Royal Pain in the Ass

Chapter III

"Is that where I am?"

"Are you lost?"

"Yes,"

Gwen burst out laughing. "Would you like help getting back?"

"Actually, could you just show me around?"

"I can't right now, but I can later."

"Why not right now?"

"Because I'm working." Gwen laughed.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I'm holding you up." I felt bad. I knew what it was like to be behind at work. "Nevermind, sorry."

"It's alright. How about I show you to your room?"

"That would be cool."

Gwen laughed as she led me through the servants' quarters to the hallway my room was on. "I tell you what, I'll be finished with the laundry at ten, I'll come back and show you around if you want. I'll come and do your bedding last."

"That would be amazing."

Gwen laughed. "Alright, well I have to get back to work. You should try to get some sleep. I'll see you around."

I went back in my room and pulled myself into bed. I checked my phone again and it was now almost four am here in England. I cuddled into the sheets and felt sleep pull me under.

I awoke to a soft rapping on the door. "Miss Benn? Are you awake? It's time to wake up. Breakfast is served at seven o'clock sharp.

"Are you serious?" I groaned. I did not do well on three hours of sleep. The last thing I wanted was to get out of my nice warm nest of blankets.

"I'm afraid so, Miss Benn."

"What time is it?"

"Six thirty."

Scratch that, two and a half hours. "Can you come in here?"

The door cracked open and a small, fragile looking woman entered. She had her ginger hair tied back in a braid and was wearing a uniform almost identical to Gwen's except hers came with an apron. "Yes, Miss Benn?"

"Is there somewhere I can take a shower?"

"Of course, the door to your right is your washroom."

I hadn't even realized there was a door there. "Oh, thanks."

"Is there anything else?"

"Not really. Oh, what was your name?"

"Me?"

"Yeah,"

"I am Laurel." She replied blinking her brilliant green eyes at me from behind her black, wire rimmed glasses.

"It's a pleasure." I dragged my butt out of bed and offered her my hand.

She shook it looking at me like I'd sprouted an extra head. "The pleasure is all mine." I wasn't sure why she looked so bewildered.

"Thanks, I'm going to get a shower, but I have a small request."

"Yes, my lady?"

"When I'm finished can someone show me where the dining room is?" I asked hopeful. The last thing I wanted was to miss food.

Laurel smiled. "Of course, my lady. I can wait for you if you like."

"That would be amazing!" I hugged her and she stiffened up. "Thanks, it'll only take me ten minutes!"

I ran to my luggage and pulled out my bag of toiletries and ran into the bathroom. I looked around. It was huge! You could fit at least seven people in the black marble tub. The floors were the same carved black marble with little veins of gold running through it as the tub. The walls were a cream color with hints of gold in it. I was in heaven. I started the water and brushed my teeth as I let the tub fill. The only downside to this bathroom was there was no shower, but with a swimming pool for a tub, I think I could manage. I giggled to myself as I let myself fall into the warmth of the water. It was positively delightful. I washed quickly and grabbed one of the huge fluffy red towels monogrammed with an E. I dried and realized I'd left my clothes in the room. I wrapped my hair in a towel and wrapped one around my body, I didn't want to drip water all over the plush carpet. I snuck back into my room and found it surprisingly empty. I wondered where Laurel had gone as I went to my suit case and pulled out a pair of jeans, one of the few without any tears or rips in them, and a plain black t-shirt. I had a funny feeling that what I'd packed wasn't what this family was used to seeing. I shrugged and decided that it didn't matter. I ran a brush through my still drying hair. If I left it to its own freewill, it would usually make pretty waves and I was feeling especially lazy today. I didn't usually wear make-up, but I decided to wear some eye liner and shadow, just a little. I didn't like it when it looked like I was wearing make-up, just enough to hint. One of the things my mom used to tell me was when you have to wear make-up to be pretty, you aren't.