The King

With Death, May You Rest

Happy first chapter!!!!

My feet landed on the cold, damp rocks as I climbed out of the carriage, to, probably the worst decision I've ever made.

A young girl came rushing out, "can I help you with something ma'am?" She asked my mother, who was having issues getting our bags out of the carriage.

"Yes, that would be lovely, Dear," she said, smiling at the girl. I looked up at the castle that would now be my home for the time being. I looked through the window on the top floor...it was dark, but the curtains were open. There was a figure standing there, looking down at us. It sent shivers down my spine.

"Well, look who's arrived!" A skinny, short man with glasses and brown hair came poppy out of the big front doors of the castle. "I'm Kaolin...you must be Kara." He said offering his hand.

"Uh, yes...and that's my mother," I said, pointing to my mum.

"Of course," he said, smiling, "lets get you ladies settled in, shall we?" He led up up the steps.

"What about our bags?" My mother asked.

"Oh, someone will get those later," Kaolin answered.

"Oh, well that's dandy," my mothers smiled.

"So," Kaolin started, "this will be your living courters, is this okay?"

"Oh, of course," my mother said, "its lovely, right Kara?" She asked, I nodded.

"Amazing," I said.

"You'll all be assigned to serve someone of high power in the castle," Kaolin said.

"Who do you serve?" My mother asked.

"Oh, I'm not a servant, I'm like the second hand" he smiled.

"To who?" I asked.

"The king of course," he said, my eyes widened.

"You know the king?" I asked, he nodded.

"Since he was a little boy..." he said, leading us down another hall.

"This is the kitchen," he added, "I'm sure you'll be spending a lot of time here" he told my mum, she nodded.

"Of course, I love to cook," she said.

"And you..." he turned to me, "you will be spending a lot of time upstairs"

"Doing...what exactly?" I asked, he smiled.

"You'll be working for the king," he said.

"I- what?" I asked, surprised.

"You'll be the king's servant," he said, "would you like me to take you up there?"

"Uh...sure?" I said, a little hesitant, I've heard the rumours about him. King Edward...well to be honest, I heard he was a big dick. Didn't care about anyone...even his own kingdom, rumour has it that no ones even seen him leave his room since the passing of his father. He became hard and cold.

"Alright then, follow me," he said, leading me to a long staircase.

"So what's he like, the king?" I asked, Kaolin took a second to think before answering.

"He's...different, definitely not like he used to be" he said, quietly, like the king was listening in, "he changed. Doesn't act like himself anymore, not since his father passed, it was a great tragedy. King Edward has never been the same," he repeated, "but those rumours? I hear them around, not one bit of it is true."

That made me feel a little bit better, there's a lot of pressure when you find out you're going to be working for the king of England. Adding on the reputation he has, made it ten times worse.