The broken queen

3

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"Your Highness," a woman knocked on the door softly before entering Irisa's new chamber. Irisa sat up on the bed rubbing her eyes, she had found it difficult to get good sleep not after everything that had happened to them.

"Come in," she said and the woman that was peeking pushed the door wider for the other girls to enter the room. Nancy was still fast asleep, it was quite early in the morning and Irisa was not accustomed to waking up that early but her bad night had allowed her only a few hours of sleep.

The night was long, she waited for Aaron for so long but he did not visit her, she did not want to worry too much. She understood that he had a lot to do, and taking over the whole palace and country was not an easy task. The late emperor had given her all works and duties that the Empress dowager held, she knew she had a lot of work to do.

The maids fell to their knees and bowed ceremoniously to her, "Good morning crown princess," Irisa was used to courtesy and respect from her inferior but not this much. The care and respect she had gotten in the last twelve hours were much more than anyone she had gotten all her life.

"Rise," she said sniffing, she held the soft quilt as the maids found their way back to their feet, they placed each hand softly on the other showing that they were trained and knew how to act.

"I am Ivanna, the palace housekeeper and I was commanded by the crown prince to bring you your maids," Irisa looked around surprised.

Personal maids? They were around nineteen if not more girls there, standing with their heads bowed, no one dared looked up at the present crown princess, fearing the repercussion.

"Personal maids?" she asked looking at Ivanna sceptically, "yes your Highness, are they not enough we will bring you more, if you please" Irisa shook her head.

"No! No! This is now than enough," she said looking around at the maids, "wow," she said softly.

"May I continue your highness?" Irisa nodded looking back at Ivanna, "Well, the physician is to arrive soon, we are asked to prepare you for his visit, additionally to clean and decorate your chambers to your taste, funds have been released as per his highness's request and whatever you desire will be added or removed from the room.

Furthermore, these maids are here to serve you from now on, you can inform me when their actions have displeased you and I will make sure to punish them accordingly. The prince also requested your presence in the dining hall after the physician's visit he said you could go through your duties and role as the new Empress of Kaley."

Irisa nodded understanding, she almost regretted not getting enough sleep, she knew the day was going to be long but with her morning that filled she would not have the time to even pay attention to Nancy's health.

"Help me get ready," she pulled the quilt off her body and the maids rushed into action, she helped when they surrounded her surprised by their actions, "what are you doing?" she asked a little agitated. They fell to their knees bowing fearing for their lives, "we apologize for your Highness, we just wanted to help you get ready," Irisa looked at the girl that had just spoken.

She looked to be around Irisa's age, very young and sweet, Irisa looked back to Ivanna that was smirking at them, "I will replace them your Highness and punish them appropriately."

Irisa frowned, "replace them? What are you talking about? Why are you all acting so strange?"

"We... We are sorry your highness! We apologize!" Irisa became more confused by their panicked voice, "apologies? You have done nothing to me, get off the floor," she said looking around the room, the maids reluctantly got off the floor, looking between themselves.