Chapter 7 Being a maid sucks sometimes, other times not so much.
Okay just a teensy bit late for this one, but it wasn't a whole day late so I'm still proud of that, still not used to writing on a schedule, I'll get better though. So for those who reviewed the last chapter, thank you so much, I'm very glad you enjoyed it. I hope I can get some more encouraging reviews this time. Oh and did you guys see the number? 101 Dalmatians have reviewed my story now :P haha, sorry that was my first thought when I saw the number! Anyway I hope you like this part of the update (I think I'll do a point of view at a time, and load the next part the day after gives more time to edit and consider the first half of the story(I'll work on my updates and things for next time), I'll have more very soon! Oh and I hope I haven't left too many mistakes in spelling or grammar this time!
Last time:
And with a scarily smug smile my mum just gave me a "Mhmm" and a "going to get ready now, maid Max will arrive tomorrow at noon by the way" she twirled back into her room in a rustle of fabric and waft of fruity perfume.
Well that settles it, after tonight I'll be both maid Max and the Knight from now on, this'll be interesting.
Max POV
Well I'm glad yesterday ended early, I don't think I could have handled any more of the twin's, not the Midnight twins, my twins, the Red haired wonders were living up to their name. Bright red hair was piled up high into an elaborate up do, small braids twisting and decorating, and diamond pins that sparkled and strained to hold it all in, well those and the hair wax they used, handy stuff that, helps prevent fly-aways getting into one's eyes. Yeah that was the 'red' part and the wonder part came from telling stories about courtiers (read: gossip) and gasp and giggle at the princes when they finally managed to get more than a word in.
The only good that came from that lunch and then very similar, although far more extravagant than lunch, with the clothes to match. I'm so glad I don't have to suffer through those God awful gowns, with the constricting bodices and itchy lace around the colour and cuffs. Not to mention the voluminous skirts, all those layers held up by a cage like structure of a hoop skirt. Then you have to move around in heels that are tiny, and to top it all off, its bedazzled and you have heavy, gaudy jewellery to wear, no thank you, most definitely not for me. But the sisters seem to enjoy it, insane those two are.
Moving on from all that glittery torture, we also, and by we I mean King George, the princes and I, discussed training schedules and techniques to practice. It was entertaining to hear stories of failed training exercises from the princes, they all seemed to be eager to share dirt on the other, and highlight their own personal victories. It was nice to be around, these are the type of people I liked, upfront, not afraid to laugh at one another, loud, rough and tumble (yes there were a few scuffles over the course (hahaha punny) of the meals) and close.
Okay enough being sentimental and onto my current situation which was just not near as fun as list night was. I'm in my brown long sleeved peasant blouse, with a black bodice loosely laced over the top for appearances' sake, paired with my darker brown skirt, and thankfully flat black sandals. I had ridden out before dawn that morning, smuggling a horse out of the stables and out of the palace inconspicuously is rather difficult, considering the floor of the palace ground, the ones inside the walls, not the ones of the connecting village, are cobbled. And in my vast life experience, cobbled ground plus horse shoes and hooves create loud echoing clip clops, especially late at night when everything is almost silent. It was a good thing I actually thought about this before going to bed the night before, and constructed four makeshift booties for Blaze's hooves, yes I brought Blaze, he's the only one who wouldn't kick up a fuss, and yes I knew the risk involved should any of the stable hands recognise him, which it why I covered him up in a ratty blanket instead of a nice woollen one, coated him in dust and a bit of mud up his shins like boots, so that in the just-turning-dawn light no one could tell, and they wouldn't pay too much attention to me, too busy worrying about themselves as they should. I could tell Blaze wasn't all that impressed with me, itchy blanket and scratchy bags strapped onto him, dust in his coat and main and mud on his hooves and shins, usually something that happened accidentally on a ride, not purposely put on him.
"Sorry for all of this bud, I promise I'll give you a bath and brush myself after I get into the stables, I don't have to be in the palace until noon, plenty of time to bathe you and scout out any treats, how does that sound?" I cajoled him, yes I know "he's just a horse" but he's intelligent and I'm pretty sure my tone told him everything he needed to know as an answering begrudging whinny was sent my way.
"Thanks Blaze" I bent forward a bit and stroked his neck from my seat on the old saddle, and when I straightened I flicked my wrist slightly and nudged him in his flanks with my heels and we trotted out of our cover of trees and onto the path that lead up to the village. "Well this is very different to our first trip this way isn't it boy? I mean last time was adrenaline filled and we were going a might faster than this weren't we? Plus I was sweltering hot in my Knight gear, this maid's uniform gives room for a little more breeze thankfully." I stopped talking to Blaze as soon as I entered the village grounds, I know it was early but best not be caught looking like a nutter talking to myself. It was quite a large one, similar in size to that of my own kingdom now that I had a proper chance to look at it. It sprawled down the large hill reaching up to the walls of the palace grounds and stopping, the brown thatched rooves contrasting with the grey-silver of the palace. The houses were medium sized and it was obvious the further you got from the palace the smaller and more rundown the houses seemed. As I made my way up to the palace saw the gaps between the houses and stores shrink until there wasn't any gaps, and as Blaze trotted his way upward I saw two story houses, must be the wealthy merchant and business men housing district, with the working class lower. What a objective representation of the ever imposing class system, everyplace is the same, some better than others, I am happy to say this one and my home village is in the better than most category, I still wish it could be different.
It wasn't very surprising for me to see the difference of the classes, I mean as Blaze and I were making our way through the lowest areas of the village there were many people out and about, a lot of them already starting their daily jobs. Mucking out the animal stalls, heading out to tend to fields in the distance, bordering the forest, already carrying their stall equipment to, presumably, the market square. And yet as we approached the richer side of town, barely a soul was out to be seen, curtains were still drawn over windows, doors closed and the only sign of life was household staff rushing around towards the market or to fetch water from one of the town wells. It continued to strike me as unfair that those who put in so much hard work, lived in such modest accommodations, and those who slept through most of the day due to partying too much, lived in such luxury. I guess it's the guilt of the privileged, I would have been like that had I not been bored. And that it what set me apart from the hard workers, their work was a necessity, mine a pleasure.
Shame that radical change couldn't happen without causing an uproar, but I know my mother and father, and hopefully myself, were putting in successful effort to right this wrong.
That internal monologue ended when I reached the palace gates, and with a heavy sense of déjà vu, called out to the gate guards
"Excuse me, I am the servant of the Queen of the Kingdom of Darkness, would you let me through please?" Yelling in my normal voice was so much easier than when I was putting on a deeper one, even though this time my voice was the slightest bit courser from all the talking I've been doing as the Knight these past days. Another reason using my maid persona is useful. I now I moan and groan about it, but it's not completely terrible when I want to do it, but as always, when I'm forced into this maid uniform by mother dearest (read: sarcastic) I will complain bitterly. I mean being a maid has its ups, being free to converse with anyone in a voice that doesn't grate at my throat, not having to avoid being detected which is rather exhausting, the looseness of my outfits that allows a breeze through to cool me on a hot day, and the worry goes down in some areas too, not having to worry if my voice cracks or someone can see through and recognise me for maid Max ( you can hide so much with hair, a little makeup and loose, formless clothes. Downs, you have your sexism, men don't often listen to what women have to say in this day and age, having to clean and smile and be friendly to everyone, and when my tasks take me momentarily away from my wards/charges/family.
So even as I rode side saddle in skirt I wasn't too annoyed at the predictable turn of events, like my mother would let me get away without being ladylike for however long we stay here for, just mildly irritated. Oh well, maybe I could befriend some of the other servants, it's been a while since I've had a friend and Max, and not mates as the Knight, and the thought of leading a double life, the ever present thrill of having to stay one step ahead lest I be caught was already kicking in and making me grin.
My timing couldn't have been better, all the stable hands were out saddling up the horses for the next patrol of knights because you know even horses need a break after doing surveillance at night.
So without any waiting for something to happen or for someone to interrupt, I slid of Blaze and lead him over to a trough of water and tied him up. I unhooked my bags and dumped them off a safe distance away, away from the radius that the splashing water would reach. I then proceeded to untack him and store it away in the tack room, taking special care to place it where I got it from earlier. I grabbed a brush for his coat and main, and another for washing and a bar of soap.
Walking back I checked for any signs of saddle sore and grabbed a brush and scrubbed his coat, getting as much dust as I could out. I quickly moved onto washing him, taking care to clean his shins, and whilst doing so I checked his shoes for anything caught in them, and seeing as each of them was in good repair and rock free I finished off washing him and grabbed a cloth to dry him mostly off. After that I began to gently brush his coat, taking care to stroke in the proper direction, and once satisfied I put it down in favour of a brush more suited to his mane.
It was then my peaceful solitude was interrupted by a soft deep voice of amused inquiry. I must confess to being focused on Blaze's care that I did not register approach from anything until the person was a few steps away.
"Now why a lady such as you, be doing to job of a stable hand, may I ask?" I turned around to find the look on Prince Fang's face matching his humour filled tone, a twinkle of mirth in his eyes.
Oh bother. This was not a good way to introduce myself, oops too late to take it back now, I had to suck it up because I was about to commence my first meeting as maid Max with someone, and that was a royal someone too. I hoped I didn't stuff this one up too badly, after all, as they say, first impressions are everything.
So what'd you think of chapter 7 so far? I'll add in Fang's POV, starting from his day just before he meets Max, and then throughout their first encounter with Max as a maid. I hope you've enjoyed it and will be patient with me and wait at most a day for the addition to this chapter. Again reviews aren't necessary for me to keep writing but they are very much appreciated! Also again thank you to those who have already reviewed, they are lovely and very encouraging!