Scandalous Prince

3

I wake by myself this morning. It's still cold, but I feel numb going into this new job today, my first job; one I don't want but cannot voice. Yesterday consisted of my mother taking me into town to find a new dress, it also included going to the shop of Delilah and Lileth's aunt. I was appreciative of the new dress just not the purpose it was to serve. I spent the good part of 2 hours being handed dress after dress, all the same. It had to be white mid length with a black pinny apron- I do not see what took them so long or why we couldn't stick with the first one. Another hour was spent looking for thick stockings and black slightly heeled shoes I would probably fall over in.

It's early, probably around 5 as I can hear Benny and Franky eating breakfast downstairs. I dress in this new uniform, which smells like the scented honey oils my mother washes the clothes with. I pull my hair into a bun knowing i'll need to keep it out of my face throughout the day. Once dressed I head downstairs in search for a quick breakfast as it'll take at least 40 minutes to walk up to the palace unless another is heading that way and I can secure a lift.

"Morning" My father kisses me on the head before sitting at the table, newspaper in one hand and coffee in the other. I mutter back a greeting and search for an apple to take with me. I find one at the bottom of the fruit bowl and shine it using my apron whilst watching everyone else eat breakfast.

"You look very smart" Benny jokes but I frown at him. "Are you excited? I bet the palace is fairly swanky" He shovels a pile of eggs into his mouth followed by some toast.

"Of course it'll be posh, dumb ass they sit on piles of money" Franky retorts

"Boys" Mother warns, they return to eating their food as mother stands walking over to me as I cut my apple chewing at slices. "Essie, you alright?"

I nod weakly, "Just nerves" she strokes my cheek and begins putting away the food. The boys finish and head out to begin salvaging what crops they can followed by my father. "I best get going." I smooth out the dress and apron, my calves slightly chilly but they should warn up once I start walking. Mother hugs me closely.

"Take care of yourself" She warns. As I leave the door creaks and i'm greeted with the quiet town and cold chill. I make my way towards town. I don't wish to take the back roads so early in the morning let alone when i'm alone. I'm hoping that someone in town will be heading the same way as me to save me the trouble of walking.

I always liked walking into town, but i'd grown too accustomed to it and it became too much of a routine thing. The problem of living in such a small town was that there was little change unless you moved else where or had children and became a good house wife. There were few jobs to choose from  and getting one at the Palace was very rare, from what I heard they preferred not to hire too many new people. Since I was a girl i'd always wondered what life would be like living in such a place as that, with such luxuries so easily perusable and available, having fancy silk dresses and grand banquets almost every night, drinking and dancing, laughing with no worries. Enjoying simple things such a riding a horse for fun and having freedom to do whatever.

When I reach the town centre, still in my own thoughts it's slightly louder. Businesses opening and stock being delivered ready for the day. Sal gives me a wave from the door of his store, I smile and wave back looking around for a cart heading up to the palace. I spot Ryan- a young florist loading a cart of fancy flowers.

"Ryan!" He looks up as I skip over. "Where are you heading with those?" I smile and flutter my eyelashes at him. We've known one another for years, he's a year older than me but we still made mud pies on the farm together and coloured the old shed half pink one summer.

"The same way as you it seems" He chuckles, "Hop on, i'll save you some walking. But keep and eye on my flowers or my mother will kill me"

"Of course, we don't want Patsy to bury the both of us" I joke but his mothers always been a scary woman. And she doesn't joke when it comes to her flower business. I sit among the various shades of lilac roses and ripe lillies. How they still manage to sell fresh flowers in the middle of winter it amazes me.

"So how are you Essie, I haven't seen you in a while. New job I guess" Ryan guides the horses up the wide path, large palace in the distance surrounded by the cool blue sky and clouds that reflect the snow on the floor.

"I've been well, just busy. My father argued with someone to get me this job. I don't really know" I shrug and neaten up the messy bouquets of flowers that Ryan has thrown together under his mothers orders. Just to keep my mind busy.

"Busy myself, I don't want to take over my mothers flower business; I have no clue what i'm doing" I know he's not kidding and I feel bad for him. We near the palace and the butterflies in my stomach grow, i've never done this before. What if I mess up. If I get fired on my first day my father will not be happy.

"I'm sure you'll be fine. She gives a lot of helpful criticism. You'll pick it up" My reassurance isn't too convincing but we continue to talk about things other than work. It made me realise how much I missed having close friends. Many of my friends from school had now grown up and moved away, some stayed and got married. I still haven't found the right guy and my mother continues to remind me of it almost every day.

The horses come to a stand still and Ryan dismounts from his seat, he offers his hand to help me down. The roads and pavements by the grounds have been cleared-obviously. I look up astounded at the sheer scale of the pale bricks built high, I'm surrounded by trees and bushes of various flowers, some flags fluttering in the breeze, it's like a whole different world up here and I'd be lying if I said I didn't like the scenery. I begin up the large amount of stairs to a huge oak door but Ryan calls out before I'm half way.

"What are you doing! You go round the back, quickly get off the steps." He runs up pulling me down to where I stand in society, my cheeks flush at my first mistake of the day- I'm not going to make it. I fill my head with self doubt as I obediently follow Ryan along the long and pebbly path to the side door which as expected is not as grand as the front one. "Good luck" His hand squeezes my shoulder, I thank him and knock lightly on the door. A stern faced woman opens up.

"Can I help you" She looks me up and down disapprovingly. Her greying hair is scraped back into a tight bun on top of her head, not a stray hair. Her eyes look black, is that even possible? She looks around mid fifties and a cold woman, not someone you could turn to for help- but thats just my first impression. 

"Hello, my name is Essie Hawthorne. I have an apprenticeship to become a housemaid" I smile but she doesn't return the kind gesture, my nerves only accelerate at this point.

"I'll have to go check with Mr Mormont. But I suppose you should wait inside, it is rather draft out there." I can tell already she doesn't like me. As we walk in she continues to talk, "My name is Mrs Smith, I am head of housekeeping. Once I sort out the paper work for you to sign with Mr Mormont we will discuss your duties and work hours. Does that sound appropriate?" 

Not like she intended it to be a question, but I choke out a "Yes" while trying to keep up with the instructions she was giving me, so I looked more professional. 

"Very well. Wait here please Miss Hawthorne" I nod my head and wait by a a kitchen table. This is a very large kitchen- almost the size of the downstairs in my house, with all that fancy food needed I suppose they need the space. They had all sorts of machinery i'd never seen before. I'd only been stood there perhaps for 5 minutes before a large amount of people in white clothes came rushing in banging pots around and retrieving food from cupboards; I suppose preparing a well cooked breakfast. 

I feel out of place as people rush around me, hoping Mrs Smith returns quickly.

"Everyone" The familiar sound of her clipped tone draws my attention and everyone else's in the room. "Meet our new housemaid Miss Hawthorne" at that point I am noticeable in the room and everyone welcomes me warmly. A girl who i'm assuming serves the food comes over tightly hugging me.

"What's your name? I'm Faye" She is warming and looks my age.

"Essie." 

"Well Essie, i'll look after you" Faye laughs and pushes me after Mrs Smith who's waiting in the doorway for me to follow, I thank Faye and hurry along after her. Perhaps it won't be as bad.