The Lowly Palace Maid

Part 2

Two moons have passed since I have first started serving Her Highness, and to everyone's surprise, Her Majesty was thought to be pregnant. She announced her pregnancy to the whole Kingdom which made the townsfolk jump up in joy. I too should be jumping, but I care not for Her Majesty's child. I only care about my own.

Her Majesty ordered her maids to prepare a feast for herself and her son to eat. She also ordered the Royal Adviser, her father, to join her at the long table if he wishes to. It was a very long day, and after that feast, me and the others were especially busy cleaning up. The whole time I was worried for my daughter, it took longer for me to come to her today because of the Queen's large feast.

Before I went to bed, I went to check on Her Majesty, but when I peeked inside her room, she wasn't there. I had gotten a little worried for Her Highness. What if she has gotten herself in trouble? What about her child? Who would rule the Kingdom if Her Highness disappears?

I look for Her Majesty at different places inside the palace that she might be at but unfortunately, I haven't seen her yet. I was rushing in the hallways when I heard murmuring come from the Royal Adviser's room.

"Your pregnancy is good news, my dear." I hear the Royal Adviser say, "Once you give birth to a son, we can finally take control of the whole Kingdom." He chortled, causing Her Majesty to sigh at him. "But you will give birth to a son, am I correct?" He asks in a deep and serious tone, "Of course, Father." Her Majesty sighs once again, "When have I ever failed you?"

I took a step back from the door and rushed away. I should not be eavesdropping about people's conversations, let alone the Queen's private life. But whatever does the Royal Adviser mean by taking control of the Kingdom? My eyes widen in shock and realization as I try to put some of the pieces together. They aren't planning to kill His Highness, aren't they?

I decided to turn a blind eye to what I have just heard. If I were to tell this to the townsfolk and my fellow maids, they surely won't believe me, I am just a mere peasant after all. If I tell another soul about what I've just heard, it could also cost me my life. I would be executed and my daughter would have the same dark future as me. God forbid my daughter lives such a cruel life as mine.

Moons have passed when I was ordered to fetch the finest fabric there is at the shops in the village. This shall be the first day I've gotten out of the Palace Walls in years, I'm not even sure if I still know the ways in the village. While I purchase some fabric from the shops, I couldn't help but envy the people who walk around because unlike me, they are free. Everyone used to say that all the people in the Kingdom are at the service of the King and Queen, for they are found at the top of it all. However, I think what they used to say is false.

I have been living inside the Palace Walls, and inside their dark and cold dungeons. My family has been taken away from me, and the Royal Family has forced me to serve Her Majesty, leaving my beautiful child, Amelyn, to be fed only once a day while she is to be kept inside a cage. These people outside the walls do not live in cages, they do not do what I do, and they most certainly do not suffer the same way I do. Though, it is true that all of us are under the Royal Family, it is true that we all serve them, but not equally. I serve them inside the Palace, where I must endure every hardship, while the townsfolk do nothing but supply the Royal Highnesses and their own needs.

They are free to roam, leave or stay at this wretched place while I am just trapped behind those high Palace walls, with my child trapped in a dark and damp cage inside the dungeons. We cannot leave, nor roam for we are only forced to stay.

I retreat back to the Palace – back inside the walls, trying hard in suppressing my envy. I have a Queen to serve and a child to take care of. Those are the most important things I need to keep in mind.

More moons passed when the Queen's baby bump was finally able to be seen. My darling Amelyn has also started to crawl which gave my dying soul life. I was ordered to go to the town once again to fetch what Her Highness is craving, and at my time in the town I noticed quite the amount of pregnant women getting escorted somewhere towards the west of the village. If I remember correctly, that part of the village is quite dangerous since the forest starts there.

I decided to follow the pregnant women out of curiosity. I made sure to keep my distance whilst I looked, but I was sure that I saw a familiar Palace Guard go inside the lit building. I went closer towards the building and took a little peek.

 "Be sure to take care of my wife, you hear?" I heard the familiar Palace Guard say in a low and raspy voice. "You should be grateful the Queen lent us this property. This place is a comfortable place for pregnant women such as your wife." I heard another voice say, but the Palace Guard seemed unconvinced. "If anything happens, I'll slit your throat." He growled. I heard his footsteps get closer, so I climbed the wall of the property in a panic, trying not to get caught eavesdropping.

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Written by: @iamanarrow and sadgirl_ph

Please enjoy the story (lol). Thank you for reading!