Miss P.P

A knock on the door woke me up from my blissful nap. Yawning, I turned towards the door.

"Come in," I yawned.

A young lady stepped into the room. “Sorry to disturb you, miss," she curtsied.

She doesn't seem all that younger than me. If it's possible, I believe we are of the same age. Her red hair is tied up in a neat Ponytail. The beautiful blue gown she's putting on complemented her blue eyes.

I sat up on the bed and stared at her like a fool, confused about what to do.  How does one go about having a maid? Was I supposed to get friendly, or isn't it appropriate?

Gods.

It's too difficult to learn about the lives of the royals. Back where I came from, I didn't need to bother about things like this. But it seemed I'm in for a long ride in here.

She smiled at me, “I apologize for disturbing you, miss. However, I'm afraid it's time for dinner, and you won't want to be late. Miss Perfectionist, the etiquette teacher, won't take it lightly with you."

“A future princess shouldn't be late for dinner.” I mock-imitated Miss P. P's voice.

She laughed at that. Her face lit up like a gem. She looked so harmless that I decided to at least befriend her. There's no harm in having a friend, is there?

“I'm Fay, and you?” I smiled at her as I sized her up.

She beamed at my words, “Rama. It's Rama, Miss.” She blushed when I made eye contact with her, “You are not as we thought you will be.”

I narrowed my eyes at her, confused by those words.

“You are more than what we expected. You are perfect!”  She rushed to add when she noticed the confused expression on my face.

“How so?”

My interest was piqued.  What exactly are the maids talking about, of me?

She didn't reply right away. Instead, she walked into the closet and came out a few minutes later with a blue silk gown. 

“We thought you will more or as proud as the others, seeing that you were specifically chosen by Bik — the Prince's best friend.

Rumours have it that you are the chosen one since you are the only contestant invited to their private building.”  She concluded as he came close to the bed with the gown she had in hand.

I snorted at the words. It's funny how these people thought I'm some sort of royal when I'm not. I don't even know why Bik picked me, but here I am.

However, I'm not complaining about that. If it means I get to enter the palace and complete my mission, then, I will do anything. Right now, I just have to keep pretending like I'm some sort of royal.

“I know what will look good on you," she strode back to the closet almost at the same time a knock came on the door.

“Come in," I called out to the person on the other side, not in the mood to rise from the bed.

Alfin —the guard who took me to the etiquette class —walked in with his eyes downcast.

“Your presence is requested in the dining, my lady," he bowed lowly before he stepped out of the room, and gently closed the door behind him.

*****

I got ready for dinner thanks to Rama. The blue silk gown hugged my curves like a second skin, and the sleeves were almost non-existent. I paired it off with nude silver shoes. My wild hair was tamed into a princess bun, and all thanks to Rama's expertise, I looked dashing.

“You look fabulous, my lady. I thought the dress wouldn't match your skin, but looking at you shows that it suits you perfectly well, and you fill the clothes just fine," she gave me an appreciative once over.

I smiled at her words. This is the first time someone has complimented me. Back at the base, we are always concerned with our next mission.

No one has the time to spend playing dress up. We kill for a living, baby.

She sighed, “Unfortunately, we don't have time for a more girly chat, Miss pretentious won't take it lightly with you if you are even a minute late.”

Against my better judgement, I laughed at the expressions she made when she said those words.

“I hate tardiness," she said as she tried to mimic Miss P.P.

“I call her Miss Prim and Proper,” I confided and as expected, she burst out laughing.

“That name suits her better than ours does, but we need to move fast before you get admonished by Miss P. P,” she rolled her eyes.

I think I like this Rama. She's not like the stuck-up girls I'm forced to endure an entire day with. She's more laid back.

If only I had a friend like her back at the base.

But that can't be possible. Back there, what we only care about is levelling up. No one is your friend.

We strode out of the royal family's residential building and headed toward the contestant's building.

Rama filled me in on what to expect for our first dinner together. She was all smiles as she told me the history of the Royal family.

“I will leave you here, my lady,” she bowed to me when we got to the door that led into the dining room, which happened to be where we had our etiquette class.

It turned out the room serves many purposes for us contestants.

“Wait, aren't you—”

“Going inside there?" She smiled. “Not at all, I'm your maid, not a kitchen maid. Have a nice evening, my lady.” She winked at me before she left.

I watched her leave as I wondered when I will be able to meet the king, so I can get things done on time. There isn't much time left for me to complete the mission.

It won't be long before the mistress sends a reminder to me. I just hope I get the job done before the letter arrives.

I took a deep breath before I strode into the room and sat on the empty chair beside the ramrod girl I sat with during our etiquette class.

It seems luck was on my side as Miss P. P entered the room three minutes after me. The look she gave me would have melted a glacier if possible.

Without being told, I sat up straighter.

Since I'm in this game, I will play by the rules —sharpen my instincts against my opponent and hope to defeat them.

I smiled at her when she met my eyes, but she turned her face away in horror.

Well played, I congratulated myself as the maids appeared with different foods.

My eyes nearly boggled out of their sockets at the sights of the delicious-looking foods. There was braised pork, roasted lamb and chicken!

God, the assorted food made me eager to devour them all, but I didn't do so. Not with Miss P. P glaring daggers at me.

We ate our food in silence, with Miss P. P hovering like a vulture, ready to devour us if we so much as stepped out of line.

I ate as ladylike as I could to avoid her wrath. It was a torturous hour, but I survived it.

She left us to our devices after the torturous meal.

I sighed in relief the moment she left as I watched the maids pack up the used plates. I rose from the uncomfortable dining chair and strode over to the couches next to a library, to rest, while the others stayed in groups —conversing.

“I like your gown. It's so out of the world. Where did you purchase it from? I haven't seen any like it." A pixie-haired girl asked me as she joined me on the comforter I was currently reclining on.

“Oh, this?” I glanced down at my gown.

She nodded like I was about to tell her the secret of the creation.

I shrugged, “I wasn't the one that bought it. Rather it's a gift from the royal family to me for accepting to join the contest.”

The girl's once smiling face turned darker at my words. “It's true then. They've already chosen, and we the rejects are here contesting for a role that has already been filled. You don't have to rub it in on us, we already know you are the favoured one. There is no need to flaunt in front of us to reject," she sneered as she stood up from where we were sitting.

The other girls who were once conversing in groups all surrounded me. It seemed like they planned this. Else, how will you explain their reactions?

“Highway lady. We all know how you got to be in the position you're now in. She must have whored her way to the top," the statue girl said.

I dubbed her as one based on how she stood as erect as a statue the whole duration of our morning class. 

I tried to manoeuvre my way out of the circle since I'm not desiring a girl's fight tonight, or any other night to be precise.

It will only end up in blood should that happen, and that's something I'm trying to avoid. At least until I figure out how to kill the damned king.

“Why? You can't talk? Is your tongue-tied? Oh," Pixie snapped her fingers, “I know why you don't want to reply to us. We are way beneath you, right? That's why you don't want to waste your breath on your supposed subjects.”

Not wanting the childish fight, I pushed her and headed towards the door.

“TSK, TSK. Where the hell do you think you are going to?" Another girl blocked my path.

They circled me like predators getting ready to devour the prey, while I watched them with a bored smile.  It seems these girls don't know they are playing with fire.

The door creaked open and Miss P. P stepped in. The girls retreated, acting like they weren't ganging up on me minutes ago.

I scoffed.

“Hope you all had a great bonding time?” She asked.

The girls all smiled as they chorused, “yes, ma.”

Miss P. P looked pleased with the replies she was getting.

“I bet you did. Now it's up to you to retire to bed or stay up for a film night. The choice is all yours." 

Most of the girls chose to stay, while I hastened for the door.  I know I'm not having a film night with these wolves, I rather retire earlier than face their snide remarks because I might murder them.

I just need a moment alone to think of my next plans.