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“Don’t judge,” Melvian warned.

Maris continued her exploration and noticed the small wooden closet, and finally the door to the attached washroom. It wasn’t big either. There was a decently sized tub, a cabinet with towels, soaps and oils, a basin on top of a metal table, and a furnace with a cauldron. Maris was pleased. Although it was for two people, the room was comfortable for her standards, not to mention she also had space to put away her clothing and belongings.

“That’s your bed. The trunk’s lock is inside of it, and the same with the closet. I use the locks as a routine because no one has ever stolen anything from me.”?

Maris nodded before walking to the bed and sitting down. She collapsed onto her back and let out a pleasurable sigh. Oh, gods, this is comfortable. “Oh, it’s been so long since I slept on a bed and not on a dirty futon.” She smiled. “I’ve died and gone to the Elysian Fields.”??

Melvian laughed. “They are pretty comfortable.” She turned to Maris’s closet and opened it for her. “I think your things will fit here.”?

“Thank you.”?

“We need to get you ready, though. The queen wants you to get to work right away,” Melvian said, grabbing hold of Maris’s violin case. This time, Maris jumped off the bed and almost slapped Melvian’s hand away.?

“I got it.” Maris knew that the sudden movement made Melvian uncomfortable. If she was insulted by it, she hid it well, but her friend knew this violin was special to her.

“You still play?”?

“Used to,” Maris answered. “It has a couple of broken strings, and I haven’t been able to buy some new ones,” she explained.?

Melvian nodded at that. “All right. Listen, I need to give you the heads up before you start interacting with the entire help and the royals.”

Maris turned to look at her with a serious expression.

“Queen Rionach is a bitch, especially to Sealians so stay away from her as much as you can.”

“Run away from the queen. Got it.”

“Some maids will think they are above you, but they are not. You only take orders from the headmistress and any other royalty that might walk. If they give you an order, stop what you are doing and do what you are told.”

“Slave out. Got it.”

“Maris, I am serious.”

“I am serious too. I am listening.”

“You are very very pretty so stay away from the princess.”??

Maris tilted her head confused. “Should I say thank you for the compliment?”?

“I am serious. Stay away from Princess Valda. She is… she is vicious.”?

“Vicious?”?

“She is known to have a horrible temper and she usually lets it out on the maids.”?

“She beats the maids?” Maris’s voice quivered.

“Oh, gods, no.” Melvian coughed embarrassed. “She… uh… Does other activities with them?”

Maris shook her head, not understanding what her friend was trying to tell her. “She fucks them to release her anger?”

Melvian pursed her lips. “Yes.”

“And that is a problem because…?” Maris teased.

“Maris, really? A royalty sleeping around with the help is not good.Sorry, I don’t care if you are the queen of the planet. I won’t jump in bed with you. I am not into that.”?

“You don’t like women the way I do, and that’s fine,” Maris said as she began to pull her hair up in a tight bun.