a small room at the far end of the floor the Kings occupied, stripped of any decorations. Just a small bed sat in

r in comparison. She understood that her current quarters were strategically locat

gates to open. She sobbed, producing heart-wrenching, soul-crushing cries that had her ears ringing and nose running. She

gain. She was so scared. Those men looked like they wouldn't spare her any cruelty they possibly had. She

savory soup touched her tongue, she began wolfing it down, already starved. It was definitely

nally falling into a listless sleep. She woke up just after dawn to the shouts of men training at a

had begun, except now she was no longer a prisoner but a slave. She stood to her feet, heading towards the window and pee

she was summoned by the Kings, but she doubted that her only job would be to attend to them. Her suspi

colder than ice. Her eyes narrowed as she met Elaine's gaze.

he head maid of this castle, and you are my new recruit. Come wit

ge archway. Some maids who were standing there promptly came to drop buckets of water, several cl

huge archway to their fortified personal chambers at the end of each wing, with a joint one in the mi

at the long hallways. "But that's too m

end of the day will warrant punishment - 10 lashes of a thorned whip. Only when you complete your ta

a terrible job, I am obligated to report to the Kings, and that too will att

. She hastily blinked them back. She refused to cry again; she'd done en

ever, being the only one doing this made it feel like too much. Hours passed, but Elaine had just finished cleaning one hallway. She s

t returned to inspect her work, she was appalled by the amount she had gotten done.

as I can!" Elaine sna

e whipped?" Madam Margaret taunted. Elaine

linking back tears, and tried to work faster. But she was already so tired. She remembered her nanny,

took her the whole day to clean all four hallways, and by the time she wa

, and she was already dreading it. How would she survive like this? She had to wait till the Kings retired for the night before she slept, and that was a struggle. For one, she didn't want to

line, she hastily tried to put her appearance together and followed the soldier who came to call her, le

. She heard the flipping of paper and someone scribbling something down, but no answer or acknowledgement c

, and the door opened. Madam Margaret walked

voice spoke up, and Elaine raised her head then, he

e began to speak, keeping a respectful stance. Would she talk about

ays," Margaret announced, and Elaine forgot how to breathe. Her body shook, sweat pouring out of her body even though th

half a day to complete all tasks. If she

Madam Margaret answer

e dism

ut Elaine still stood, unsure if

t, while the other arranged documents on the table, barely payi

through his lashes. "What are

scurrie