Welcome To The Sixth Kingdom

Laying in the grass and feeling the cold breeze only made me smile. I wanted so badly to stay like this all day. I loved feeling the heat of the sun upon my cold skin, but I wasn't getting overly heated thanks to the wind.

My eyes remained closed as I peacefully thought about what I needed to do. I was 17 and it was about time for me to do my part in my household with Maya. She was becoming so fragile and old. She allowed me to enjoy most of my childhood without complaining but there was quilt within me. It was time to work my way back to show her my gratitude. She was the one who needed rest since she's already given so much of her life to me.

I life my body up off the ground and continue toward my simple home. Today I am going to the castle King Ather of the sixth kingdom. The Kingdom of Kallena. He had a young beautiful ward who is in need of a lady in waiting. She's the daughter of one of the lords who was very close to King Ather. The young ward is very special to the king and he will be very picky in his decision regarding her maiden.

I glance at myself in the mirror. I can see myself making a good first impression based on my looks, but I sadly was in the most decent outfit I had, and yet, it still looked awfully terrible. I could see the tips throughout the seems, but it was still modest and I felt it would be acceptable.

"You don't have to work there."

I turned looking at Maya who had a part of her eyes showing a small emotion of sadness. She looked at me trying to still protect me. She was quite a brave woman who sacrificed everything just for me.

And here she still was, thinking of me and me alone.

"I have already told you Maya, this is not the same thing that happened with my mother. In fact, I'll be more like you in this position. And the King isn't one to fool around with working girls." I comment while I stand up approaching her. That was actually my only problem. It wasn't my wish to become a whore to a royal. It makes me proud knowing I could be like Maya. The idea of doing what she did gives me a sort of thrill. I look up to her and I wish she could understand that she's the only reason I'm able to be happy. She has only given me love and it's all I want.

"This is a better place Maya. Perhaps it's a blessing for what my mother did. I was able to have a happy life here. Maybe more kingdoms could be like this." I try to speak positively. She needed to see how times have changed, but also we were in a different place then where she came from... where I actually came from.

"This place has flaws too Layla. More than you understand." Maya said looking away. Her eyes seemed focus on the window.

I couldn't help but feel her worry. No words I could say would comfort her. So, I leaned forward embracing her in my arms.

"You are the only mother I've ever known. And I love you Maya. Trust me. Please."

There was only silence and I realized she wouldn't give me her blessing. It made sense since she took me away from a castle in order to save me from a harsh ruling, but we had to move forward and this place was not the same. I hopefully wish she could see that.

"The prince is said to be spoiled and I'm sure he will follow in his fathers footsteps. He's not that great of a man, the king that is. Perhaps the prince, he could turn out worse. I fear he'll either be defeated by Nicholas, or he will become worse than the terrible man." She spoke still avoiding me.

I let go of our embrace and looked at her smiling. "He is not going to be like Nicholas. He's his own person and I doubt I'll spend enough time around him. Good thing he doesn't fool with peasants. I'm too low for his kind."

"I fear that you won't be able to deal with..."

And there it was. The real reason she has been dreading me working for the palace. She knows it's the time where the King of the Fist Kingdom will start sending his sons to fight over land. She has been so peaceful but now, the time has come where she is worried life will go back to the way it was before we arrived here. Her constantly living in fear.

Perhaps most of her fear is actually me living in that kind of place. I don't want to get involved with drama and the rumors of war within the walls of the castle, but I'm there to do one job. I won't allow myself to become invested.

"I wish he will be a better king." She simply stated.

I sighed. I began to walk toward the door and decided to say one more thing before leaving.

"Perhaps you have forgotten the king didn't have his six sons. Maybe there's a different path than the one of fear Maya. Our life will be filled with joy regardless of any of that. You taught me to enjoy life. Let's just enjoy everyday.

And as for Prince Loren, I'm sure he'll grow to be better then any of those five princes in the first kingdom."

I took a deep breathe and walked out and walk into the small village.

I take time to speak to some of the villagers. Many are so kind hearted and wish me the best of luck as I continue my way to the castle. I'm the nearest village to the castle which is why I spent time making my way there. Other woman have traveled from other villages and I'm sure they are extremely exhausted with their journey. I make my way to a group of woman and realize we are all approaching the gates of the castle.

The girls smart to stammer and are as shocked as me. The castle is huge with the biggest windows. It had a garden that is well maintained. There was probably an abundance of rooms within, which seems like a waste since it is only a place for the King and the Prince. And also the Kings ward now.

A guard leads us through a door and we continue to walk down a long beautiful hallway. There are paintings that catch my eye that are so extremely beautiful. The carpet is read and extremely soft.

I take the time to look at the women in front of me. I take my time admiring all five of them. They are very pretty and seem very gentle in character. I blend in well since I also was brought up to be respectful and quiet within these sort of circumstances.

We finally make it to the end of the corridor and we enter into a room where a man i sitting upon a throne looking at each of us with a younger girl with long hair running to her middle waist. She must be around 15 which piercing brown eyes. She is a raven hair beauty wearing a red velvet dress. Her hair is out toward the side while sitting next to the king. She gives us all a genuine smile. And she seems to eye me more than the other girls. Which could be a good thing...

The King looks stern and has a very rough look. He has dark red hair with brown eyes. He looks down upon all of us. He definitely is not one to fool around with the lower class. He is a respected king but he definitely expects respect by all means necessary. He is not exactly a good king. However, compared to the king of the first kingdom, he's practically an angel. But deep down, I know he's also slightly a devil. He isn't even a handsome looking one at that. Such a shame.

You see all the kings throughout the land are not kind to beings who contain special abilities. Too many with abilities have become corrupt so I can't blame them. But I also think the ruling for power put our kind against theirs. It seems not many can handle being given much power. They also don't care much for the poor, but King Ather hasn't been terrible to his people. I did grow up a much happier person than other women in different kingdoms. But he is still cruel in other ways, but I don't know enough other than rumors. He also keeps looking at me disgustingly. Even if I was pretty, he would never look at me with any softness.

Beings of special gifts are rare and keep to themselves. Kings Ather like other Kings would probably send them to the gallows if discovered. But only if they are caught using it for personal gain. Some kings still use them in a way of healing people in their lands.

All the maidens approach the king and we stand side to side bowing in reverence to his highness.

"Lady Evelyn will be deciding who her waiting in lady will be." A powerful low voice speaks.

I can't help but gaze toward the Lady who catches my eye with a smile.

"Hello everyone," Evelyn says in a soft spoken voice. "I wish to speak to you all. But first, please tell me about yourself."

I'm standing at the end of the line listening to the woman speak to Lady Evelyn. Some were speaking as though they were going to be a motherly figure to the girl, others were extremely shy. I continued to look around the room and I was in awe. I could definitely live here for thousands of years and never get enough of the beautiful designs.

Finally it was my turn and I could feel myself begin to panic. I try to focus my breathing so I can look confident before the Lady.

I turned my head and met the Lady's gaze.

"What is your name?" Evelyn asked.

"Layla my Lady."

"Tell me miss Layla, what is so special about you?"

I looked toward Evelyn. She didn't look down upon me but smiled. I took a moment and then answered.

"Nothing. I've had a happy life that is simple and not very exciting my lady. I am loyal to people I grow close to."

"Do you have family?"

"Just my guardian my Lady." I answered. "I've wanted to provide her some stability since she's getting older."

"We are around the same age correct?"

I nodded.

Evelyn looked at me with a gentle gaze and then toward the King whispering something. She turned back and smiled toward me.

The King dismissed the women and I followed right after the girls, but I was asked to stay behind by a guard. I turned around and saw Evelyn walking toward me.

"When can you start?"

I looked toward the King who didn't say anything but stare.

Evelyn caught my gaze toward the king and continued, "the king has given me my right to choose and I would like to be your friend Layla. You seem genuine and I could use that in my life."

I looked upon the Lady and I felt a warmth inside and smiled.

"I can start now Lady Evelyn."

She began to smile and it was felt by the entire room. "Follow me then Layla."

"Welcome to the castle. I am so excited to have a friend to join me. I've been quite lonely and most of the women the king assigns are quite old. This place is quite..." she then drifted and didn't finish her sentence.

"Lady Evelyn, what do I need to do for you today?"

She stopped walking and turned toward me.

"I expect you to help me in the way lady in waiting's are meant to. Helping me bathe, dress, and prepare for the day. But mostly Layla, just being my friend. This isn't really a home to me and I don't enjoy my life here, but you seem to be happy and I genuinely need that in my life. Join me throughout the day.

I want to be able to have someone there with me. That's it."

I am surprised because that is not exactly the role of my kind in the sense of being her personal servant. Yet the Lady seems to have quite a persuasive way about her. The king must be desperate for her to be happy.

She continued walking showing me the way to her chamber.

"Are you from here Layla? I mean, here in the sixth kingdom?"

"Actually," I pause trying to think of how to answer, "I am from the first kingdom of King Nicholas. But the sixth kingdom is my home my lady."

Evelyn quickly turns around. "Evelyn. When no one is around, you call me Evelyn. Do you understand Layla? That's how I want our friendship to be."

I nodded. She's definitely strict. But I can't allow myself to say anything disrespectful so I keep quiet.

She looked very serious in her order. But she immediately softened her eyes and smiled. The girl sure was intimidating but I felt a close bond to her. But the bond of friendship doesn't quite describe it. I feel like she looks at me to be her pet as well. She's seems possessive.

"King Nicholas is a ruthless man. I'm happy you are here Layla." She says it in such a way that allows me to feel trust toward her as her friend. I smile but we were quickly interrupted by rough voices of men walking toward us down the hallway.

Some were extremely crude in how they spoke but they all laughed together. They were dressed in armor and one in particular had an aura about him of cockiness. He was in front of the rest of the men and appeared to be there leader. He had ash blonde hair and blue eyes. His strong firm built was framed by the gods and he appeared to have a charm around him. He looked at me for a moment and quickly averted his gaze to Evelyn.

They kept approaching and all of the men, except the blonde man, bowed toward Evelyn.

She nodded and then turned toward me.

"Layla, this is Prince Loren and his knights."

My face became red. I immediately bowed to the young prince and didn't dare lift my eyes because of how improper and rude I had appeared. I was blushing hoping not to be punished.

"Does your maidservant not know who I am?" Loren replied with a chuckle speaking to Evelyn.

"She's new and I expect you to know she isn't going to be teased by you. And not everyone is aware of who you are Loren. You are too busy behind the scenes doing things I don't even know Loren.

Besides. I'm giving her a tour and I want her to be given the same respect you give me. That includes respect from the knights Loren.

She's special to me and I won't put up with anyone being toxic towards her."

Yup. She's possessive.

Loren shifted somewhat at Evelyns words. What she spoke wasn't harsh since her manner of speaking was gentle, but I could tell he respected her. I didn't raise my head in time to see if he was angry or surprised.

By the time I did raise my gaze, Loren looked at me. He had an intense stare but didn't look like the king. He must take after his mother because he gaze was gentle toward me and his eyes were so clear. They had a certain wisdom hidden within.

"Welcome to the sixth kingdom."

His voice was kind but gestured authority. He wasn't cruel and didn't seem to be crude as some of the knights seemed. He turned while the knights followed. I watched them disappear around the hallway.

I looked back at Evelyn. She was smiling. "Don't worry. You're protected by me always Lays." She winked as she continued to show me to her room.