𝐅𝐀𝐓𝐀𝐋 𝐀𝐓𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍; 𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐍

2

With a gentle smile and a lowered gaze, you turned to the prince and spoke softly. "My mother taught me how to make this drink, even though she works in the castle alongside me," you explained simply. The prince's curiosity was piqued.

"A maid who can make drinks eh?" he chuckled in disbelief. "What else has she taught you, peasant?" The word peasant stabbed at your heart, but you decided not to let such trivial things get to you. It was just a status and nothing more.

"Like any mother... she taught me basic things... cooking, baking. Although, baking is what I prefer..." you replied. The prince nodded in approval.

"I have a sweet tooth, so I'd love to have you as my personal maid. Your talent for serving is... impressive," he offered the position without hesitation. In just a few minutes, you had shown more promise than many of his servants had in their entire tenure. He waited for your response, hoping for a positive one.

"A personal maid?" you whispered, clasping your hands together as you cleaned the countertop with a wet rag. "It's a good position, your highness. I'd love to have it. I could try new recipes, right?" The prince nodded with a smile.

"It's a high-fashion job for a peasant like you," he grinned. "You have my permission to prepare anything you like, as long as it's... edible. Now, let's discuss your new position. A young lady like yourself making more money than the others around you... sounds endearing, yes?" You nodded, offering a small smile. "Very well! As my personal maid, you will be responsible for many tasks. Preparing meals, keeping my clothes clean, ensuring my room is tidy, and most importantly, assisting me with my personal needs. Running errands, managing my affairs, and joining me on private trips." At the thought of your new responsibilities, you let out a soft sigh. It almost seemed as though he wanted to keep you to himself, but you quickly dismissed such an idea.

"It sounds... enjoyable," you mustered up a response and smiled. The prince chuckled and nodded at your approval. A part of you felt as though you shouldn't have agreed so quickly, but better pay seemed... enjoyable.

"Excellent! Your personal duties will now begin. I will call upon you as needed, and the more tasks you complete accurately and to my satisfaction, the more rewards you will receive." With a smile and a curious raised eyebrow, he asked, "Is there anything you desire from me?" You looked at him with confusion, wondering why you would need anything from the prince himself. It sounded like a trap that anyone without a brain would fall for.

"Your Highness, I need nothing from you. I am grateful for the status you have appointed me. Such an offer is already a blessing." He let out a small chuckle at your reply. A mere peasant with no desire to ask anything from the prince was unheard of.

The prince gave you a skeptical look and asked, "Are you telling me the truth, peasant?"

"With great honesty, I am not a woman who lies, your grace," you replied. The prince let out a soft sigh and smiled proudly.

"Well then, that is quite impressive. I have many others who beg me for things they believe I can get them. You have surprised me greatly! I am proud to have you as my personal maid. Your work ethic, abilities, and humility are beyond what you are currently working as. You are worth so much more than whatever people may claim you are."

You thanked the prince for his kind words, and he continued to express his admiration. "I am not the type of person to lie or hide my true intentions. If I believe someone is deserving of high praise, then they will receive it. Has anyone ever told you what you are actually worth? Did your mother or someone else recognize that you are more capable than just being a mere maid? Surely, your parents must be very proud." His words felt like knives, and you looked down at the floor, clenching your fists behind your back while still maintaining a smile.

"Ah, so you're asking about the maid who raised me since childhood?" You inquired, the prince noticed the unusual nature of the question.

"Is she, not your birth mother?" the prince had finally asked.

"No, she's not my biological mother," you clarified, chuckling lightly. "I don't know who my birth parents are or where I come from, but it doesn't bother me too much. Though it does affect my perspective on family. In my opinion, family is crucial regardless of social status, Your Highness." Her words struck a chord within him, and he looked at her in silence. The cold demeanor he had kept for so many years felt like it was defrosting over an open flame— you were that flame.

"What a beautiful outlook," he finally said. You nodded in response and finally spoke.

"My past... childhood is quite hazy, truly all I can recall is the castle walls."

"I see. . ."

꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶꒦꒷

𑁍┊-TiredBunBun