Unmasked

Chapter 32

-unedited-

Chapter 32:

It's been almost seven days since I last seen him, I've never felt lonely like this before.

Yes I've been lonely but for some reason, this was different.

I missed him.

I missed my Prince.

Maybe I should have stayed...

"Mary you've been dazing off all day!" Mariah comes over and takes the basket of clothes from my hands, today I was doing laundry.

It was mostly an outdoor room, with sorted dirty clothes in baskets at one end, women hand-washing the clothes in the other, outside.

"Oh!" I rush over to get the other basket. Focus.

"If you're not feeling well, you can always-" she beings, looking me.

"No, no! I'm fine," I smile at her and focus back on my work.

"Maybe she's missing her playmate, aye?" One of the older maids washing the clothes comments.

"You'd think she'd be sore by now," another younger maid giggles.

"It's not like that!" I shriek, feeling my face turning hot as I quickly hand Mariah the next basket.

They only laugh in response.

"They're only teasing you, don't worry about it," Mariah later comes at my side to pick up the next one.

I stay quiet, still feeling the warmth in my cheeks. Was it really that normal?

"Maybe she should go back to picking up the laundry," one of the maids suggested, "she seemed for comfortable with that."

I quickly look down.

"Oh look at her, she's as red as a tomato!" They laugh.

Out of the corner of my eye I catch Mariah giggling as well.

"Are you laughing, too?" I asked, clear shock in my voice.

"But your face is red!" She explains between her laughter, I can't help but touch my face at that. I can feel the heat on my face.

"If you want, you can go sweep the carpet of the hallways inside," she offers as soon as she calms down.

"Downstairs!"

"Only the downstairs!"

Mariah sighs.

"The west hallways." She adds on.

"Okay," I stand, leaving the basket were I stood, and made my way towards the back entrance, feeling their stares as I do.

When I come in I make my way to the small storage closet, where all brooms are kept.

So many people know about us but they're maids.

I take one and make my way to the west wing. It seems full at first, with many other maids cleaning, but it seems to get empty as I walk.

It's not the same as the king... or other nobles.

The castle itself seems so large, considering everywhere I've been so far, hasn't even covered half the area. I've never been to the west wing. Perhaps the family, servants included, is too small.

Why am I so afraid?

The hall is completely empty once I reach it.