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My first friend

"I had really thought the rumors were false. So, it is true? The murderer prince actually exists?" I choked out, suddenly feeling a sharp pain, like that of a spear, inside my belly, and I groaned out in pain.

"Did you poison me?" I asked with widened eyes, and she hissed at me in response.

"Ah! Of course not. Have you forgotten what I told you? We won't hurt you, unless the prince commands us to, and as of now, we have received no such orders!" She replied. Although I should have been shivering with fear, not knowing when such an order might come, I felt a strange sense of relief, happy that I would be alive for a while longer.

"Look, I didn't mean to frighten you, but I also know that I'm not supposed to keep secrets from you. That's why I'm telling you this: Life in this castle can be interesting and fascinating, as long as you know how to mind your own business. Because if you're the type who doesn't, you will really hate it here," the maid advised, and I nodded in understanding.

"Hmm, what about the other maid? The one that collapsed to the ground?" I inquired respectfully.

"Oh, Maggie!" The maid's face twisted into a look of scorn. "She's doing well, except that she's not responding to treatment," she replied, her smile mischievously wide.

"You don't seem sad about it," I observed carefully. You might wonder how I knew—well, it's simple: she had a deep smile on her face, and her dimples were pronounced.

"Why should I be sad about it? Even if she dies, good riddance to bad rubbish! I couldn't care less about her demise. Who knows, everyone might even label me her murderer!" The maid smiled, her dimples glowing, and for a few seconds, I was lost, staring into her eyes.

It was then that I fully understood what was actually going on.

The maid was no friend of Maggie's; they despised each other.

"You know, Maggie and I were once best friends, but everything changed after she got promoted to the prince's personal maid. She changed her attitude towards me, completely forgetting that we both entered this palace as kitchen maids—the most stressful job in the history of maid service!" She replied curtly, and my curiosity deepened.

"The most stressful job? Wow! But then why was she promoted while you were left behind? Isn't that unfair?" I asked, sounding as naive as I felt.

"No, it's not unfair, nor is it cheating or favoritism. It's simply luck; she was favored, and I was genuinely happy for her at first. But her heart harbored envy for me. She was so jealous that she tried to harm me in my dreams. Since that day, we've been at odds, and we stopped talking to each other. That wasn't all; on many occasions, Maggie was seen tormenting me. After enduring her torments, I decided to stand up for myself, and since then, I've been known as the 'demon lord'," she explained, her voice heavy with the weight of a broken friendship.

As she shared her story, it became clear that there were multiple layers of complexity in her relationship with Maggie.

She continued, her voice trembling with emotion, "It's not easy being labeled as such, but I had to survive. The palace is rife with liars, deceit, and hatred, and sometimes you have to become something you're not just to make it through the day."

I listened attentively, recognizing the toll that palace life had taken on her. It was clear that she still harbored feelings for her friend Maggie, and I sensed there was more to the story than she had revealed. Yet I chose not to probe further, letting the sleeping dog lie.

She wiped away a stray tear, attempting to regain her composure. Despite her efforts to appear bold, I saw through her façade to a timid woman desperate for friendship, for someone to genuinely care about her.

"You don't have to worry or feel bad about it; we all have our secrets," I tried to comfort her, but she shook her head.

"No, no! I didn't share this with you to gain your sympathy, but to help you understand that this castle has its own rules. Living here requires strength and courage, and you must be prepared for the worst. I am not just a servant; I am a maid. And if a maid must endure such trials, imagine what a mere slave like you might face," she said, her gaze meeting mine with a blend of vulnerability and resolve.

I remained silent, pondering her words, unable to disagree.

"Thank you for sharing your story with me. By the way, you mentioned you wouldn't hurt me unless the prince orders it. Does that mean you're friends with the prince?" I asked cautiously, striving to maintain a calm and normal tone.

Her eyes sparkled with mischief and pride.

"Oh, yes, I am. I have a good rapport with him, and he values my services highly," she replied in a tone laced with menace, smiling slyly.

I observed her, puzzled by the meaning of her smile. "Your smile is mysterious, ma'am, and your face and dimples shine like beautiful sunshine," I said, admiring her beauty, and the maid seemed genuinely taken aback by my praise.

"Don't be so cheesy, girl. And don't worry; you'll learn to navigate this world, just like the rest of us. But remember, curiosity can be dangerous. Be cautious with your words and questions," the mischievous-looking maid advised me, warming my heart with the thought that I might have someone who cared about me in this strange place.

Before I could respond, the door creaked open, and another maid entered with a stern and serious expression.

"Enough chatter. It's time to prepare for the evening. The prince will be hosting guests, and we must ensure everything is in order," she declared briskly, then left without awaiting a reply.

The mischievous maid shot me a sly grin before following the other, leaving me alone with my whirlwind of thoughts and unanswered questions.

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