The Chambermaid
1267 Words
[Prima]
Since I was fourteen, I am aware of my destiny to marry a certain prince named Dimitrius. My twin brothers Malik, Teagan, Byron, and Lucas's future endeavors do not exist in the prophecy. They are the lucky ones. Unlike me, the future of the kingdom is in my hands. I am the sentinel or what they call the guide of our kind, following my mother's footsteps, Bernice—the chosen one.
“Awwww! See Malik? Father loves me more than the four of you!”
“That’s because when you get married to Prince Demetrius, you will be leaving Egilson,” they said in unison.
I did not say a word. I stood up, grabbed my bow and arrow that I left earlier, close to the dining table. I sprinted away to the woods of Egilson like I always do since I find out I will be married to someone I have never met. Mother said I couldn’t oppose what’s written in the prophecy, just like her.
Sometimes I wish I were never a lineage of a Bethencourt. But my fate as the only daughter of Bernice Cruz Guidiville del Fierro, better known as Verna Bethencourt Quintana, has been planned before I was born.
# # #
18th December at Bethencourt Palace.
It has been tempting to use my magical power. However, every time I do, I become weak. My parents allowed me to go to Raleigh with my brothers after they arrived back from the Philippines. It wasn’t a piece of good news, but they brought an omen—a curse that is attached to me.
My father and mother find out I was like my grandmother, Emmeline. I will never shift to a wolf. I will remain human, but my brothers will be. They will be the Alpha’s of their pack when they turn eighteen.
“We are letting you go with your brothers to Raleigh. But, not to seek for education, Prima. Our decision is not easy for us, princess, but you have to sacrifice just like your mother and me for the sake of our kind.”
“Why do I have to sacrifice? I have been suffering for a long time,” I said, whimpering.
A tear fell from my eyes. It was just one until it became a river making my heartache in so much pain.
“Listen, I only asked you to listen just once, Prima Lakeisha!” My father’s aristocratic voice roared inside my bedchamber.
“You are to find Theodoro de Lorris. They call him Prince Theo. He is Ephraim Guidevilles' grandson. He has the ring of life that will keep you formidable whenever you use your ability. That ring belongs to Bethencourt, and that is fated to be used only by you."
"Listen, Prima. The blood moon will be coming in a few months. We don’t have much time to retrieve the ring of life to save the werewolves in Egilson and the rest of the world.
I heard about Raleigh, and excitement filled me. I did not entirely understand what my parents said as to why I am going to my brother's academy. My lady maid, Selina, and I packed my things to go to Raleigh immediately.
“Prima, you are not allowed to use magic in Raleigh. Not even once.”
“Why can’t I, mother?”
“Because we will not be there to care for you when you get weak.”
“My brother’s will be there. They will take care of me.”
“Prima! Listen! You can’t. Do you understand?” Father scolded me.
It did not even last a second. He embraced me the way he did when I was a little girl. I was looking outside my chamber window as my brothers rode their horses.
“We love you, my princess. You take care of yourself. Yes, we know. Your brothers will be looking after you. Still, promise me you will not use your ability even a bit.”
“Mother, maybe you meant. I must look after them. Father, maybe when we return, you already have a grandchild from Byron and Malik.”
The next day we traveled two days with our carriage to Le Conte Palace. My brothers insisted that we travel on our own. But my father disagreed. Otherwise, he wouldn't let me go with them.
# # #
20th December at UMBRACULUM DE RALEIGH
LE CONTE PALACE ACADEMY CHAMBER
On the day we arrived from Egilson, Miss Frieda Witchface, the headmistress of Raleigh, had a meeting with my parents. My father assigned a lady maid who would care for me in the academy aside from Selina. Her name is Olivia. Each prince and princess in Raleigh have a designated lady maid to care for them.
I followed Olivia as she carried my luggage to my bedchamber. Olivia could be the same age as me or just a year or two older.
“Miss Olivia, will you show me around the palace?” I asked the lady maid assigned to care for me.
Finally, after two years, I will be studying with my brothers here in Umbraculum de Raleigh. I was too excited to see my bedchamber. I left my mother and father talking to the headmistress and the butler. I did not even bother to introduce myself. Miss Witchface did not see my face at all.
“Are you from here?” I asked again as she struggled to carry my bulky luggage full of my princess dresses.
“I am from Gatlinburg, Princess Lakeisha.”
“Shhh! Would you mind not calling me Lakeisha? Prima. Please call me, Prima.”
“Forgive me, princess. Miss Frieda—”
“If only you and I, please, don’t address me, princess.”
“But—”
“No buts, Olivia.”
“Did you just arrive here too?”
“Yes, yesterday. Your father requested my mother to care for you, but she couldn’t make it. I am here to replace her.
“Is your mother one of those long-time chambermaids?”
“Yes, the most requested one.”
“Oh! Have you met Miss Frieda Witchface?”
“No, I have not.”
“Would you like to attend the masquerade party tomorrow night?”
“Princess, I am a mere peasant. I am not allowed to attend that grand event.”
“How about—” I walked around her; body checked her from head to toe. “Not that bad! I can turn you to a princess in a second.”
“You are not supposed to use your magic, princess,” my mother reminded me.
“I am not using it, mother!” I protested and blocked her from invading my shenanigans.
“What are you thinking about, princess?” I looked at her and smiled like I was about to pull my crazy antics.
“I have a brilliant idea. I’ll be Olivia, and you will be me!” I squealed in excitement.
“What should we do when Miss Witchface finds out?”
“It’s a masquerade party, Olivia. No one can recognize you. Your face will be half-covered and adorned with a mask. I’ll have you wear my grandest ball gown. You’ll be the fairest among them all!”
“But—”
“No, buts! Come, hurry to my chamber. You try my ball gowns. Let’s get you fixed to be a princess!”
Alas! I have an accomplice. I will be off checking Prince Theodoro de Lorris bedchamber while Olivia poses as me in the banquet.
- Writer
