Last night, I had a nightmare. I rarely remember my dreams, but always was able to vividly remember my nightmares. Dreams of me falling or teeth crumbling and falling out were always too common. But this dream was different. I dreamed of the night of the cabin fire.

We went to celebrate Margo’s birthday and the Queen’s death, it was ironic that such a happy day ended in sorrow. The Akamore family had many deaths mostly from sickness or accidents like the King’s sister who drowned during a visit to the Etrolon district. Nevertheless, the cabin was decided because it was isolated in the woodsy mountains and the Queen always enjoyed the woods. She made decrees that protected certain parts of the forests from being chopped or burned down. Around the cabin, trees stood tall reaching almost eighty feet tall. Animals would scatter around the forest, we had a beautiful view of the forest, and everything was oddly quiet and peaceful. Birds could be heard chirping and singing songs. Trees would brustle with the cool wind. Everything would stop for a moment and one just could take it all in. The cabin was tall and had three decks that surrounded each floor of the cabin. It was made of redwood but had strong cobblestone pillars to hold up the decks. The first floor was mostly windows, big enough to cover the entire wall. The cabin had four fireplaces, one in the main room and the rest in living sections on each floor.

My nightmare was loud with a roar. Everything was red, hot, and had a gray hue. I was asleep in a bed and Margo stood in the doorway smiling with a smirk. I couldn’t hear anything but the roar of fire yet I wouldn’t wake it was as if I was stuck in a dream-like state. Margo stared at me, contemplating if she should wake me. It started to get even more red, hot, and loud. She left.

She left me in the cabin and everything slowly turned even more red and hot. Then I saw Charles, his tall figure and black hair in the doorway. He was red and sweating. He ran in to get me. The hot fiery roof came down upon us, smashing us like bugs under a shoe. It was just black afterwards but the roaring of the fire was still there.

I shot awake right after. My heart raced and felt like it was fighting to get out of my chest and would never give up until it got out. Sweat dripped from my body. I sat on my bed, trying to think back to the dream. Back to the Margo in the dream. That didn’t happen, I reminded myself. I kept repeating it to myself, trying to make my brain remember the truth. She would never leave me like that. She would never. I kept repeating this fact to myself until my seven o’clock alarm went off.

~~~~~

I made my way toward one of the many sitting rooms we had. Today Margo would have to be without me since it was supposed to be private time with the King and the other Princes. They all were to have tea and cake together. This time was primarily for the King to see the relationship between the Princes and Margo. While Margo would have the final say, the King could talk to her about his opinions on each of the Princes. After all, no father wants their daughter to marry a stranger. I wanted to laugh at the irony of the situation. For now, though, my only job was to have a cup of tea and possibly sandwiches with the other butlers. 

The sitting room was large and often the King would have get-togethers with other Kings in this room. But since the King wanted a smaller room where everyone could sit closer together, the butlers and I were given the honor to have this room. The sitting room had two large windows with golden trim on the left side of the room and the walls were painted white. Two golden chandeliers hung from the ceiling, each light looking like a candle that twinkled from the sun entering the room. A white piano sat in the left corner of the room. Some yellow almost white chairs littered the room along with a few sofas. A tea kettle sat on one of the tables with some tea cups.

Already the chicken butler sat on the couch with a tea cup in his hand. He wore black pants and a white button-up. The ox butler sat on the other end of the couch, as far as he could get, he wore a gray suit with a blue tie. The ox didn’t hold a teacup, instead, he crossed his legs and arms. We made brief eye contact. 

I felt the door behind me slowly open, I turned and looked up to see a crow mask. Marcus. He stood there frozen for a moment, looking down at me. He smirked and crossed his arms, allowing the door to slowly close.

“Well, well, well. Looks like everyone is here,” he said his face still tilted toward me.

“Of course, it’s required for us to be here,” I answered as I started to walk even more into the room towards the kettle. The ox butler looks over at us, obviously listening in on conversations. 

“I almost didn’t come, just came for the sandwiches. Which aren’t here,” the chicken butler jabbed. 

I don’t understand why one wouldn’t come to this event. It was a perfect chance to learn more about the Princes and Margo. They could ask me a barrage of questions to learn more about Margo and gain insight into how to win her over.

“They probably wanted us to come to keep us busy,” he added with a shrug as he placed down his teacup.

“Yeah, most likely,” Marcus answered, walking towards me until he was next to me. The chicken butler snorted probably already annoyed with the rest of us. We all most likely had work to do or things we rather do besides talk amongst each other. “Might as well make the most of it,” Marcus added as he turned to me. “So, are we ever going to get those sandwiches."

I sighed at his response and shrugged, “Not sure. I wasn't in charge of that.”

I find myself taking a seat. We all sat in silence, trying to figure out what to do next. Marcus is the first to, unsurprisingly, speak up.

“I absolutely hate silence,” he said as he looked both ways trying to find someone to talk to, “I’m Marcus. Personal butler to Prince William Rozira.”

Rozira is the land of farms and corps. They used a large portion of their land to grow food like cattle and corn. They have one of the smaller populations when it comes to people but they are a well-liked district.

The ox butler stood up and looked over at Marcus, “Martin.” He paused for a moment, “Nathan Pragis.”

“That only leaves Harold Bintis,” the chicken butler said slowly standing. He smiled, showing his teeth, “I’m Benard.” He sat back down just as quickly.

They all looked over me with an expectant gaze. I sighed, “Suki.” The silence returned. I think we all enjoyed the silence, but Marcus shuffled. He looked around the room and then would look down at his hands and begin to tug at his fingers. He would look up again and open his mouth to say something but would shake his head.

“How did you end up here? At this job,” Marcus intruded not caring what everyone else wanted, “I applied on my eighteenth birthday after finishing school. I always wanted to be a butler,” he continued. Martin looked over at me and shrugged. 

“I just needed a job,” Martin answered, “My parents needed the money for my sister. This was the best paying job besides staying in the force.”

I half expected Marcus to inquire more about Martin, but he was interrupted by Benard.

“They needed someone to fill a spot after a third quit, so I took it up after getting a hefty bonus,” replied Benard.

Marcus let out a gasp, “Three?” Benard nodded and closed his eyes.

“Prince Harold is harsh and picky.”

Marcus nodded, “William is very different. They probably will force themself to do something just to please you. Like eating a food they hate. It’s worrying.”

“It’s probably better than hiding black beans in his brownies,” Benard said with a laugh.

Marcus turned to look at me, “You haven’t had a say at all. How did you come to this job?”

All of their eyes went to me.

“This has always been my job. I grew up here,” I answered half expecting them to nod, “It has been a pleasure working here.” I expected them to all agree and comment on how great it had been but they all just stared. The silence was deafening.

“I know nothing else,” I added trying to fill the emptiness. My palms started to feel sweaty and my heart felt like it could go on a run. I know, I could spend my time doing something else like reading the newest book in the library or going for a walk. All of their eyes pierced into me.

“So this has been the only thing you have done?” Marcus asked.

“Is something wrong with that,” I snapped.

I enjoyed the castle and the occasional company. If it weren’t for the Akamore family my life would be completely different, besides life in the castle wasn’t always work. Charles and I would chase birds around the garden. Margo would sit at a table playing with dolls and the head maid would yell at us to stop, but we never did. Instead, she would start to chase Charles and me around the garden until she caught Charles. Charles and the head maid would laugh. Then I fetched lemonade for us all to drink. Margo would sometimes join us in the game of chase and sometimes, on occasion, tag. Margo and I crafted plans on how we could catch birds, the head maid, or Charles but they always fell through. Charles promised to go easy on us, but that day never came. We all grew up and games, such as these, soon became a memory. 

Marcus looked over at the other butlers. Benard looked away. Martin sighed and stood up he walked towards me and placed a gentle hand on my shoulder. He looked down at the ground and slowly looked up at me.

“There’s nothing wrong with it,” he said with a gentle smile before bringing his hands to mine. I pull my hands back not wanting him to touch them. He looked me straight in the eyes, “But, are you sure this is what you want?”

I opened my mouth to respond only to find that I had no words or maybe thoughts for that matter. I raked through my mind trying to find something. I could feel the eyes still piercing my very soul as if I had done something wrong. I tried to think of an answer but could only come to a blank. My mind wandered to thoughts of Margo and how she worried about the Princes. She deserved someone amazing to love her and she deserved someone she could love. Secrets die with me, I remind myself of the conversation we had moments before this had even begun. The worry in her eyes. Then finally, I got an answer.

“If I didn’t like it then I wouldn’t be here,” I blurted out. The words felt like they fell short.

Martin sighed and started to make his way back towards a seat. 

“Of course, you would,” he said.

Yes. If I didn’t like my job then I would just leave. If I am still here then it means I like it.  I chose to do this and at any time I can choose to leave. It’s easy. I could walk out of here and never return. All I would need to do is walk.

I looked at the butlers who now all sat in silence, the conversation now seemed to be at a standstill. I hate this. I hate talking to them and I hate this silence. Martin took a seat and leaned forward, bringing his hands to his face. He glanced over at me before he leaned back.

“So, sandwiches, what are everyone’s favorite sandwiches?” Marcus asked with a new boom to his voice.

Martin looked over at Marcus, “I enjoy egg sandwiches.”

Marcus frowned, “I hate egg sandwiches.”