16 GHOST

The food was amazing and so was the company. This group of royals is very accommodating regardless of the class differences between us. However l could see the Princess staring me down. She acted as if l had done someone bad, like she could see through me, see all my faults and shortcomings. I would have addressed it had we been in a different location and if it were just us two

Rose was overjoyed with the reception and company. All that could be heard was her laughter that even got her weird looks from Ryden. He didn't seem embarrassed by her actions, just shocked. So was l. This is nothing like the Rose l have grown to know and love. But how could she be this carefree and happy when all l have done was bring problem after problem

As soon as lunch was finished and the help had been despatched to start with the cleaning, Rose was pulled aside by the queen while Ryden went away with the King leaving me behind with the princess. I could tell from the look in her eyes that she was less than pleased with the arrangement, but she could leave and l would use the time to find the boy from earlier

"well l am off to my room. I will see you at dinner" she says happily skipping off to her room and leaving me behind

"would you like some help?" l ask the girl cleaning closest to me and she shyly shakes her head, declining my offer

"Are you sure?" l ask but yet again she refuses to look in my direction keeping her eyes firmly planted on the ground

"You are a guest in the palace my lady, it would be a shameful thing to tire you with trivial tasks such as cleaning the table and washing the dishes. Go and explore the palace grounds, you will find the scenery breathtaking" she says. I try not to let her words get to me but l cant help but feel partly responsible for her rejecting my help

I am not royalty and l do not believe in people cleaning after me when l am more than capable of doing so on my own. It further highlights the class difference between all my companions and myself. Had l been raised with a fleet of servants at my disposal, surely l would be okay with the treatment my sickness is giving me