FIRST ENCOUNTER

MAYA'S POV

I looked around in awe following the other maids as we made our way into the huge palace. I could see knights stationed all around the palace grounds fully equipped with heavy armours. Geez ,I've been told about how big the palace is but seeing it in person now is a whole new story. The palace is grand and elegant, with tall towers almost reaching the clouds. I looked around once again as we entered the inner court grounds where we would be addressed by the head maid.

I could see gazebos in some of the gardens we passed by. on reaching the inner court grounds, we flanked out, standing individually. we were a total of ten maids all wearing a light blue gown with an apron tied on our waist. we were the top ten trainees in our class, we were trained and educated on how to serve the royals in Grimaker. Here in Grimaker, it's an honor to be selected to serve at the Royal Palace not just the keeps. To join, you'll be trained and educated on the dos and don'ts of being a maid, of course all maids and knights would be paid for their services.

To be honest, the main reason I decided become a maid isn't because of the fact that not everyone is privileged to get into the Royal Palace, not to talk of meeting the entire Royal family, but I decided to become one due to the high amount they pay for your service.

I live with my mum at Bode fort keep , east of the kingdom. recently, she fell sick, and it gets worse everyday. not having enough money to take her to a physician, I decided to work and earn money to take care of her.

So here I am, standing with the other trainess with our heads bowed facing the ground. " psst Maya ". I heard someone call me. I looked to my left and saw Alison wiggling her brows at me. I met Alison back at the training center at Mageport . we got along instantly, we both did everything together , and to be honest, I take her as my big sister because she's the outspoken one between us. while I'm Timid and mild, Alison is the exact opposite, she's blunt, bold and doesn't care about others criticism.

"Hey". I greeted back whispering. " I've been looking for you since we entered the palace ". she whispered back still bowing. " sorry about that, I was at the back of the line". I said as I stylishly looked around. " so.... are you excited? ".she asked beaming looking at me. " excited?, why? ". I asked looking confused.

" Presenting, the head maid of the inner court ". we heard a voice yell. we all looked up still bowing to see a middle aged woman standing on the wooden platform in front of us. she was wearing black robe reaching her ankles, her black hair was beautifully styled with a silver hair pin on it. she didn't have any makeup on . she looked naturally beautiful and looked kind of strict, well she should be.... knowing that she's responsible for the actions of all the maids in the inner court.

She looked at us, squinting her eyes a little before she cleared her throat. " please, you may stand appropriately". she said in a soothing voice as we all stood up straight. " well I wouldn't want to waist your time here as you would soon be posted to your designated keeps to serve in. since there are five keeps here in Grimaker and there are ten of you, you'll all be posted in pairs". she said looking at us. we all nodded looking at each other. I noticed that not everyone was smiling, well not like I can blame them though. The reason is because no-one wants to be posted to Dragon Ford keep in the coldest part of the north, not because of the cold or something like that, but because of the prince there, Prince Hanzel. rumor has it that the prince of Dragon Ford isn't human at all, I've heard that he's untouchable and fearsome, some villagers even said that just one look from him and your body and mind would go numb. but there are still some other rumors about prince Hanzel, like he's the most handsome human anyone has ever seen. if not for the fear he instills on people, I know that ladies would be throwing their selves at him, even worshipping him.

" so let's begin, you all would come forward and pick a paper from this basket, there are different names on each paper which belongs to the keeps you'll be posted to". she said as she nodded at a guard. He walked forward holding a small basket and placed it on the platform.

" let's begin". the head maid voice boomed as we all started fidgeting. ' Geez... looks like no one wants to pick a bad paper' . I thought to myself. I looked to my left and my eyes widened to see Alison sweating profusely while wiping her hands on her gown. " psst... aliz, calm down ". I whispered to her. " how can you tell me to calm down huh... I Don't want to go to a demon's keep". she whispered back looking scared. wow, look at what fear can do to someone. we looked ahead as the first maid went forward and dipped her hands in the basket, she took out a paper and smiled " Grimpass keep". she said grinning. she stood aside as another maid approached the podium. she also dipped her hand into the basket and took out a paper. " Eversun keep". she said beaming brightly. the third maid approached and took out a paper ." Bode fort keep". she said smiling. then Alison went as she was next, she reached the podium and looked up at the head maid, the head maid nodded at her, as she dipped her hand inside the basket, she took out a paper and open it. her eyes widened as she turned back at me looking like someone who has seen something gruesome. 'uh oh'. I thought. I knew what she picked just from her expression, " dra... drag... Dragonford keep". she said looking frightened. the remaining maids git even more scared after Alison revealed her keep. it was my turn now. I moved with steady steps, looking at the basket but ,unlike how I look on the outside, I'm fighting a serious battle inside my head. I was scared as hell,' Almighty one please help me pick a good keep please'. I prayed silently as I reached the podium, I dipped my shaky hands into the basket as I grabbed a paper. upon bringing it out, I dropped it back feeling that it wasn't a good choice. I dipped my hand again and took another one, I opened it slowly with one of my eye closed. upon seeing the first letter on the paper, I knew my fate was sealed. well as they say, " birds of a feather flock together ". I sighed as I looked at Alison, " Dragonford ". I said putting on a rueful smile.