Book To Read
4
Chapter Four
Alice came out to see two elders from the Kingdom speaking. She sighed in relief when she found out that it wasn’t the prince. She has promised herself to avoid him the possible best she can although she knows it is not the solution. She came out boldly and stood in front of them, bowing her head a little as a sign of respect. She has spent her whole life in the street and she knows acting like a courteous lady is going to be difficult for her but that does not change she cannot at least try. “New face?” One of the elders asked and she answered, trying to sound as polite as possible, of course not like Maggie. The elders smiled and urged her to go on but she should not try to hide again. Otherwise, they might think she is doing something bad. Alice thanked them for their kindness and made her way into the kitchen, praying silently not to bump into the prince.
She heard noises from what appeared to be the kitchen and entered. The maids were so busy that nobody realized she came into the kitchen. A maid saw her and smiled at her, walking towards her. “May I know why you are here, young lady? “The maid asked, with genuineness in her eyes. ” My name is Alice. Head lady Maggie directed me here to meet Jessica and tell her that I am the new maid”, Alice explained, hoping the maid will get the message. “Oh really, it is so nice to meet you, Alice. I am Jessica, the head maid for only the kitchen chambers” Jessica introduced herself as Alice bowed to give her respect. Despite not growing up in the palace, the least she has learned so far is bowing and talking in a polite manner which is quite difficult for her. She cannot count how many times she has bowed since morning and now, she could feel her back paining her. “Now we are friends. You don’t need to bow before me.” She placed her hand on Alice’s back helping her to stand straight. “Now I cannot introduce everyone to you but you need to know Mark, he is the head maid for the men in the Kitchen chambers, we are up to 50 in number and we cook twice a day only. Since you just got here, you can start by washing the dishes,” Jessica directed her to the sink. Making her way to the Kitchen, Jessica bumped into someone on the way and he shouted at her. “I knew it. It is not all the maids here that will be so polite and kind. I am expecting some mannerless ones too” She thought as she apologized outwardly. “‘ Reille keep it down, it is not intentional’ ‘ Jessica said in annoyance, as she approached them and asked Alice to do what she asked her to do. The other maids murmured among themselves and Aqlice shook her head, hoping all the drama would end soon. Her mind went back to Phineas and Ferb and wondered how they are coping now. They must still be waiting for her at the orphanage and Madam Beatrice is giving them a hard time, trying to find out where she. she went. She wondered whether it would be possible for the king to sympathize with her and allow her to go check on them. Minutes later when she was done, she was instructed by Jessica to call Mark, who was called to the palace hall a few minutes ago. Alice stepped out of the kitchen hoping to not bump into the prince but luck was not on her side this time around, she saw Mark standing while the Prince was seated on one of the sofas in the hall. The moment their eyes met, she felt like running away but what could she do? She shivered in fear as she approached them and he plastered an annoying smirk on his face.
“Good afternoon, your highness. I did not know you were with Mark, I will come back later, ” She said, bowing as fast as she could and trying to escape. “Stop right there!” He ordered and she gasped, almost having a heart attack. “I do not think you have apologized to me yet for trying to steal my necklace, have you?” He asked with a poker face, taking a sip of the drink on the stool beside the sofa. He has a chiseled jawline which is the first thing you will notice about him, probably the first thing girls fall for. His blue eyes are warm and captivating not to talk of his messy blonde hair and well-built physique. Alice was almost certain many girls had fallen for him except her of course, she admired his handsomeness but not in a romantic way. She clutched her hands tighter as she fumbled with the words to say. “I am talking to you, miss pickpocket. My parents might have forgiven but I have not”, He said and before he could say another word, a palace guard came in and informed him that the king needs his attention. He stood up with grace and dust himself lightly, smirking at her for the last time before making his way to his Father’s room as his guards followed suit. She greeted Mark and he returned with a weak smile, as though he has a lot on his mind. Mark walked with quick strides and she struggled to keep up with his space.Please check at N/ôvel(D)rama.Org.
After lunch, they all went back to their chambers. Their work for the day is done as the maids in each quarters will take care of the dishes in those quarters. Alice heaved a sigh of relief as she laid down on her bed. She couldn’t help her beating heart that hasn’t stopped beating since her encounter with the prince. He is not ready to forgive her yet. She thought of just coming out clean to him but again refused to do so. She got up from the bed and hurried outside to Maggie’s office which is on the left path immediately after you come out of their room. She knocked on the door gently and entered when she asked. She saw Maggie arranging some clothes on the bed.
“Sorry for disturbing you but I came here to ask you questions about the prince for the last time. I mean I know the crown prince but I don’t know him”, She said casually, it is evident that she now sees Maggie as a friend rather than a boss despite the age differences. Maaggie explained that he had gone out of the kingdom for his studies. Calculating the year, Alice could now tell why she didn’t know this prince before. She hasn’t come to this kingdom at the time. Maggie left her minutes later to attend to the king and the queen while Alice made her way to her chambers to sleep as she thought of ways to apologize to the prince.
She went to the prince’s quarters with numerous plans in her head on how to explain and apologize to him. Knocking on his door, she gently turned the door knob and saw him sitting down on a sofa, he was r LLeading a pile of books in his hands. Thinking he is probably going to forgive her if she apologized, he is shocked by yelling for the guards to take her away, calling her a thief!
Alice couldn’t believe her eyes, what’s worse, the prince ordered for her to be hanged.