6

"Am I dreaming or is there a limo waiting for us outside?" exclaims my sister, all excited.

She jumped up from the couch to get closer to the window, on the lookout. This girl is incorrigible.

- No ! I do not dream ! Come on, come on Sarah, a palace awaits us!

— It's my sleep that awaits me, I grumbled, you ruined my night for me by dint of being happy...

My sister couldn't sleep so much last night that she made a racket, but hell. When I say hellish, I mean it. I, who need complete silence to fall asleep, she ruined everything. She got up, made a noise in the kitchen. She watched countless documentaries on the royal family, she even came to wake me up in the middle of the night to tell me to go see the prince on TV, he is so supposedly handsome!

“Sarah! Come over here !

She grabs her suitcase before quickly kissing our mother then pulls me by the arm.

- But get out! I get angry pushing her away.

- You are selected, get moving!

She opens the door to join the limo while I sigh, exasperated. My mother watches me, a smile on her lips.

"Come on, Sara. This limo will not wait for you forever.

"But I don't want to go...

'I am well aware of that. But a new environment may be able to improve your daily life for a few months...

— Mom, I won't see you for at least a month... Do you realize?

"I'm going to miss you, sweetie...

I straighten up, forced to face reality in the face.

“You too, mom.

“Remember that whatever you do, I will always support you.

"And Solenn?"

"Solenn?"

"You didn't tell him anything?" She just left like a fury...

— Solenn is... She loves this world of sequins and dresses, my mother said laughing.

- I had noticed...

"You'll get used to it, darling. I'm sure you'll even end up enjoying yourself there.

I hug my mother then go to the doorstep, one last look for her. I will miss her so much... My mother has always been an example for me and despite our differences, I know that she loves me.

But hey, I have to tell myself that I will see her again very soon. If Solenn helps me get kicked out, of course. I can't do it alone. Hand on my suitcase, I leave the house after a last hug for my mother.

The driver closes the door behind me as I get into the limo beside my sister. She looks through the window, anxious.

- I can not wait !

“Well, not me.

Settling more comfortably in the leather seat, I let sleep wash over me, secretly wishing to wake up in Aiden's arms.

• • •

"Sarah, we've arrived!"

Solenn tugs me sharply by the arm to wake me up. Damn, I was sleeping! She really had to shake me like an apple tree? I push her away, annoyed, then go to go back to sleep when I hear the door open. I easily guess that my sister is getting out of the car and I reposition myself to fall asleep better.

The minutes pass without my being disturbed and I can almost sleep when an unknown voice suddenly intervenes:

- Miss ? You have to get out, I have to park the limo.

- Park there, I'll walk, I say quickly, while keeping my eyes closed.

Taken aback, the man replies almost hesitantly:

"But Mademoiselle, I... You can't, let's see...

- But if. Go park your damn car and wake me up in an hour.

- Miss...

I hear in his voice that he doesn't understand the situation and that amuses me. I end up smiling and then spread my legs.

"Miss, I'm going to have to call someone if you don't want to go out...

I completely ignore him and barely realize what he just said when his footsteps fade away. I stand up suddenly and exclaim:

- It's good, I'm leaving!

He certainly didn't hear me because he continues on his way. I mumble and sigh at the same time, then curse him with every possible insult in every language I know – and I know two – before stepping out of the car and into the palace.

Speaking of palaces, I remain with my mouth open in front of the building that is offered to me. I live in a house as small as a barn and people really live in this... Castle? It's a joke I hope ?

What did you expect too?

I quickly climb the front steps and catch up with the doorman who is already explaining his problem to a guard. I keep myself from laughing inwardly. You can see that they don't know me at all...

I pass them with an amused smile and a proud look when the doorman's voice intervenes:

- Miss !

I turn around, raising my eyebrows.

- Yes ?

"You know where you're going, I hope?"

- Not really...

- You must go to your room for now, the sequence of events, I do not know. Your servant will inform you of the steps to follow.

I nod my head before entering the palace and heading for the first room I see.

- Mademoiselle, these are the kitchens here!

— Oh shit.

He stares at me, his eyes wide. It's true that for a "princess", maybe I should be more polite. I give him a sign of apology when deep down, I don't care what he thinks of me. Looking up at the ceiling, I freeze him in front of the huge chandelier hanging above my head. Everything is too shiny here, maybe I should give them some decorating tips.

- Where is my bedroom ?

The sooner I get there, the sooner I can sleep.

- Climb the stairs, your maid is waiting for you upstairs.

"Ah, because I have a maid?" Amusing.

I smile, already having evil plans in mind for this servant. So I go up the stairs, my sneakers clicking one by one on the steps. I came here in casual clothes: pants, t-shirt and sneakers. I surely should have made an effort like Solenn who dressed in her most beautiful dress...

"Are you Miss Sarah Crawford?"

Arrived at the top of the stairs, I raise my head. A young blonde woman of average height is watching me as if I were the eighth wonder of the world. Or an error of nature. Is it my sublime beauty that amazes him or my clothes that are far too inadequate?

- Sarah, the one, the only, the great! And you are... ?

She clears her throat and I swear I see her swallow quietly. I find her a little disturbing.

"Uh...I...

I'm waiting for an answer from him, an answer that doesn't come. She then resumes, slightly lost:

"Uh, I'll take you to your room, if you don't mind...

She walks down the hallway, a fairly long hallway, I think. Even too long. Of course, my room is at the end of the corridor. As if by chance. The maid then pushes open a heavy wooden door leading to a large royal suite.

"I have a question, um...

“You must call me 'maid', Princess.

- We are no longer in the Middle Ages at last! What's your name ?

She turns around, looks behind her then grinds her fingers. I can completely understand calling her "servant" but she has a name, let's see! It is not used to decorate or to look pretty.

- Ariadne.

“Very well, Ariane. Are the rooms of the selected ones all grouped together here? In this hallway, I mean.

I'm preparing a Machiavellian plan. A genocide of selected with fresh cream in the face. I will be fired for bad behavior.

- No. But I have no right to...

“Take me to see my sister. Her name is Solenn.

Determined not to move, I pull her by the arm to move her forward.

"Princess, you don't understand!

“It's Sarah. No princess with me.

I straighten up, crossing my arms, eyebrows raised.

“Prin...Sarah, I'm just your servant. I have to help you get dressed, make you as beautiful as possible, I'm kind of your personal helper, you understand? I bring you your meals when you are not feeling well, I advise you on your dresses, respond to your desires etc... I have no right to... To obey what you say. ..

— Ariane, I want to see my older sister. You said you had to fulfill my cravings so answer this.

"I can't, princess.

“If you can. I'm just asking you that. Afterwards, you can go back to... Your home and if they ask you where I went, you'll say that I left despite your refusal to help me. Understood ?

She sighs and says softly:

“If the king sees me walking around the halls with a selected one, I'm dead.

"You won't die. I guarantee it.

- Alright...