The next day there was a commotion in my room. Together with Jen, we were packing my things for moving to another room, which was not so much, but what is not a reason to spend time with a friend and chat.

I gutted the entire closet and bedside table, trying to carefully put all the clothes in a travel bag. I also put a comb in there, some hairpins and pins, and some books that I stole from the library without asking.

That’s all, my short stay in this cramped, damp room is over. It was both joyful and sad. I looked at my illusory ceiling, which was now flooded with bright rays of the dawn sun and smiled. I should ask for the same ceiling in the new room. Wouldn’t that be too cheeky of me?

Jen was extremely inspired when she saw the ceiling of my room for the first time and immediately flooded me with questions "what and where, and how it appeared." I didn’t go into details, so I said it was a gift for a good job.

I took another look at the empty surroundings and thanked Jen for the company, followed the butler who came to my new room.

We went up to the third floor of the main building, and I got nervous, why should my room be located on the same floor as the royal chambers? This is too much. And how should I dispel the rumors about my connection with the king, when she draws me closer and closer. Absurd.

I was confused in my mind, but I didn’t show it, and when we reached my room, I was relieved to note that Raphael was not so stupid and my bedroom was located exactly opposite him, but at a sufficient distance. That is, to get from his room to mine, it was necessary to go through a long u-shaped corridor, which means there is a high probability that we will not run into each other often. Well, I was hoping for that.

The butler opened the door for me, stepping aside and letting me enter first. A fleeting glance at the butler, and I found myself in a huge, incredibly beautiful room, which I had never had even in my native Rilya.

With a sinking heart and an open mouth, I looked at the luxurious and expensive decoration. I already felt my eyes getting wet, wanting to shed tears of joy, but biting my lip, I sniffed and suppressed the approaching touching emotions.

The room was very bright, thanks to the high floor-to-ceiling windows and even the dark curtains could not hold back the sunlight that sparkled insistently penetrated inside. There was everything here to make any girl feel not even a princess, but a queen.

The dark varnished parquet shone as if it had been laid just a minute ago and no foot had yet stepped on it. In the center of the wall was a giant four-poster bed with a high fluffy mattress and a textured gold headboard.

The canopy hung with a weightless transparent tulle, creating lightness of textures. At the foot of the bed was a small carved bench made of dark wood with soft pillows. There was a beautiful carpet under the bed, as if made by Oriental masters.

There were also two wardrobes in the same color scheme, an openwork snow-white screen, a massive but elegant fireplace and many, many paintings on the walls. I felt like I was in an art gallery, it was really amazing, every painting is like a work of art. And they all looked very, very old, despite the excellent preservation and grooming.

But the best of it all was a spacious balcony and a private bathroom. When the butler pointed at her, opening the door, I already squeaked with joy, jumping up and down like a little girl on the spot. This is what I’ve been dreaming about for the last month. Charles measured me with a good-natured smile and the next second a young maid joined us in the room.

I recognized her immediately. Her name was Tana. This is exactly the maid who took care of my leg wounds on my first day in Abion. She smiled warmly and greeted me with a deep bow. Still wonderful and well-mannered.

- Well, milady, I’ll leave you and your maid to familiarize yourself with everything here. If you need any help, Tana will be more than willing to help within her capabilities. – the butler reported and left.

And I... and what am I? I was overjoyed, broke into a huge smile and ran up to the maid and hugged her tightly, then let her go and took her hands, creating a small distance between us. My eyes sparkled with happiness, and I was in a hurry to share it with others. I needed to release this stream of energy urgently before it blew me up from the inside.

- Tana, I’m so glad to see you again. I squeaked while the maid was recovering from the shock of such a fraternal relationship.

- Milady, I can say exactly the same thing. It is a great pleasure for me to be your maid. I swear that I will be faithful and honest with you.

I let her go and circled around, once again imprinting the new bedroom in my memory.

- Let me help you put your things away and change. - The maid’s voice sounded behind him.

- I don’t really have that many things. Just one bag. – I smiled shyly at her, but I accepted the help anyway.

But what was my surprise when I saw luxurious dresses in open closets, one better than the other and so many. It was a sin to hang up my old, though clean, but worn-out clothes. I looked down at my trampled work shoes and smiled sadly. It will be just ridiculous if I wear such beautiful dresses with such shoes.

My fingers were sliding over the smooth silk and satin fabrics when there was a knock on the door. I looked at Tana, waiting for at least some hints on what to do. I knew I had to open it, but in my heart I was a little afraid that it might be Giselle. However, then another thought followed, which assured that Giselle would just break down this door, and not knock softly.

And I let the maid open the door.

Tana stepped aside and bowed low, remaining in this position, which made me wary. A young girl, also about thirty years old, with black obsidian hair combed into a braid, gathered on the back of her head with ornate designs, a proud majestic posture with an upturned chin and a kind, at first glance, facial expression, entered the room with smooth steps, barely audible, but rustling with a layered massive skirt.

She slipped past the maid and came straight to me. At that moment I stood rooted to the spot and could not think rationally at all, I was confused by such an unexpected intrusion, but I should not show aggression, because I have absolutely no idea who is in front of me. So I stood meekly and waited for her to come closer.

Stopping a step away from me, she looked me up and down, grinning. A wave of dislike began to rise in me, what kind of smirks are these? Yes, I was still in the clothes of a maid, but that doesn’t mean anything at all.

She see indignation in my eyes, the stranger stretched out her arms and jerked me into her arms, making me petrify even more. What just happened?

- Well, well, relax. - she patted me rhythmically on the back and pulled away, rewarding me with a bright smile. – I’m sorry, I couldn’t resist, Raphael didn’t tell me that you were so insanely cute.

I kept looking at her with my eyebrows furrowed and my mouth open. What else could I do? She shocks me for the second time in a row in one minute. What hadn’t Raphael told her? Was he supposed to tell her about me? Who is she?

Although I no longer looked at her with hostility, wariness gave way to this feeling.

- Let’s sit down, Thea? – she took me with her like a resigned rag doll, seating me next to her on my new bed.

- I’m sorry, but I... I don’t even know who you are. – my question was self-evident.

- That’s right, because we haven’t met yet. This idiot didn’t let me, but today I heard about your move out of the corner of my ear and I didn’t care about all his prohibitions. - She smiled smugly, wrinkling her snub nose. – I’m Amanda. Amanda de Mourey, Raphael’s own sister. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

No, she’s surprised me three times already. I had no idea that this man had a sister. I haven’t even seen her in the pedigree book. Although... maybe she can give me answers to this mysterious discrepancy.

I wanted to get up and bow, but she stopped me by squeezing my hand tightly. Well, she is strong, despite her apparent fragility.

- You and I are on an equal footing, Princess, so leave all these trivial honors. Let’s get to know each other better. You can call me Mendy. Amanda murmured, smiling.

- It’s all so unexpected, but I’m also glad to meet you. It’s a great honor for me. – having overcome the stupor, I said.

- I’ve been telling Raphy for a long time not to keep you in those terrible conditions. He finally had the sense to change his mind. - she stared at my dress. - I suppose you wanted to change? How about a short walk after that?

- Oh, I’d be happy, but I don’t think that’s a good idea. Lady Giselle... she...

- Oh, don’t worry about her, she’s busy with my brother. – the princess waved away. – Change your clothes and meet me in the garden, I’ll order the servants to serve us tea.

My chest hurt again.