It's been a year now since the military found out about me. They still think I'm Father's carer, so that's good, I guess.

Last time they were around, they told us to be ready for a visit. They didn't tell us who it would be from, but they did say that the visitor is important.

That's why Father tasked me with cleaning out house, and making it look better than it does.

In other words, I have to do everything around the house until after the visit.

Actually, probably after too. If I know Father, and I do, then it'll probably be me doing everything around the house until I move out.

Then again, to move out I have to get married, so maybe I never will.

I'm not worried about that in any case, I love Father. I could easily live with Father for the rest of my life. Father and I have a special relationship, most girls my age probably don't get along well with their Father's, but I do. Father and I even have code names, and secrets together.

Sure, there isn't anyone else who we could share secrets with, but who cares?

I love Father, and Father loves me.

--------------------------------

This morning, I woke up to a lot of commotion from outside. I'm still exhausted, and now Father is getting at me for not getting the letter.

The letter is about the visit, the visit we have in a few days.

It gives us details about it, like the fact that we need to be able to cook well, and have a spare bedroom.

Who is this? Why do they need to stay with us?

I guess I'll find out soon enough.

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Once again, I woke it to a lot of noise, but this time it was different.

I had to get myself dressed quickly, to get down to the door. I had to get to the door as fast as possible.

I climbed down the ladder, and before running down the steps, I banged on Father's door, yelling at him to get up.

I guess this is our visiter.

My guess was right, which is what I thought as soon as I opened the door.

I was expecting one person, most likely male, but I was so very wrong.

In front of me stood a beautiful girl, in even more beautiful gowns. She reminded me of the queen, the queen who was crowned last year.

Queen Catherine.

It clicked, that's why there were guards around her.

I curtsied, "Your Majesty."

The Queen ignored me, and turned to the guards, questioning.

"Is this the girl Wilson told you about?"

The guard simply nodded.

"Miss...." The queen trailed off, not knowing who I actually was.

"Grace Muill."

"Miss Muill, one of our soldiers let me know of your current position. He seemed to think I should take you to be a maid."

Fear and panic filled my mind, I'd have to leave Father. There's no way I would happily leave Father.

As I was thinking the option through, I heard a voice from behind me.

"My Queen, to what do I owe this pleasure?" Father addressed the queen from his bow.

The queen simply smiled, "William Muill?" Father nodded. "I am here on official business. I am aware that this is your daughter," Father looked dumbstruck. I was shocked too, how did she know? "And have came to offer her a position as my maid."

Father smiled at me, "Grace, I would like you to take this opportunity. Make me proud."

Father's statement shocked me even more, he wanted me to go? But then I wouldn't be with him. He does know that, right?

"But Father, then I wouldn't see you, ever."

"Actually Miss, you'd be able to see your father at holidays."

I nodded, my voice was weak, Father wanted me to go. Does he not like me anymore?

Father must have seen how crest fallen I look. At least, I think I do, either that or I'm showing no emotion.

The Queen looks down at me, with a smile. "Very well, but, before you can indeed come back to the castle with me, you must be tested."

"Tested?"

"I shall be staying here for the night, you will be tasked with looking after me," Queen Catherine's gown moved as she began to walk towards the comfortable chair in our living room.

That's supposed to be my chair! How dare she?

I must not show my emotions well, as the queen completely ignored my anger.

How dare she just walk in here, decide I'm her maid and say she'll be staying the night?

"Your majesty, excuse my rudeness, but I thought you had enough maids?"

Now it's her turn to look disappointed. "I did, but, something happened, the unspeakable happened." She tried to lighten the damp mood. "But you'll be fine! I can tell, your going to live for a long time!"

I looked at her doubtfully. It's pretty obvious she doesn't know what type of person I am.

I'm the type of person who will stand up for their beliefs, who believes that genders are equal.

Why should we have to be treated differently? Just because we have... Boobs, and not a penis, doesn't mean we're different.

Well, that different anyway. Like, say I dressed in male clothing, hid my hair under a hat, I'd be treated better.

But if I went out on my own, dressed as a female should be, I'd get a bunch of crap. Not just from men, from women. Everyone.

In other words, I'm the type of person who is likely to be killed for their beliefs.

She must've seen my wariness, because she began to laugh.

"Trust me, no one would dare hurt you if you are in my care."

In her care? I thought I was just going to work for her? The way she said that makes it sound like she's taking me in, like I'm an orphan or something.

I am definitely far from that, I have Father.

But do I? Father doesn't seem to care anymore.

Maybe it's the money, he'll be getting so much money.

Or maybe it's the fact that he can't turn down the queen.

Yes, that's it. The latter, he'd be looked down upon if he was to turn down the queen.

Although, I'm still shocked that she came to our home to ask.

Normally, a girl would just get a letter. I must be very special, mustn't I?

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It's beginning to get late, but Queen Catherine has kept us on our feet all night, requesting food, drinks, a more comfortable chair. That sort of thing.

You'd think the woman had never been at the house of poor people. Well, relatively poor people, anyway.

We're not exactly poor, we have enough for food and a home, but that is all. We don't have luxuries, luxuries are for the rich.

Come on, we live on a farm, not in a castle. What does she expect? Well dressed, posh, luxurious people?

If so, how wrong she is. All she will get would be tiresome, not rich, messily dressed people. People who actually work for what they have.

I doubt she's ever worked a day in her life. Probably hasn't, all a queen really has to do is sit, sand, and look pretty. It's the King who has the real power. The queen? She does nothing.

Except, well, visit homes, apparently.

-------------------------------

That night my dreams were filled with being chased, with guards holding swords.

I woke up with tears streaming down my face, it was terrible. It was so bad, it's changed my mind, I don't want to go to the palace anymore.

If my dream is true, and normally they are, I won't last. Never will I willingly give it all up.

Never ever, never I shall. I shall never. If I was to give up, it would be like I was killing myself, or worse, my father.

I couldn't live with myself if I caused my father a lot of pain. I love that man, Father, he's my whole life.

Without Father, I wouldn't be here, I'd be where Mother is. I'd not be living.

It's about time I get out of bed, though, as it's around the time that the Queen's soldiers banged in the door.

That means that I need to make breakfast. I must make breakfast for the Queen, and Father.

The queen does require food, or she'll probably never take me in.

Grudgingly, I climb down the ladder, and the steps to start on our food.

For a change, I've decided to make some eggs, with pancakes.

It's strange, but the queen should be fine with it. There shouldn't be an issue, as long as it's edible.

"Is my food ready?" A very regal voice spoke from behind me. It was about time, I thought she'd have been down sooner.

"Yes miss, please sit," I smiled at the lady, she was very kind.