✎ 1x1 ✐ discussion

bahah

yeah, you start!

Name: Vienna Eaton
Age: 22
Occupation: Personal Maid to Prince Kori
She/Her
Straight
~~~
Quote: "He's my closest friend, but I'm a servant, and he's the prince."
~~~
Personality: Quiet, keeps her head down, and doesn't speak unless spoken to. She really doesn't want to lose her job so she stays out of everyone's way. It takes a lot to get her to open up.
~~~
Appearance:

Child~
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/8544877...

Teenager~ https://www.pinterest.com/pin/5364913...

Adult~
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/7098799...

Sorry, it took forever to find appearance pictures that looked like they would work together

Yep! You can start

Sounds good

Vienna sat at the table cutting vegetables for her mother, humming to herself quietly. They were small and not yet mature, but they were all they had. She finished cutting open a green tomato and a few carrots that were only one or two inches long.

Her mother scooped up the cut vegetables, trying not to cry as she looked down at the poor excuse for food. Vienna folded her hands in her lap meekly.

"Has Papa found a job yet?" She asked softly, and her mother shook her head, dumping the veggies in a boiling pot of water. Vienna pursed her lips.

She'd mailed an application to the castle a couple weeks ago behind her mothers back. Whether her mother liked it or not, they needed someone to work and send money back to the household. If it had to be Vienna, so be it. "I could go into the village and ask around if anyone needs-" "No." Her mother cut her off. "You are far too young." "But we need it."

"I'll get it." Vienna said slowly, walking only a few feet towards the door and swinging it open. She gawked up at the man in front of her, wearing nice clothes and holding a scroll. "C-can I help you, sir?"

Vienna's eyes widened and she stared down at the gold in her hands. "Wait!" She set down the bag of gold and rushed out towards the man. "Am I supposed to do anything or-" She blinked rapidly. The money was nice, but didn't a job mean she had to work for it? And from what she'd heard, royal employees and other servants stayed at the castle because it was such a long and demanding job. To be fair though, she was only a kid...

Vienna ran back into the house. "Mother, I'm going to work at the castle." She scooped up the bag of gold. "Look!" Her mother turned around, eyes wide. "You're joking." Vienna shook her head and grabbed the scroll the man has left. "Look!"

(time skip to next morning?)

((sure))

Vienna awoke slowly as they approached the castle. She had hitched a ride with a farmer going to deliver fresh produce for the royal kitchen, but the ride had been about an hour long. It was so early, she couldn't help falling asleep by accident.

"This is yer stop." The man said. "Best of luck." Vienna hopped out of the wagon and smoothed down her worn out cotton gray skirt. It was the best she owned. "Thank you, sir." She said, looking up at the palace in awe. She approached the gates slowly. One of the guards peered down at her. "Do you have any business here, young lady?"

"I-I'm looking for Jack." She held out the scroll announcing her employment. The guard took it with suspicion.

Vienna followed the man quietly, trying not to gawk at her surroundings as she did so. She followed Jack through one of the back entrances, which she assumed was the servant entrance. She was led down a long weaving hallway, with only a few lights on the side. When they arrived at the end of the hall, the room opened up to big vaulted ceilings and beautiful walls.

Vienna startled and dipped into the best curtsy she could do, which was awkward and clumsy. Her feet were not in the right place, her arms bent out crookedly, and she leaned over way too far. She didn't say a word- was she supposed to? She'd never been in the presence of royals before.

Vienna's bottom lip quivered in shame, but she quickly reined in her emotions. She would practice. She would get better. She turned her cautious attention back to the prince, not sure what to do or say.

Vienna nodded, unable and scared to open her mouth. She had no idea what her duties were, but this boy was already making her feel more at ease.

((sure! should i start?))

~ 9 years later ~

17 year old Vienna knocked softly on the door to Prince Kori's chambers, breakfast tray balanced in one hand and freshly pressed clothes in the other. It was early in the morning for him, she knew, but there were important things on the schedule that he needed to attend. She blew a strand of hair that had escaped her bun out of her face and waited for a response.

Vienna offered a small smile. "What did you do this time?" She set the tray delicately on his huge bed and moved to the wardrobe to put away the clothes.

Vienna ignored the first comment as she hung up a tunic. "I think you'll like breakfast this morning."

"Pastries that the artisans from Miella brought in." Vienna turned and set the last of the pressed jackets on top of the changing screen. "Alistair requested you wear this jacket today." She said, then turned and began to make the bed, smoothing the sheets and tucking them.

Vienna halted and bit her lower lip. "Um... welll..."

Vienna sighed and turned to meet his eyes. "Thecrownprinceiscomingbacktoday." She said it so low and so fast that she knew he wouldn't understand her.

Vienna winced and shrank back against the bedposts. "I knew that would be your reaction...." She began to twist her hands together nervously. She hated it when he got angry like that.

Vienna shook her head. "I'm just a lowly servant, how would I know?" She said quietly, bracing herself for more yelling.

Vienna flushed and turned back to her work, fluffing the pillows, then tightening the strings on her apron. "Perhaps your mother and father..." But she was sure that his eldest brother hated her- or at least had ill-intentions. Because anytime they halpened to lock eyes he got this… predatory grin.

"Who?" Vienna asked, tugged from her thoughts. She picked up the breakfast tray and moved it to a small tea table. "Are you almost finished changing?" She eyed the silver dome covering his food with mild jealousy, but brushed it away. "Your food is getting cold."

Vienna laughed. "There really isn't a lot. Besides, it's part of my job to make sure you don't go hungry."

Vienna snorted and rattled the silver dome, then waited a few minutes before turning back to where Kori was still behind the changing screen. "Mm... I tried a few, now the rest are yours."

She froze and her eyes widened in panic. "You know I can't do that. I may be close with your family but that would be crossing a line--"

"But- but why? Do you wish for my employment to be terminated?"

"And you don't worry enough." She countered. She may be a favorite of the royal family, but that didn't make her invincible.

Vienna let out a small gasp and spun towards Kori. "Do I truly have to attend dinner?" She asked, a bit frantically.

Panic coursed through her. "I- I can't do that!" She began to wring her hands again nervously.

She clenched her jaw. If he was going to make her do this, she would not make it easy. Vienna stalked out of the room and down the hall to the Queens chambers, then knocked softly.

(i've got to get up early tomorrow so i'm going to go to sleep now. see you tomorrow!)

Vienna stepped into the room and curtsied. "Good morning Your Highness."

Vienna edged further into the room. "Prince Kori requested I join you for dinner tonight." She said carefully.

Her eyes widened as she was nudged into the chair, glancing around at the luxurious clothes.

Vienna just watched, partially stunned as the queen herself searched for a dress for a serving girl.

Vienna reached out cautiously, fingers skimming the fine material. "Are you sure, Your Majesty?" She asked.

Vienna took a deep breath and took the dress from her, then moved behind a changing screen and slipped into the dress. All she needed was to lace up the back.

"I... I suppose." It felt weird asking the Queen herself for help, but she came out behind the screen and spun so her back faced her. "I can't lace it myself.."

When Andea was finished, Vienna slowly turned towards her, fidgeting with the skirt. "I've never worn something so...."

Vienna pursed her lips and followed the Queen to a vanity.

Vienna said nothing, tears gathering in her eyes. She quickly swiped them away. "Thank you..." She managed.

"Th-thank you?" She watched in the mirror as the Queen spoke, mildly confused.

Vienna startled and was about to ask a question when the Queen moved on to arranging her hair.

"Thank you, Your Highness." She felt weird saying that.