Ambition - Official Story (WIP)

Chapter 4.

Nikki stirred, ears twitching and loosening as she sat up, rubbing her drowsy eyes.

Squinting, she crawled up to the edge of the bed and peered out the sheer white curtains.

There was some kind of light piercing through the window, though she doubted it was the sun. Her theory was correct, having blinked a few times at the sight, she watched among the galaxy surrounding the kingdom shine with interesting blue light.
The color was soothing, seeming to gently wake her brain up more.

Much better than the sunlight stabbing my eyes, she thought amusingly to herself.

With a grunt, she dragged herself out of bed. What time was it? Was there even any time here? Stretching her legs out, she let out a feral yawn, like a cat, rubbing her green tinted eyes. She threw on her clothes from yesterday, wondering if she'd be given some new clothes.
Don't be silly, of course, you'd get some new clothes.
She imagined strutting gracefully down the ballroom in a glorious white gown, like the ones every other girl wore there--but better.
Because she was special. She was a new guest. She wanted all the entitlement.

Though that seemed kinda rude.
But she still hoped for that dress.

Her ears danced, taking in all the new sounds as she walked out that bedroom door. All the creatures, seeming to already be awake and lively, surging down the halls and bedrooms. She held her head, wondering how they managed to be up so early and still as energetic as ever at this time of morning;
or... afternoon? Whatever time it was.

That wine really got to her head.

She cautiously watched them scurry around. They weren't too monstrous looking creatures, more hybrids of people with animal ears or wings.

The more menacing beats must work elsewhere in the castle.

She jumped a bit, feeling a light tap on her shoulder. She spun around to see a short girl standing before her, looking up. She had gray skin and large mouse ears that seemed too heavy for her small head. A thin black tail swished around excitedly behind her. She had little blue eyes and beautiful white hair pinned up in a neat bun.

"Good morning, miss! Did you sleep well? Were the mattresses up to par?" she questioned, hoping to get a positive response.

She had a thick southern accent with a nice ring to it.

With a forced but gentle smile, Nicole gave her the answers she wanted, "Yes ma'am, the beds are wonderful. Everything here is wonderful!".

The girl smiled back, only hers was a wider and more natural looking one. "I'm glad you've enjoyed it so far! Are you hungry? The king sent me to bring you to breakfast--that is, o-only if you're up for it. You could sleep in a bit or he could take you to see your wardrobe of new clothing waiting for you--".
Wait. Wardrobe? Forget about breakfast, I want to see the dresses!
She interrupted, now fully awake and excited. "--Wardrobe! I want to see my wardrobe, please!". The girl tensed at the sudden outburst of optimism from the blue-headed girl. Relaxing after a second, she laughed. "I see you've been admiring our attire? You've got some similar to ours. I'm sure yours is a bit more fancy, though."

Nikki turned to follow the girl close behind. She walked through the same halls Nikki had already been down before, through the throne room, into the corridor of the dining room to greet Steve, sitting in that same chair by the fireplace with a journal of some sort. He heard their footsteps, standing up and turning to meet them. Nicole felt a wave of nervousness entering his presence, standing behind the girl as she spoke with confidence. "Your Majesty, she's requested to see her wardrobe first. Would you like me to keep breakfast warm until you get back?" she asked, letting him decide what should be done next.

He nodded, speaking plainly, "Yes, keep it waiting and ready. I'll take her to the laundry room myself.", he looked back at Nikki, who only grinned back at him. "I want to see her reaction" he added with a muse.

They walked all the way to the back rooms, where some more matured looking creatures worked with laundry. All the feather dusters, rags, anything used for cleaning was also stored back there on tall shelves. When they saw him enter, they all immediately stood up straight, waiting for orders to be shouted from the king like usual. He glanced back at Nikki, before facing the room again and shouting in a strict, grimacing tone.
"5 minutes! Don't keep me waiting!".

The creatures, not looking too phased by this outburst, continued to work on whatever they were doing like they were told.
Nicole flinched, her ears dropping against her head. She hadn't heard his tone this harsh before, it scared her.

Cowering behind his wings without saying a word, she stayed silent but shaking. He stood watching over them for a moment with content, though her quietness caught his attention. He looked back at her and spoke quietly, as not to scare her again.
"Are you alright?",
"I'm fine.". Despite her words, he could see the conflicting emotions on her face.
Taking her trembling hands into his own, he knelt down to her level. He gave her a reassuring hand squeeze "It's okay. As the king, I'm supposed to be strict with orders". She gave him a reassuring coy grin. It wasn't himself that scared her, but the sudden loud noise sent her anxiety through the roof.
The girl with mouse ears in her frilly maid skirt scurried up to the two, holding a large stack of folded clean clothes balanced almost above her head. "Here are your clothes you ordered, sir," she spoke, "clean and ready to be worn!". Nikki peeked around his wing, grasping gently onto it like a scared child. Upon seeing the clothes, her anxiety was completely gone and she was already standing in front of Steve, taking them from the mouse as she handed them over. Happily turning around to try and balance the clothes as she walked, she thanked the maiden as they went on their way.

He took her back to her room, standing outside her closed door while she tried on the first outfit.
Stepping out cautiously, Nicole peeked left and right, making sure he was the only one there. "Well?" he asked.
She stepped further out of the doorway, exposing herself in a frilly, short black dress with a white lace trimming and a sewn-on white apron. Complete with long sheer black gloves with large bows at the rim. She stood in the door frame adjusting the white pleated headdress piece with large strings and dramatic ruffles.
Lightly blushing, she looked up at him, who only gazed back down at her, though she couldn't see that because of his covered eyes. "D-do I look okay..?" she muttered. "You look nice. Does it fit alright?".

She nodded, though the front was a bit revealing, she could manage it. Besides, she had other outfits to try on later.

"Your outfit is made of a special fabric that is easily washed and deflects dirt, so you'll stay clean as possible while you take upon your jobs" he stated with pride. Nikki nodded at his words. She didn't mind a little dirt, but she also didn't want her beautiful outfit being stained.

"Well, then. Go on and try on the others if you'd like. Return to me in your maiden outfit when you're finished and you will get your first orders then" he told her.

"Yes sir" she simply replied as he started opening his wings to fly away.
He stopped mid wing-flap and turned back to her for a moment.

"Oh. And from now on, when you are in maiden attire, you will call me your Highness or Master. Understand?"

"...Yes M-Master" she mumbled. He flashed what looked almost like a dangerous smile and he flew off. She gulped.

Something about him seemed a little off, but she couldn't put her finger on it.