The Key ♕

3

Sophie's Point of View

"Please wait here for a few minutes, Sophie. I'm going to ask the other lords for permission for you to work in the palace." Nathaniel said, sitting me down on a soft chair.

"Thank you, lord Nathaniel." I say. Just as he is about to go inside the meeting room, I grab the corner of his sleeve gently. He turns around with a confused expression. I quickly jerk my hand away after realizing what I had done. "Sorry about that, my lord. I just want to say that if the other lords do not allow me to work at the palace, please don't argue with them. I am not worth it."

Nathaniel smiles widely, highlighting every perfect feature on his face. My heart starts pounding rapidly again as he bends down to ruffle my hair. He simply turns around and enters the meeting room as I hear a faint murmur from his mouth.

I ogle blankly at the closed door, wondering what Nathaniel said under his breath. I take a seat on the chair outside the meeting room. I anxiously pick at the hem of my torn dress as I observe my surroundings. I don't belong here. Everything is so intricately crafted - it doesn't match my dirty appearance at all.

"The girl really needs a place to go. She's homeless." I barely hear Nathaniel's muffled voice through the heavy doors. "I'll keep an eye on her myself. I'll ask her to leave immediately if anything goes wrong."

Touched by his warm gesture, I smile to myself, silently thanking Nathaniel. He is truly a kind person. I'm so glad I met him. I take in the dazzling surrounding once again, but this time, I don't feel so out of place anymore. Nathaniel genuinely wants to help me, and I will work my hardest to repay his kindness.

After what seems like a few minutes, he walks out the meeting room with a bright smile on his face. I immediately stand up. "Sophie, good news. You can work at the palace."

"That's wonderful!" I gush, giving him my brightest smile. "Thank you so much, lord Nathaniel."

He returns the smile, making me blush once again. "I'm glad you can stay in the palace, too."

Crisp footsteps against the hard marble ground makes us both turn in the direction of the sound. A beautiful girl wearing an incredibly flamboyant dress walks towards us. She has long brunette locks and a pair of big hazel eyes. I gape at the way she walks with so much elegance.

"Good evening, Princess Alice." Nathaniel says, bowing. So she is a princess! I snap out of my daydream and immediately curtsy.

"Good evening, Nathaniel. How are you?" She says. Her voice is gentle and soothing.

"I am well, your Majesty."

"Who is this?" She asks, a curious expression forming on her perfect face.

"She is a new servant, your Majesty." I make eye contact with her for a split second and immediately avert my gaze to ground. She is too vibrant to handle. However, I bow my head as a symbol of respect.

"I see," she replies. I sneak another peak at the princess. Her mouth is pressed into a small smile; she looks even more beautiful like that.

"It was nice seeing you, princess. We should get going now." Nathaniel puts a hand on my back and leads me down the corridor. A mere touch like that makes my whole body burn.