I've been working here for a while now, I'm 15, no longer just a child, I'm grown up.

The queen was wrong about me getting to go home for holidays, I haven't seen Father since the day I left.

I miss him more and more, and what's worse? I don't even get to write to him.

I have to wear this stupid uniform, it's a black dress, with a white apron.

The dress itself is very short, and only just covers my butt.
The apron doesn't even reach the hem of the dress, which makes it even worse.

I have to wear my hair in a bun everyday, and the shoes I have to wear are so stupid.

They aren't flat, or comfortable. They have large heels, so much so that I have to walk on my tip toes all day long.

The Prince is probably the worst thing about this job, though.

Prince Paul, the snobby. He seems to think he can just 'have his way'. Whenever we're in the same room, he tries to seduce me, for some reason.

It's not like I'm rich, or own land. It's not even like I got this job because of fortune, or skill. I got this because of the freaking military.

I still hate them to this day, they're the reason I am no longer with Father.

Anyway, the eldest prince, who is around my age, is the worst person I've met so far. I hate him with such a passion, he just seems so disgusting.

It's not even just occasionally, it's all the time.

Every time I see him, he tries to flirt. Every time he sees me, he tries to get my attention.

It's like he thinks I have no will, and would do whatever he wants.

Just because I'm a maid, and have to wear a stupidly short uniform, doesn't mean I sleep around.

I'm still a virgin, thanks. I will be, until I get married, that is.

The only good part of this job is the free time, whenever I finish my duties early, I get time to myself.

During such times, I explore the castle grounds, the forest.

Usually, I'll change into something that's better for walking, such as my trousers and shirt from when I used to have to pretend to be male.

It's not as if they could stop me exploring, or having fun in my free time, if I'm always on time.

The day I'm late, will be the day I quit. Trust me, I will not be quitting. If I do happen to quit, though, it would be Prince Snobby's fault.

I swear, that guy has no taste. At least he doesn't bother me in my free time, my time in the forest.

The forest is what keeps me sane, there's this tree, it's like me.

Small, but has a large band of branches. I am like this tree, in so many ways. We're both alone, for example.

I wish we weren't alone, but we are. Nothing can change that, well, I guess I wouldn't be alone if I had my father.

Although, Father could never come. He can't visit me, and I'm not allowed to visit him.

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I wipe my forehead, this is probably the hardest job I've had to do so far.

I've been tasked with cleaning up Prince Paul's room. It's like he made it a mess deliberately, knowing I would have to stay inside until I had completed the job.

I had to use one of the larger uniforms so he wouldn't be able to see my butt while I was cleaning.

There's no way in hell that is willingly let that happen.

Instead, I'm wearing the same uniform, but large enough that it basically swallows me.

My hair is tied up in its usual bun, but because of the uniforms size, you can barely see my face.

I've been luck enough that the Prince hasn't came into his room yet, but that certainly won't last for long.

When he does, he will make sure I change into my normal uniform as well. Maybe this was a bad idea, but then again, if I told that Prince Snobby made me feel uncomfortable, I'd be laughed at.

No one would believe me, I would simply be ridiculed! The queen would frown upon me, and the prince would get his way!

He would be the one that would make sure I didn't lose my job, he would vouch for me, even if I tried to get him in trouble.

He may be disgusting, but at least he cares about me. As soon as I finish cleaning in here, I'm changing back, or, sooner.

I turned to look at the boy who had just entered the room, I was currently standing on a chair dusting the roof, so obviously I was awkward.

He held up an outfit, which proceeded to throw at me. "Take this, and go change. In the bathroom, now."

Clumsily, I tried to catch it, but failed. I fell, with the uniform, to the ground.

I was fine, but embarrassed. Who wouldn't be embarrassed if they had just fallen off a chair in front of the prince?

I picked the uniform up, before bowing my head, and running through to the bathroom. I took my cleaning equipment with me, so I could clean through there while I was inside.

I got changed quickly, not wanting to get in trouble. I was lucky enough to have someone here care for me. I don't want to ruin that, even if I do wish it was someone else.

I folded up the larger uniform neatly, and cleaned the bathroom up a little, before unbolting the door, and leaving.

There he was, Prince Snobby, the 1st, sitting on his bed. Here I am, having use manners. Having to curtsy.

"Thank you, your highness, I will be getting back to work now." Curtsy, polite, smile, wait to be dismissed.

"No, you shall not."

My face was filled with confusion and fright as soon as he said those 4 words.

What did he mean? Was he going to try something again?

"Sir, I must, if I do not I will not finish my duties," I reply, as calmly as I possibly can.

"You may not continue your job, you have interrupted my duties," he looks at me, serious. This isn't a game, this time. I'm in trouble. What do I do? "Come. Sit."

He beckons for me to sit beside him, but that won't happen. Staff aren't allowed on to sit next to the royal family. Instead of sitting next to him, I sit on the floor.

I feel safer on the floor, he can't try anything when I'm sitting down here. He glared at me as soon as I sat on the floor.

"Next to me, not on the floor."

I slowly rise, and sit next to him. "Sir, I'm really not supposed to do this."

He looked at me, bored. "If I say you sit there, you'll sit there."

I nodded, looking at my knees.

He then did something that shocked me, he didn't try anything, but instead just hugged me. After a couple of seconds, I hugged him back.

"Are you alright?"

He nodded into my shoulder, and I fell silent.

It took him about 5 minutes to finally let me go, and I was glad when he did.

"You may resume your work."

I nodded once again, before getting up and making my way to my things. "I was finished, anyway, sir."

I bow to the boy, who seems sad, before leaving the room. That took a lot longer than it should have.

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Since I finished, I got my free time. I'm back in my forest, or, the castle's forest.

I love this place so much, especially my tree. My tree, the one thing that I can count on, is still here.

I love it more than life itself, it's strange how much I love this tree. It's so small, yet it represents love, hope, and courage.

It just seems so hopeful, this one shred of light in my life. Father would love it too, if he was here. I know he would, he's just like me, therefore, he'd love this tree.

This little tree gives me so much hope, it's so bright. I love it more than ever.

As each day passes, I feel more and more of a connection to this tree.

The tree is my favourite thing in this place, so much so that I think I may be connected to it.

Not just because of the hope that it gives off, but simply by spirit.

It has a strong spirit, and makes me feel so much better than I normally do.

If I ever had to pick between my job, and the forest, I would pick the forest, simply so I could stay with the tree.

This tree is very specialty can't you tell?

Double chapter! I haven't posted this for agesss! Hope you enjoyed :)