THE CHOSEN ONE : CHAPTERS 1 – 10
BY HAZEL BOOKS. H
CHAPTER 4
Aurora’s eyes widened as she gazed at her reflection in the little mirror. The maid dress was a far from the luxurious gowns she was accustomed to wearing as a princess. The simple, yet practical garment was a stark reminder of her new status as a slave.
“Hey, you must hurry,” the head maid said “You’re expected to serve the emperor at any moment he seeks for you.”
Aurora’s heart raced on hearing that.
“Remember, you’re only to serve the emperor,” she said again emphasized, her voice low and serious. “You’ll be summoned to his chambers whenever he needs you. Don’t keep him waiting.”
Aurora nodded, her mind reeling with the implications. She was now a slave, bound to serve the very man who had destroyed her family and kingdom.
“You don’t have to be too sad Aurora, if you need anything…come to me” Madam Eloise gave her an assuring smile and she nodded.
“Thank you madam Eloise” she mouthed.
“You should go to the quarters” Madam Eloise muttered and Aurora left.
As she made her way to the maids’ quarters, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of despair wash over her. How had her life come to this? From princess to slave, all in the span of a few hours.
The maids’ quarters were bustling with activity, women scurrying about as they went about their duties. Aurora’s eyes scanned everywhere.
She will be given a small room in the maids’ quarters, a tiny space with a narrow bed and a wooden chest for her belongings. She cleaned the tears that dropped from her eyes, she has been doing that ever since they arrived here.
She missed her father and her friends in the palace, she let out a sad sign.
Aurora pushed open the door to the maids’ quarters, her eyes scanning the room for her assigned space. She spotted a small room in the corner, with three beds and a narrow chest. Her heart sank as she realized she’d be sharing the tiny space with two other women.
As she entered the room, one of the women looked up from her seat on the bed. She had a kind face and a warm smile. “Hello, you must be new here. I’m Jade, and this is Sage.” She pointed at the other girl on the other side.
Aurora nodded, her eyes shifting to the other woman. Sage face was cold and expressionless, her eyes narrowing as she gazed at Aurora.
“What your name pretty,” jade asked, touching her white hair.
“I’m Aurora” She let out a sly smile.
“I love your hair, it pure white…. I’ve never seen anyone with a white hair” she complemented.
“That how it is…since I was born” she replied.
“Welcome Aurora” Jade said, her voice warm and inviting. “We don’t get many new faces around here. What brought you to our lovely palace?”
Aurora hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. But something about jade kind eyes put her at ease. “I was…taken from my home. I’m a slave now.” She bowed her head.
Jade expression softened. “I’m so sorry, Aurora. We’ll help you get settled in. Sage, show her where the linens are, please.”
Sage face twisted in distaste. “I’m not her servant. She can figure it out herself.” She rolled her eyes.
Aurora felt a pang of unease. She didn’t need enemies in this new and frightening world. But jade kindness made up for sage coldness.
“Don’t mind her,” jade whispered. “She’s just bitter about her own circumstances. We’ll get through this together, okay?”
Aurora smiled.
“I’m serving the princess and she is serving the mistress….. Who were you assigned to serve” Jade asked.
“The….the Emperor” she stuttered.
“Really” she mumbled surprisingly “no one ever served the emperor except the head maid” Jade exclaimed.
Sage stood up from her bed and glared at Aurora before leaving the room.
“Don’t bother about her, she is not in a good mood today” Jade assured.
“Come take a seat” Jade pulled her.
Aurora smiled shortly, feeling a glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe, she’d find a friend in this dark and unfamiliar place.
THE CHOSEN ONE : CHAPTERS 1 – 10
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