My rest was long and filled with strange dreams. I was haunted by visions of glowing fruit and disapproving faces shrouded in shadows. A handsome pair of cold eyes appeared out of the darkness and I found myself slightly comforted.

And then I woke up.

I blinked against the bright sunlight as I sat up. I wasn’t in my apartment bedroom but in the unfamiliar quarters assigned to me by the king of heaven. My heart sank a little, but I flung aside the covers and swung my legs over the side.

“Good morning, Lady Roberts.”

I jumped a foot in the air and crashed onto the floor. A strangled gasp came from the doorway and delicate feet padded across the floor. A strange woman with brown hair hurried up to me and knelt by my side.

“Forgive me, Lady Roberts!” she pleaded as she grasped my arm. “I did not mean to startle you!”

I blinked up at her. “Who are you?”

“My name is Arian. Prince Yushir has assigned me to you as your maid,” she explained as she looked me over. “But are you hurt?”

I shook my head. “N-no, I’m fine. I didn’t fall very far.”

“Please allow me to help you stand,” she begged as she hefted me to my feet with more strength than I gave her slim frame credit for. “I thought you had seen me and only meant to wish you a good morning.”

I sat on the edge of the bed and patted her hand which still grasped my arm. “I’m fine, really. I was just a little startled, that’s all and there’s no harm done.”

Arian stepped back with a face as white as a sheet and her hands grasped in front of her. “Y-you are sure?”

The poor girl looked so terrified that my heart melted for her, as did much of my own insecurities. Here was another soul who felt a little bit like a fish out of water.

I offered her a conciliatory smile. “I’m sure. Now then-” I leaned back on my arms and looked her over, “-what exactly do we do for each other?”

She blinked at me. “Do for each other, Lady Roberts? I am here to serve you and fetch what you may require.”

I stood and she backed up a bit. “Anything I require?”

She bit her lower lip. “Within reason, Lady Roberts.”

“What about if I told you to stop calling me that?”

“Calling you what, Lady Roberts?”

“That,” I told her. “I’m no lady or any other title.”

“But Prince Yushir-”

“Is very nice but my name’s Anna,” I told her as I held out my hand. “And it’s a pleasure to meet you, Anna. I think we’re going to get along just fine.” Her eyes darted between my face and my offered hand, but after a moment she eased her hand out. I gave hers a hearty shake and grinned. “See? Now then, Arian, the prince told me you could help me figure out how to live up here.”

She nodded. “I do have some experience here, Lady-“ I lifted one finger and gave her a look of warning. A ghost of a smile appeared on her face and she nodded. “That is, I may be able to answer any questions you might have, Anna.”

“That’s better,” I complimented her. “Now where should I start to fit in here?”

She studied my attire. “I would suggest some other clothes.”

I laughed and stretched out my arms. “I don’t look very good in this, do I?”

She shook her head. “Oh, no! On the contrary, you look wonderful!” Her eyes widened and she clapped her hands over her mouth. “My apologies. I did not mean to speak so freely.”

I folded my arms over my chest and looked her over. “I think both of us have a lot of learning to do, but we’ll start with the clothes.”

Arian only too eagerly scooted over to a wardrobe situated in the far corner. She opened the doors and revealed a wide assortment of robes. Some were short and others longer, and their colors were all a becoming creamy tan and white. She sorted through them and picked up a light pink robe.

“I think this will match your eyes very well,” she assured me as she hurried back to the bed.

I took the robe and admired the color. “Really? I don’t think it’ll match my brown hair at all.”

“But your hair is silver, Lady-Anna,” she told me.

I looked down at my long tresses and sheepishly smiled at her. “Right. I forgot about that.” I could see the curiosity in her eyes but she didn’t ask. It would have been a little unbelievable to explain, even to myself.

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Arian helped me into the many layers of robes and I was glad for the assistance. The cloth would have strangled me many times over and been a total mess without her help. In a few minutes, I found myself standing in front of the full-length mirror staring in disbelief at my reflection.

I was. . .beautiful. Not just cute, but, well, godly. My silver hair shimmered in the bright sun and my eyes shone against the becoming soft pink and white robes. The adorable slipper shoes on my feet seemed to make me float across the floor.

Arian stood beside me beaming with pride. “You look wonderful, Anna.”

I shook off my shock and smiled at her. “It’s all thanks to you. I would’ve been in a lot of trouble without your help.”

She bowed her head to me. “It was my pleasure.” A soft rumble came from my clothed belly. I sheepishly smiled at her and her eyes twinkled. “Would you like me to fetch breakfast?”

I set a hand on my stomach and nodded. “I think so.”

She half-turned toward the door but paused and nodded at the discarded robe on the foot of the bed. “What do you wish for me to do with the robe?”

I turned toward the bed and took a step. My untrained foot stepped on the front of my long robe and I let out a squeak before crashing to the floor.

“My Lady!” Arian cried out as she rushed to my side.

My other robes had swallowed me up and she was quick to pull them off my head. I sputtered on my hair and spat out some long strands. “I think I’m going to need some practice with this stuff.”

Arian could barely contain her smile as she helped me to my feet. “I am sure you will soon walk as beautifully as you appear.”

I snorted and patted her shoulder which made her eyes widen. “Let’s hope that comes before I kill myself on these robes.”

I brushed out a few wrinkles while Arian worked on those at my back. In a few moments we had me straightened out and looking decent, but my exhilaration was somewhat dampened. There was still the matter of the borrowed garment.

I moved over to the bed and brushed my hand over the silken surface. “I think we should return it. After it’s cleaned, that is.”

She took up the robe and nodded. “I will see to it after breakfast.”

I gingerly followed Arian to the entry room and took a seat at the short table. A quick inspection of the place made me realize something. “Where’s the kitchen?”

“There is a shared kitchen for the palaces,” Arian explained as she nodded at the door. “I will see what is available and fetch it for you.” She bowed and hurried out.

I sighed and stretched my robes around myself. My efforts proved to be hilarious as I soon looked like a puffed-out and squishy umbrella. Still, the clothes were both cool and warm at the same time, and airy enough that I felt like I was sitting on a cloud.

Arian soon returned with a tray and a silver dome covered the plate. She set it before me and lifted the cloche to reveal a scrumptious platter of meats and vegetables all mixed together and spotted with spices. Steam wafted up and I inhaled a scent and spicy scent.

“This smells so good,” I complimented as I picked up the fork and made to dig in. I paused when I noticed a problem. “Aren’t you going to eat?”

Arian stood at my side with empty hands. “I will eat after you.”

I frowned. “I’d rather you eat with me.”

“It is customary for we maids to eat after our mistress.”

I sighed before I set my fork down and folded my arms. The wide bell sleeves meant I could tuck my hands into their soft folds. “I don’t want to be your mistress, I want to be your friend, and that means we eat together or we starve together.”

She bit her lower lip and glanced at the open door. “But I am supposed to-”

“Sit right down here,” I quipped as I grabbed her hand and yanked her down onto the mat beside me. I pushed the plate so it sat between us. “And eat beside me.”

She blushed. “Then, by all means, you eat first, My-” I pointed the fork tongs at her. “Anna.”

I drew my utensil away and a thought struck me that made me sheepishly smile at her. “I guess there is only one fork, isn’t there?”

She nodded. “So you may eat first.”

“And then you finish it off,” I insisted as I dug into the mountain. “Because I can’t eat all this by myself, anyway.”