Chapter 20: The Queen
Rose didn’t see him walk into the courtyard, and it wasn’t until he spoke that she noticed his presence. "Her Royal Majesty, Queen Violeta Ravenor."
Rose thought it was weird that the steward had to announce her. Everyone knew who was coming, but maybe this was one of the things about royals she couldn’t understand.
The Queen didn’t walk in alone. There were three ladies with her—one on her left, her right, and behind her. They were dressed differently from the maids, and it was clear they were nobles. They walked with their chins in the air and stared at the maids with contempt.
Rose immediately copied the movements of the servants, bending her head and her knees. She did her best to hold her dress up but failed woefully, so she just kept her hands at her sides. After the curtsy, she noticed the maids took their hands from their sides and held them in front while keeping their heads down. None dared to make eye contact with the Queen.
Their clothes bothered Rose. They were dressed impeccably. Though worn, their dresses were clean, and each had an apron on. Compared to what she had on, Rose was embarrassed. It didn’t help that the duties she did that morning had made the edges of the robe wet and dirty. Rose shut her eyes and tried to make herself appear smaller. She stepped backward a little, hoping she could hide behind the maid next to her, but she noticed it gave the line a strange curve, so she stepped forward again. The maid next to her shot her a look but didn’t say anything.
The gravel made a crunching sound as Queen Violeta stepped on it. She approached the maids’ line with her ladies-in-waiting surrounding her. The space suddenly felt hot, and all Rose wanted to do was flee. However, she managed to hold back and stayed rooted in her spot.
Suddenly, the Queen stopped only about three feet in front of her. This was too close for Rose, and she could feel sweat trickle down her back. She swallowed as she waited. The tension was eating her up. She had hoped she wouldn’t be noticed, but with the way she was dressed, it was highly unlikely.
"Who are you?" Queen Violeta asked. Her voice was soft, but she spoke at an annoying pitch that felt too sharp for the ears.
Rose waited for a moment, knowing she wasn’t supposed to speak, but when no one said anything she spoke, after all the question was addressed to her. "Yer Majesty, my na—"
The sound echoed through the courtyard, scaring the birds off the trees. Rose’s eyes watered, and she held her stinging cheek. She didn’t need anyone to tell her it was red. The Queen had slapped her. Rose’s head churned with this.