"Come in" I call from inside my closet. I hear my bedroom door open and then soft footsteps approaching the closet. A cheerful Milly walks in.
" Oh lady Chloe, you've done a marvelous job in here. I didn't think a lady of your-" she stops mid sentence, red in the face and looking mortified with herself.
" I'm so sorry, I-I didn't .......... I mean I-I didn't men to speak so above my level......... I only meant that-"
" It's fine". I interrupt her frightened apology. " You didn' t think a lad of my class would know how to unpack and put away her things so tidily".
" Miss Chloe, I didn't mean any disrespect.........I just well I thought-" she breaks off unsure of how to finish.
" you thought that a lady of my status wouldn't be able to do things for herself" I finish for her.
" I on -" I cut her off again.
" Milly, really. It's fine, you can stop apologising, I was in-no way offended, but i can assure you that despite my prestigious upbringing, I know how to take care of myself".
She lowers her head slightly. " Yes ma' am".
I sigh, a little irritated " Milly, please. I'm only eighteen, enough of this lady and ma'am. It's just Chloe, okay.
She lifts her head up at that, smiling timidly. " Yes.......Chloe".
" Much better" i say smiling back to reassure her.
Placing my now empty suitcases in the back of the room, I turn around to see Milly feeling one of my dresses.
" This is s beautiful dress, have you decided what you will be wearing tonight, Lady C- ah......Chloe".
Ah yes the party. I had almost forgotten.
" I haven't given it any thought. There will be something in here that Will do" I reply unfazed.
She begins to pull out and examine a few dresses, considering.
" You know what Milly, why don't you choose something for me. while I take a shower".
She looks up at me, face bright. " Okay, I was thinking something of a green colour , really bring out the gold in your hair.
" um... sure okay". I walk in to the bathroom unsure whether I just made the right decision, I am in no mood to play dress up the princess. Although I'm not the princess........yet.
...........................Later
Aside from being one of my sisters closest friend, Charlotte Montgomery was Mareesia De Luca's -King Leonardo's widowed mother- personal maid. She is in a closer contact to my fiance than I ever have been.
Charlotte cleared her throat. " He said he would be here this evening".
There was an awkward silence.
" He did" I replied casually. Which means the remainder of the evening will follow a well -worn path: Marco will arrive, everyone will look at him, then they will look at me. And then he will approach me, we will share a few minutes of a polite conversation, he will ask me to dance and I will accept. Then he will kiss my hand and depart.
His duty complete for the evening.
" You don't seem so thrilled to see him" Charlotte remarked.
I sigh. " I enjoy myself better when he stays away"
" he's actually rather sweet once you get to know him" Charlotte says fondly.
sweet I had seen him smile maybe twice, neither directed at me may I add.
