The Loyal Maid
In that dim and chilly dungeon, Mia was alone, holding her knees on her chest, waiting for “that” time to come. It has been two years since Mia was imprisoned. The servants who catered to her at the first few weeks have all gone now. They disappeared when they realized that Mia would never return to power. It was then that Mia’s loneliness would begin. However, there was an exception.
“Your Highness, I’ve come to do your hair.”
It was Anne, a young maid with red hair. Anne arrived and bowed politely to the soldier standing guard. Then she steps into the prison. Though Mia was already numb to it, but the smell of the prison was terrible. The foul odor was comparable to the slums.
However, Anne does not hesitate at all and lowers herself behind Mia. Then she produces a comb that she kept in her pocket. She started combing Mia’s unruly hair. Not being able to wash for days, her hair resisted Anne’s combing, but Anne patiently and carefully combed her hair until no strands can be found.
“I’m sorry, Your Highness. I have never been good with the comb.”
“Why?… Why are you still devoted to me?” Quiet words escaped from Mia’s mouth.
After being imprisoned in this dungeon, Anne had been visiting her every two or three days. She devoted herself to taking care of Mia. Sometimes she would bring snacks, or water and washcloth to wipe Mia’s body, knowing that Mia couldn’t take a bath.
But Mia never really understood why.
Mia is the daughter of the emperor. So many people follow her in order to gain profit. But the maid in front of her, Anne, clearly wasn’t one of them. If anything, Anne was the one who suffered from Mia’s selfishness.
To be clear, Mia wasn’t a tyrant. Well, if Anne blundered, Mia would give her a mouthful. Or sometimes if she is really angry, then a punch, or a kick, or even a headbutt.
It was at this point that Mia realizes that headbutts might have been not a suitable behavior for a lady of her noble status.
But that was it. Nothing more.
She never ordered her soldiers to whip anybody not ordered anybody to be executed. Because those things seem to hurt. And Mia wasn’t a fan of anything that hurts.
But she wasn’t a good princess either. Aside from those with a fetish, no one really wants to be abused or kicked. Her other maids, therefore, has no reason to devote themselves to her, especially after her fall. But the maid in front of her was different.
“I’ve not been good to you. Never treated you well. Rather…”
“Yes. I was hit a lot. And you also kicked me a few times.” Anne smiled nostalgically and said, “Do you know, Your Highness. Your kick doesn’t hurt at all!”
“What? Is that so?”
“Yes. Compared to the times when I had fights with my younger brothers, it’s nothing. Fufu.”
Then Anne shuts up and there was a pensive silence between them.
“The reason I keep on taking care of you, Your Highness, is that I could not leave you alone. That’s it.”
Mia noticed that Anne was smiling at her gently.
But their moment of calm did not last long. Soldiers arrived to bring Mia to the guillotine.
Before Mia was taken away, she turned to Anne and bowed deeply.
“Now I can’t reward your loyalty. So please forgive me, who can only say thank you.”
The next moment, Mia’s body was wrapped in warmth.
“I pray for God’s blessing on you, Your Highness.”
She realized that Anne has hugged her and even a stranger realization was that tears were falling from Mia’s eyes. She has never been hugged since her captivity. Anne’s overflowing kindness and warmth flowed through Mia’s body… but there was also a tinge of regret.
The fact that she could not repay this maid’s undying loyalty to her was an ache in her heart, no, a scar in her soul that would remain as she makes her way to the guillotine.
“…I remember now.”
Mia quietly kneeled beside Anne, who was still on the floor apologizing.
“Your Highness, you’ll get cream on your dress…”
“Silence!” Mia rebuked the maid around her before gently lifting Anne up by her shoulders.
“Miss Anne, please rise.”
“I-I-I-I’m really sorry, Your Highness…”
“I’m not angry.”
With that said, Mia’s smile was soft and gentle.
“Now, stand up. You really aren’t injured, right?”
“Yes, thank you very much.”
Anne was bewildered by Mia as she was pulled up. But Mia was steady, and she looked at the maid.
“Now I can repay your loyalty.”
Then she declared in a formal tone.
“Let it be known, henceforth, you shall be my maid-in-waiting. You shall serve me exclusively and shall be responsible for my daily affairs.”
“……eh?”
“Your Highness!?”
The surrounding maids around Mia were all upset.
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