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Part 7
After that night, Alexander demanded that Isabel and I be removed from that castle and re-assigned into his own. He was so angry that he convinced his parents to only sign the treaty if Isabel and I would be allowed free from our duties at our castle. Even though Miss Oriana put up a large objection to it, in the end our King and Queen agreed to set us free. I was completely overflown with happiness - Isabel, on the other hand, was not.
"What about Lady Ann, Ky? Have you forgotten about her? Have you forgotten about everything else? All you seem to think about is your 'Prince in Shining Armour' who rescued you!' Isabel sat in front of me in the barn as I loaded more hay and oats into the stables. She was waving her hand wildly - showing her fustration.
I could not help but stay silent - what could I say to that? It was true. I had fallen in love with my rescuer, and had disregarded all things around me. I stabbed the pitchfork deeper into the lump of hay and listened to my bestfriend.
"I can't go, Kyla. I can't. Lady Ann needs me here..." She looked up at me and I heard her voice break. "And I need you here.." She looked away and stood up, not facing me. The sun began to rise onto the land - it was dawn. Isabel turned around and gave me a tight hug - nearly knocking my breath away. "Whichever you chose, Kyla, you will always be my best friend...I love you."
Before I could call her back or say anything, she was gone.
That night I lay in my bed, by the fire, and held my book tightly to my chest. I fingered the cover - Utopia . In this fairytale, the dirty servant was rescued by a beautiful Prince who rode to the castle to sweep her away. She would live happily ever after with her Prince Charming - her one true love. I sat up and stuck another log in the fire. The other maids I shared a room with were all sleeping silently. I stared into the fire, thinking of how protected I felt inside Alexander's arms. Then I thought of Isabel and Lady Ann. They were like my sisters. How could I possibly leave them? 'Am I being selfish?' I asked myself. No answer came back. This was up to me, entirely on my own. I had to decide by sunrise, for Alexander was coming to collect me...or leave me.
I held tightly to Alexander's waist, my legs swung over the back of the horse. I wished that he would slow down, I felt as though I would be flung off, very easily. The only thing I had from the castle, were a few of my dresses and my book - all shoved inside the tweed bag I strung around my shoulder. I burrowed my face further into Alexander's back as the castle I grew up in became a smaller and smaller speck.
I could hear Isabel's pleading still ringing in my ear, her tears still wet on my cheek. I hugged her tight and she told me she understood, but would miss me so. I promised her that I would come visit and write, and come back someday to ask if she would change her mind. Lady Ann shook my hand but snuck a hug in as soon as her mother and father were not looking. It would be considered dirty if the lady of the castle was touching such a filthy lowlife. I could see her eyes were watering and she was holding it back. Miss Oriana did not even come out to bid me goodbye. That though, I did not mind.
"How are you, m'Lady?" I heard Alexander yell from over his shoulder.
"I'm a little...shaken, I feel like mush!" I giggled, my derriere beginning to feel like a mushed potato. I heard him chuckle, then pick up the speed.
"We're nearly there, so hang on tight!" He kicked his heels inward, making the horse gallop off, dust trails left behind in smoke clouds. I let a scream out and squeezed his ribs. 'I'm going to a castle! A new castle!' I excitedly laughed inside. I had never been to any other castle other then my own, and as soon as we came upon the kingdom of Gutaherm, I felt instantly deprived.
The Kingdom was much more grand then my own - the village was bustling with customers and villagers, all shopping and pushing wooden crates. Donkeys and horses and cows mixed together and walked amongst the people. Chicken coops and sheds filled the outside edges of town, and the rest were fields of vegetables and corn. Sitting in the middle of it all, was a tall and immense castle, turrents and tall towers and a moat surrounding. My mouth dropped open as we approached the gate. I recieved strange looks from some people as we rode through the village - I guess it must have been a bit odd for their Prince to be carrying along a lowlife rat. I dug my head a little further into his back, in shame.
As soon as we reached the castle, a guard dressed in a blue tunic took the horse to a stable, leaving Alexander and I to walk inside. I was nervous and anxious both at the same time, with made my stomach flutter with butterflies. I felt his hand slip into mine, I suppose he could feel me shaking. Four ladies dressed in the same colour of blue the guard was wearing, stepped up to us. They had white bonnets on and long aprons. They all looked over the age of forty, and had kind smiles. The wrinkles across their forehead and beneath their eyes told stories on their own. I smiled back without even knowing.
Alexander said something to them in french, and they all nodded their heads and looked me up and down - making me feel instantly self-concious. 'If these are the castle maids, I feel more ashamed then ever!' I wondered to myself. I did not know that Alexander was bilingual, and how he spoke the french language so fluently. The ladies came towards me and ushered me up the elaborate staircase, not giving me any time to question him.
The room they brought me into had pretty yellow walls and a large view of the village beneath. A big steel tub of hot water sat in the middle of the room, with oils and soaps surrounding. Two of the woman quickly undressed me and put me into the tub, one of them 'tsk tsk'ing my back. I had not had a real bath in more than a month, and I felt quite refreshed to allow my skin to breathe. They undid my hair and poured on a coral coloured liquid which smelled of roses. Scrubs and sponges of all sort lathered my body in soap, from head to toe. I especially liked having my feet done, I could actually see the real pigment of my skin!
As I got out, the water was absolutely filthy, and had to be dumped immediately. One woman wrapped a comfy towel around my body and then another around my head. Then they sat me down and talked amongst themselves for what seemed like forever. Then they pulled out a dressing panel and folded it out accordingly. 'Perhaps they washed my dresses?' I thought hopefully.
What they pulled out from behind the panel took my breath away and made my heart fly up to my throat! Two gorgeous gowns lay infront of me, one a silk materialed purple dress, with lace trimmings and long elegant sleeves. The other, a cloth like material, with bright yellow trimming, and a skirt that flowed out beneath me like a bell shape. I was absolutely in love with these two gorgeous dresses, and greedily let my hand reach over and feel the material of both. The women seemed pleased that I found such joy in these gowns, and hurridly helped me dress into the purple one.
I was not used to wearing something so fitting and low cut. I felt a bit exposed at first, but soon grew more comfortable as I moved around. The neckline scooped under my breasts, leaving them completely uncovered. I was quite aghast at this, and the women clucked their tounges and chuckled. They then put a lovely lace material overtop, covering my open breasts. I felt foolish to think they would just allow me to prance around half naked.
As they were lacing up the back of the corset, another two other women brushed and combed my hair through. They twisted two strands around the crown of my head, and let the rest flow loosely down my back. As I looked into the mirror, I began to cry - I looked like a lady...a real Lady! Automatically I straightened my back and shoulders and vowed to myself to never hunch over again. I hugged each of the women, and as they nodded, I walked out of the room to the top of the staircase. I could see Alexander at the bottom, speaking to one of the guards. I looked down at myself, then worried if I was not suit to be dressed in this sort of atire. I was no lady...I was just a servant girl in a beautiful dress.
I held my chin up and banished the thoughts, and began to make my way down the staircase.
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Part 8
Alexander had his backed turned to the staircase, still talking to the Guard. He was changed and dressed in a green coloured tunic and a dark black cloak. His curls were extra messy from the wind from the ride on the horse. The Guard noticed me approaching, and politely nodded towards me. My palms became sweaty and my throat became dry. He was now turned and looking straight at me.
A smile appeared on his face, his eyes shining brighter then ever. "You look...absolutely stunning, m'Lady." He took a step closer and held his hand out to help me down the bottom step. I took it as gracefully as I could, and reached the bottom.
Although I was extremely excited and curious to what the point of this whole ordeal was, I could not shake the dissapointment in my stomach. 'What if this is just a test to see if I can look like a lady out of my maid clothes? Surely he won't let me stay like this...oh it's everything I dreamed!' My thoughts backfired and I soon sunk into desperate hope. I was always a daydreaming, and now that a dream had shown itself in reality, I couldn't help but take advantage. "Sir, I do thank you for your kindness - your..maids..were most helpful and sweet. I enjoyed the bath, and I have fallen in love with silk such as this..." I smoothed the front of my dress, and looked back up at him. "..but I do not understand, Sir. I am nothing but a maid, a servant girl. You released me from my duties at my old residence, and have hired me to work as your servant, at this castle. Sir, you do understand I cannot work in these beautiful clothes - I refuse to! They are sewn together with such preci-" He put a finger to my lips.
"Shh, m'Lady. Shh." He turned back to the Guard who was still eagerly waiting for orders. Alexander put on his buisness-like face. "Good man, go and guard the back enterance, the Kingdom of Teran has been reported to be under attack. Although it is half a distance away, I still worry." Alexander turned back to me as the Guard hurried away. "My Father has yet to return from your previous castle - the treaty is still underway. Final touches, I presume." He explained.
I nodded, and began to drift away into his eyes again. I had been staring into them far too long. Alexander raised his hand and cupped my cheek in his palm. My face automatically cuddled in, leaving me fully helpless in his trance. His other hand slowly rested itself behind my neck, and began to gently pull me towards him. My eyes fluttered shut, and I could suddenly feel his breath ontop of my lips. He cocked his head to the side and playfully ran his nose across my cheek, and gave me a soft kiss on my chin. I pressed my lips together and then wet them - 'Why is he depriving me of such sweet bliss?' I wondered anxiously. The whole castle around me ceased movement and colour, and all I could hear and feel was his breath on my skin, and the hard pounding of my heart inside my chest. He pulled away, and looked me deep in the eyes. I set my hands delicately on his chest, and I could feel his own heart beating quick beneath his strong chest. A blonde curl brushed itself against my forehead, leaving the rest of my face tingling.
He moved his lips from my chin, up my jawline, to my ear, resting them ontop of the earlobe. I felt his lips turn into a small smile. "You look beautiful, Lady Kyla. Like a rose..." He moved his fingers out from behind my neck and pressed them onto my collarbone, dragging them across. "...it's petals are soft and delicate."
I felt my back arch a smidgen, much to my embarassment. The pit of my belly began to turn, and I felt my face grow warm. "T-t-thankyou, S-sir.." I whispered back.
Alexander stalled a bit as he pulled his hands and face away from me. I felt half sad and half relieved. 'Had someone seen? What happens if they see the Prince with a lowclass? What would they say? Would he get in trouble? Would I be banished?...Would Alexander ever come back to me again?' I could feel my mind racing, and I opened my eyes with apprehension.
Alexander's face seemed to glow as he smiled, little wrinkles appearing at the corners of his eyes as he grinned. He bowed infront of me, and I foolishly looked behind myself to see who was coming. He chuckled and shook his head. "M'Lady, if you are wondering why you are suited in this title, it 'tis because you deserve every bit of good I can give you." Alexander took another step closer, and placed his hand lightly on my shoulderblades. "And I will garuntee you, " his voice became serious, and angry, " that this will never happen again."
I nodded quietly, and he let go. "Care for a walk, Lady Kyla?" He asked, holding his arm out and changing the subject. I slipped my arm inside his, and watched him carefully as we walked outside the large gate, into the gardens.
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Part 9
"Did you like them?" Alexander asked excitedly, his face in a childish grin. We had just came back from the gardens, with beautiful rose bushes and wild orchids and many tulips of all colours.
The petals on the flowers were extremely bright and beautiful, more ever then my home castle. The thought occured to me - Isabel. 'I wonder what she's doing..." I thought to myself, as I nodded and grinned at Alexander. "Yes Sir, thank you very much. I had a wonderful time here, with you..." He took a step closer and I feared he would hold my cheek again. "...in the gardens, I meant. Thank you...for the garden."
He gave me a nod and then took a step back. We stood at the west end of the caslte, it being much brighter because of the sun. That is why the gardens were located on the west end - so they could feed off the bright rays. A large window gazed over the kingdom, it's hills and mountains tumbling along the sky. "It's beautiful...isn't it?" I asked him, wanting for him to stop his silence.
He nodded again, and I became fusturated. But I soon knew why he was not speaking - his mouth was much too close to mine for any words to be said. His hands had found their way at the back of my shoulder and neck again, and one cupped my cheek. I was oblivious to the actions taking place - not that I wanted to be aware. I fell into his gaze and quickly shut my eyes and pulled away. 'If I fall for the Prince, then I fall for my life - and eternity.' Maids, lowlives, lower class people - especially women, were not to be even associated with the higherclass. Servant maids were dirty, flithy, uneducated, easy girls who had no pride. I was determined to show him that I was more then just breasts.
But the way he looked at me made me wonder otherwise - made me wonder if perhaps, he was looking past my womanly figure, and trying to search the depths of my soul...I punched the thought back and banished it from my mind - 'I can not fall in love with the Prince. I will get hurt - badly.' I stepped back farther, only his fingertips still touching me. I shook my head. as his eyes asked a million questions. His hands slowly lowered themselves, and he looked down on me. Even though he was just a year older, he was much taller than I, and now I could see his advantage.
I felt miniscule and unimportant. Just a stupid dirty girl in a nice, elegant dress. Who was I kidding? Elegance from a servant girl? I laughed at myself inside my head. My dreams, my hopes, and wishes became small inside my heart.
Alexander's lip trembled and that same angry flash I had seen once before, flickered across his eyes again. I turned my eyes away. "Why won't you acknowledge me?" He demanded.
I bit my lip.
"Why won't you advance me in anyway? What are you afraid of!" His voice grew louder.
"I AM NOT AFRAID!" I protested - instantly regretting my choice of words. Not only did I not address him as his proper title, but I also raised my voice and gave him an angry tone. "Sir...please I did not mean to...Alexander, I - "
Slap. "Do not address me so informally...Kyla." He sneered, his fist shaking, the other hand open wide at his side.
I clutched my cheek, the burning beginning to tingle my skin. I could feel the redness appear. "I am...s-sorry...Sir Alexander..." I breathed.
"Guard!" Alexander called, waving over a blue-tunic clad man with short brown hair. He appeared almost instantly, awaiting his orders. "Go and take this...casltemaid...to her room. It is well past eight o'clock." The man motioned for me to walk forward, and I began to - head down, still holding my burning cheek. Alexander stopped us. "And.." he began, "I want that gown cleaned thoroughly...it has been dirtied."