ALEXANDRIA
The quiet click of my boots bounced off the stone walls around me as I made my way into the castle, leaving the new arrivals in the care of Cynthia. I had no idea how my handmaiden always found out so quickly about my newest additions, but it was appreciated. She was one of the few people in this castle that tolerated my presence beyond mere formalities, and her help made everything almost bearable. The corner of my mouth twitched at the thought that I was closer to my servants than my own blood, but it was true. The stone walls turned into open arches as I passed into the right-corner courtyard, the looming white spire in the center stretching far above while the spring surrounding it trickled softly. A tingle ran up my spine, as it always did when I saw the massive object, but I ignored it and pressed on. I had more important matters to attend to than admiring old relics. A left, then another left to enter the servants stairwells, where the chattering of servants echoed up and down the narrow length. I hiked my skirts up and began to ascend, the soft scuffing of my boots against the worn stone amplified by the small space. It smelled of bread and wet rocks, and it was far more preferable than taking the grand staircase. At least here, there were no foot servants standing at attention, averting their eyes as I walked by. The heavy footfalls of a male servant pricked my ears as I saw him come around a bend in front of me, slamming to a halt when he saw me as well. He flushed and lowered his gaze, stammering, "A-apologies, m'lady, I thought this was the uh- servant's, uh stairs," before beginning to back up.
I blinked in surprise, taking in his loose fitting uniform, the lanky build, and hunched shoulders. He might be around my age, or perhaps a bit younger. Ah- he must be a new servant. All the others knew they didn't have to keep up a pretense around me, or at the very least, they just bowed or curtsied and went on their way. "Wait," I said, dropping my hand from the wall as I stood to observe him. He fidgeted nervously, but stopped backing up. I almost wanted to laugh looking at him.
"What's your name, servant?" I asked, smiling a bit to stop him from shuffling his feet.
"Ph-Phillip, m'lady," he replied.
"What is your purpose, Phillip?"
"Well, now I'm runnin' for the kitchen, but I've also been t' laundry an' the carriages," he paused, then hastily added "M'lady."
I laughed. "You don't need to address me as such. I'm many things, but not a lady, not in this castle."
He blinked in confusion, probably wondering why the woman, cloaked in high tier magic and fine fabrics, was not a lady, but I brushed past him as I continued my way up the stairs before he could ask.
"Oh, and Phillip?" I called back, a few steps higher up.
"Yes m'- Yes?" he replied.
"Tell the kitchen to send three meals worth to the princess' rooms, if you will. I'm terribly hungry."
I turned around the bend before I could hear what came after his initial gasp of surprise at having faced down The Princess and lived to tell the tale, and I allowed myself a small smile. His surprise would soon turn to indifference, but it was rather fun to play around with my title when given the chance.
I didn't encounter any other servants in my trek, making it safely to the third floor where I emerged in the west wing. Although the first and second floors were complete, the third floor only consisted of an east and west wing on opposite sides. The only way to cross between them was to go outside and walk across the guard-walk, lined with cannons and archer's stations. I lived alone here, the dozen or so rooms only occupied by myself, Cynthia, and my wards, when I had them. Right now they were all empty, but I didn't mind. Just meant more time with myself and my thoughts. Right. Closing the door softly behind me, I started to the left towards my room when a sudden "Princess!" stopped me in my tracks.
