Meeting the Royal families

The sun rose above the sky and people were already on and about their business again. Genevieve stepped out of her room and walked down the passage only to meet Maidservant Ann who was just stepping out of her room. She stopped and bowed her head immediately to greet her;

"Good morning Maidservant Ann."

She waited for her response and didn't dare raise her head. After she was brought here to the palace from her hometown, she was put under Maidservant Ann and though, she was cold and strict towards her, Eve has seen her suffer in the hands of the Queen. She knows she is not as cold as she seems, she is just hiding how full of love she is and can give.

"Is the Princess awake?" she asked.

"The princess is not awake," Eve replied, raising her head. She asked, "Do you want me to wake her?"

"Never mind. I will do that myself."

Eve bow her head again and made to leave, but as she walked, she noticed Maidservant Ann's eyes on her.

"Genevieve," she called and Eve stopped before turning to look at her.

She looked at her for seconds before saying, "The flowers are wasted on the ground and it needs to be cleaned up."

Eve got what she meant and she gave another bow as she watched her leave the place then she turned and resumed walking outside, limping as she went.

Mina and Beth met Eve when she was halfway done with sweeping and they exchanged greetings before going inside to prepare the princess bath. They stay at the servant quarters. It was where the Queen wanted to send Eve after cutting her relationship with Isabel but the princess had convinced her to let her stay with her. Mina and Beth always talk about the hell they face there as it was head by Matilda, Queen Opaline's own private messenger.

Eve saw two guards coming towards the house and she gave a deep bow before watching them go inside and she wondered what message they had brought this time. They were from the palace. Once Eve was done sweeping, she went to sit under the tree and stretch her legs, hitting at the sides as they felt sore. Yesterday, she was about to get up and go back inside when she stepped on her cloth and fell, bruising her knee. It gave her a feeling that something bad was about to happen, but she doesn't know what it could be.

"Are you done?"

Eve raised her eyes to see Maidservant Ann approaching her and she stood up immediately.

"Yes. I finished just now and decided to take a rest," she answered, blinking and she could feel Ann's eyes watching her.

"Go get ready. We will be leaving for the palace."

"Now?" Eve asked, raising her eyes in surprise.

"Yes. The King called for us. We will be escorting the Princess."

Eve changed into a dress befitting in the presence of the king and she checked herself out in the mirror. As a servant, makeup and painting the lips in bright colors are forbidden. It was the Queen who gave the order because she believes that servants should always look and act like one. In reality, most of them knows that the Queen doesn't want anyone to look brighter than her in appearance. It made her remember her life before they took it from her and gave her a different one. Her mother would let her and her sister wear makeup and they would paint each other's lips. It was what identified them as girls in their hometown. A girl should always look like one, grow up to be pretty and adorable in the sight of all men, but in a decent way.

She stepped out of her room and took the passage that led to the Princess's room. There, she saw the princess coming out just in time with Mina and Beth right behind her who now came to stand at either side of her. 

When Princess Isabel's eyes fell on her, she gave a bow and raised her head up before walking up to her. Eve noticed her mood to be light. She could tell by the blush she saw on her face.

"I am the King's only daughter, yet, it is so difficult to see him," she complained and added, "But then," she smiled, "I could use it to my advantage."

Eve pulled her lips into a smile and then they all heard incoming footsteps. They all turned to the direction, lining themselves and they saw Maidservant Ann.

"Are you all ready?" she asked.

"Yes," Princess Isabel replied her and Maidservant Ann was about to turn when her brows quickly pulled at Eve.

"Tuck your hair in properly," she ordered her.

Eve quickly located the hair sticking out and she made to tuck it in but couldn't because the ribbon was tight and any attempt to push anything in would affect the whole hair and Eve knew there was no time. Maidservant's Ann's eyes were still on her, waiting and Eve quickly took out the bracelet from her dress pocket before using it to hold her hair, this time, pushing the other one in and she drew it tight.

They all left the house and walked to the palace. Princess Isabel walked in the front with Maidservant Ann by her side while Mina and Beth walked behind her, also side by side, but Eve was behind them. 

"Maidservant Ann, do you know why my father called for a gathering?" Isabel asked as they walked.

"I have no idea. Why don't we just go and hear from him ourselves?"

Isabel turned her head back to the front and kept wondering what the reason for the gathering could be. On reaching the area of the palace, Eve noticed they all stopped walking and she heard other footsteps. Turning her head to the side, she saw the Queen and her servants with her private messenger, Matilda, also heading to the palace. They stopped at the front and Eve, along with the others gave a deep bow to show their respect.

"Mother," Eve heard Isabel call with excitement. 

"Hmm, Isabel. Have you been well?" Queen Opaline asked.

"Yes mother," she answered. "Mother," she called again and asked, "do you know the reason father invited us to the palace?"

Even though Eve's head was still bowed, she could feel the Queen's gaze on her and the rest of them. 

"I'm guessing it is a surprise," she replied.

"So even you have no idea," she said and Queen Opaline gave a light chuckle.

Queen Opaline soon moved her eyes and she saw someone being escorted to the palace. They stopped to greet her and Queen Opaline's eyes was on the one at the front, dressed in a blue robe with his hair carefully packed.

Isabel saw the person standing few feet away and she raised her brows in surprise.

"Did father have another guest join us?" she asked.

"Isn't he your new tutor?" Queen Opaline asked and Isabel quickly looked at her.

"Oh, that's right," she said immediately. "I am just seeing his face this close that I forgot he tutored me already," she said and gave a laugh.

Moon smiled and said, "It's a pleasant surprise running into the Queen and the Princess. The morning indeed is going to be beautiful."

On hearing that, Eve's heart skipped a beat and she slightly raised her eyes to look at him. she could only see the side of his face and when he turned his head, she looked down immediately.

"The king must be waiting," Queen Opaline said.

"Yes, after you," Moon said and she resumed walking with her entourage. After the Queen had gone to the front, he moved his eyes to look at Princess Isabel and he motioned with his hand. "You should go too," he said and Isabel smiled.

Eve saw that the line already started moving and she followed immediately.

Maidservant Ann gave a slight bow which he returned and she went ahead. Mina and Beth also gave a deep bow and when it got to her turn to pass him, she did same and quickly walked, but she could feel his eyes on her even after she had gone to the front.

Moon stared along as they went, his eyes on the last person behind and he could see her limping. He no doubt knew she was the crying maid he saw while he was out to receive air. When he made to leave, he heard a small sharp cry and he looked back to see that she had fell, hurting herself. What had intrigued him was when he saw her scolding herself while in pain and then straightening her cloth before leaving the place.

"We should also get going," one of the guards escorting him said. 

Moon moved his eyes to look at him and he gave a nod before they resumed walking inside. At the entrance of the palace stood two guards at either sides and Moon went inside before being led towards a cobblestone that led towards a relaxing cabin where the king mostly holds meetings with his family.

He stared at the place as he walked and he suddenly heard from behind him;

"Make way for the King!"

Moon turned and saw the King being escorted by few palace guards and he could see how royal he was dressed. He stared at him and he had two questions in his mind;

Was it him…or was it someone else?