Chapter 1
A maid turned into the women’s corridor, heading for Lady Cassaras’ room. She carried an almost full laundry basket on the curve of her hip, and her scratchy blue wool dress kept it from slipping, though she had to hoist it up from time to time because it was so heavy. After passing a couple rooms, she turned to Lady Cassaras’.
When the maid knocked and opened the door, the first thing she noticed was the rose perfume that was sprayed everywhere. It was so strong, it made her eyes water and she could practically taste it in her mouth. She looked over and saw Cassara looking at herself in the full-length mirror, holding a purple formal dress up to her elegant body.
The maid envied her. She saw herself in the background of Cassara's mirror, and all her eyes saw was a very plain girl with dirty-blonde hair that was tied back into a braid, and brown eyes surrounded by full dark lashes. She barely had any curves, and she would never be considered elegant or graceful. Compared to an extravagent, beautiful girl who could be considered a woman, she was barely worth anything.
Lady Jasmine sat on a cushioned stool behind Cassara, complimenting on how lovely the dress looked. "It looks exquistite on you. Look how the gems and jewels sparkle! The color suits you very well."
When they heard the maid come in, Lady Cassara snapped her head around and glared. The maid flinched, sure that daggers were going to come out of those icy blue eyes.
“What are you doing here, Alexandra?” she sneered.
“I was instructed to tidy up your room, since your regular maid got sick, My Lady.” Alexandra gripped the basket so her hands wouldn't shake with fear.
“Humph. There are no decent maids whenever you need them. I knew I should’ve brought my own. Slaves aren’t supposed to get sick, are they, Jasmine?”
“Of course not, Cassara,” Jasmine said, happy that Lady Cassara addressed her like they were close friends.
Cassara quickly turned her head towards Lady Jasmine and squinted. “I told you, call me Lady Cassara,” she snapped. “We’re not friends. I only let you come with me because you gave me lots of chocolates and promised to stay out of my way, which you are having a very hard time doing.”
Lady Jasmine looked down in embarrassment and shame. Her face became completely cherry red.
Alexandra went to make the bed and set down the laundry basket, fuming. We are not slaves! “If you don’t mind me asking, My Lady, how are you familiar with my name?” she asked as calmly as she could.
Lady Cassara puffed out her chest. "How dare you! It is out of your place to question one who has more authority!" She then smiled like she had a dangerous secret, turning back to the mirror. “Well,” she said sweetly, “Since you asked, I might as well tell you. I have to know your names, that way I can fire you if I have to when I become queen. Even though I'm only a guest here, I won't be for long, since I am going to catch the Prince's eye immediately at the banquet tomorrow night. And trust me,” she chuckled, “you’re the first to go. I’ve asked questions about you, and I don’t think you should stay. You’re a nuisance to me. You see? There’s a perfect example. Can’t you figure it out? No, never mind, of course you can’t. Since it seems like you wouldn’t be able to know if it’s your own nose in front of you, I’ll tell you. you butt into peoples’ business, and you aren’t fit to serve the Royal Family. Now leave me alone.” She looked back at herself in the mirror with her head held high.
Alexandra turned back to her work. There were tears forming in her eyes, but she wiped them roughly away with her sleeve and tried not to sniffle. She didn’t want to leave. Don’t think about that. You’re not leaving, because Prince Makani's not going to marry that evil witch, so stop crying! You’re such a baby, she scolded herself.
She made her way towards the window and opened the wooden shutters. It was a great relief to smell fresh air other than being srounded by the choking scent of the perfume. Lady Cassaras' room was on the East Side of the castle, which faced the jousting yard. She had to stand on one tiptoe to get the shutters open all the way. Lady Cassara walked towards and then past her and put her foot out in front of the only one Alexandra was standing on.
A man walked below the three-story window on a dirt path that circled the castle. He almost turned the corner when he heard a scream behind him. He spun around and looked up in time to see a girl falling from the window, head-first. He ran towards where the girl was falling. Alexandra felt a gust of wind playing around her body as it shifted from head-first to her back. She opened her eyes as she felt someones' firm arms under her body as the dust settled. She coughed as it got in her mouth.
Dust? How can there be dust? Alexandra looked up to see Lady Cassaras’ head appearing from the window.
“Is she okay? She was trying to open the window when my fat cat ran into her foot,” she called down.
The man looked at Alexandra then up at Lady Cassara. “She’s fine.” He looked back at Alexandra and smiled as Cassaras’ head disappeared back into the window. “You are okay, aren’t you? I don’t recall Lady Cassara as being an animal type person.”
“Yes, I’m fine. Thank you.” Should I tell him? No. I’ll let it go this time. And anyways, who would believe me when I'm going against the word of nobility?
“Good. Are you able to stand?”
Alexandra smiled and blushed. Why would I want to? She felt his muscular arms behind her back and supporting her legs and wished they would stay there forever. She thought that she smelt some type of cologne on him, the kind that made women swoon. Nonetheless, she nodded. “I think so.”
The man carefully let her down and held onto her arm, just in case she wasn’t able to stand. It was a good thing he did, too, because her legs were shaking violently and she almost fell down. He then led her to a nearby bench and made her sit down, and he sat down with her.
“So, what’s your name?” he asked.
“Alexandra.”
The man smiled. “Nice to meet you, Miss Alexandra.”
Alexandra blushed, her heart pounding hard in her chest. She noticed that he had blue eyes and light-blonde hair that was a bit long. He wore the clothes of a servant, but he was probably the type of guy who had all of the girls running to him. Sitting next to him, Alexandra felt a bit out of place.
“So, um—” Alexandra started, but another female voice cut her off.
“What are you doing here?” the other woman asked the man as she ran over, grabbing the mans' hand. “And why are you wearing those ridiculous clothes? You are supposed to be with His Majesty. He’s looking for you and says it’s urgent.” She had blonde hair—closest to a white color—and her eyes were a light blue—almost a clear white—and they twinkled when the set their eyes on Alexandra. “Oh, hello. You never told me you were helping this young woman, Makani. Alexandra, is it?” She chirped, her eyes becoming a slightly red.
