Thirteen

This was not a book club but an excuse for high society young women to come together for wine and gossip. Listening to their conversation as she refilled the wine glasses, Arya realized the girls were no different from the maids. They came together to gossip about other women, men, fashion, beauty and everything lifestyle. Except that their standards were higher in regards to all those things, everything else was more or less the same. Arya wondered why they even bothered to call it a book club.

There were nine girls in the room but Arya only recognized Adley and Princess Ava. While Adley and her friends tried to outcompete each other on who led the most luxurious lifestyle, the princess was buried in her phone, minding her own business. It seemed she was not as pretentious as the rest were.

The book, some romantic comedy with a beach cover, graced by a shirtless tan man was long forgotten. Copies were lying around on tables and Adley wished they would later forget them so she could grab a copy and read during her free time. She had never been an avid reader but enjoyed a good book every once in a while. In any case, they all seemed untouched. 

“Hey little maid,” one of them, a tall model like girl with a pixie cut said. “Hurry up and leave.”

“They’re always so nosy,” Adley commented, sipping her drink.

“That’s so true,” another piped in. “one time found my maid listening through the door when I was with my boyfriend. She was such an uncultured swine.”

“What did you do?”

“I fired her.”

“Well, she deserved it.”

“All of them are the same,” Adley said.

“No, not really.” the princess joined in the conversation. “They’re normal people, just like us. Some of us are nosy, some of us are not. You know.”

“They’re not like us,” Adley insisted. “We’re educated and cultured. They’re not. Little maid, do you think you’re like us.”

“Don’t be rude, Adley.” the princess said. “You can leave now, Arya.”

“You even know her name and she’s not even one of your maids of honor.”

“Soon, Armand will propose to me and I’ll be the queen,” Adley said. “She’ll have to obey my orders too. Enjoy this this sweet princess while you can.”

Arya finished her task and practically ran out of the room, having had enough of their stupid conversation. With her education, she didn’t like to be treated like some insignificant person but this was a sacrifice that would help her get her revenge. Somehow, she had to get used to being treated like a like a lesser human because of her job.

She was proud of her little job. There is nothing wrong with being a maid.it was like a job like any other. Even though it made very little money, it was a very important job. Most people couldn’t function properly without their maids and their lives wouldn’t be the same. And to think they treated maids as if they were not important.

Her chest tightened when she saw king Armand striding across to the room she’d just vacated. Not now, Arya cringed, wishing there was a way for the ground to swallow her. It was all she need since she didn’t want to face him so soon after all she told him last night. Seeing no way of escaping, she moved on shyly.

“Arya, my dear Arya.” he said, grabbing her wrist.

“Not here, my king.” her heart was pounding and the feeling he aroused in her were not helping. They were not pretend feelings, almost felt real. She looked up at him and their eyes met. 

“You look beautiful.” he commented.

“Thanks, but I’m very shabby now and this uniform is not so nice.”

“It doesn’t matter,” he said. “You said you’d let me kiss you when we saw each other again.  I’m here now.”

He snaked a hand around her waist and pulled her close. “No.”

Different emotions were swirling over Arya. She hated being treated like this, an object for the king to do with whatever pleased him. Her words didn’t matter. It didn’t seem to matter that anyone could walk in on them. He was the king and no one dared question him and she hated that. When she finally got justice for her father and all the others who’d been hurt by the queen mother, he would have no one to cover up for his misdeed and he’d fall like the crook he was. And if they were lucky, Kalen would be king. Arya did not want to dream that far so she just sighed and took the conversation to a new direction that she thought would make him uncomfortable.

“Your future queen is inside.”

“Who? Adley?”

“She’s not-“

“She said you’re going to propose to her.”

He loosened his hold. “I don’t want to and I’m sure I’ll do it. It’s quite complicated but I want you and I’m not interested in marrying Adley. My mother arranged it all and I’m trying to get out.”

The door opened and he let her go immediately. If she wasn’t ready to stand on her two feet, she would have fallen down. It was the princess.

“Ava,” he said.

Ava barely glanced at the two before making her way along the hallway and heading to the front door. She seemed angry about something. Was it something the young women had said or was it a message from her phone.

“I have to go now,” Arya told the king.

It was a good thing he let her go because a few minutes later, the queen mother’s arrival was announced. Arya was already done with her days’ work and was in the servants’ quarters. Since Mercy was on the opposite side from which you could see the front gate, she went into her room. The queen’s maids of honor were the ones required at the entrance to receive their beloved queen so Mercy and Arya didn’t have to go. 

Even from a distance, Orianna looked royal. She was wearing a light blue gown which was tight at the torso with a long flowing skirt. She looked beautiful. She was escorted by her maids of hone who had travelled.

Her children, Ava and Armand were there to receive her. Adley had managed to squeeze herself in. Arya was confused about the relationship between Armand and Adley. They did not look too happy in each other’s presence and it didn’t seem like they were in love. What was going on? Was it an arranged marriage? Those were common in monarchies Arya wouldn’t be surprised if that was the case. Something fishy was going on.

“How long has the king dated Adley?” she asked.

“I on think he is really dating her,” mercy replied. “She comes around every one in a while like a lot of other women. The queen doesn’t seem to mind her much especially but I don’t think they’re dating. They’re surely sleeping together but I don’t think the king is serious about her. That man is not close to being ready for commitment.”

I heard that he and Adley were lovers when they were in high school but apparently Orianna broke them up. Now, I’m not sure why she lets her be. Then again, one never knows what these people are up to. Adley’s family is quite rich so they’re probably pumping millions to the treasury or something. Who knows?”

“How much did you study?”

Arya had observed that Mercy seemed quite knowledgeable.

“High school. You?”

“Same,” Arya lied. She had gone to the university to study anthropology which did not seem to be of any use.