The Lowly Palace Maid

Part 4

What I had heard shocked me. Her Majesty looked so innocent and fragile, her looks have deceived us all. No wonder her other maid could not be found anymore. It was because she ordered someone to kill her. I took a deep breath and opened Her Majesty's door, pretending that I just arrived.

Both of them look at me with surprise and shock painted on their faces as I pretend to mirror their expressions. "My apologies, Your Highness." I said, bowing down. "Your beverage, Her Majesty..." I muttered.

"Leave it there, I'm discussing important terms with my Father's guard." Her Majesty lied, and I pretended to believe it. "Yes, Your Highness." I bowed once more before I closed the door.

"Her Majesty, If the pregnant women die, it would take longer for you to find a child that would serve as your son. What would you tell the Royal Adviser?" The guard asked, making Her Majesty sigh. "I would be able to deal with my Father. Your job is only about finding someone give birth to a son and bringing that said 'son' to me. So if you've nothing else to say, I suggest you leave before another one of my maids see you and me together." Her Majesty said, ordering the guard to leave. Luckily, Before the door even opened, I was already gone.

Two moons have passed, and it was the date that Her Majesty would give birth. Four more moons and it would also be my daughter's first birthday. The Royal Adviser was not allowed inside the "birthing room" since it was tradition, even though I know Her Majesty wouldn't be giving birth to anything.

It took a while when everyone heard a child's wailing echo through the halls. I was surprised to hear such noise, Her Majesty found a son and took him away from his parents. I pity the child's mother and father, but it would be good for them to know that he would live a good life as the Queen's son.

The next morning the Queen had ordered me to prepare breakfast for her and The Royal Adviser. I prepared the table and put down their meals when Her Majesty arrived. "It's alright now, you can leave." Her Majesty says as I nod. "Yes, Your Highness." I bowed and went on my way when I had suddenly remembered that I forgot to check if Her Majesty's food was all there. I rush back to the dining hall, hoping that the Royal Adviser still hasn't arrived.

I was at the doorway when I noticed Her Highness put something on the Royal Adviser's food and beverage. My eyes widen in shock about the Queen's actions.

She couldn't have... She wouldn't! This is her father...

I was taken aback by her actions and because of that, I almost bumped into the Royal Adviser. I bowed and greeted him as an apology and for respect. He ignored me and walked past me but I'm already used to it. They are too high up to be looking down at peasants like me.

A few hours later, the Royal Adviser was declared dead. Everyone blamed the cook for poisoning his food, and is to be executed tomorrow at dawn, then displayed at the middle of the village for everyone to see what happens to 'traitors'. Even though the Queen was the one who killed and poisoned her own father.

Soon, the day had become night and the sun was replaced by the presence of the beautiful and white moon. I had just finished putting my darling Amelyn to sleep when I got called by Her Majesty. Her child was crying and wailing when I got inside the Royal Bedroom and since Her Majesty claims to feel "too weak" due to her father's loss, she orders her maids to take care of the baby for her.

Her Majesty groans in annoyance for the loud noise the child is causing and told me to quiet him down outside, and so I did. When the child fell asleep, I went back inside the Palace and made my way towards Her Majesty's bedroom. Traditionally, the child would sleep in a different room, however, Her Majesty wishes for her child to sleep inside the same room as her. By the time I was at Her Majesty's door, I heard the voice of my fellow maid ask, "If I were to end the King tomorrow, Your Highness, h-how would I guarantee that I will not be the one to be executed?" She stuttered causing Her Majesty to let out a soft chuckle. "Then let us blame the maid who is currently putting my son to sleep. Is that enough?"

That is when I had realized everything.

 My mother would never have poisoned the King and my father would never have killed the Crowned Prince. It's all just been the blame game the whole time. Innocent people were executed, punished, and exiled for something they didn't do. The worst part of it all is the fact that they couldn't fight for themselves.

If I don't fight, I'd lose and die. If I don't fight, Amelyn would only suffer the same fate as me. So, I've decided to commit high treason if I must in order to escape this wretched place.

The following day, I was ordered to buy flowers from the town to put on the King's bedside table. Now, I'm currently back in the village and I've decided to take advantage of my time outside the walls. I roamed around and looked at different pathways.

Most of them led to the forest, some led me up a mountain, and one led me towards the river. I've decided that me and Amelyn would use the path leading to the river. If we ever get chased by the Palace Guards, they won't be able to cross the river with their horses, giving me and Amelyn more time to run. Now, I only need to prepare a boat.

I retreat back to the palace after grabbing His Majesty's flowers and preparing the boat for my escape, feeling determined. Her Majesty's reign will soon be over, and I would be known as a cold-hearted criminal to the townsfolk who killed both the King and the Queen, even if they don't really know what theRoyal Family is truly like.

"What took you so long for the flowers?" My fellow maid asked while she was scrubbing the floor. I faked a smile and said, "I got distracted a little." She nods and returns a fake smile to me before going back to what she was originally doing. I made my way to the King's bedroom and placed the flowers I bought in the vase placed next to His Highness.

"Brace yourself, Your Highness, for your Queen desires to end you tonight." I whispered while fixing the vase's position on the bedside table. I take one more glance at His Majesty before leaving the room and closing the door. I took a deep breath and prepared myself for what's to come in the next few hours.

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Written by: @iamanarrow and sadgirl_ph

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