ROYALTY

Chapter 3

I curtsied before her, "Please pardon my nonchalance, it would never happen again." She placed her hands behind her back. "And I was also told never to curtsy to those below me. Why did you?" I looked around and found everyone staring, even the footman I had curtsied to. "Pardon me princess Madelyn, but I curtsied to show my respect and appreciation towards the man that helped me. I did not offend anyone with my actions, if possible, I showed that gratitude and courtesy are the best of etiquettes." I looked at her, challenging her, and she had a faint smile on her lips so faint I almost missed it.

"Very well. But do not do that again, some people find it rude." Once she left me, I could not help but feel like a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders. I turned to my right where I saw a group of gossiping and giggly girls. 'Great the devils were here.' I walked past them heading straight for the entrance door.

"Well, well and on her first day." She giggled. I turned to face them; they were standing about eight steps below me. "If it is not Penelope Gwendolyn Scott. How many suitors did you chase away with your foul attitude that your father and mother had to give in to send you here?" I raised an eyebrow. "Clearly the palace does not need any rats with foul attitudes here, this is a place of prestige not the kingdom of hell and its minions, you might have missed the way dear, do turn back."

"She still has her smart mouth. When will she ever learn to address the people above her with respect?" I knew that voice, it belonged to the person I hated so much, Amelia Evelyn Anne and of course her trusted dog Valentina Carolyn.

"tst, tst Amelia, even the footmen are in higher grounds than you and deserve more respect." I said.

"If you are here competing for the crown then I advise against it, you would not win, even if the likes of us were not present." It was Penelope that had spoken.

"My first royal decree as queen of The Nolanian Kingdoms would be to have you two witches thrown back to where you came from, now if you do not mind, I have more important matters to attend to." I dusted my hands in front of the two and waved to Valentine, she did not have a bad mouth but kept to their company and did annoyingly stupid things, she wanted to wave back, a smile already forming on her face but then Amelia hit her hand down. I rolled my eyes and walked into the hall.

My breath left me as my eyes took in all that there was to see, I had read about the castle and seen old paintings about it, but what I saw could not be put in words. There were paintings upon paintings by famous artists about the Greek myths and legends. Statues of the great historian people and even some of other people from other worlds. There were letters written in German to, though my knowledge on the language was not vast, I could pick out a few words here and there. But what caught my attention was the grand magnificent water fountain in the middle of the hall.

It took up a French design made from white marbles and golden stones, the artwork was so perfect, so neat that you could hardly see any imperfection. The fountain had crystal clear water and at the bottom the map of the Nolanian territories with different species of fish swimming in. I was of course tempted to dip my hand in and grab one, but I feared for my life. I did not want a second scolding from the princess herself.

The light streaming in from the windows and from the chandeliers fell on the golden fountain and it cast golden light everywhere. I moved to the next row of tables and came face to face with Egyptian history, I was about to start reading when I heard someone clear her throat. "I beg your pardon my lady, but you need to be shown to your room immediately." I looked to the other side of the room and there stood the princess looking at me. I nodded at the maid as she led me through to my room. Lucky enough I did not see the two witches and their minion, but I did see different people, faces I had not seen at my finishing school.

Once the maid showed me to my room which was so big by the way. I had my own sitting area that was separated from my room with my bed and thank goodness I did not have to share a room with anyone. I moved to the window, I had a great view of the forests and beyond. 'If only I could just stretch a little more,' my hand would be able to reach the apple on the tree. "My lady." I was petrified and before I knew what was happening two hands grabbed me and pulled me back inside. The other set of hands went to closing the window.

I looked at the woman that held me back and walked to the window, my apple that I had struggled so much to get was in the hands of a man, he was feasting on it. "That would have been my apple you know I said as I crossed my hands on my chest."  " Sorry my lady but you looked like you were going to fall out." I raised my eyebrows ready to find the words I wanted to ask.

"My name is Lauren and this is Maeve, we are your maids specially assigned to you my lady." I looked at them. "Are you both -?"

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