A Kiss Never Changed

Chapter 𝐼𝐼𝐼

- 1817 

I swept and swept. My hands clutched against the broom, and a cheap cloth hung around my body.

I felt dirty and was, the last time I took a shower I don't remember. I'm only allowed during essential meetings, something about war with the Indians.

I only knew the basics of the language, I was never supposed to learn it, but my mother - when she had the time or had her one day off for Sunday - tried to teach me the words of God which helped me understand most common phrases. This brought many difficulties since I was, not only black, which was shamed, but I was also a woman. I was of such minorities and had no respect from anyone.

I'd been groped, called names I couldn't quite get the meaning of and spat on. I was forced to work like a dog, day and night, and only a few hours of sleep was necessary for us. My hair was thin from the stress. A mixture of everything happening either way too quickly or too fast for me even to consider what happened.

There were very few of us in the castle. It was no surprise, the blacks didn't deserve proper housing, they deserved less than the poor and the poorer. They deserved nothing. Some of us were lucky to stay, others prayed for the chance to stay in the stables with the horses that seemed to snicker at the ones staying there. 

The only exciting part of my day was seeing the princess. Lady Britannia Fitzger. Blonde hair that went down to her mid back shined underneath the newly created chandeliers. The first huge light was turned on with many candles and was blown out by the people before me. Now it's Nicholas' job to do it since the women weren't "Strong enough." The riches' bragged about power above the poor and the poorer. But why..? I thought.

She was magnificent. Her green eyes were piercing every time I had the pleasure of seeing them. I never knew a woman could be so beautiful. The first time I saw her was when I was first forced away from my mother. I was apparently not being "Productive enough" as the ugly white guy with the receding hairline told the King and Queen. No... I denied.

She was standing atop the long stairs. Her right arm was perched against the railing, her left hand supporting her head. Hair dangled in front of her face, enchanting her features more. I had frozen in my steps, staring at her with my jaw subtly agape just enough for her to notice I suppose since she smiled at me. Why are you looking?! I cursed.

I could tell she tried to hide it. She covered her mouth and elegantly walked up the steps to what I guessed was her room. I always wondered what it would look like. What it would smell like, maybe lavender? Stop it. That was my last warning.

Today, I wait as a sweep. Britannia hasn't shown up yet, maybe she's busy? She's always busy doing something important or interesting. Either having a conversation with her mother about the men that seem to pollute the massive house, or how she should be able to get a cat. Odd. 

Nicholas walked by and joined me, sweeping farther away, closer to the dining room. There was a dinner happening that evening so most of us were busy taking care of the downstairs. My goal was to finish early and be able to sneak a peak at the upstairs and feign confusion when scolded for being in the living quarters. If I were lucky they would let me sweep the second floor and some of the guest rooms. 

It was always fun to explore different parts of the house. Considering only the top-tier workers helped the royals.

I was the lowest of the lowest being new. I think men had it worse because how women tend to do most of the housework and they mostly do the manual labour. Not just sweeping, or dishes.

That's when she walked in. All eyes turned to her arrival. Her dress went down to her ankles. White socks that must've gone close to her knee and little black shoes. Her dress was greenish, it matched her eyes.