The Unexpected Crown

Nine

"So, Lady Corrine, tell us about your background." The man behind the camera questioned, looking only through the lens. Not once had he directly looked me in the eye. Strange.

"Well, I come from Angeles, I model at times, my father was an actor but is now a businessman and my mother was a singer and now stays at home. I love to dance and sing. Studying and reading is also a huge part of my life. I love horseback riding too." I state with a plastered smile, rambling off random facts about myself.

"Great! Well, Lady Corrine, what have you changed with your look?" He asks, face still in camera. His absolute refusal to look me in the eye is starting to worry me. Does my makeup look bad or is he shy?

"Not much has changed. I pride myself in my natural hair color, I love it's brown ringlets. I did however get it trimmed." My crossed legs and wide smile are wearing thin. Luckily, the cameraman is sensing my discomfort and wraps up the short interview.

As I rise out of my chair, Miss Jenkins glues herself to my side. To my dismay, I realize that we are about the same height; only about five foot three. I smile softer now at her ramblings, my wide smile from the interview still hurts and it takes everything within me not to make awkwardly stretching faces.

"Now Lady Jameston, I will personally show you and the other girls to your rooms. Now come this way." She waddles quickly to get to the door that leads us to a hallway. While her piercing voice rambles as to what we are to do next, step by step, I make my way over to London, Aurora, and Bianca. Luckily, we all seem to be getting along so far, and I haven't met anyone that could be completely mean. Erica sure is a candidate but I understand where she got upset.

We head in direction of the East Wing of the second floor and girls slowly leave the group to venture into their luxurious rooms. At this point, it's just London, myself, a girl named Paige, and a girl named Olive. To my joy, we all are left with the rooms at the end of the hallway. Far away from the commotion of the Palace.

I bid a short goodbye to the three girls and carefully open the white, heavy door. I chuckle in amazement at its beauty. Two large archway windows showing the gardens, a big chandelier hanging from the high ceilings, a four post bed with pure white sheets and a soft duvet, a desk near the window, and a matching white bureau too. A vanity lies in the corner and next to that are two large doors leading to a large bathroom and closet about the same size as mine back home.

As soon as I fling open the glass doors, three maids bustle in, chit-chatting to their hearts content. As the tallest one eyes me, she nudges the blonde next to her who gasps, grabbing the short brunet's attention. In graceful synchrony, they all curtesy together in my direction.

"Hello! It is lovely to meet you all. I'm Corrine Jameston." I announce loudly compared to the three girls who look as though they are about to be scolded.

"I apologize if we disturbed you Miss." The tall one replies quietly. I shake my head and laugh at their scared demeanor.

"I am not going to yell at you. You are free to talk as much as you'd like. Be yourselves, please. So many people are nervous and trust me, there is no need." I smile softly at them and I slowly see their rigid appearance fall.

"Thank you Miss. I'm Clover." The blonde who practically jumped out of her skin when she first saw me, said. She surprisingly oozes confidence and I know that we will quickly get along.

"Good afternoon Miss, I am Claire." The tall one with blonde hair introduces.

"Welcome Miss, I am Sarah." The smaller brunet practically whispers, obviously nervous, and I wonder as to who made her act so shy. Is the person in charge of maids cruel to them?