THE PALACE.
1062 Words
~ INANNA~
Today is the day.
The day I'm sold to my new masters. The day we meet our new masters.
Ten servants were chosen in total to serve the at palace. Leo, Claire, Lois, Jared, I and 5 others I don't know.
Standing in front of the palace gates, I never thought I would remember how it feels to be so horrified, but the unknown causes fear to grip my heart, refusing to let it go.
The females are wearing the same cream coloured, knee length dress I was given the day I stepped foot in the servants quarters.
Whiles the males are in only cream pants. We all have our heads bowed, with our eyes on the ground as the master leads us through the gates of the enormous palace.
All we do is follow as we are led, no complains, no right to refuse, like sheep to a slaughter. We don't have the privilege to do as we please. We follow without question as invisible leashes tug at our hands and necks, to follow like the obedient mutts we are.
We walk in a straight line for some minutes. Then are met with another gate with two men clad in amours from their head to toe standing guard.
"What is you business here" one of the guards ask.
"Servants for the palace." Is master's reply. He hands a brown sheet to the guard. I'm assuming it's an invitation. I've heard no one enters the palace without one unless the person is a royal.
The sound of the heavy gates opening is what fills the silence, as a guard leads us to where I'm thinking the king and queen are.
I hear another door open and we follow master inside.
" Your highness. My king" I hear master's voice say. I'm sure he's bowing just like us. Now that would be a sight to behold.
" Rise, John" the Queen's melodic voice lined with authority makes my nerves go haywire.
So that's his real name. John. He most definitely won't appreciate anyone else calling him that.
" It's always a pleasure to be in your presence, your highness" master says, a hint of a smile in his voice.
" Flattery will get you nowhere, John. Especially with my mate here"
The queen and master speak like old acquaintances. I'm sure all the servants here are from master's slave market. That would explain why they relate like that.
" Let's get to business now." The queen says, all playfulness leaving her voice." I need them to get to work immediately, the party is just tomorrow"
" Yes, your highness"
I hear the clicking sound of her heels as she makes her way towards us.
" I'm glad you took good care of them. Healthy servants live long and do better jobs." The Queen's voice meets my ears from my left.
We are all made to stand in front of the Queen and master, with our heads bowed and eyes on the ground.
Standing between Leo and Claire, my nerves get the better of me and sweat trickles down my forehead.
Leo gives my hand a reassuring squeeze when the shaking gets worse. We have formed a bond Leo, Claire the others and I, through the few days I spent with them.
I can't confidently call them friends now though. It will take more than just a few days spent together.
Mama would be proud of me. I'm sure. The acquaintances I didn't have in my childhood I have made up for, now.
The sight of the Queen's pink heels in front of me, pulls me out of my thoughts.
Her manicured finger lifts my chin up and brings me face to face with her heart shaped face. The Queen is as beautiful as rumors say she is, with long brown hair, blue eyes and bow shaped lips.
And considerably taller than me too.
Her posture screams confidence and authority. She's visibly taken aback by my purple eyes.
" You're quite the beauty, aren't you?" her eyes shine with interest. Interest that can end up with me six feet under.
Her compliment makes my cheeks feel like an inferno.
"After the party you'll serve as prince Dominique's personal servant. God knows he needs one. He won't refuse if it's a gift from his mother" she says, with a sly smile, then takes a seat on her silver throne next to the king's golden one.
"Yes your highness." I say with a bow. I have no choice but to obey.
"Take them to the head servant. She knows what to do" she says to the guard, and waves her hand in dismissal.
A tall, muscular guard with a scowl etched on his face leads us to the Royal ballroom.
It's filled with women dressed like me and men dressed like leo. Everyone seems to be in a rush, moving from one corner to the other in the noisy place.
"Miss Heather!" The guard calls out to an elderly woman with strips of grey in her hair.
"Here are the new servants. The Queen says you know what to do".
"Yes. Yes" she says, all too seriously." Follow me"
***********
The day is spent assisting the other servants with the preparation of the ball room.
Seats were made available, chandeliers are fixed, the place is cleaned thoroughly.
We are done with everything by nightfall, and I feel like I just got run over with a bulldozer.
Every part of me aches, moving a limb feels like the weight of the world is on my shoulders.
The new female servants were led to a wing different from the males. Lois's loom is opposite mine and Claire's is by my left.
The room is not big neither is it small. There's a bed, bathroom, closet and a desk.
It's more than I could have asked for.
Now that I have been assigned to the prince, I can't help but wonder how he looks like and how he behaves.
I'm curious as to who he is, what he looks like and how his attitude is. He's such a mystery in this kingdom. No one knows his face. I don't even know why I'm thinking of finding out who he is. It doesn't matter to me and has absolutely nothing to do with me.
Still I can't help but wonder.
- Writer
