Traitorous Troubles

Part 2: The Next Day

Today, when I arrived at the Prince's room there was only a single note, lying on his bed like forgotten notes students leave behind after class is over. Gently, I picked it up being careful of its leaf-like fragileness.
'Maid,
I have gone to talk to the the housekeeper, to tell her you will only be cleaning my room once this week on friday and that you will live as a lady's maid over at the Duke's house. At the start of each week I will give you a task and you will have to gather as much info as possible and then give me a report at the end of the week. This week's task is to become trusted by the Duchess, and figure out the duke's schedule.'
Shocked, I released the letter and fell to my knees, I was beginning to think that maybe I should have been thrown in the moat, I mean, I am a pretty good swimmer. Too late now though, the only way to go was forward and hope I survive.
When the horse-drawn carriage pulled to a stop, I had to bite back a gasp, this place could fit fifty houses my size, even though my house was only a kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom it was still ginormous. The estate is huge, the size of a mountain! The gardeners out front were trimming the bushes into perfect squares, and there were pink petunias surrounding the whole house. As I walked up the marble staircase, I felt dwarfed by the intricately carved pillars that looked as if they belonged on an ancient Greek historical sight.
I pulled out my three uniforms from the small ratty dufflebag that Ms. Imua gave me before I left. After that I laid down on my mattress, which was about as comfortable as a if you were sleeping on a giant piece of toast. Sleep finally pulled me into its grasp as I let my thoughts about the mission drift away.

---

I've been here for two days already and today was the first day that I was interacting with Duchess D'Angouleme. The other days I was stuck cleaning dusty, old guest rooms that looked as though they never saw an actual living person. Today I guess I had finally proved worthy to the head housekeeper to serve the Duchess.

"Now you listen here girly if you mess this up I'll poor scalding tea down your back and throw you in a pit of mud, understood?" barked the gnarly old housekeeper.

    "Yes, Ma'am." I answered before taking the tray of tea and biscuits. I slipped out into the hallway,  careful not to spill even a drop of the tea.

---

    When I reached the massive wooden doors of the sitting room, I took a second to admire the pictures carved upon the door. There are deers grazing in meadows with goblins swinging on vines, oceans with mermaids swimming along exotic fish, and forests of mushrooms with fairies lounging on the tops. It was beautiful and if I weren't a maid I would have inquired upon who had made it.
    
       Knocking, I waited until I heard a muffled yes before entering the large sitting room. I quickly set down the tray before inquiring, "Duchess, may I be of any more service to you?"

     The Duchess just looked up at me with scrutinizing eyes, "No, maid just stand in the back corner and don't bother me again." She sneered.

    Swiftly, I slipped to the back corner pretending to not pay attention when in reality I was all ears.

    They were talking in whispers, so I only heard snippets of the conversation.

"...cheating on you..."

"...never he is just handling business..."

"...eyes, he's been gone for months."

"...home next week..."

At the last part I jerked up realizing if what I heard was correct the Duke D'Angouleme would be returning next week.

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This is my first story on Wattpad so I'm sorry if the chapters aren't very long . But I am planning on having at least 5 chapters on this story. I am open to constructive criticism so don't be shy😉.

You guys can call me whatever nickname you want, but if anyone wants to know my name if Grace😊