106: No Way This Is Real

No Way This Is Real

Relieved, also somewhat scared that the butler would come back, she opened the door of her new chamber, only to have her eyes widen. 0

Roman said that the corner room was the smallest room…but that relative to the other chambers within the Palace of Thistle.

It was the same size as Arlan's bedchamber in the second guest mansion at Ahrens, and if she was going to be honest, it was even more luxurious! 

It ought to be a chamber meant to welcome royal guests, and although it was 'small', it was not lacking in luxury. The theme of the bedchamber was white, with white-washed walls and white gauzy curtains on the white canopy bed that was large enough to comfortably fit two people. There was a washroom and a wardrobe room, as well as a large window that overlooked one of the gardens. There was a small arrangement meant for two people near the window, where they could sit and enjoy tea while taking in the beautiful view outside. 

A crystal chandelier hung in the center of the ceiling, and there were paintings and tapestries on the wall. Lamps were hanging at various places on the wall…and there was even a fireplace! 

'Three, four, five… Eight lamps?! And a fireplace?' Oriana laughed like a little girl. 'So this is the royal palace! Even a nobody like me gets to enjoy this grand treatment. All Hail His Majesty for using taxpayer's money this way!'

Leaving her bag on the table, Oriana walked towards her new bed. She pushed the curtains aside and lay on the bed. No, rather than lay, she sank on the cushion. It made her imagine she was floating on clouds. 

She could not help but let out a yawn. 'Ugh, I am so tired…and hungry…'

After some time, there was a knock on the door. Though she somewhat dozed off, Oriana quickly stood up the moment she heard it and opened the door. 

There was a young man in brown attire standing outside, carrying clothes similar to his in his hands. 

"Orian, the new attendant?"

"Yes, that's me."

"Three sets of uniforms. Put on one of them, get ready and come downstairs to eat. Mister Roman says His Highness will be back anytime soon."

"Thank you. Uhm, you are—"

The young man who she suspected to be a fellow attendant left before Oriana could finish speaking. After closing the door, she tried the pants on. 

'A perfect fit. I wonder how they know my size. Or is it that they had spare uniforms and they just happen to be of my size? Maybe they got my size from the Ahrens.' She shook her head. 'Whatever. At least I am spared from taking measurements and the fact that I am a woman will continue to be a secret.'

Oriana wore her new uniform, admiring her appearance in front of the full-length mirror near the dresser. 

Standing inside the chamber was a handsome and bright-looking young man clad in a white undershirt, a dark brown double-breasted vest as well as a matching pair of light brown coat and trousers. It looked simple, but there was the crest of the royal family sewed into the expensive fabric, and the buttons seemed to be made of bronze.

If a person were to see Oriana for the first time, they would think he was a young master of a noble family.

'Indeed, a perfect fit, but my black headwrap doesn't go with the light brown tones of the coat. Wait, I think I saw…' She went to her bed and looked through folded clothes. There was a long light brown fabric in their midst, its length and width perfect to wrap around her head.

'Have they prepared this as a part of my uniform as well? Really, for someone to be this thoughtful, it should be Mister Kahlil or Miss Janella. Not only did they send my dress size ahead of time, they even prepared this head wrap that has religious importance to me. So nice of the palace people to be understanding as well.'

She stood in front of the mirror and wrapped that brown cloth around her hair that was already secured behind her head in a flat bun. 

'It's perfect.'

Fortunately, though Oriana did not completely memorize the layout and the names of the rooms the butler mentioned, she did pay special attention to a few specific locations, like the kitchen. 

When she reached the kitchen, the same attendant from earlier was surprised to see her. 

"Orian, meals are served in the dining hall for the servants. It's just the first room when you go to the servant quarters."

"Thank you. Uhm, what's your—" 

However, like earlier, the attendant hurried off elsewhere, not allowing her to ask questions. 'Why does this servant always hurry like there is a bull behind him?'

Oriana went to the servant dining hall, but other than her, no one was there. 'Seems like everyone already had their meals.' There were pots of food and she scooped a ladle from each dish. She enjoyed her food quietly. 

Satisfied, she let out an unladylike burp and rubbed her tummy. 

'The food here is better than the leftover food I tasted for that lord. And to think these dishes are enjoyed by ordinary servants. I cannot even imagine how delicious the food made by the royal chefs for royalty is like.'.'

Just as she was about to finish her meal, a different servant approached her. "You are Orian? His Highness is arriving. Get ready to welcome him at the entrance."

Oriana immediately ate the last bite and hurried after the servant, not thinking anything else. Though she did not understand what was happening, she knew that a good servant only needed to obey without question. As long as she did that, she wouldn't be thrown out of the royal palace before she meets Master Cenric.

Just as Oriana suspected, there were about a hundred servants in the Palace of Thistle. The sight of them, the housekeeping servants in black and the attendants in brown uniform, was quite pleasant to the eyes, especially with all of them lined up, standing in two rows on either side of the pathway with their heads lowered. Roman could be seen at the front.

About five minutes later, carriages entered the gates of the Palace of Thistle. 

The approaching sound of voices and horses floated towards her ears. Oriana's gaze was stuck to the ground, copying everyone else, that was why she was unable to know what was going on. She was curious to see the royal prince she'd be serving, but she still loved her dear life. She did not dare try anything that could offend royalty. 

She heard the sound of footsteps and then heard Roman say, "Welcome, Your Highness."

There was no response from the man and just like others, Oriana followed what Roman said. 

"Welcome, Your Highness."

In a while, a pair of feet in boots started to appear in her line of sight.

Just as she thought her new master would pass by her, she watched the pair of boots stop in front of her and…

"I didn't expect you to follow me here as well, Shortie."

Her heart stopped, literally stopped, that she felt like it was going to burst inside her chest. 

Her mind blanked. No thoughts. No air. No sound. 

Slowly, ever-so-slowly, Oriana raised her head, only to have her hazel eyes meet with a familiar pair of ocean blue eyes, seemingly wickedly laughing at her. 

'This can't be real, right? No way this is real…No way…'

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