Made to be a Queen

Chapter 1

Heartbeats, war, battles, and death echoed through the halls of Nightshade Castle from time to time. It was a land of opulence, adorned with gold and vibrant flowers. As a maid, I only caught glimpses of the grandeur, hearing stories of the queen and the prince. I often wondered why this place was called Nightshade when it gleamed like a radiant palace.

My existence revolved around their world. I was Maeve, without a last name or land, born and raised within these walls. They deemed me fit for a maid's role, but I never accepted that as my destiny. Deep down, I craved more yearned to partake in battles and wield a sword, inspired by the brave women I had witnessed. Alas, I was but a maid, devoid of respect and rights. I abided by their rules, fearing punishment that often-meant confinement in a cell. I had tested their patience in the past, but my mother's pleas had tamed my rebellious spirit. She loved me fiercely, and I couldn't bear to cause her more pain.

As for my father, he had perished in a battle—a fact my mother shared with me. So, each day, I readied myself for the routine ahead. I slipped into my customary dress, adorned my hair with care, and ensured my scent was pleasant. However, today, I was running late for the queen's breakfast. "Maeve!" my mother's voice rang out, a reminder of my impending duties.

As I hurried into the grand dining hall of Nightshade Castle, I couldn't help but feel a pang of trepidation. Once again, I had managed to be fashionably late for the queen's breakfast. Queen Morgana sat at the head of the table, her regal demeanor displaying a hint of annoyance. Prince Sebastian, dashing as ever, appeared equally irritated by my perpetual tardiness.

"Good morning, Your Highnesses," I greeted them, attempting a curtsy that turned into an awkward stumble. Their expressions remained stoic, their annoyance palpable.

Queen Morgana sighed, her voice tinged with exasperation. "Maeve, must you always be late? It's a breakfast, not a comedy show."

"Oh, forgive me, Your Highness," I replied, trying to hide my nervousness with a forced smile. "I just thought a touch of chaos would add some excitement to the morning routine."

Prince Sebastian looked at me as always from top to bottom and smiled, "Excitement is the last thing we need... since we had a fight with the Darkspire"

"Enough, you fought well, we still have so many lands to rule it's okay if they took one, the most important thing is for your sister to come here safely" The queen replied.

"Sister?" I thought to myself as I was putting the bread on the table.

In my haste, I accidentally knocked over a glass of water, drenching the prince's carefully ironed sleeve. His frustration was evident as he tried to dry himself off with a napkin, his irritation seeping through every gesture.

"Careful, Maeve! Can't you do anything without causing a mess?" the prince snapped, his voice tinged with annoyance, and stood up and went to the mirror to check himself, and all I can see is how he dressed so perfectly while his sword took place on his right wrist with always a small pocket knife just in case, I have always dreamt of dressing like him and be proud of protecting my land. And while I was checking him, he glanced at me, and I quickly removed my eyes from his.

"I apologize, Your Highness," I stammered, my cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "I suppose I have a knack for finding trouble wherever I go."

Queen Morgana watched the scene unfold, her patience clearly waning. "Maeve, we appreciate your enthusiasm, but please try to be more mindful of your surroundings. We do not need any additional chaos during our meals. You can go now... "

The moment I was going to leave Sebastian stopped me, "wait, I need you to fix up my room, it is a mess!"

"Forgive me for what I'm going to say but as a maid for the queen I can't do tasks for another am I from my queen?" I kept my head down.