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Chapter Three
Emilie
When I woke up the next day, I could see a single strip of light peeking through my violet drapes. I rolled over and hid my face. The bed was too soft and warm to get out of. I could’ve laid there forever, but a knock on the door interrupted my lazy morning.
“Come in,” I grunted loud enough for them to hear. Then I cursed when I remembered I had locked the door last night before falling asleep.
But somehow it opened anyway, and a young woman entered. She looked like she was about my age, with shiny black hair slicked back into a braid. She wore a simple green dress that cinched at the waist, showing off her slender figure. “Good morning, Miss Duval.”
“Please, call me Emilie.”
“Emilie, it is then. I brought you coffee and a pastry. I brought cream and sugar as well. I wasn’t sure how you take your coffee.”
“Thank you…” I hesitated.
“Oh, forgive me. I’m Marjorie, your handmaid.”
“Thank you, Marjorie.” I paused and considered the locked door. “How did you get in?”
“What do you mean?”
“I could’ve sworn I locked that door last night.”
“Oh.” She waved a dismissive hand in my direction. “The door is enchanted for me. As your handmaiden, I can always get in. Don’t worry, I always knock first.”
Odd. I wasn’t sure I liked that.
“Does anyone else have a free pass to my room?” I questioned.
“Cyrus, of course. And then Sophia and Ladon.”
There was a look of horror on my face which Marjorie immediately tried to placate.
“The entire royal family can gain access to any room at any time. It’s how the castle was built. It’s enchanted to the bloodline, including spouses. In fact, once you’re queen, you can also enter any room you’d like.”
She said it like I should’ve been excited to meander the castle at my will, but all I could think about was the lack of privacy and the possibility that Ladon might come to confront me in the middle of the night. I still wasn’t sure what his deal was, but I’d probably find out soon enough. Or not. Maybe the whole disgruntled fiend act was just his entire personality.
I sat up in my bed, and I didn't bother to cover up. My nightgown was thin, and it was a bit cold in my room, but Marjorie paid me no mind. Part of her duties would be helping me to get ready, so we might as well get comfortable.
“Did you get all of your things unpacked?” Marjorie looked to the corner of my room and found all my trunks, hardly touched and still packed to the brim. “Oh, if you need some help, I’d be happy to assist.”
“That’s okay. I’m more than capable of sorting everything out.” It felt unkind to make Marjorie unpack all of my clutter. I had insisted on bringing it, so I would be the one to take care of it.
I poured some sweet cream into my coffee and bit into the flaky, triangular pastry. To my surprise, it was filled with fruity gelatin. Citrus, if I had to guess. But there was something red mixed inside as well.
“What is this filling?” I asked.
“Orange and raspberry jam.”
“It’s delicious,” I moaned and Marjorie chuckled.
“I’m glad you enjoy it.”
“Can I get more of these?”
Majorie laughed again. “I’m afraid not. Cyrus has breakfast planned. You should actually get dressed now or we’ll be late.”
I finished the pastry and my coffee and searched through one of the trunks that I was sure I’d shoved my clothing into. Everything was a disaster though, and I struggled to find something I actually wanted to wear. I settled on some soft and lightweight blue pants and a black sleeveless top. Thankfully, I didn’t have to look far to find matching black sandals.
