Maids

A knock came on the door and after a rough thought of who it might be, she told Ana to open it.

Two handmaidens walked inside, their eyes fixated on the floor as they did. They had different hair colours but the same length of hair, like it had been trimmed intentionally.

"Your highness, we've been assigned to serve you". They spoke at the same time.

Ava's eyes widened, scared she might be dump off in the middle of nowhere.

Saeria sighed. She'd be lying if she said she wasn't expecting them. "I'm sorry but I have a maid already. I don't need more". She said, and when she saw that they weren't moving and were just staring at the floor, she added, "You may leave".

The two maids glanced at eachother. "We've been ordered to serve you and not leave your side, Your highness". They chorused again.

Saeria moved closer to them, tilting her head down a bit to catch their faces. The maids didn't bat an eye, nor did they move. For a split second, the thought of them being controlled crossed her mind but then, she remembered she was in a strange land, everything should be odd.

"Okay but you may leave for now". She cleared her throat and straightened up, walking away from them. "I'll call you when I need you".

She was never going to call them, as a matter of fact, she was going to beg anyone in charge to take them back. They looked too scary to be her maids.

"We'll be outside". They bowed and retracted their steps, standing outside the door. Ana shut the door quietly.

"I'm going to be punished and sold if I'm sent back to Neishpa". Ana panicked. She looked really scared and worried as she didn't want to be sold off to another land. They had heard stories of maids who were sold off to satisfy numerous men and death was the only way to escape the torture and hell.

"I'm disappointed you have no trust in me". She began undressing herself. "You think I'd really let you go?" She rolled her eyes...an old habit she really wanted to stop.

"No but-"

"I'll talk to Haeden about it tomorrow. There must be a way to convince him. You're not leaving this place unless I'm going with you." She started walking towards a small door on her right. "And I'm not ready to leave this place. I'm here to stay no matter what".

Ana lurched after her like a wet chicken, still worried.

^^

The next day, Saeria forced herself up from her bed and took her bath before the odd maids brought her dress in. Saeria scanned the blue dress amusingly. It was different from her usual dress. The one staring right into her soul looked really expensive. It was beautiful.

The odd maids insisted they fixed Saeria's hair for her and Ana had to step aside. When they were done styling it, Saeria pulled everything down.

"I don't like it. It's not my style. Ana". She called her, and happily, Ana rushed and stood behind her, styling her hair the way she wanted.

"Your highness, we'll be reprimanded for not braiding your hair the way it is supposed to be". They turned in their complaints. "We're only following the rules laid down, we didn't mean to disrespect you". The one with the dark brown hair said.

"There are rules for hair styles?" Saeria stopped Ana to look at them.

"Yes, Your highness. We're supposed to make you a—"

"Do all princesses in the palace follow this rule too?" She cut them off and the maids exchanged glances.

"It is only proper for newly weds to—"

"I don't like the style. It's too heavy." She spun to look at herself in the mirror. "Besides, I got married a month ago and not yesterday". She said, wondering if she could still considered a newlywed. She snapped her fingers and Ana proudly continued.

The maids stepped back, sensing she was annoyed.

She was not annoyed, she only wanted to put them in their place. They were too controlling and all they ever did to her was the opposite of what she wanted. She didn't want them to see her as a fool who'd say yes and agree to their every decision.

Besides, she was going to see her husband and she had to look at least beautiful to be able to convince him. He had only been seeing her ugly drained face since they met and he was yet to see her beautiful side.

Undoubtedly, she was beautiful. She was the most beautiful daughter in her family. During the annual noble lady contest in the palace, she was always praised for her beauty.

"I have to look really beautiful, Ana. I'm meeting the king and the Queen today". She told her.

^^

Through the help of the two maids, she was able to get around and find her husband standing next to a pond, staring at the flowers floating on it.

Saeria stepped further and bowed, comporting herself better than she did yesterday. He stood still, with his front hair falling on the side of his face and his arms crossed behind him.

She waited for him to settle his thought and pay her attention but he refused to let his eyes drift away from the floating leaves. She made her appearance more obvious by clearing her throat and bowing again but he didn't move a muscle.

He was ignoring her on purpose.

Sighing, Saeria turned to leave. He would come for her when he was ready to take her to the king.

Abruptly, Searia paused, bowing her head on sighting the woman from yesterday and the man next to her, who she assumed was her husband, Haeden's elder brother. He was dressed quite differently from Haeden, more extravagantly. From the way they dressed, saeria knew they were the 'show-off' type.

The Prince walked closer to her and nervously, she blinked as she focused more on the ground.

"You're finally here". He said, his cinnamon scent engulfing her nostrils. "Your presence have been long anticipated".

Saeria smiled. "I am honoured to be here. I am beyond grateful for your kind interest, Your highness". She smiled as she said.

The couple seemed nice as all they did was smile at her until her hair was spotted by the woman.

She turned to the two maids behinds Saeria. "Have you two lost your senses? Why is her hair not styled well?" She berated at the two innocent maids.

Frightened, Saeria stood in front of the maids, owing up to the consequence of her action. "I was the one who refused, My princess".

"What?" She frowned harder. "I suppose they didn't prep you well". She tried to smile.

"They did". Saeria fought the urge to bit her lip hard. She didn't mean to cause trouble or disappoint anyone on a first day she was supposed to be busy leaving a good impressions. She had no idea it would get on her nerve so bad.

"Are you saying you disobeyed the law of this Palace on purpose?" The prince asked the next question.

Saeria's heart tumbled. It would have been better if the woman was the only one scolding her. Why did he have to take part in it?

"I--I-didn't-"

"My wife didn't like it. Should you have a problem with that?"

Searia turned her head and saw her husband staring at them or preferably....glaring at his brother.