Ransom

Unroyal

"This floor is so... Dirty." Rosalie grimaced in disgust.

"Well, it is my royal duty" I said curtly before wringing out the filthy rag.

"I don't know how you do this, especially for Me. We're practically family!"

"Best friends don't count as family rose" I sighed.

Rosalie doesn't understand why I do this job, she's a princess, she's never had to do dirty work her whole life.

" This is stupid cam, why can't you just let me help you? I can get you a nice wardrobe and a house-"

"Rose, we've been over this. I was born into a poor family. No matter what you do to help me, it won't change the fact that I am not royalty.. So I shouldn't pretend like I am."

She sighed flopping back onto the bed.

"I just wish things were easier for you ya know? You're my best friend... And basically a sister to me we're the same age for crying out loud! . My parents love you, I hate having you work for us, but I know it helps you out so.."

"I'm Nineteen, rose I can take care of myself."I tell her jokingly

"What time is it? " She asks ignoring me.

"Erm... It's like 4:17.." I told her looking at the massive clock hanging above her bed.

"Shoot, I'm supposed to meet my parents at 4:30 for tea!" She squealed.

"Then what are you waiting for? Shoo!" I giggled at her panicked expression.

"Ugh... But I don't wanna... Can I stay here and help you instead?"

I glared at her mockingly

"No , that's not a job suitable for a princess as beautiful as yourself." I said imitating her mother whenever she did something unladylike.

"Bite me" she smirked rolling her eyes before rushing off.

---

I sighed flopping back onto my bedroom mattress. After cleaning for eight hours I finally finished.

I had a decent sized room considering I was the maid. Closing my eyes I thought about the first time Rosalie and I met.

--

I was sitting in my favorite spot thinking

About my parents again. At the time I was 13, I had lost them due to a fire that had started in our stables. No one knew what had caused it and no one cared to find out since we weren't royalty. My grandparents took care of me and my brother, Levi, before he decided to fight in the war a year later. He was always angry after out parents' death not wanting anything to do with anybody, so he left.

"H-help somebody!" I heard splashing coming from the lake.

"Hello?" I called scared out of my mind

I saw her flailing her arms wildly trying to reach the edge of the grass.

Without a second thought I jumped in and pulled her towards the grass.

She gasped heavily, while I just stared at her.

"Erm... Are you okay?" I asked her after she had calmed down. I was a little worried considering I had swam in the lake plenty of times and I was pretty sure it was four feet deep at the most.

"Yes, thank you" she spoke finally, sitting up.

"I'm Camille." I said sheepishly.

She smiled, "I like you Camille."

She stood up and offered her hand to me

"I'm Rosalie"

"Like princess Rosalie?"

She sighed. " yeah princess Rosalie. but let's just forget I'm royalty Kay? I hate it, there are too many rules. I wanna be like You." she lightly pointed her finger at my chest.

"You want to be like me?" I asked baffled. Who on earth would want to be like me? And orphan, a commoner. a nobody.

"You get to be here whenever you want, correct ? You get to live

All I ever hear is 'Rose do this, no Rose don't do that,' blah blah blah." She complained.

"You don't want to be like me, I have no one. Except my grandparents." I whispered.

She stared at me for a moment.

"You're wrong Camille,"she said grabbing my hand. "You've got me now. I can tell we're going to be friends for a long time."

--

"Ding ding ding" I shot my eyes open, I must have fallen asleep. The gong sounded alerting me there was someone at the door.

I quickly ran to answer it almost running into the Peter who was carrying a hot tray of gravy.

"Oh sh- sorry Peter!" I yelped.

He scowled and continued walking.

I swung open the door "Hello sorry it took me so lo- ..."

"Erm, hello?" I said to the darkness.

Sighing I closed the door turning around to find Rose inches away from my face.

"AHHHHH! ROSE was that- oh my gosh you gave me a heart attack!" I growled at her.

She doubles over in laughter. Even snorting a bit.

"I'm sorry Cam, it's just too easy to scare you. you should have seen your face. She imitated my look of terror, and then Began to laugh again.

"Haha" I said sarcastically following her down the hall to her bedroom.

"So," she started shutting her door.

"We are leaving for the islands tomorrow. And my parents wanted me to tell you that your in charge." She stated.

"They want me in charge.. Of what ?"

"You know... The castle.." Keeping it clean and orderly. There will be guards around at night, so don't freak out."

"Just me , alone in a huge castle?" I scoffed. "For how long?"

"Pft, oh you know.. Only like a month.."

"A WHOLE MONTH- "

"Shh!" She scolded.

"A whole month? Geez Rose! That's a really long time." I whispered.

"You'd only be alone at night... "She shrugged.

"Dad's scribe will be here from dawn till dusk keeping up with the parchments that come in." She smiled sympathetically.

"I don't think-"

"He'll pay you 5 pounds a day." she sang.

She got me there and she knew it. How could I refuse? That could help me with my studies and getting a proper house.

I sighed. "Fine, just tell me what I need to do."