Anexis Matos

Single ladies, get excited! We have very good news from the palace.

For years, we’ve wondered if the king would marry. Of course, marriage is not necessary to have a queen, but everyone enjoys a wedding. Everyone especially enjoys a royal wedding.

Our last wedding was years ago when our queen, now princess, was married. Our king may be married soon. A statement was delivered this afternoon from the palace.

“It’s time,” the statement reads, “for me to choose my bride. I need a partner. A queen.”

Unfortunately, the statement does not give many details. There are no traits listed, but, if we have to guess, we can look to his friends, Earl Sebastian and Marchioness Marie. We’ve all been rooting for the marchioness, but that may not be the case anymore.

“An announcement,” the statement reads, “will be released on Friday with more details. Keep an eye on the interverse royal channel.”

For anyone who will not access the royal channel, don’t worry! We’ll reveal all the details in our late night edition.

Stella’s heart swells with gratitude. He’s looking for her. He’s…

The bell rings, ending her break. She locks her NetPad and puts it in her bag. She rushes to the kitchen.

“Stella,” Celia says, “I need you to do something for me.”

“Yes?” Stella says.

“Princess Eva sent her grocery list to me. She’s very specific about certain things, so she doesn’t allow anyone in her staff to get her groceries. I used to work for her, so she asks me to do it as a favor.”

Stella nods. The other maids have mentioned it before.

“You’re going to the store in an hour, right?” Celia says.

“I am,” Stella says.

“Can you get a few extra things for me? I’ll give you exact instructions for Princess Eva. I think you’ll be able to find everything.”

“Sure. I don’t mind.”

“Thank you, Stella. Things are busy this afternoon. There’s a dinner party later.”

“Who’s hosting?”

“Lady Ashlin. I think the princess will be there.”

“Doesn’t she always attend Lady Ashlin’s functions?”

“Usually.”

Stella has seen her at a distance. She’s not allowed to go with the rest of the guests. Lady Ashlin has never requested her services.

“Do we have one list this time?” Stella says.

“Yes,” Celia says. “Just the palace list. The court has their own staff shop for them now. The rule came last month.”

Stella suppresses a sigh of relief. The court made a point of adding their lists to the kitchen. They then proceeded to get mad when their requests weren’t followed to the letter.

“Alright,” Stella says. “What do you need help with before I go?”

Stella presses the red button.

“Yes?” a woman says through the intercom.

“Hi,” Stella says. “I brought Princess Eva’s groceries.”

The door opens and Stella enters.

“Someone will come to help you,” the woman says.

“Thank you,” Stella says.

A few minutes later, she and another woman carry groceries up the tower steps.

“Princess Eva wants to see you,” the woman says.

Stella nods, uncertain. Princess Eva is rumored for being very unhappy when her routines are changed. She assumes that Celia usually drops off her groceries. This may not go well.

The woman guides her to a sitting room.

“She’ll be here in a few minutes,” the woman says.

“Thank you,” Stella says.

When Princess Eva strides into the sitting room a few minutes later, Stella is sitting by the door, hands folded in her lap.

“Come,” the princess says. “Join me.”

Stella rises and follows the princess to a table where her maid sets up a tray. They sit across from each other. The princess dismisses her lady’s maid with a wave. The maid leaves with a nod.

The princess gestures at the finger sandwiches and tea.

“I’m sorry, dear,” she says. “I’m not sure if you enjoy tea, but I tend to, especially at this time. If you would like something else, please let me know. There’s always something else.”

Stella stops herself from raising an eyebrow. This is an… interesting start.

“I’m alright, My Lady,” she says. “Thank you.”

Princess Eva nods, gesturing to the tray.

“Eat then,” she says. “We’ll talk as we do.”

There’s no danger in this.

“Who are you, child?” the princess asks as Stella picks up a sandwich.

“My name is Stella,” Stella says. “I work at the palace.”

Princess Eva nods.

“Did Celia send you?” she says.

“Yes, My Lady,” Stella says. “She couldn’t go to the store today. Lady Ashlin is having a dinner party, so she asked me to go for her. I followed her instructions.”

“Is that so? What instructions did you follow?”

Stella recites them.

“Very good,” the princess says. “It seems you can remember instructions well. I will see if you have followed them.”

Stella nods. She knows she followed exact instructions. She had to go to a different store just to find what the princess required.

“Are you Celia’s assistant?” the princess asks.

“I do a little bit of everything,” Stella says, “but I help Celia most of the time. I’m usually in the kitchen.”

“How long have you been working at the palace?”

When she started working at the palace, she said she was 18. She was below the working age, but a little magic made her look much older.

“Seven years,” Stella says.

“How old are you?” the princess says.

“I’m 25.”

Eva watches the young woman across from her as she eats sandwiches. She picks up her food with the delicacy of a lady. It’s not impossible for a maid, of course, but something is different about her.

Stella sits with her legs crossed. Her fingers never touch the sandwiches, using a knife and fork to pick up individual pieces. Eva suspects that she would have placed a napkin across her shoulders if one was available. Most people will not do that.

“Does your family live in the palace, too?” she says.

This is not uncommon. Secondary school and college students work part-time at the palace all the time. Their family members usually work full-time.

“No, My Lady,” Stella says. “I don’t have family.”

Stella lies.

Stella keeps a neutral face while her heart races. She’s been lying to the palace for years. So far, she’s managed to keep the story straight. That won’t change now.

“No family?” the princess says. “I’m sorry to hear that. Where are you from?”

“Libsia,” Stella says.

That’s true. Why does Stella lie about not having a family then?

“My mother died when I was seven,” Stella says.

Also true.

“Losing a mother so young is terrible,” Eva says. “What about your other parent?”

“My other parents,” Stella says, “died a few years later. I was alone after that.”

Somewhat true. Perhaps Stella means emotionally alone. In these cases, Eva can’t always tell, even if she has the gift of seeing when people lie.

“Why come to the capital?” she asks. “Libsia is a beautiful place.”

“I couldn’t find work,” Stella says.

Somewhat true.

Stella can’t end this conversation, no matter how much she wants to. Disrespecting a royal who has taken time out of her day to speak to someone looks bad. Royals are busy. If a maid ends a conversation, it’ll eventually reach the ears of the rest of the staff and the court, giving her a bad reputation. The amount of services she can do may be less if she’s considered disrespectful.

But this interrogation is ridiculous. The nobles don’t care about her life. They only want their services completed to perfection. What does the princess want?

“Listen carefully, my dove,” her mother said. “People eventually reveal something that could be useful to you. This is especially true at court.”

Her mother didn’t spend much time at court, but she always knew everything. Stella never found out how.

“Did you study?” Princess Eva asks.

Online.

“Yes,” Stella says. “I finished secondary school, but chose not to attend university. I’ve taken university classes and have a few certificates.”

True. Interesting.

“Very good, Stella,” Eva says. “Education is important. What are you certified in?”

“Court etiquette,” Stella says, “and a few things under that umbrella.”

True. Perhaps there’s something here.

Stella is certified, but she has to be recognized as a noble to even work in those careers according to tradition. Not all nobles follow tradition, thankfully, so they’ll hire someone who isn’t part of their social class. Certification is the most important part for them.

Most who are certified in the umbrella of court etiquette have a difficult time finding work. Most only work part-time, but can’t always support themselves with it.

“Are you certified to be a lady-in-waiting then?” the princess asks. “A lady’s companion?”

“Yes,” Stella says.

“Are you happy with your work?”

She wants to go back to her rightful life, but she can’t. She would be at risk if she comes out as the duchess of Libsia.

“Yes,” Stella says.

Somewhat true.

Stella doesn’t mind the work. She’s happy, but this is not her life. This was never meant to be her life. It’s enough, though.

“Well,” Princess Eva says, “if you ever need it, I’m currently looking for a lady’s companion and a lady-in-waiting.”

“I’m not part of the court, My Lady,” Stella says.

It’s safe to assume Princess Eva would prefer a noble lady. Most of the old noble ladies prefer it.

The princess smiles.

“That’s not necessary,” she says. “You said you are certified. You have the education of a lady. I assume you can adapt.”

“I can, My Lady,” Stella says.

“Very good. Consider it. Let me know.”

Stella nods. A position as the lady’s companion to the king’s grandmother could be a way to dip her toes into court life. Maybe even get a noble title. Even a part-time position is good enough.

It’s wrong to use Princess Eva to get back to her life. The princess seems kind, but there’s no other way. As a lady’s companion or lady-in-waiting, she can gain the princess’s trust. Even if she doesn’t get a title, perhaps she can tell the princess the truth at some point. She’ll be recognized.

“I will, My Lady,” she says. “Thank you for the offer.”

“You’re very welcome,” the princess says.

They finish the sandwiches and tea a few minutes later.

“I have to go,” Stella says. “I hope you’re happy with the grocery order.”

“I’ll let Celia know,” Princess Eva says. “I’m sure she’ll pass on the message.”

Stella leaves the tower with a half smile on her face. Princess Eva’s interest seems genuine, but there’s something she’s missing.

From her window, Eva watches Stella go as her lady’s maid enters the sitting room. She takes the tray.

“Would you like another one, My Lady?” she asks.

“No, Sharlene,” Eva says. “Thank you.”

Sharlene leaves. Eva picks up the cordless phone and dials the kitchen.

“Princess Eva,” the cook says, “everything is here. Your instructions were followed to the letter.”

Eva smiles.

“Very good,” she says. “We should try with a maid next month. These are new. Perhaps it will be different.”

“Alright.”

After hanging up, she dials the staff manager at the palace.

“Dear,” she says, “I need you to add something to the payment of a palace maid. Her name is Stella. Ask Celia about her. She got my groceries today.”

“Very well, My Lady,” the manager says.

Eva writes on her notebook.

Hello. I need your help.

A moment later, writing appears on the page.

Hello, Eva. What do you need?

Who is the palace maid Stella?

A moment passes before the answer appears.

The palace maid Stella is Duchess Alice Stella of Libsia.

Eva blinks. Alice?

She composes herself and writes again.

Thank you.

Of course. Would you like to know what happened?

I have my suspicions. It has to do with Duchess Rita’s mother, I assume.

It does.

Eva sighs, dialing. Her friend picks up on the third ring.

“Hello,” Eva says. “It’s time.”