Aspen’s POV
“Ruth?!” I gaped, staring at Queen Bridget’s maid.
Ruth flinched, the old woman now hunched and miserable instead of proud and vicious. “Your Highness,” she replied softly.
“What are you doing here?!” I asked. I looked around her. “Is Queen Bridget here? King Flint? Because they weren’t invited.”
“No, Your Highness. It’s just me,” Ruth replied. Her hands were trembling slightly as she walked toward me.
A ripple of fear went down my spine. Would she try to beat me again like she used to? I frowned at her in confusion. “So, again I ask, what are you doing here?”
Ruth sniffled. “Queen Bridget dismissed me from her service, Your Highness.”
“What? Why?” Ruth had always been Queen Bridget’s good little minion. I couldn’t imagine her ever being dismissed.
“Her Royal Highness s
