After her introduction, she just stood there no doubt assessing each and every one of us there. Some of us stole glances that lasted not more than a second. We were afraid to took, but we needed to know why it was so silent.

The curiosity weighed down on us.

Minutes passed before she spoke her very first words.

"I see that you're all very......well mannered but I hope you understand that I strive for perfection. Nothing less." She spoke calmly but there was something sinister in the way she spoke.

She spoke out the general rules after that. I wasn't sure why, but she did it and all of it was the same.

We already knew.

Ms.Odelle looked like a timid little child standing next to her, not talking at all.

Once she was done Henri immediately went towards her. Head down. She gave a bow but Lady Esther didn't wait for Henri to straighten up. She immediately walked towards the stairs, heading towards her quarters.

After her form disappeared, we spread out. Our work still had to be completed for that day.

~~~~~~~~~~~

I reached up to the tips of my toes to hang all of the Princes' shirts and coats. It was a tiring task indeed.

I still didn't know why I couldn't get used to laundry??!

Right after I hanged the last coat I closed his wardrobe and rested my back on it. I didn't have any strength left at that point. I was also praying that he wouldn't do anything with me tonight.

On the other hand, too much hope only resulted in painful disappointments.

With that thought in mind I walked to the kitchen to get his dinner. I dreaded every meal time because I was too afraid of running into Alex. I couldn't bear to see that particular look on his face every time he saw me after our argument. It hurt.

I slowed down my steps as I got closer to the cooking area. After turning around a few times, I knew he wasn't there. I quickly reached for the tray and went the other direction.

I walked in His chambers and left the tray on the table, then set up everything. Then I waited.

And waited.

He didn't come.

I didn't want to risk anything so I waited a while longer.

Still, he didn't show up. It was already nine. Since we only had to work until that time, I began to put back everything on the tray. My feet ached from standing too long. I waited for an hour and a half if not more.

I made a trip to the kitchen again and left the tray where I was supposed to.

Work was over for the day.

As I neared the stairs, intending to go down to the servants' quarters, I heard someone cry out in pain. It was a girl and the sound wasn't far. I quickly ran up following the sound of the woman's voice. Apparently it was a floor above the Dark Prince's room.

I quickened my pace as the screams got louder. I followed the voice until I stood before the source. What I saw made my stomach churn.

Henri was kneeling on the ground holding her left cheek. Blood was dripping from her arm and chin. Before her, stood Lady Esther. Her burning gaze set on a weak Henri. "You worthless slave! You couldn't even do one simple task. They had actually assigned the worst among you to serve me!" she laughed bitterly.

The door to her chambers were wide open so I could see both of them very clearly and from what I saw I could only guess that the Lady had slapped Henri.

She wasn't a Royal Pure Blood but she was still a vampire. And human strength is nothing compared to a Vampire's. A single slap could break one's jaw.

Henri had tears streaming down her cheeks. The whole situation had me frozen to my spot.

Should I stay or should I help?

Crossing the line might get us both killed.

As I continued to look at Henri, the tall vampire spotted me.

"You!! Get in here!" I immediately looked to the ground, gave her a bow and walked in. Henri just continued to silently cry.

Once I was a few feet away from the Lady, I stopped. She too did not move for a few moments, probably studying me from head to toe. "I want all my shoes polished and shiny by the time I get back. Got it?"

"Yes my Lady," she then stormed off banging the door shut in the process. As soon as she was gone, I quickly ran to Henri. "You're badly bleeding. Can you stand?"

"Y...Yeah," she said still scared. I brought her to the bathroom and did what was necessary.

Ten minutes later Henri's wounds were cleaned but the scratch marks were very clear.

"Why the heck would you do this Eve?! You could have gotten yourself killed or worse, both of us killed," she blurted out staring at me.

"What else was I supposed to do? I couldn't just watch. It was you Henri," I said softly touching her cheek.

"You're crazy! You've messed up Eve! You actually agreed to do her chore. You're a personal servant, you can't serve two masters!"

I knew I couldn't but how was I supposed to say no? The Lady was already pissed off and one chore wouldn't hurt. Plus, I was done for the day.

"I know, but refusing will only make things worse now. She was already angry."

"What if the Prince finds out?! What are you going to say?"

"I...I don't know." I admitted. He would be furious yes but hopefully he doesn't find out.

"Never mind about him, at least you're okay now."

"We can't keep worrying about each other, remember?" she said quoting me.

"What did you do anyway?" I asked curiously.

"One of her heels wasn't shiny enough," she gritted out.

"Oh...okay. Um..why don't you rest I'll finish up with the shoes?", Henri looked away from me and only nodded.

She pointed the walk in closet to me which contained all her shoes.

The second I went in and saw what was before me, my head began to spin. I was greeted by rows and rows of shoes. They were stacked neatly on many levels. At least six. And the number of shoes almost made me faint. I've never seen so many shoes in all my life. They came in so many different shapes and design.

I looked back and Henri was gone.

She had other chores to do as well, I thought.

Without further delay, I took the brush that was on the ground and began polishing the shoes one by one. There were two small towels,wax and some black stuff that I couldn't identify.

I'll figure it out. I thought to myself.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

By the time I was done I couldn't feel my palms and fingers anymore. I couldn't even lift up my hands. Thank God Lady Esther didn't come in last night.

It was five in the morning when I was done.

I had to hold onto my hip as I got up from the ground. I then quickly arranged her last pair of shoes on the second level and scrambled out of her room. As I closed the door and turned around I came face to face with Ms.Odelle.

"What in God's name were you doing in there?!"

"Um....I...ah.." I racked my brain for words but nothing came out.

"Eve, what were you doing in there?" she was definitely angry.

"You see, last night I heard someone scream....."

I told her everything that had happened last night. She listened patiently until I was done.

"You know the rules. It was clear! This action can get you killed! What were you thinking?!"

"I'm sorry, I didn't know how to say no without making her even angrier."

"The rules state that you're not allowed to speak unless spoken to, but a servant can state the rules. Next time you do just that."

"Yes, Ms.Odelle," I was worn out. I didn't want to be scolded.

She let out a breath before staring at me again. "Oh look at you, how are you to work in this condition?"

"I can manage, I always have and next time I'll tell Lady Esther I promise. I was afraid for Henri that's all," I admitted.

"Fine. We'll forget about this. But just this once," she gave me her infamous stern look. I thanked her and went the other way with only one thing in mind.

Breakfast.

There was no time for freshening up.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Oh no. What happened now? Just when I thought you were getting better." India sighed at the sight of me.

Great. I looked like hell again.

"I'm hungry India."

"One way to switch topics," she said crossing her arms.

I didn't reply her. Instead I grabbed my meal and sat opposite India. Before she could say anything I dug in. The food was very little. Two slices of bread with butter and a small cup of coffee. It wasn't enough but it will have to do.

"Hmm, let me guess..," she said sounding bored.

"No you may not. Lady Esther made me polish all her shoes last night. I just finished about half an hour ago."

"Why. The. Hell. Did. You. Do. It?" she emphasized every word. This girl was much worse than Ms.Odelle. Observing her infront of me made me think that she could actually smack me. Her heated gaze made me shrink back.

"Eerrgghh, she hit Henri and Henri was bleeding. I didn't want it to get worse by defying the lady so I did what she asked. Stop being so angry."

"And now Henri is fine and you're not."

"India!"

She raised both her hands. "What? You gotta stop doing this. Everybody gets hurt. Nothing new."

"Yeah bu..."

"Na uh! No more Eve. I don't want you dead."

"Okay okay, first Ms.Odelle and now you," I grumbled out.

"I hope you got a ear-full from her."

I gaped at my friend for a second before laying my head on the wooden table. Sleep was very tempting. No it was a necessity at that moment.

"Work starts in fifteen minutes."

She needed to be quiet for a while. Hopefully I don't meet the others. I was too tired to have any sort of conversation.

I did sleep though. For fifteen minutes.

My eyes could barely open when India shook me awake.

"Come on, you don't want to be late," she pulled me up by the elbow.

"Alright I'm awake now. See you tonight....hopefully," she gave me hug and we parted ways. I wondered where the others had gone but I didn't ask. They must have started early or something.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As I took the tray from the kitchen counter and looked up, my eyes found Alex. He was already looking right at me. We stared at each other for a few moments before I tore my gaze away from him. I didn't want to feel even worse than I already did.

I was carrying the tray up the stairs when I heard soft but fast footsteps. I reached the top of the stairs when Lady Esther caught sight of me.

"You there!! Slave girl! You're the one that I saw last night?"

"Yes my Lady," I said bowing.

What could she possibly want now?

"I want all my clothes neatly ironed and my dresses arranged according to my liking. Now."

Now's the time Eve!

"Um..may I please speak my Lady?" I shivered as I spoke. The tray that I was carrying wasn't helping either.

"What does a creature like you have to say?" she had her hands on her hips.

"My Lady, I...I am a personal servant. Therefore, I am n..not allowed to serve tw...."

"Are you teaching me the bloody rules slave?!" I shook my head frantically.

"N..no! I didn't mean any disrespect..."

"Then drop the damn tray and do as I say!!"

I backed away from her a little. She was so scary. As I was figuring out what to do next I sensed someone coming close to me. The relief I felt at that moment couldn't be explained.

"My Lady, the girl is right. A personal servant working for a Royal can never work for anyone else. We follow that rule very strictly here." Ms.Odelle stepped in between me and Lady Esther.

"I. Know. The. Rules. Don't teach me," she snarled at Ms.Odelle. I would have had a panic attack but Ms.Odelle seemed unaffected by the Vampire that stood before her.

"Who the hell does this thing work for?" she asked with the same tone.

"Prince Phoenix Valentine."

As soon as Ms.Odelle said his name, Lady Esther stilled. She didn't move or speak. All I saw was how she clenched both her fists at her sides.