Chapter 7: Friendship

There were a few times Sofie ran into Ariel and they would share a small or small laugh, but perhaps the most promising and heartfelt moment happened just three weeks into serving as a parlor maid.

Sofie went about her afternoon straightening up the library. It was a job that she did not enjoy much; the library was rather large. Lots of dusting needed to be done on the shelves that contained the most boring books that were rarely ever picked up, and oftentimes she would find books simply laying around. It would be up to perform the tedious task of finding their rightful spot on the shelves. She was nearly done that task when a welcomed distraction happened.

"Hello Sofie," Ariel greeted. She, of course, had seen the maid venture into the library a few minutes earlier, but decided that she would wait a few minutes before entering with the only intention of starting up a conversation. "I just want to grab a book. Please don't stop working."

"I won't get in your way, Ariel" Sofie stated, although for once she didn't feel like a bother. She also did not mind referring to the queen by her first name. In fact, it became an important part of their relationship.

Ariel skimmed the book case for the book she didn't really want as she skimmed her mind for what she could use to begin a conversation with Sofie. Then, she spotted the globe in the corner of the library.

She walked over to it and gently spun it around. Her fingers dragged along the surface as the world spun around until, at last, the friction from her finger had caused it to stop and land at its destination: France. Ariel moved the globe around to see the other locations nearby.

"Sofie, have you ever been out of the kingdom?" Ariel asked curiously.

The maid paused her work to respond. "No, Ma'am. I haven't"

"Do you wish you would one day?"

Sofie thought over the question, never having asked it to herself. "I suppose one day I would like to see other places. That might be nice. For now, though, I have some things I have to finish up here at home."

"I've accompanied Eric to a few other countries. Some are more exciting than others, but it's definitely worthwhile to go exploring."

"Which places were your least favorite?" Sofie asked.

"I don't enjoy England too much. They choose to stick very close to tradition and formalities, and it rains a lot there," Ariel said. "Oh, and Russia."

"Is it too cold there?"

"I don't mind that. It gives me extra time to wear my winter fashions, but Eric has… a strained relationship with the Czar. Here," she said, moving over in the sofa and patting the seat next to her. "Sit down. It's a long, but interesting story."

"While I'm sure it is, I really have to finish dusting these shelves."

"Nonsense. They look fine to me."


Ariel had told Eric that she would meet him in the library. The room had always been the perfect place to wait for each other in because of its massive shelves of entertainment and secrets, and for its location in the center of the castle.

He had expected to find Ariel passing the time by reading a book, but, instead, as he approached the room, he heard the laughter of two girls, one of them recognizable as his wife. Did she have company over that he had forgotten about? Opening the door a little and peering inside, he found the other girl only to be a maid.

He watched as his wife laughed with a bright smile. "Ever since it's like we have to dodge broken glass whenever we go. It's rather stressful."

She seemed at complete ease with this maid, almost as if she was one of her well-known companions. He was glad to see her happy.

Eric opened the door completely and walked in. "So sorry to interrupt, ladies, but I didn't want to wait out in the hall all day."

Sofie jumped to her feet and curtsied before the king. "You're Majesty," she said before turning to the queen. "Thank you for the story, Ma'am."

"I enjoyed your company," she said, rising as well. "But you don't have to go yet."

"I- I would like to stay, ma'am, but I do have other work I must complete before the days over," Sofie excuse herself, picking up her duster and exiting the room immediately.

Ariel sat back down, defeated, and Eric took a seat next to her. "Oh, let the girl get her work done."

"I know," Ariel sighed. "But she's really sweet, and more interesting to speak to than some of the women on my court."

"When is Miss Hampshire leaving?" Eric asked, referring to Ariel's current lady's maid. As a lady's maid, Miss Hampshire also served Ariel as friend.

"End of this week."

"Did you pick a replacement yet?"

She shook her head. "I haven't officially asked anyone yet, but I want to ask Sofie."

"She's still rather new, though, isn't she?" Eric asked. If he was correct, she was one who came up from the manor just two months earlier.

His wife shrugged. "I suppose, but Carlotta likes her. She said that she's a really good worker. Besides, I didn't even know Miss Hampshire when she was assigned to be my lady's maid. As long as Carlotta trusts her, I trust her, and I have to reason not to."

"But do you think she'll say yes?" he asked. Eric though Sofie came off to be nervous.

Ariel nodded. "I'm sure she'll be overjoyed to take the position. It will get her away from all the other maids she mentioned not liking. I think she hates them because she's more suited for a higher, more responsible position. She'll be much happier as a lady's maid."