know your place!

“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.

One hour.

Two hours.

Three hours.

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.

Damn. It got me.

“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!”