4

Ayvanna ran into the queen's meeting room. Thankfully, the queen was tired after all her work so she approved the dress with no issue. But Ayvanna knew the queen would call her back for the same dress tomorrow when the queen was energized. She may have been a sadistic and ruthless ruler, but she still did her job without question.

The queen may have treated Ayvanna rudely, but that was just her persona, and Ayvanna admired it. Well, she's hard-working of course.

When Ayvanna went into Saranna's room to drop the ball gown, she was preparing herself for another lash out, but found no one.

Hmm, maybe she is taking a long bath. Better for me anyways.

Ayvanna ran out of the room, and ran to the maiden's quarters. It's good I don't meet her at all, her anger would have probably calmed down by tomorrow.

Ayvanna fell down on her uncomfortable bed and fell off into a dreamless sleep.

*********

I woke up as early as I could, so that Temmin wouldn't have my head. Temmin is the head maid for the East Wing of the castle. She also heads all the maids in the maiden's quarters.

And let's just say, she is the queen of the maids.

As soon as I put my long locks in check, I ran to Saranna's room. She wasn't there. But she did leave a mess for me.

Ugh.

I rushed to finish the work my mistress gave me and ran out to look for her.

While I was running to the queen's quarters, I had a feeling something was going to change. And I would be part of it.

********

Ayvanna ran into the queen's room without the proper curtesy to knock and wait for an answer. As soon as she burst in, the queen, who was talking to Saranna, looked at her with disgust while Saranna gave her a smile, which filled Ayvanna with chills.

"Ah, Ayva, you came in just in time!" She gestured towards her mother, "Mother, the queen, has decided that I travel on vacation to a place, for relaxation and for practice with being with other nobles such as myself."

She picked up a map, and put a well manicured finger on it, showing me two large empires. "We have narrowed it down to two main empires for me to stay for those five months,"

She pointed at a large expanse near a wall of mountains.

"Almas, for its cool temperatures, wealth and finery, the finesse there is superb,"

Then glanced at the queen, "Nothing compared to our culture of course,"

She dragged her hand down lower to a land with a wide coast, "And the Kilazi Empire, for its large coast and export services, the sun perfect for tanning and mingling,"

"And don't forget the beach," the queen said, still looking at me as if I am a rat she found under her gold encrusted bed.

"Of course the beach!" Saranna actually looked excited at the news.

She then gave me a sugary sweet smile that could have given me diabetes instantly, "But I haven't picked the one, you get? And I need your help," She blinked her eyes like a dog begging for treats with a side motive.

"But your majesty, I-I am just a maid, I could not possibly-"

"SHUT YOUR TRAP!" The queen yelled and stood up, "The crown princess of Xiseng gives you, a dirty market slave, the choice to pick where she is going for vacation," the queen waved her hand in the air and gesticulated "The very place that could decide her future!" The queen gave her an icy glare "And yet, you want to disrespect both of us, and your existence, to reject the offer, the utter nonsense!"

The queen fell back onto her seat, while maids came from nowhere to tend to her and fan her. The queen fanned herself for a moment, shut her fan and gave me another glass breaking glare. All the while Saranna acted like an innocent puppy. But I could see the evil happiness in her eyes.

"You are lucky, very lucky, that this vacation is happening after the ball. Very." The queen walked out, the maids following like bees to a flower. She gave the door a big slam.

Saranna gave Ayvanna a smirk then went out.

As Ayvanna was leaving, the queen called from the hallway, "Don't think I didn't notice the dress maid! I want Saranna's ball gown to be the best in all the empires! And if that doesn't happen, well," She gave a wicked chuckle, "You will be going around without any clothing throughout your remaining days in the palace, and I wonder what the footmen would think,"

Ayvanna didn't move until she heard the queen moving away.

She gulped, knowing the queen, she would keep her word.