The Traitor's Son

1

"Aria, darling, could you get me that please?" A middle-aged woman with dark hair that was starting to silver pointed to the broom that sat in the corner of the room. 

"Yes ma'am," I said and took it. "Please, allow me to sweep. You've worked hard."

"My, my, dear, so sweet!" the woman smiled. "But aren't you going to meet with a friend of yours?" 

"Yes, but I have enough time," I assured and the woman gave a small nod. I came beside her and swept the dry and dead leaves. The woman hummed from beside me, placing the large floral plant into a brand new pot that sparkled with white and rose gold.

"This pot is quite lovely, don't you think?" the woman gently placed the pot with it's new plant on a grey stone stand. "The queen has quite a taste."

"Yes, it's very pretty," I nodded in agreement. "Though it doesn't fit with the rest of the palace's white and blue, it's still pretty."

"It's good to have something different once in a while, right?" the woman did a small twirl that made me chuckle. "I should make myself a new dress. This one looks like rags."

"No it doesn't. Just touch it up in a few places and it'll look as good as new!" I said. "Don't bother to work yourself hard and make a new one."

The woman looked at me and smiled. "Dear, you are too kind. We have finished cleaning the Queen's room, so please be on your way and don't waste any more time here!" she laughed softly. 

"I will, thank you. Have a good day!" I called to her as I left the room. She called a 'you too!' from back inside the large royal room. I headed down the corridors and outside into the Herb garden, where the Queen stood bent and studying. When she heard my footsteps, she looked up.

"Aria!" the Queen smiled. "Thank you for helping to clean my room and place my beautiful Bromeliad in her new pot."

I curtsied respectfully. "My pleasure, your Majesty."

"Oh, and sorry for cutting right to the point darling, but my dear husband and I would like to speak to you tonight. When the sun is a quarter away from being set, is it alright if you come to the Throne Room?"

"Of course." I told her, a smile plastered on my face, but inwardly I was freaking out. Was I in trouble? Did I do something wrong?

After I left the Queen to pick out her herbs, I headed toward the beautiful floral garden. A few couples sat on large stones and whispered to each other. Near the rose bush, I noticed my friend who was swatting at a bee.

"Aria!" Rosa ran toward me. She had short, curly, light brown hair and vale eyes. Her short dress bounced along with her sprint toward me. "Aria, I'm going to see Damian tonight! Can you believe it?"

"So he said yes? Have you two met up together alone before?" I asked. Damian was our age with dark brown hair and black eyes. He was Rosa's crush since I can remember.

"No, we haven't, but he agreed to meeting up tonight! Could you help me pick out a dress - a simple one though - before we meet? A little before sunset?" she asked.

I shook my head. "I'm meeting with the Royal Family tonight. They asked for me," I told her. 

"Oh..." she seemed to be in thought. "Then let's go pick one out now!" She took my hand and we went back inside the palace, up some stairs and into a small room that belonged to her. She threw open her closet door and looked over her dresses.

"We can ask to leave the palace grounds and get a new dress if you don't like any of these," I said. "I can help with the pay if needed."

Rosa shook her head. "I have good dresses in here." She took out a few and placed them on the bed. "Which one looks better?" One was a soft green, another was a soft yellow, and the third was pink. She stood on front of her best dresses then looked to me.

"I would say the green. It brings out your eyes," I suggested.

"Yes, I was think that too." She grinned. "It's a little off the shoulders, so maybe it's more attractive?"

I shook my head. "Rosa, you look pretty already so calm down."

***

I stepped in front of the guards, one who raised his eyebrow.

"Aria, servant, came for a requested meeting," I told them. The men nodded and opened the large white and silver doors to the Throne room. A man in a white and purple robe and a blonde woman each sat on their throne. A boy about my age, nineteen, was standing close by them.

"Aria, it's good to see you again," the Queen greeted. 

"It's an honor," I said with a curtsy. The Queen tilted her head with a smile and looked at her husband. 

"Aria," the King's voice rang through the room. "It's a pleasure to have such an amazing and hardworking, beautiful servant. I have discussed certain matters regarding you and have come to a conclusion."

No one seemed upset and no one looked upset. I looked at the Prince, who had blonde hair and light grey-blue eyes and very pale skin. He was beaming.

The King continued. "I would want to have you married to our son, Ethan. He speaks of his love for you and his great desire to have you. You are a responsible girl, and would make a wonderful Queen that the Kingdom would love to have."

My eyes widened. To marry the Prince? I nearly choked on the air alone. I was never interested in him, and in all honesty, didn't think he was responsible enough to take the throne. I would rather be a servant...not stuck with some pestering boy.