“Are you certain, my lady?” The man glanced down the hallway. Then he wiped his still sweating brow with his gloved hand. He knew that giving this room to me would be considered a slight if I was not the one to ask for it. It was at the very end of the hallway, far away from the entrance after all.

It was given to my mother for the same reason.

The previous queen before the last, when she was still alive, did not like my mother in the slightest. She was in charge of arranging accommodation then, and she made her disdain towards my mother fully known at every opportunity she could. Though mother laughed about her antics whenever she told stories of her, I could tell she did not have the most pleasant of times. 

“Yes,” I said as confidently and as arrogant as I could. “Why? Will that be a problem?”

“Well… ye- I mean, no… but my lady, I… the umm… however, the Lily room is the smallest and is the furthest from the-”

“Listen,” I said, clapping my hands together, bringing him to an abrupt silence. Who knew that the claps that Martha used to keep my sister and I quiet would be so helpful. “I simply do not wish to be beside the rabble that is to come. In fact I would prefer, if there was not a single person occupying the room beside mine, or opposite mine.”

“Are you quite certain, my lady?” The man asked again, very perplexed at the situation. He looked as though he would rather run away than be standing next to me.

“What are you, a broken record?” I shouted. I stamped my foot. “Yes! Yes I am certain! Of course I am. Do you really think I would make a statement without being certain of my own words?”

The man shook his head. “Well, no, but-“

He probably doesn’t want to get into trouble for allowing me to choose this room. But it’s fine. If I make a scene and show I clearly want it, surely he cannot refuse me.

To make my point I placed my hand on the doorknob and turned the door. “See, look! I opened the door. So now the room is mine. Now, let me rest! Bring me a light meal and my luggage!” I said. I walked into the room. “As soon as it is inspected,” I quickly added, before shutting the door behind me.

I pressed my ear against the door, and listened. I could her him muttering to himself and pacing up and down the hall. Then with a loud sigh, he walked away. I waited, listening until I was certain he was not going to come back, before releasing my own very loud sigh. I sank to the floor, my knees giving way with all of the tension gone.

And that’s that, huh. It’s a good thing I came early after all. I was able to pick out mother’s room. That saves me the trouble of having to break into it in the future.

When I felt my legs were sturdier, I stood up and took a look around the room. It was a nice room, possibly smaller than some of the other rooms closer to the front of the hallway. Directly to my left was a large ornate white masonry stove, painted with pink flowers. In front of me were two large sofas. A beautifully crafted dark wood table lay between them, and a plush dark purple carpet with a flowery pattern lay below them all. There was a wide window beyond them, framed by lush dark purple curtains. Beneath the large window on the far wall, was a little white table and two dining chairs.

There was a door to the left and the right.

To the right was a small bedroom, with a little bathroom attached. There was a single bed and a small desk and wooden chair in the room.

This must be the attendants room. Since I don’t have an attendant I could possibly use this room to do some alchemy, assuming they don’t remove all of my tools when they inspect my luggage.

I walked over across the reception room again, opened the door and was led to a larger bedroom. A four poster bed, with cream coloured curtains took up most of the room. Soft light yellow bedsheets, pillows and blanket lay on the bed, positioned to look as pleasing as possible. The room had a pleasant aroma, smelling a little of lilies and vanilla, which came from a little scent diffuser set on the vanity. The room also contained a cupboard and a little bench set underneath the window that lead to the courtyard below.

I wonder how many courtyards this place has. This one looks really narrow, but pretty though. It might be good to explore… or not.

I remembered mother’s warnings about this place. Though I did not remember everything, I did know that the place could be dangerous if you did not follow its rules.

The bathroom was beyond my new bedroom. That too was lavishly decorated, though smaller than the bathrooms in Thorn Manor. The bathtub and sink were made of ivory, gilded along the edges. The taps were also gold. And the mirror was the largest I had ever seen.

I guess these are meant to be guest rooms for competitors. Lavish, but not too big. I suppose they are trying to tell us we have to earn our position. Hm… I’m still rather filthy. I guess I could start the bath. I don’t really want to invite a maid in if I don’t have to.

As soon as I turned on the tap I heard a knock on the door. I quickly rushed to the sofa and sat down.

“Come in!” I said loudly, after clearing my throat.

A petite lady in an elegant long sleeved maid outfit entered the room. She had short black hair and sharp blue eyes, that seemed to quickly assess me, although her face remained neutral. Neither a smile nor a frown. “Good afternoon my lady,” she said with a curtsy. Her tone was soft and polite. “My name is Holly, and I will be your liaison maid during your time in the Rose Palace. A pleasure to make your acquaintance Lady Thorn.” 

The liaison maids were maids of the palace assigned to each individual candidate. They were meant to engage with the attendants that we were to bring. But seeing as I didn’t bring one, I wasn’t sure what we would do.

“I see,” I said. Before I could say anything else though, she curtsied and went out of the room. I sat in confusion, but also in relief. I wasn’t sure what else I was meant to say. Seconds later, she returned. But this time pushing a silver trolley, laden with food. The smell made my mouth water. I did not realise how hungry I was. I wanted to wipe my mouth with the back of my hand to make sure that I was not drooling, but I did not think that it was proper etiquette.

“Your meal as you requested,” she said. Rolling the tray to my sofa. She set down the dishes on the table near the window, along with the necessary cutlery. “Please,” she said with a bow when she was done.

I walked over to the table and sat down, staring at the little feast as I did. There was mushroom soup, with a little bread bun, a dish of salmon with potatoes, and a little salad with plump little tomatoes. And finally a small delicious looking chocolate cake.

Would it be inappropriate to eat the cake first? I want to eat the cake first.

“I will now fill the bathtub as previously requested,” she said.

“Pardon? Oh yes, the bathtub,” I said, still looking at the food.

She curtsied again and was about to go to the bathroom when I stopped her.

“Wait! Um… Holly?”

“Yes my lady?” she said gracefully stopping in her tracks and turning around.

“Um…” I coughed. “My luggage!” I said haughtily. “You don’t expect me to get changed when I don’t have my luggage do you?”

She looked at me, her facial expressionless, and nodded. “They should soon be finished with checking your luggage. I will retrieve it after I finish with the bath. Would you like some rose petals in your bath, my lady?”

“Yes,” I said.

“As you wish my lady,” she said and curtsied. “I hope you have a wonderful meal.” Then she walked off to the bathroom.

I looked at the meal in front of me, my stomach grumbling. I quickly picked up my fork and knife and got to work. I ate as daintily and elegantly as I should, knowing that as soon as Holly was out of the room I would be wolfing the food down.

As soon as she was done with the bath, Holly let me know. She pointed to a cord rope near the door that I could pull if I wanted to ask for any assistance, and then she promptly left the room. And as soon as she did, I happily gulped down my delicious food.