I can't say I do without you

Be his personal maid

King Lucien handed me a paper bag with shoes for Allerick, Blythe, and Mama's favorite brand of bag as I prepared to leave the palace.

"Don't tell Catina it came from me," he whispered as he patted my head. "Thank you for your help, Gemma, and I assure you I will find a way to cleanse Edward's name."

"I should be the one to say thank you because you will help my father and in exchange, I'll be the prince's personal maid."

"King Lucien, what do you mean by I would be the prince's personal maid?"

"That thought came to me when I saw how you responded to him, but what I said was true, Gemma. I'd want to hire, please help me, be prince Augustus' personal maid? This is a request, not a command." When King Lucien took my hand in his, I was surprised. "This king needs you, Gemma, and you need me as well. I will do all in my power to help Edward with his case. As long as you accept my offer, I will replace whatever they took from you."

One of King Lucien's drivers drove me home. From the window, I noticed mama arranging our belongings on her own. Before entering, I took a deep breath. "I'll do it, Mama." I forced her to sit on a couch while holding the box she was holding earlier. "Didn't I tell you to wait until I got home?"

"I couldn't do anything, so I mended things instead of waiting for you to come home," she explained. Mom notices the paper bag I was carrying. "Gemma, where did you get this?" she asked, peering into the paper bags.

"Uh, I bought it for Allerick, Blythe, and you." I handed the bag to her. "Did you love it?" I excitedly asked. However, she did not appear to be pleased with the present.

"Gemma, tell me the truth. Who gave you this? You don't have the money to afford such an expensive bag," she said, puzzled.

"I still have some cash. Mama, I bought a pair of shoes and a bag with my savings." I tried to persuade her it was from my own pocket.

"You're not telling the truth." She showed the royal logo to me. T-T-The logo! I forgot to take off the royal logo. "How about this logo tell me.... he handed it to you? Have you seen him?"

I gave a nod. "I met the king, and he was nice. How come you didn't tell us about King Lucien? Papa and him are good friends."

"That was in the past, Gemma; they haven't seen each other since they crowned him," mama paused. "Gemma, please return everything. You shouldn't have accepted this."

"But, mama... why? The king gave it to us and promised to help us cleanse Papa's name. He assured me that our lives would soon return to normal, so I accepted his offer."

"Offer?" she repeated. "What offer, Gemma?"

"To be his son Prince Augustus' personal maid," I replied.

"No, no, Gemma, you can't... that's too risky, there's a lot going on in the palace right now." She became terrified all of a sudden. "I'm your mother, Gemma, and I'm the one who will find a way to take back your father as well as our old life."

"I have no choice but to do it, even if I don't want to. But don't worry, since King Lucien has agreed to help you while I'm away, especially with Allerick and Blythe's studies." I grabbed Mama's hand in mine. "We lost everything, including my position as president of Amarillo, and, of course, it's still about papa."

Her face's expression changed. She felt pity for me all of a sudden. "Gemma," she caressed my cheek. "I can't believe they treated you like that. It also affects your presidency in Amarillo. Please forgive me, Gemma," tears spilled over the sides of her eyes. "F-Forgive me, Gemma..."

"Mama, no." I wiped her tears away with my hand. "It's not your fault, being school president isn't a big deal, anyway." I faked a smile. "Everything will return to where it used to be. I'll make sure of it. So, please allow me to work in the palace. We can't take Papa out of jail, no matter how hard we try. The evidence against him is too strong, and no one else can help us but King Lucien."

"No," she shook her head. "I'm sorry, but I'm not going to let it happen. Even your father will not agree to your decision, Gemma. You have no idea what you're getting yourself into."

"I don't understand why you refuse to accept the king's help. This will be helpful to us." I said, in an attempt to help her understand everything.

Mama gets up. "I told you no, Gemma! You're not leaving, you will not work with him, end of discussion!" she exclaimed as she walked away. Why, mama? Why are you refusing King Lucien's help when you know he's the only way to save Papa?

"I will accept your offer, Your Majesty, if you'd do everything in your power to help my family with this problem."

"Will you accept my offer if I say that I have a condition?" King Lucien queried. "You'll be living in the palace. You must serve him. Follow the prince wherever he goes. I'll transfer you to the prince's school. Gemma, keep an eye on him. Tell me what he does, where he goes, and those people around him. But you may not visit or see your family even once."

"Not even once?" I repeated.

"Yes," he said, nodding. "Forgive me, Gemma, but it's for you and your family's protection, so will you still accept my offer?"

Although I couldn't see mama, Allerick, or Blythe, I accepted the king's offer without hesitation. "I-I'll accept, King Lucien." I lowered my head.

I was ready to fall asleep when the phone rang. When I unlocked my phone, Mishelley's name popped up on the screen.

MISHELLEY'S CALLING...

"Wait, what happened to you? There were no phone calls or texts. Do you realize how anxious Abel and I were about you, especially when Tara's demonic gangs said you were hit by a car?" Mishelley said over the phone.

"Calm down, Mishe, I'm OK, you have nothing to be worried about."

"Are you sure?

"Yeah, I'm positively sure."

"I'm glad you're okay."

"So, tell me, what happens after I flee?"

"Ms. Claudia caught us and informed Mr. Jang. He called us to his office, and then..."

"Then what?"

"Abel and I were suspended for a week. Tara and her gangs made it through, and then you... they kicked you out of Amarillo. Sorry, Gemma, Abel, and I tried everything we could to save you from being expelled."

"It's OK, Mishe; I expected it."

"But how about you? What will happen next?"

"Don't worry, I''ll be moving soon. It's a bit far, but it's good, and much better in Amarillo. Their dorm room is also free, so I can stay there." Mishelley's sobs could be heard over the phone. "Don't worry, I heard there are a lot of hot boys at that school. If I meet someone who is your type, I could consider introducing you to him."

"Are you serious?"

"Hmm-mm, Mishe, please keep out of trouble. I'm no longer Amarillo's school president. I can no longer help you with your fights, and no one will beg Mr. Jang not to suspend you."

"Copy, ex-president. Don't worry, we'll figure out a way to get rid of Tara and replace her with Abel."

"I will miss you, Mishe."

"I'll miss you too, Gem. Abel and I will look after your mom, Blythe, and Allerick when you are away."

"Thank you so much, Mishe. Please tell Abel that I am fine."

"Okay, I'll tell Abel."