The Princess' Choice

Challenges of a maid

Berke

After the butler showed me around and handed me the Princess' schedule I got the rest of the day off, so I could settle down. The day passed quickly but sleep didn't come to my eyes. I knew I forgot something. That was when it hit me! The blood under the Princess' window... I hurried out, being extra careful to avoid all the guards. Soon I was in the gardens and I didn't hesitate to pick a few flowers with their roots. I sneaked under the Princess' window and dig up the ground with my bare hands to clear ot from the blood. She was so innocent and sweet. Too young to learn about the brutality of the real world. After I've finished I went back to my room, washed my hands and quickly fall asleep.

The next morning I woke up with the first rays of the sun and prepared for my day with her Highness. I walked to her room earlier than her previous nannie. She looked genuinely happy that I took over her position.

" - Berke! Thanks, I'm too old for this! Whatever we say she run barefoot, hides everywhere and avoids her duties..." - I remembered of what she said and entered to the Princess' bedroom, without making a single sound. I hid in her wardrobe and waited for her to wake up. When she was awake she grinned and immediately looked around. She rushed to the door and peaked out, to check if there were anybody nearby. My time has come. When Annalise was about to leave her room I jumped out of the wardrobe and caught her in my arms. She squeaked while I closed the door and smiled at her.

- Good morning your Highness! It is time for you to wash your face and get dressed for breakfast! - her eyes widened at me and she frowned.

- This is not fair! - she said and crossed her arms in front of her chest turning her back to me.

- Life is not fair your Highness. - I said and walked to the door getting the warm water I have prepared previously inside her bedroom. I set the water to the nightstand and picked the Princess up.

- Hey! How dare you?! - she asked and I laughed.

- Since your Highness chose me, I thought there would be no problem with my actions. - I sat her on her bed, grabbed a clean cloth and washed her face. Annalise looked at me amazed.

- None of my maids or nannies managed to do this previously... - I caressed her face.

- Well, I'm not them. If your Highness cooperates with me I promise you a special entertainment this afternoon after classes but before dinner. - I extended my hand and she looked at it before shaking.

- Deal! - she was so excited about the surprise, that everything went on really smoothly. The butler, her previous maids but even her family stared at us in confusion and amazement. Princess Annalise wore her shoes, attended her classes and didn't run in the hallways. The afternoon arrived faster than expected and we went to the garden. I looked around so there was no one else nearby and kneeled down.

- What are you doing Berke? - Annalise asked and I winked at her taking her shoes off.

- Your Highness kept her side of our deal, now it is my turn. I might've heard how much your Highness hates shoes, but I had the idea, that you never managed to get out of the palace barefooted. She gasped while the soft grass caressed her tiny, pale feet.

- This is my surprise for your Highness. We will play and rest in the garden barefooted until dinner! - she stared at me and to be honest I was prepared for a tantrum. She was a Princess and I had no experience in taking care of well behaved children. I even prepared myself to be beaten again as an entertainment for her Highness. Luckily, she was different. Annalise hugged my legs and smiled at me.

- BEST. SURPRISE, EVER! Don't tell to my brothers! - I winked at her.

- This is our secret your Highness! - she giggled while took a few steps in the grass. I kicked my shoes off as well and picked a few wild flowers, which somehow managed to escape from the gardener's merciless hands. Annalise ran around and giggled until she noticed me sitting in the grass. She rushed to me and looked at my handwork.

- What is that Berke? - she asked and I smiled at her while I placed the tiny flower crown on top of her head.

-A crown for her Highness. - she touched the crown carefully, like she was worried that it might fall into pieces. Suddenly, Annalise hugged me.

- Thank you! It is beautiful! - I carefully hugged her back, being aware of our surroundings. Dinner time approached fast.

- Your Highness, I'm afraid we must go back and get ready for dinner. - she was sitting in the grass, looking at her flower crown worried.

- What is wrong your Highness? - I asked while I put her shoes back on her feet.

- if the butler sees this, he will throw it away. - she mumbled.

- Will you allow me, your Highness? - I asked and she handed the flower crown to me. I put it on my head and picked her up in my arms.

- He won't say anything. But, unfortunately, this crown won't last forever.

- Why? - she asked while we slowly went back to her bedroom.

- Flowers wit, your Highness. - I heard her sob.

- Lise? What's wrong? - I asked her turning her in my arms to face me. She didn't take her eyes off of the flower crown on my head.

- I don't want them to wit and disappear! - I hugged her close comforting her.

- Don't cry, your brothers might get the wrong idea if they see your puffy eyes! - she stopped but was still upset.

- Let's prepare for dinner! - I said and ran the rest of our journey making her giggle while we ran past the butler. We could hear him scream.

- YOUR HIGHNESS! DON'T RUN! - Annalise laughed loudly when I screamed back.

- Her feet are not touching the ground! - we arrived and I quickly washed the Princess' feet and changed her clothes. I escorted her to the dining room where her family awaited.

After dinner, Annalise was escorted back to her bedroom by her older brother, Prince Sébastien. They both looked troubled. I prepared the bath for her, in the meantime, Sébastien joined me.

- I must say, we were amazed Berke! She was on time, dressed and everything. What is your secret? - he asked while I checked the temperature of the water. I looked into Sébastien's eyes and smirked.

- That is the point of secrets Your Highness, we keep them. - he leaned closer and put two of his fingers under my chin to held up my gaze while he smiled at me. Sébastien was a dangerously handsome man. With his golden hair and warm brown eyes. Soft smile but mischievous shine in his eyes he was the dream of every nobel lady. He leaned even closer and asked.

- Would you keep your secrets even if your life was at stake? - the smile disappeared from his face and his eyes searched mine. I knew what he was doing and I smiled fiercely at him.

- There is a simple way to avoid death and keep secrets your Highness.

- I'm all ears! - he said with a dangerous smile. I didn't say a word only thought about my answer looking at his face and studying it.

" The best way to keep a secret, is not knowing it for sure, if it is true or not." - his eyes slightly widened and he released my chin. Annalise stormed into the bathroom and looked confused between her brother and me.

- What is going on? - she asked and I shook my head.

- Nothing your Highness, we briefly discussed your day, that's all. - she smiled and hugged her brother. Before Prince Sébastien left I grabbed the sleeve of his shirt.

- Your Highness. - I said and he looked at me. Without saying a word I smiled and thought. " You must work on your pokerface your Highness" - he left without saying anything, avoiding to look into my eyes.