Penniless Red | Red Queen Fanfiction

4.

     Prince Daraeus and Alexandret were the ones who had come from Piedmont. She was able to see them walking though the halls, their polished skin and elegant style made them seem like part of the castle. She didn't wait around. Including her service during the feast Emmie also had to help prepare the ballroom.

     "Who even needs a ballroom this large anyway?" Ferre mumbled as she arrived with a box full of silver cutlery.

     "Apparently House Calore," Emmie answered as she grabbed the smaller boxes inside which held the utensils Maven and his advisors would be using. Their table was already set up, the only thing missing was the silverware. They had been preparing since lunch and they were still missing some of the tables for the High Houses. Slowly Reds went entering the ballroom with more tables and Emmie and Ferre among many others went around putting down the silverware and everything else needed for the feast.

     Once they finished they were given the task of cleaning the marble floor. And of course, since the Silvers had picked marble, the kind of stone where every spot was visible, it took them a while to finish cleaning the whole ballroom floor. They finished an hour and a half before the feast would begin and were driven away to their rooms to clean. Emmie washed quickly and put on the uniform Dewn had given her the first day before drying her hair. She went rushing back to the entrance of the ballroom. She entered and saw the Reds being lined up. She quickly went over and was handed a tray.

     "You will be serving Maven's table along with Ferre and Era," the woman said. "You'll serve the initial drinks for everyone at that table and will then stand by Maven's left. Ferre will be opposite of you and Era will be at Maven's right," she added. Emmie nodded. Of course she wouldn't really be at Maven's left, she would be far behind his cold throne but close enough to hear if he asked for anything. They practiced their rounds, just like at the other celebration. The woman in charge was on Emmie's, Ferre's and Era's backs more than everyone else. Ferre was the first to pick up the routine and Emmie followed right after, Era earning third place. It seems they had been chosen specifically out of the other Reds and some High Houses had asked for their favorites around their tables.

     They went through the routine multiple times and eventually the Reds were ushered to one side as the Silvers slipped in. Maven and the princes were some of the first. Evangeline and Mare joined promptly although Emmie doubted Mare even wanted to be here. The man she had seen around a few times with the gray hair and eyes entered as well. The other High Houses went walking into the hall behind them, a small chatter already spreading through the room.

     Emmie caught Mare looking up at the ceiling and she glanced at it herself before turning her gaze back down. The woman called for Emmie, Ferre and Era. She noticed most of the Silvers were already sitting down, Maven talking with the princes of Piedmont. The three of them went over to the long table. Emmie quickly went serving the princes of Piedmont and their guests. Emmie eventually reached Maven and bowed her head as she lifted her tray.

     He waved her off and Emmie glanced up to make sure he didn't want anything. His eyes were already on her, almost as if expecting her to look up. Emmie curtsied before leaving to join Era behind the throne. The two of them were called sometimes by the princes to collect empty glasses and plates. Emmie was returning to her position, two empty champagne glasses on her tray, when she saw a small bullet pass by Mare, barely grazing her cheek. One second later Evangeline was on her feet, the bullet floating in front of her. The next second it was flying back to where it had come along with metal pieces from Evangeline's dress. House Iral jumped out of their seats along with members of House Laris and Haven. Sentinels flocked around the king and other Silvers stood to defend themselves. Magnetrons helped Evangeline throw shards of metal at the attacking houses.