I stole glances at the maid in the corner. She stood eerily still, but her arms moved almost robotically back and forth with a broom. I must have stared too long, because I heard the clink of silverware being put down with force.
“Is dinner to your tastes tonight, princess?”
I turned to face the head maid. it was smiling but, like always, it never reached its eyes. I quickly crossed my arms and put on a pout.
“Hmph! I thought I asked that candy be served as every meal! Candy is the most important part of a princess’ diet!”
It held a hand up to its mouth to giggle. Good.
“Don’t be silly, princess! I believe I’ve already taught you the ideal diet for a human!”
Remaining dinner was shared in silence. I was conscious to exhibit the manners it taught me. If the plan was going to succeed I couldn’t slip up anymore.
Lying in my lavish bed, the head maid closed the storybook. It placed its hand on my cheek for a moment, before turning the lamp off. I kept my eyes closed and my breathing steady. I listened to its heels click as it walked across the room to the chair next to the window and sat down. This will be the hardest part.
Finally. Finally I heard it move again, listening for the door to open and shut softly. I waited a few minutes more before gently moving off the bed, my small frame making no sound as my feet hit the floor. As I crept toward the exit, I glanced at myself in a large ornate mirror. A small, youthful body looked back at me. I was starting to forget what I looked like before.
The hallways were cold at night, and deathly silent. As I crept past the dining hall I could hear it again, the soft pat of bristles on tile. Her arms tensed slightly upon my approach. I stared at the maid, in the same exact spot she was at dinner. After a moment, I reached slowly for the broom in her hands. She stopped abruptly and started trembling, a soft voice breaking the silence.
“Don’t… Please. Just stop.”
I obliged, as I didn’t have time for this anyway.
I worked my way through the snaking corridors. I had this layout memorized. The head maid grows complacent sometimes, and I’ve learned to spot the signs of a reused floor plan.
There it is. The door. It’s grand and heavy looking, made of a dark wood and thrice my size. I take one last look around before reaching up on my toes for the handle. It groans open slowly, and a familiar smell hits my nostrils. On the other side are my chambers, just as I had left them a few moments ago. Before I have time to be confused, a hand touches my shoulder gently.
“Now now, princess, whatever could you be doing out of bed so late?”
I swallow hard, straightening my back and turning to pout at it.
“Hmph, impudent maid, one of these days I’ll find where you’re hiding the candy from me!”
It held a hand up to its mouth to giggle. Good.
