" The King's Luna " under revision

Chapter 3

Another day started at the palace. I quickly put on my work clothes – a clean white blouse, a black skirt, and a matching apron. I tied my hair back neatly and went to the dining hall for breakfast.

In the hall, I saw the familiar faces of the palace staff. They smiled and waved, happy to see me for another day of work. I walked over to the table where the other servants were sitting and joined them for breakfast.

We had eggs, toast, and freshly squeezed orange juice. While eating, we talked about our plans for the day and shared stories from our lives. I enjoyed hearing about the other servants' families and hobbies. Being part of the palace community felt good, and I appreciated the camaraderie.

After breakfast, I went to the main foyer to get my instructions from Mr. Smith, the head butler. I stood ready, prepared to do whatever task he gave me. I wanted to show that I could be a good and capable servant.

While waiting, I looked around at the grandeur of the foyer. The tall ceilings, shiny chandeliers, fancy marble floor, and pretty decorations made the place look really nice and royal. I felt proud and lucky to work in such a fancy place. I was determined to do my duties really well and pay attention to every detail.

Soon, Mr. Smith came over with some linens and a friendly smile.

"Aurelia, I have a task for you," he said. "Your job today is to clean the king's chambers."

"Yes, Mr. Smith," I said with a quick nod. "I'll do it right away."

With linens in hand, I walked up the grand staircase, lost in my thoughts.

Suddenly, I heard footsteps from above. I straightened up and prepared to greet whoever was coming.

To my surprise, it was the king himself, along with his advisor. My heart raced as I realized I was in the presence of the most powerful man in the kingdom. I curtsied deeply, bowing my head in respect.

"Good morning, Your Majesty," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

The king stopped and looked at me. "Good morning," he replied, his voice strong. "Oh, it's you, my lady?"

"Yes, Your Majesty," I said, still curtsying. "I was the one you spoke to in Nexus pack when you visited there last time."

The king nodded, remembering. "Ah, I remember you now," he said, a slight smile on his face. "You are the only human in the pack I remember."

I blushed at his words, surprised he remembered me. "Yes, Your Majesty," I replied, my eyes down.

The king moved closer, studying my face. "You have a strong spirit," he said, his voice softer. "I can sense it in you."

I swallowed nervously, feeling a shiver. "Thank you, Your Majesty," I said, almost whispering.

The king gave me a small smile. "You may rise, lady," he said, telling me to stand. "I look forward to seeing what you can bring to the palace."

Proud at his words, I also felt a bit nervous. I knew the king had a lot of power, and I didn't want to disappoint him.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," I replied, keeping it respectful.

The king turned to his advisor. "What do you think, my friend?" he asked, a bit amused. "Shall we make this lady our official palace greeter?"

The advisor chuckled. "I think that might be a bit much, Your Majesty," he said. "But she seems promising for our staff."

The king nodded, looking at me a bit longer before walking away. As I watched him go, I felt excited about serving an important figure but also a bit uneasy with the responsibility.

As I climbed the stairs, I admired the palace's grandeur. Beautiful paintings and fancy tapestries decorated the walls, and the shiny marble floors sparkled under the chandeliers. The air smelled of roses from the vases along the hallway.

Reaching the top of the stairs, I walked down a corridor with doors. This was the guest wing, where important visitors stayed. I approached one door and knocked softly.

Nervous, I took a deep breath and knocked. When there was no answer, I cautiously entered.

The king's room was messy, with an unmade bed and clothes scattered around. I felt sorry for him; he must be really busy.

Thinking about the king, I remembered stories about his bravery and leadership, but also his stubbornness and cold demeanor. I wondered what he was really like.

I went to the big bed, removing the old linens. Folding them neatly, I placed them in a basket and replaced them with fresh, crisp sheets. After hours of work, I finished and returned to Mr. Smith.

Reassigned to the kitchen, I joined the bustling activity, helping prepare the evening meal. Washing vegetables and chopping herbs, I spotted Lily, a friend I made earlier in the week.

"Lily!" I called, waving.

She smiled, "Aurelia, good to see you. How's your day?"

"Busy but good. We're getting ready for the special meal for the king," I said.

"Exciting, but we need to be extra careful," Lily stressed.

"I'm sure you'll do an amazing job," I reassured.

"Thanks, Aurelia. You're always positive," Lily said, smiling.

As we worked, time flew, and soon it was lunch. We headed to the servant's dining hall, enjoying each other's company.

In the kitchen, we prepared the meal with focus. Finally done, I was assigned to serve for the royal family.

Serving, the king asked, "How's your first day, My Lady?"

"Thank you, Your Highness. It's an adjustment, but I'm grateful," I replied.

"We're happy to have you. If you need anything, ask," the king offered.

"Thank you, Your Highness," I said, bowing. The queen asked my name and warmly welcomed me.

Leaving, I felt warmth from their kindness. It was a far cry from my past, and I was determined to make the most of this new opportunity.

During the meal, I overheard political discussions, trying to learn about the palace's inner workings.

The king spoke authoritatively, captivating everyone. As the sun set, I finished tasks and headed to my room. Exhausted but content, I lay on my cot. Despite the long day, I felt fulfilled, sensing a glimmer of hope for a life beyond serving others.