TWISTED

7: The Palace

"I think I might love my short stay here." Ella spoke to Ben as they walked up to the palace walls. She took his hand in hers and squeezed his fingers in a friendly manner.

"Even though it's just as a maid?" Ben asked.

Ella nodded. "Yes."

"Don't forget the plans. There's another ball coming and I have a strong belief that your stepfather would want to seize the opportunity to do his evil deeds. Make sure you get a few people on your side."

"I will not fail the kingdom."

Ben smiled and released her hand when they approached the first set of guards.

"What's your business here?" One of them who happened to be the tallest blocked them from walking further.

"This fair lady here got a job here at the palace." Benjamin said, preventing himself from smiling at Ella who hid behind him, probably scared of the man's stature.

"Show your face!" The man barked at Ella who timidly left Ben's back.

"What's your name?" The guard demanded, looking her over.

"Ella Hastings." Her voice sounded like the squeak of a mouse and she hated it.

"I'll have to confirm the veracity of your words from the Head of Employment."

The guard stole a glance at Ella and whispered something in his colleague's ear. The other guard nodded and marched away.

"Will you be okay?" Ben spoke softly. He didn't expect Ella to catch his words. But being an ardent listener, she did.

"I'll be fine Ben."

Their eyes snapped to the other guard who just returned.

"You have been verified. You may follow me." The young guard spoke, his eyes flicked to Ella who nodded.

As she turned to leave with the guard, Ben held her arm.

"Stay safe."

Ella noticed the way his eyes lost their usual gleam. He surely was unhappy about her leaving.

"I will." Ella gave him a weak smile and turned again to face the task awaiting her.

~~~•••~~~

"You'll be assigned to the passages connecting the royal bedrooms." Mrs Myra, the head of the maids told Ella as they took a small trip around the palace.

The palace looked small from the outside but the insides were totally different. There was so much to it than meets the eyes. Ella had been shown to the garden or rather gardens. The first one was the general garden where sometimes some events were hosted. According to Myra, when the present king and queen got married, the party after their wedding took place in the garden.

The other garden belonged strictly to the royal family. It was their private affair. Every other person was prohibited from going there.

Myra also showed her the kitchen where Ella met with the staff. She was introduced to Pierre, Bat, Percy, Salome, Catherine, Joseph, Grace and Victoria. They all welcomed her with genuine smiles, well, apart from Bat who appeared to have a permanent frown on his face. Ella wondered why he bore such a silly name.

After the long tour ended, Ella was shown to the maids' quarter where she was assigned to a room she shared with six other maids. It was large enough so she didn't mind it at all. Besides, it was much better than the room she stayed in back at home.

When Myra finally left her alone, Ella sat down on her bed and felt the sheets around it. The sheets were blue unlike the others which were white. She wondered why hers was dissimilar to theirs.