my dear. Anyways, I know you like it," replied a lisped titter.
" The Mad Hatter!" Annunciatia gasped inaudibly.
She edged closer to the door, scooting along on all fours. She heard giggles which prompted her to push the door open ajar. She poked her light auburn head out and saw a sight she wasn't sure she was supposed to see. The Mad Hatter had his skilled hands kneading the Queen's shoulders and his lips were super-glued to hers. Annunciatia's jaw dropped. They were kissing. There was no doubt about that. But then an uncomfortable mass of guilt lodged its in her stomach. Spying on her employer was wrong. Should she intrude? Should she just ignore it and continue her work? Something inside her told her to…
" Your Majesty?" she squeaked.
The couple jumped. Hatter gave a horrified cry of surprise and embarrassment. Blushing violently, he dashed out of the door as if his life depended on it. The White Queen, whose skin was pale and creamy, developed two scarlet cheeks which she tried to hide. Annunciatia stood up and stepped closer to the monarch, almost afraid of what she was going to say. But instead, she smiled sweetly.
" Hello, darling," she greeted.
" What was that loony doing?" the girl answered.
The White Queen looked around the tiny room, aware that the walls had ears. She opened her mouth then shut it. Instead she said, " What is your name?"
" Annunciatia Trimert," Annunciatia Trimert annunciated proudly.
" Annunciatia," she repeated and smiled again. " I have a secret. Tarrant…Hatter…and I are close friends. Very. I feel very much in love." She beamed serenely and glanced over to the door where Hatter had scarpered out.
" I have a secret too," she admitted. " I keep a dog in my bedroom!"
" Do you? I'd love to meet him! I adore animals!"
" Then why do you have that rule?"
" Oh! That was enforced by my father. Really stupid, isn't it? I should un-enforce it."
From this, an immensely strong bond was born between them. Over time, they became nearly inseparable. They shared everything with one another. Mirana saw this perky little fourteen year old as the sister she never had. Annunciatia saw this kind and warm ruler as the mother she never had. Through their difficult times, they were each other's rock, comfort and dream. So it was this relationship Mirana fell down on several more days after that tiny life died.