Eventually, we reached the castle. It was small, compared to Father's. Funny how what I once regarded as my home was now just another castle in the world. I think it was a good thing that my separation was so decided. When I had left, I had not thought twice. I had been preparing for the event for almost two years, and I had not had any second thoughts about my decision. Yes, it was now more awkward that I now worked for someone who could expose me for who I truly was, but I would rarely see him. On the way back, I had been informed that I was to be a kitchen maid of the lowest order. Washing the dishes and tending the fire would be my principal duties, most likely. No matter. They would be messy, but I would rather be that than my father's wife.
The man I had been riding with dropped me off by the servant's entrance in the back of the building. Nearby were several wells, a dead garden that would undoubtedly be bearing all sorts of fruits and vegetables in the summer, and the stables. After he exchanged some words with a woman who had come out of the room, he left.
Immediately the woman swept down on me and began examining me. She then motioned for me to come inside.
"It's too cold out here, besides, you really need a bath." She spoke with an air of self-importance. She was older, with a double chin and an authoritative air. She was undoubtedly higher up in the servant ranking, perhaps a cook or head maid.
Once inside, she led me through the kitchens (I noticed they were full of people busy in the various tasks set them) and took me into a storeroom of sorts.
"Come, dear, take off your cloak. I need to see how tall you are exactly for clothes, and I simply cannot tell with the cloak obscuring your contour." She spoke commandingly, but not unkindly. I could easily imagine her as a mother hen looking out for her chick. I hesitated, and then removed the furs. After all, she could have no idea who I might be, right? It was the higher nobles I needed to worry about.
After seeing my small figure, she began musing to herself. "My, aren't you a pretty little thing. You're the eleventh loner His Highness has brought in since he came to throne. He usually has a decent sense of judgment; I would hope he could always be right. You're so tiny, though. You can't be more than fifteen or sixteen…"
"I'm nineteen, madam. " I broke in, a little irritated. My age is something I can be touchy about. Attempting to steer her away from my appearance, I asked, "What will be my duties."
She chuckled. Then, recovering, stated, "You will be a maid in the kitchens. You will mostly be fetching firewood, water, and things like that. You will help wash the pots and pans at night, and then sweep the floor. In a few months, we will be holding the annual winter balls, so you may help with preparing food. Can you cook?"
"Yes, I can cook basic items and prepare foods for cooking. I can also sew, if that's any help."
"No, we have plenty of sewers around here. You won't be needing that. But here, take these," she then thrust a set of plain, but clean, work clothes at me, "and down this hall to the right is a washroom. Clean up good, then come back to the kitchens and I'll show you the ropes. By the way, my name is Leah, if you need anything, let me know." She then left, leaving me with the clothes and a set of directions.
Finally, I was in a safe haven. The work seemed easy enough, and I had a chance for a bath. It would probably get harder, but time would tell. Right now, I have a date with a clean me.