Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 42883 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 214(@200wpm)___ 172(@250wpm)___ 143(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 42883 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 214(@200wpm)___ 172(@250wpm)___ 143(@300wpm)
I rest my head on her shoulder and wrap my limbs around her stooped form. We break from our embrace just as we hear the sound of a footsteps against the marble floor. Quickly, my aunt and I disengage before scattering in opposite directions to dust.
“Kitty,” Mary calls out from behind me.
“Yes?” I turn toward her, trembling a bit. Why is the head housekeeper here to see me? Did I make a mistake in the last room I cleaned? I’m pretty sure everything was spotless because I triple-checked just like Aunt Nellie taught me.
“Can I speak with you for a second?” she asks with a frown on her plain features. The tall, stocky woman always looks like she’s just smelled something sour, and my heart drops. I’ve seen Mary berate a few of the other maids in the past, but I’ve never gotten on her bad side before –then again, there’s a time for firsts.
A lump forms in my throat, and I swallow hard as I slowly take a step toward her. My hand shakes as I hold the duster, making the feathers tremble. Mary’s got her lips pursed, and her towering stance is intimidating. Every step I take toward her feels like I’m walking toward my doom.
“Yes, Mary?” I ask, my voice shaking as I approach. Her beady blue eyes narrow as she stares at me, and I feel sweat beads forming on my forehead. What could it be? I wish she would just say it already.
“I’ve been watching you and paying extra close attention to the rooms you’ve been cleaning. You’re a hard worker, Kitty. Some of the maids who have been here for years aren’t as efficient as you. Because of your diligence, you’ll be cleaning the private quarters of the royal family from now on, starting tomorrow,” Mary announces.
“The private quarters?” I ask, completely shocked. I know Aunt Nellie just told me that a few of the palace staff were complimenting my work, but I had no idea Mary was going to transfer me to a different section of the castle because of it.
“Yes,” she says in a firm tone. “Since you will be dealing with the royal family’s personal belongings and cleaning their bedrooms, we will need a certain level of discretion from you. You are there just to clean. You are not friends, nor even aquantainces. You are furniture to them.”
I stare.
“Understood, but are you sure about this?” I ask in a low voice. “I’m still fairly new, Miss Mary. I’ve only been here for three months and I’m sure there are other girls who deserve the opportunity.”
“I’m sure,” she says firmly. “No one but you will do.”
When I glance back at Aunt Nellie, she gives me a reassuring nod.
“Um, well okay,” I say, still a bit shocked at the new assignment. After all, cleaning the royal quarters is considered a plum assignment. There are no common-use latrines to be scrubbed, nor are there the endless crumbs, garbage, and even spittle that seem to continuously appear in the public areas.
“Good,” Mary states. With that, the heavyset woman turns toward the door and lumbers to the exit, leaving me and Aunt Nellie alone again. My aunt runs over to me and places her hands on my shoulders. Her eyes are twinkling like stars in the night sky.
“Oh, Kitty, I’m so proud of you,” Nellie exclaims as she places her frail arms around my shoulders. “This is a privilege!”
“Thanks, Aunt Nellie,” I reply halfheartedly. I wish I was half as excited as she is, but the truth is, I’m a nervous wreck.
My aunt pulls away from our embrace and studies me, searching for the reason for my solemnity.
“Aren’t you excited?” she asks.
I nod.
“I am. I’m just afraid I’ll mess up somehow,” is my admission. Nellie smiles gently.
“Oh, honey, don’t be. You’ll do just fine. They know that, and that’s why they chose you,” she says. Then she leans forward and speaks in a conspiratorial whisper. “And with your new position, you’ll get a raise.”
“I will?” I ask, dumbfounded. Nellie nods smartly.
“Yes, more responsibility means more money. You’ll be away at college in no time,” she says as she pats my shoulder.
“But, wait a minute. We won’t get to work together anymore,” I say in a slow tone. The older woman chuckles warmly.
“We’ll still see each other around, sweetheart. This is a good thing for you, Kitty, trust me on this.”
Then, Nellie scurries off to finish her work as I mull over this sudden change. I guess it won’t be so bad cleaning the royal private quarters, especially if there’s more money involved. A pay raise will make it a lot easier to save up for school, and who knows? I might even get a chance to get a closer look at Prince Eric. At the thought of the handsome prince, my heart leaps, but I force myself to stay calm. After all, Eric is dashing, handsome, incredibly rich, and most of all, royal. I’ll never be a match for him … unless something utterly crazy happens.