1. Banishment

I had just turned 16. it was... nothing to it really. I was still a maid....

Okay, okay. we'll start from the beginning.

The people who raised me... Were awfully kind. They raised me like I was their own. I was actually born to an abusive mother and a father who just liked to go to the pub and pick up other women. It wasn't a great start, but then my mother died and her friend took me in. Her friend, also known as Lina, couldn't have her own children, and thus decided to take me in after my father left me on her doorstep.

so, I lived comfortably and in good hands... That is, until I turned 5. Lina fell terribly ill, and couldn't take care of me, her partner struggling in work and couldn't look after us both. I walked around and that was when a maid from the castle found me. I pulled on the hem of her skirt and ran back to the home. She tended to Lina enough so she could stand and help her husband, but not me. The maid takes me back to the castle.

I hadn't learned to write or read, so I was stuck learning cleaning and cooking. At.... yes... at first I definitely wasn't the best, but I slowly learned how to do it in the end....

Weeks had passed, and I was decent at cleaning and knew cooking well. the head maid had fallen ill, so I had to take the food to the young master. It was odd... to say the least...

I knock, he allows me to enter.

"Young master... uhm... here is your meal." I say slightly embarrassed. He looks at me, and immediately shoos me away. I put the stray on the counter, bow and leave the room. I go and clean the stairs. He appears, watching me skillfully. a sword slung across his back, clearly too big for the short male. I continue.

"The meal, take it away." he states leaving. I rush nodding, and head to his room, taking the tray with nothing eaten. I had worked hard to make this, and he didn't want it. anger builds, and I walk over to him, tray in hand. I lay it on the bed, and grab the spoon. I take some of the soufflè, and then shove it down his throat. He looks shocked. I bow and then leave with the tray, grateful at least one bite was taken.

5 months had now passed since I had been working here at the mansion. I was almost 6, and my cleaning skills were better than some of the senior maids. I was again on duty to feed the young master. I head to his room. I knock, and am allowed to enter. I set the tray next to him and watch him eat at least one bite.

"Is that all you would like young master?" I ask slightly annoyed. He shakes his head and eats more of the meal in front of him. I smile slightly and I see him look away. I think nothing of it and go to make my leave.

"Prepare me a bath please." he says softly. I get taken aback, but nod and leave the room quicker. I prepare a bath, neither cold nor hot. I stand outside the masters room and sigh, before speaking.

"your bath is ready young master." I say blushing. the heat rising up my face. he only taps the wall, giving me heed to leave.

I clean the rooms and wait for the guests to arrive. a party was seeming to be happening. I stay in the background, neither heard nor seen. The other maids preparing the food, carrying it around and handing it out.

A week had passed since the party, and I had not seen the young master. no one was allowed to his room and so we continued at normal.

I was out with one of the senior maids when we overhear some of the people talking about the banishment of the young master. his name...

"Kyril the young master has seemed to be banished." the one women said.

"oh, I heard that." another said.

"he took that sword too. at least he learned to wield it." a third women spoke. soft, as if something might happen to my lord. I didn't think, I ignored them and continued.

.......

years had passed since we had seen the young master. I was now turning 17, although still not terribly good at cleaning, I was mainly situated in the kitchen. I cooked most meals for the king, but never had I been able to give the meal. I was too young to enter any room the king placed himself in.

One day, the maids suddenly started to whisper about the disappearance of the young prince. I frown. I really hated this kind of talk.

I was doing my usual cooking routine when I got called. I was to enter the king's throne room. I panic, yet I move swiftly, and head to the throne room.

I know loud enough so he could hear, but quiet enough to know I am below him. He allows me to enter.

"Your majesty, you requested me." I state like I've been taught. he nods and asks me to come closer. I walk steadily, knowing my place.

"child. I heard you were picked up by one of my maids, and have been here for 12 years?" he asks me solomnly. I only nod.

"Lina was a good friend of my cousin's. I am...terribly sorry. You haven't seen her in all these years. I now ask you, to look for my son. I heard the late queen banished him with the wish she was granted." he said looking down. I quickly nod and head out of the room.

now my journey begins.

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