I see a small silhouette standing in front of the castle. The person waves at me to tell me to get closer. I attempt to walk faster, but my suitcase is heavy. As I come closer, I discover that it's a little woman probably in her sixties waiting for me. Her gray hair is styled in a low bun and she's wearing a maid uniform. I smile at her and she acknowledges me with a little nod.
"Hi, I'm Livia. I'm the new maid." I say with a professional tone.
It's my mom who found me this job. I'm not so thrilled about it but I really need money to pay for college. I took a few years off from school. My mom was so excited that I got hired. She thinks it's a great opportunity. I have to admit that I agree with her even if I know they didn't choose me for the new maid because I'm such a qualified person. No, they hired me because my mom knows the maid in charge.
"I know who you are. No time to waste, we have work to do." The gray haired woman shouts. I'm surprised by her harsh tone. I guess that I expected her to be friendly. I'm not here to make friends anyway.
She starts to walk towards the entrance and I try to follow with my heavy luggage. We get pass the large door, but we don't stop to enter the castle. I'm questioning where she is taking me.
"Aren't we getting in?" I ask the old lady. She turns around and laughs really hard. What in the world is so funny? Did I say or did anything wrong? I frown, trying to understand why she is like that. She doesn't seem like a person who likes to laugh.
"You are so naïve. You really thought that by applying for this job that you would become a princess? I'm simply telling you this, you are nothing here. You are just an employee and you do your work and shut up." Me a princess? I couldn't care less about the Royal family.
"I'm sorry. It was only a question." I add not saying what I really think. I don't want to make a bad first impression and I'd like to keep my job for at least a day.
"You keep your questions for yourself. Understood?" I nod. "We are not getting in by the Royal entrance. Next time, don't embarrass yourself." I roll my eyes at her annoying comments.
She leads me to another door on the side of the castle. She opens it and enters the place. The large wooden door is closing and I fight to keep it open with my big suitcase. She's a very helpful lady. My eyes scan the room. It's vast and crowded with maids, cookers, guards and many other staff. I'm overwhelmed to see how many people work for only a family and I'm not even seeing everyone. They all appear to be in a rush and no one is paying attention to me. I'm happy with that because I like to be low profile. I'm the kind of person who is constantly there, but invisible at the same time.
The old grumpy lady that I still don't know the name calls me from the end of a hallway. I speed up and join her.
"Here is your room. You can unpack and I will come to get you in ten. Be ready." She says before leaving me in the dark little bedroom.
It's a place for two with two single beds and an old dresser resting next to the wall. The only light coming into this room is from the small window between the beds. I open my suitcase and I fill the drawers with my personal clothes. I know that we have a uniform, but we must have days off. I turn around and notice that there's a uniform waiting for me on the bed. I change in a hurry knowing that the old woman will be back in no time.
A figure appears from the other side. A girl about my age with dark brown hair enters the room. She smiles when she sees me. She must be my roommate. I wave at her, hoping that she is nicer than the grumpy woman.
"Hi! It's so nice to meet you. You are the new maid right?" She demands.
"Yes, it's me. I'm Livia." I reply.
