After showering and changing into my nightgown, I sat alone on my bed as I stared at the moon outside of my window. Just as the nights before, the moonlight shone through the window into my bedroom. ‘Beware of wolves…’ A spooky feeling overcame me and my skin crawled when I recalled Prince Darius’s warning. Did he know that there was a wild wolf roaming around the palace…or…? Despite the fact that I was tired, I was worried about seeing that beast again from my window. However, what were the odds of that beast resting beneath my balcony two nights in a row? Definitely, almost zero. I closed the curtain and switched off the lights with a strong sense of determination to get a night of good and peaceful sleep. I laid on my bed and closed my eyes tightly as I tried to relax. Thanks to the doctor’s caring attention and the medicine that he applied to my cuts, my wounds did not hurt at all, and I was sure that they would heal in no time. That night I dreamt that Prince Leonard visited me again. However, this time, he did not touch me, and he did not speak. The prince just sat on the side of my bed as his blue eyes watched me sleeping. Although I knew that it was just a dream, it felt very real. I couldn’t move my body; however, it truly felt like if I reached my hand out towards him, I could touch him. He was so close… … **A few days later** Being optimistic was one of my strong points according to many girls who lived and grew up with me in the orphanage. Maybe it was because of that trait that I felt like I was adjusting very well to my life as a maid in this palace. I never thought that I would end up working in a palace like this, but I had learnt many things from the senior maids, and I made two very supportive friends. Jessie and Salena stuck to me like glue, and we went about all our assigned work together. A few days had passed since the afternoon tea party, and we were back largely to cleaning duties. Cleaning the gardens, sweeping and mopping the hallway, and helping to clear up in the kitchen began our main duties. The many cleaning machines and tools that were given to us helped us a great deal. Although the palace buildings retained that old medieval-like charm, the majority of the interior had been refurbished to match with the modern luxury trend and that made cleaning easier for us maids. “Mila, I need a word with you…” Madame Cassandra told me sternly. Breakfast had just come to an end, and I was about to go about my duties for the day. I could tell from the look on her face that she had something very serious to tell me. I followed her silently into her office where she broke the news to me immediately when we were alone inside. “I’ll get straight to the point. Congratulations, Lady Regina has requested for you to serve her as one of her personal maids. I have no idea how this came about but something that you did must have caught her attention,” Madame Cassandra announced before smiling proudly at me. Lady Regina… Oh, that beautiful woman that I bumped into while carrying too big vases of roses?! Why would she want me to serve her? I made her fall over and hurt her. Of course, I properly apologized to her afterwards for that accident. She didn’t seem to mind, and I could tell that she was a very kind and compassion woman. I knocked her over, but she didn’t get mad at me at all. The maid who was with her seemed a little scary, though. “I’m not sure if I can do the job well. I am…not used to serving and dealing with the honorable maidens,” I voiced my concern humbly. “You don’t seem to understand the gravity of this request. Lady Regina isn’t like any other honorable maiden. Lady Regina Baldirius is the only daughter of Duke Baldirius who is also the current prime minister of this country. The Baldirius family is an aristocratic family that has served the core royal family and contributed to the country for generations,” the Madame explained. “I understand…” I murmured. I see. So, she came from that type of family. From the way that she dressed and carried herself, I should have known that she was someone important. “Recently, Lady Regina has moved to live on the palace grounds to formally serve as one of the honorable maidens…” she continued to explain. “I see…” I said, although I didn’t quite understand the big deal around her moving here. I guess it was a high honor to be selected as an honorable maiden and to get to live in the palace. “Regardless, you will start working for Lady Regina starting from today. I will have someone take you to her palace, where she is currently staying. Because she is highly regarded by the royal family and the King himself, she has been given a palace of her own. You will work there and return here before sunset as per the rules. Do you understand?” Madame asked sternly. “I understand, Madame,” I replied obediently. “You should be proud of yourself. Climbing up from a Basic Maid up to a Noble Maid and Sacred Maid all in a very short period of time. Things are looking up for you, Mila. Soon your life will be better, trust me,” she said before smiling at me. I hoped so too. However, I didn’t dare let my optimism take over me irrationally. … **Around the same time** Leonard stared at his brother with clear irritation and disbelief. He folded his arms stubbornly over his chest as blue eyes narrowed at his elder brother. Darius stared back with his grey eyes without willing to back down. The two princes were in Leonard’s personal office and after a long round of argument, they had started a staring contest. --To be continued…