Its not easy staying hidden. I wouldn't suggest it to anyone that gets the choice. Because let me be clear, death is way easier. Though it is the cowardly choice it is the better one. Living with a family that treats you like shit and like your nothing is the most terrible thing. Maybe its because I grew up spoiled. But trust me, I hate having to pretend to be a servant. Though the servants are wonderful people that I would be lucky to be family with, its not who I am. I'm the daughter of King Richard of England. But only I, the kings closet friends and family and the King himself know. To everyone else I'm a servant to the Williams family.
The Williams family is one of the most wretched family's I have ever met. They are made up of eight people. All of which, equally evil. The man of the house Fredrick, the wife and mother Katherine, five boys who are filthy pigs and perverts and one daughter. The daughter is, although nasty at times, my favorite member of the family. Her name is Elizabeth and she is only ten years old. She dreams to be a princess one day and fill the void that's been there since the king's daughter disappeared.
I jumped out of my thoughts as the pot of stew I put over the fire began to sizzle. I got out of the splintered chair and scrambled over to get the pot off the wooden pole. When I get it off using both of my blistered hands, I put it on the working table to stir it. The smell of veggies and beef meet my nostrils making my stomach grumble. The stew I make every time I have to cook was my mother's recipe. Though she was The Queen she loved working in the kitchen with the servants and chefs. It was something my father said he admired about her. She didn't care what social class people were. She was nice no matter what.
"Is the stew done Danielle?" Mary, the head house maid asks. I nod grabbing eight china bowls out of the cabinet. My name is not really Danielle. Its Emaline. Danielle is only a name I use to go unnoticed.
Mary has always reminded me of my own mom; she was accepting, caring and generous. There have been many times where she put my needs before her own. She says all the time she wishes she had a daughter like me.
"There is actually ten people tonight." Mary said, rolling her eyes. The Williams always have people over unannounced. Which is why I make extras no matter what. Last time I didn't make extras, I got a real whipping.
"Who is it this time? Another lord and his daughter?" I ask. Mostly they have people over for the main purpose of finding proper wives for their sons. Mary throws her head back laughing.
"No, I'm afraid not. Tonight should be a treat for us though, my dear." I raise an eyebrow at her as she laughs. "Oh don't tell me you've never heard of Robin Hood!" Of course I've heard of Robin Hood, he was a very loyal man to my father but also a thief that stole from the rich to give to the poor.
"Oh! I did not know you meant Robin!" I laugh as she giggles girlishly. I have never seen her so happy. Her worn, blue eyes light up and her cheeks are tinted pink.
"Well tonight, he is 'Sir William' needing a rest from a long days travel." I shake my head at her as she pats me on the back with a laugh on her face. "Ah, dear child. Your cooking never fails to make me hungry." she lifts her nose in the air.
' "And it never will! Now hurry! Help me fill the bowls." We take turns filling the ten bowls before I realize there is supposed to be only nine. "Who else is coming tonight?"
She giggles. "Why a very nice looking young man. I do believe he's next to be in with the merry men." She winks at me as she grabs the last bowl out of my hands and fills it with the stew. I shake my head smiling at her ways of always trying to set me up with someone.
"See, if I knew Robin Hood was taking applicants I would have applied!" I say jokingly, trying to change the subject. She smiles at me and opens her mouth to reply when Jacob, the eldest son, walks in.
