Chapter 45: The Headmaid.
Meanwhile, The world outside their chambers seemed far away. It was different there because the maids were there knocking endlessly.
Alaric heard the knock too, of course, his keen ears always attuned to the sounds of the castle. But he ignored it, his jaw tightening with impatience. He wanted no disturbance. Not now. Not when he finally had time with his wife.
’They’ll leave,’he thought darkly.
Outside, the three maids stood, glancing between each other as the silence dragged on.
Priscilla huffed, crossing her arms over her chest. "This is outrageous! We’ve been knocking for far too long," she snapped, her tone sharp. "What could they possibly be doing? They must know we’re out here!"
Sarah, the youngest of the group, blushed at Priscilla’s implications. "They’re newlyweds, Priscilla. Let them be. It’s only natural they need time to... you know, get to know each other," she said softly, her cheeks tinged with pink. She cast a quick glance at the door, a secret smile tugging at her lips. "It’s sweet, really."
Emma, standing awkwardly between the two, shifted her weight from one foot to the other. "Shouldn’t we wait a little longer?" she asked, her voice hesitant. "Maybe they’re... still resting?"
Priscilla’s eyes flashed with annoyance. "Resting? Hardly! They’re just being difficult. I’m going to report this to the head maiden. We can’t have a princess who thinks she can ignore the staff whenever she pleases!"
With that, Priscilla turned on her heel and stormed down the hallway, her steps quick and purposeful. Emma and Sarah exchanged worried glances before hurrying after her, their skirts rustling as they followed her through the winding corridors of the castle.
The castle was alive with morning activity. Guards stood at attention at every corner, their armor gleaming in the soft daylight. Sarah, still flushed from earlier, couldn’t help but glance shyly at one of the younger knights standing near the entrance to the gardens. His broad shoulders and strong jaw made her heart flutter, and when their eyes met, she quickly looked away, her face burning.
Emma noticed and giggled quietly. "You’re as red as a rose, Sarah."