A ROYAL OBSESSION

When Maya woke up, her gaze flickered to the high ceiling, her lashes fluttering softly as a gentle moan escaped her lips.

Confusion washed over her; what was happening? Why hadn't the usual bucket of water been thrown in her face to wake her?

She had slept soundly, a luxury she had not anticipated, and no one had come to disturb her. Stretching, she stifled a yawn with her hands before sitting upright, her vision sharpening. She was no longer in her aunt's house; she was in the castle, married to the king, and this was her chamber.

Maya gasped, her mind racing. How had she permitted herself to sleep so peacefully, even with the dangers she had heard about this place? She had fallen asleep the moment her head hit the pillow, enveloped by the softest duvet she had ever known— but who could blame her for succumbing to its comfort?

Taking a moment to survey the room, she noted the expansive bed adorned with intricate wooden frames, cupboards on either side holding lanterns and scented oils that filled the space with a delightful aroma.

Across from her was a large dressing table, accompanied by various cosmetics in beautifully crafted metal vases, a wooden chair positioned before it, and a massive wardrobe alongside shelves lined with books.

In one corner stood a grand piano, while the opposite side featured a couch and a table stacked neatly with papers and ink. The room was vast, elegant, and undeniably regal, with abstract paintings hanging on the walls and a rich red rug anchoring the center and above it, a giant chandelier.

Maya noticed the heavy closed curtains; more sunlight would enhance the ambiance, she mused.

Slowly, she swung her legs over the side of the bed, her feet barely making a sound on the plush floor. She almost stumbled as she stepped on the hem of her robe but caught herself, steadying her balance with ease.

Standing tall, she let out a relieved sigh, scanning the room to find no one was watching her. Good.

Lifting the hem of her robe to avoid further mishaps, she moved toward the curtains. They were grand, thick velvet with golden trims, reaching from top to bottom. She swept them aside and opened the window, inviting fresh air to fill the room.

Maya placed her hands on the windowpane, and looked outside at the trees swaying gently in the breeze, suddenly, a bird perched on a branch, chirping at first,the sound melodic before it started singing, its song lifting her spirits, causing a small smile to tug at her lips despite the uncertainty around her.

As the bird finished its melody, Maya muttered, "Thank you," watching as it flew away.

At that moment, the door opened, and Nadira entered, flanked by the maids who had attended her the day before. Maya turned her attention to Nadira, now noting the girl's dark hair and striking green eyes.

"Apologies for disturbing you, your majesty," Nadira said, bowing.

"I'm already awake, so you're not disturbing me. I appreciate you checking in," Maya replied, noticing the way Nadira's gaze narrowed, as if she found those words not appropriate.

"It's our duty to check on you, your majesty. No need for thanks; it's simply our responsibility," Nadira replied with a polite smile. Maya nodded, acutely aware of her discomfort in this new setting. She had expressed her gratitude to them multiple times, which Nadira seemed to observe.

"Your majesty, we need to prepare you for the day. A bath and a meal are in order, and if you're feeling up to it, we can give you a tour of the castle," Nadira stated.

"Yes, please," Maya responded firmly, and with that, they got to work. They removed her robe, and a wave of vulnerability washed over her in the bright, open room. Regardless, she reminded herself to maintain her composure, even as she felt exposed.

After her bath, Maya sat before the mirror in a fresh robe while Nadira attended to her hair and makeup. A sense of reality settled over her; this would become her morning routine—no more toiling like she had back at her aunt's house. She would simply wake up, dress elegantly, eat, and then? The uncertainty loomed large. This life was undeniably comfortable, yet it left her pondering which version of herself she truly preferred.

"Which color do you prefer, your majesty?" Maya heard Nadira ask, and she turned to see two beautiful dresses held up for her: one dark blue and the other a light green. Not one to favor dark colors, Maya decisively chose the green. The gown grazed her ankles, made of fine silk with attached gloves, a square neckline, and small puff sleeves. Her hair cascaded down her back in loose curls, complemented by delicate sandals.

She then proceeded down the stairs, escorted from the chamber to the dining hall. As they passed through the dimly lit sections of the castle, a nagging sensation crept in that something sinister lurked in the shadows. But Maya remained silent, focusing instead on the dining hall ahead, where flickering torches offered meager illumination.

At the table, a lavish feast awaited her—lamb, rice, vegetable sauce, corn, and wine. "Is this all for me?" she asked Nadira, incredulous.

"Yes, your majesty. If you manage to eat it all and still desire more, I can arrange for the kitchen to provide extras," Nadira replied with a hint of a smile.

"Are you joking? this is perfect" Maya said, her surprise evident.

As she sat, she took note of the array of spoons and forks laid out before her. The intricacies of royal dining were more complex than she anticipated. She reached for the cutlery that appealed to her, taking charge of her meal.

As Maya began to eat, she quickly noticed the extraordinary quality of the food. Perfectly seasoned and flawlessly cooked, each bite melted in her mouth. The wine was a revelation, something she had never tasted before. In this moment, she acknowledged that perhaps this was a significant improvement over her previous life at her aunt's house. No one forced her to work, she relished exquisite meals, wore beautiful garments, enjoyed a luxurious bed, and found the people around her to be pleasant. Maybe this new chapter was just what she needed.

Once she finished her meal and it was time to return to her chamber, she was again escorted by Nadira and two servants. A wave of gratitude washed over her as they moved through the dark halls.

Glancing around at the flickering torches casting eerie shadows on the stone walls, Maya felt the weight of intimidation. She stopped abruptly. "Nadira, why are the curtains always drawn?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.

This marked the first time Maya initiated a conversation, and Nadira, taken by surprise, smiled back. "I can't say for certain, but I believe His Majesty prefers it this way," she responded.

"Do you not feel uneasy in this place? I certainly do," Maya admitted.

Nadira's smile faltered slightly. "I'm sorry, your majesty. In time, it will become more familiar to you," she said, trying to reassure Maya.

But Maya was unyielding. The darkness bothered her in ways she couldn't explain, "Open the curtains and the windows," she ordered.

Nadira's eyes widened. "Y-your majesty?" she stammered, taken aback.

"Yes, I said open the curtains and windows," Maya reiterated firmly.

Doubt crossed Nadira's face. No one had ever opened them before. While she hadn't spent so many years in the castle, she knew the king disapproved, and though she considered reminding Maya of this, she hesitated. After all, this was the king's bride. She took a breath and nodded. "Yes, your majesty," she replied, moving to carry out the command.

Nadira approached the other servants. "Come, we need to open the curtains," she instructed.

They exchanged wide-eyed glances. "But the king doesn't like it," one protested.

"Her majesty requested it," Nadira stated with authority.

"She just arrived, and now she's demanding to open the curtains? This is looking bad for her," another muttered under her breath.

Nadira shot her a sharp glare. "If our majesty commands it, we will comply."

Reluctantly, they agreed. The large curtains were pulled aside; the windows opened. For the first time, sunlight poured in, washing over the room and pushing back the darkness that had lingered.

"It's on her if His Majesty discovers this," one murmured.

Nadira interjected, "She is his bride, and you'd do well to remember that she is different from us. He will understand."