//------------------------------// // ~Chapter 1~ // Story: The Prince and the Scullery Maid // by Wolfen Spirit //------------------------------// Tis a story to be heard. As it is kind of absurd. The Prince came from a high and mighty kingdom, with the maid had come from a place without freedom. Now, I will tell you their tale. But beware, it is a scary finale (read ‘finale’ as ‘fine-ale’ rhymes with tale). As the Prince was in his bed, the scullery maid had to watch her head. <~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~> “RAEL!!!” Her mother screamed, “GET OUT OF BED THIS INSTANT, YOU LAZY COW!” But, Miss. Rael was already awake. Catching the last of the moon’s shine as Nocturne set it for the night. Now, Rael worked in the castle as a maid, a scullery maid to be exact. Now, a scullery maids were the lowest-ranked and often the youngest of the female servants and acted as assistant to a kitchen maid. The kitchen maid she assisted treated her with respect, but the head chef looked at her with disdain, as she was not a pony, but a deer. “I am out of bed mother.” She spoke softly. Her mother glared at her sharply. “Do NOT make me yell for you again, stupid deer.” Rael flinched but nodded and grabbed her saddle-bag. “I am headed off to work mother, I will be home soon after.” Her mother corrected her, “Right after, stupid deer. You will not hang out with your so called ‘friends’ today. I need you at home.” The young maid nodded sadly but firmly as she headed out the door. “Yes, Mother.” As Young Maid went east towards the castle, the Prince was waking up to begin the day’s duties. <~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~> The Prince was named Kohen. Most called him Prince. He only knew of few that knew his name. But, today is his birthday, and for a present he wants to go outside to the western villages. His mother though, had other plans. Squeeeeaaakkkk. His doors opened slowly, as the glow of a soft fire brightened up the entry. “HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR PRINCE!” Prince Kohen laughed joyfully as he flung his bed-ridden mane in a haste to look presentable. “Mona! Flower! Platter! How nice to see you outside of the kitchen!” He laughed as he talked to his dear servant friends. “But, where’s Kiana?” Platter Plate sighed regretfully, “You see dear Prince, Kiana was hoping to serve you one of her famous ‘Island’ dishes when Cake got sick and her dreadful scullery maid was put on Kiana.” The Prince was confused, “Dreadful? How? Is she mean?” Platter shook his head, “No, she’s very kind. It’s just what she is. But enough with scullery maids! It is your birthday! Here is your birthday cake to celebrate!” The Prince had no idea they still had scullery maids around, but shaking off the thought he dug into his cake, and with offering the chefs pieces, he headed off to see his mother and uncle. “Mother! Uncle! Good morning!” The Prince joyfully sang out as he reached the Throne Room. His mother smiled, with her surprise glint in her eye as she put away some papers hastily thrown at some servants. “Dear Kohen! How nice you look! For your very special day too!” His uncle nodded gravely. “Yes Prince. How nice it is.” The Prince did not notice his uncles frown and spoke cheerfully, “Thank you kindly Uncle! Mother!” His mother was named Quill. His uncle, Carlander. “Where are my two little sisters now?” He heard a little squeal behind him as two flashes of color came into his view, “Kohen! Kohen!” They cheered, “It’'s your BIRTHDAY!!!” And as the three kid rulers were celebrating, the Young Maid was busy at work. <~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~> “RAAAEEEELLL!” Her temporary Kitchen Maid hollered, “Get me the flour, Now if possible!” Rael hurried along running to and fro to find unused flour. When she brought a bag to Kiana, it seemed she already had one. “O-oh, I-I’m so sorry Kiana. Please don’t be mad.” Rael looked at her pleadingly, and Kiana Essence sighed. “Oh Rael. It’s fine I guess. Today is really important though,” She hummed in thought, “I have to make a bunch of Hoofwaii food and I’m really worked up… But, I really don’t need a deer running underhoof…” An idea came to mind, “Ah hah! You can serve the food to the royals! Perfect. Then you’ll actually be useful!” Rael cringed at that statement, “Ok! I’ll get you set up!” Kiana hurried away, as if on a mission. Rael sighed as food was set upon her back, and she walked out, with a unicorn guard’s assistants to make sure nothing fell, though, Rael was almost positive they meant him to keep her under watch. As she reached the Throne Room doors, the magical aurora that was on the food disappeared to open the doors. The guard announce to the Royals, “Kiana sends her regrets and sends you her famous Hoofwaii food in her place,” Rael heard three pairs of hooves clapping and two excited squeals. As Rael walked in, head low, she felt the aurora cover the food again, as it was distributed to each royal. The Prince just stared at her, barely even glancing at the food. When Rael looked up and met his green gaze, her face heated up and she looked immediately down again. The Prince smiled and started to eat his very unhealthy breakfast (The cake was like a morning snack). The two fillies squealed with every bite until their mother discouraged them, “Celestia, Luna, manners.” Rael smiled a bit at their grouchiness but quickly walked away when the plates were stacked on her back. The Prince stared at her all the way out. <~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~> “Who was that Mother?” The Prince asked after Rael had left. “Some scullery maid. Her name is like Real or Quail or something. Why?” His mother stared at him ludicrously. He smiled and shook his head. His mother cheered up again. “Well, this was going to be a surprise, but, you are at dating and marrying age now, though a little younger than most, but tonight, in honor of your birthday, we are throwing you a… BIRTHDAY BALL! I invited all the princesses and of course their mothers I knew you’d be positively delighted and am happy…” But Kohen wasn't listening. He was thinking of the strange deer he had seen. Her shockingly electric blue eyes seemed liked they pierced into his soul. He wanted to know who she was, she was a maid yes, but he wanted to know who she was as a pony, or eh-hem, a deer. “Kohen...Kohen… KOHEN!” Kohen looked at his mother quickly. “Yes, Mother?” His mother glowered at her son, “I said: Anyone in particular you want me to invite?” She said the last word with such annoyance that her son was ultimately uncomfortable. But, he nodded anyway, “Yes, the kitchen staff. Like Flower Stem, Platter Plate, Mona Kitchen, and Kiana Essence. Except not only them, like the whole staff.” His mother nodded hesitantly. “Ok Kohen. Fine. Now go see the tailor about your suit.” Kohen nodded and trotted off towards the tailors quarters. “Tailor Suit? Are you in?” The Prince walked into the tailors place and saw him working on one of his masterpieces. When Tailor Suit turned around, he immediately bowed, “Your Highness! Ready to make a suit?” Kohen nodded and went up to the platform. “Now, I will need to take measurements, but everything seems to be alright. Any mares you would like to impress?” The Spanish stallion wiggled his eyebrows and his mustache twitched. The Prince shook his head and laughed, “No, but my mothers counting on it. She wants me married, but I just want to have fun. No girl has held my interest for very long.” He saw Tailor’s eyes widen and he groaned, “Don’t get me wrong I like mares but, I just haven’t found the mare yet.” or the deer… goddess why am I thinking of her?! I don’t even know her. Tailor Suit looked at him with worry as Kohen fought his inner battle. But, as The Prince got measured up, Rael was getting a mental beat down.