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It was another day, and the sun would slowly rise over the kingdom of Celinao. Voletta would be lying in her bed in the deepest parts of the castle, sleeping peacefully, until one of the guards who had been watching over her cell came up and banged on the bars. She groaned as she sat up, rubbing her eyes and staring at the guard, who ordered her to get ready before going back to guarding it. This was her way of life. She was the secret daughter of the king, though nobody knew it. Nobody except the king. He never wanted daughters, you see, so when his wife had a daughter, he was distraught. It was even worse when his queen died during childbirth. He couldn't cast her away, for there was some reminance of a heart inside that stone cold exterior, and his wife was so excited for this child. So he kept her. Though he would keep her true identity hidden away from the world, locked deep inside the castle. Though he would use her as his slave, his servant, making her say and do whatever he saw fit. She grew up in that kind of lifestyle, by his side when he needed her and locked away when he didn't.

She would wake up and stretch, rubbing her eyes and blinking in the harsh dim light of her lonely cell. It was the only cell this deep inside the castle, with just the basic necessities: A rickety bed with one pillow and blanket, a bathroom, and a small wardrobe. She shuffles out of bed, knowing she had a lot to do today. She walks over to the wardrobe and opens it widely, before picking out one of the few dresses she had and slips it on, after letting her nightgown pool at her feet. She picks up her nightgown after getting dressed, and puts it on the hanger the dress she was wearing had been on, before going to the wardrobe and hanging it up. Afterwards she would brush her hair and go to the cell door, letting the guard know she was ready. He would open the door and take her by the upper arm, dragging her out by the arm and leading her down several hallways and up several staircases, until they reached the storage room for food.


(^the outfit Voletta is wearing ^-^)

Once up in the storage room, she would grab the food necessary to make today's breakfast, place it in the basket, and then rush to the kitchen. One thing the staff would notice, is that wherever Voletta went, guards would always be inside the same room, almost watching her for suspicious activity. Though it was something that most of them had grown accustomed to. Voletta would go about helping the other servants make breakfast, settling for bacon, eggs, pancakes, toast, ham, orange juice, and more. When the preparations were done, she would place everything on several trays and slowly walk to the dining room, setting everything down and setting the table, just as the king entered the room with his family. Voletta bowed as the family walked in and walked past her, before sitting down in their seats. She would go and stand in the corner of the room, waiting for the family to finish eating. Though, in the middle of their dinner, a servant would walk in and address the king, informing him that there was a civilian who wished to work for the royal family. The king nodded and dismissed the servant, before finishing up his meal and ordering Voletta to follow him. Voletta would nod and bow, remaining silent before following the king to the throne room. The king would take his seat in his throne, and Voletta would stand behind it, while they both waited for this person to enter.

The castle loomed overhead. Melina felt nervous, but the stone around her neck and Evan's words made her uneasiness disappear.
If something goes wrong, the priority is getting out of there. And if any of us can get out of there, it's you.
A servant had handled her request to the king, but a guard now greeted Melina.
"His Majesty awaits," the man said simply. Melina, who was dressed very nicely, straightened her posture and followed the guard.
A few guards turned their heads as Melina passed. Her long blonde hair was piled expertly on top of her head in a curly, flowery updo. The flowers in her hair were tiny lily buds, barely open to the world. Her dress was emerald green, and cascaded from one shoulder down to a ripple of sparkly green to the floor. On Melina's feet were emerald-crusted heels, and they clicked on the parquet floor as she made her way through the enormous hall.
She was adorned with beautiful jewelry, from a set of emerald earrings to the golden bracelets that jingled on her wrist. The only article that seemed off from her outfit was the red stone on a plain string around her neck. The stone hung down to her clavicles, which was just against the dress she wore. In the heels, the nineteen-year-old was a towering six feet tall.


(Melina's dress )

When she entered the throne room, Melina noticed the girl standing behind the king's throne before she noticed the king.
Must be pretty important to stand so close to the king, she thought.
Remembering where she was, she quickly dipped into a curtsy as the guard announced her.
"Your Majesty, may I present, Melina Rose Collins. Her parents were the celebrated wood workman and metal craftswoman that owned the Collins repair business fifteen years ago."
The guard backed into his spot as Melina took center stage, standing with perfect posture and a humble smile on her face.

Voletta would watch as the guard brought her in and introduced this, new woman. Her brow would furrow slightly, as she was probably having the same questions about this girl as the others did. She noticed the woman's elegant clothing, and had assumed her to be someone of royal stature, though when the guard mentioned that her mother and father were wood craftsmen and metal crafts women, she couldn't help but question the validity behind it. She dressed like a royal, and she wondered how celebrated her family must have been for her to afford such clothing. She thought the girl was of royal descent, no question. But then the question would rise as to why she wanted to work for the king. The king would be thinking the same thing, but wouldn't say anything about it. Instead he would just nod his head to her as she curtsied, and examined her from afar.

"You dress like that of a royal descendant. And I am familiar with your families repair business. They were truly talented indeed. But if that is where you come from, then why are you here seeking work under me and my house? If I were to go based off the way you dressed, it would look like you have never seen a day of work in your life. Tell me, What is your name? Why do you want to work for me? What job are you hoping to have here? Maid? Cook? Gardner?? What??"

He says to Melina, before another servant walks in. He would bow to the king before rushing up to Voletta and whispering something in her ear. She would sigh heavily, before going to stand next to the king's chair and bowing deeply. She would remain bowed this low to him while she spoke, never taking her eyes off the floor.

"Y-Your highness....It seems that I'm needed to work on preparations for tonight...I would humbly ask that I may be excused..."

"Fine, but you are to immediately return once the preparations are finished, and continue with your normal daily tasks,
is that understood??"

"Yes your highness..."

Voletta stands before standing up straight and walking out of the room with the other servant. The guards that had kept their eye on her the whole time also walked out of the room behind her. Though the king would keep his gaze fixed on the girl in front of her, as he folded his arms and crossed his legs, waiting on her answer.

"Well??"

(Can dean be the servent that has been referenced lol?)

A girl of six feet in hight stood at the palace gates. Her long white hair was tied up in ponytails, and she wore but a common white dress. Her eyes were of different colors, one red, one white. Her furry golden tail remained hidden under the folds of her dress. She was an unusual one, a demon of unknown origins. Though most would fear her for her race, but she was rather nice. Her name was Celobra Shadows, the daughter of a god named Lupus. Though she didn't inherit his magical strength. She had use of dark magic, but it was weak compared to even other lower class demons. Physically, though, she could work as hard as any well abled man, and at times, more.



Her multi-colored eyes passed over the gates, memorizing it's intricate designs and shining jewels. After a long moment of hesitation, she stepped forward and knocked on the smaller door within the gate. She hoped to gain a job for the king, to help her along with her true line of work. Her demonic ability of getting almost anyone to believe what she said would help greatly. Unless, of course, The king was one of those people she couldn't convince. So here she waited, hoping the king would grant her an audience.

(sorry! I would have responded sooner, but i wanted to give everybody a chance to respond! but it went to far down in my newsfeed T-T)

Voletta was rushing around with the other servants, getting everything ready for the ball the king was holding tonight. Only those of the highest class and societal rank would be allowed to attend, for they were looking for a wive for the kings son. This ball was meant to serve as a way for the prince to choose his wife. So it was imperative that they get all the preparations done before the sun goes down. She was currently in the ballroom, cleaning the floor with some of the other maids. She dipped her hand in the bucket that contained soapy water, and would scrub the floors. She would work harder than almost everyone else. Though this wasn't unusual, given that she had guards watching her twenty four hours a day. Though while she was scrubbing, another maid would walk in and approach Voletta, an apologetic look on her face.

"Voletta, we have a visitor at the gates."

"Again? That makes the second one this morning....*sigh* Alright, take over for me here while I go tend to them..."

She says standing up and wiping her soaked hands on her dress in an attempt to dry them. There was to much at stake tonight, and the last thing she needed was all these distractions. She would hurry to the front gates, passing several servant's who were bustling about trying to get things ready. They could certainly use the extra help, but time was being wasted, and she would attempt to see to this guest as quickly as possible. It would take her several minutes before she reached the gate, staring through the pars to look at the girl in front of her. Her eyes would throw her off almost immediately, but she would shake her head and look at the girl, putting her hands on the bars as she tended to be fidgety.

"U-Um, hello...Who are you and how can I help you...??"

The girl Melina had noticed earlier left the room rather abruptly, but not before the king had his words with Melina.
She curtsied again before offering her response.
"His Majesty makes an excellent point." Melina's voice was honey-sweet, but she spoke with confidence, conviction, and a clear British accent. "I was orphaned when I was young, and the family that adopted me was better off than my parents were, financially speaking. I've worked very hard throughout my life, from hunting to cleaning to smithing and everything in between. But my true passion lies with people, and I believe my resume and reference sheet will prove that."
Melina handed a few papers, which held lists of jobs and names from around the kingdom, to a servant, who took the papers to the king.
"I come seeking a job within the court as a liaison for royal events here at the castle. If such a position is not available, I will take whatever work is offered." Melina bowed her head, taking a long look at her long dress. She lifted her chin and gave the king an award-winning smile.
"And, had I not been meeting with His Majesty directly for such an important request, my attire would reflect the working days that are recorded on my resume."

OOC: The job Melina's asking for is to be the person who deals with any guests in the castle. From day-to-day to a huge event, she'd deal with EVERYTHING concerning visitors to the castle. And she's extremely good at it, too

The king would look to the servant who had collected the papers and handed them over to him, glancing at her resume, before looking back up. He would rub his chin thoughtfully. The castle didn't get many visitors, so there was really no need for a liaison. Though, he did have a fondness for showing his wealth, and just because he didn't need something almost certainly didn't mean he wouldn't accept it. He took one more glance at her resume, before folding them and pocketing them. He stands up and approaches her, circling her and eyeing her like a hawk to prey, before nodding in approval. He returns to his throne room and waves one of his servants over, before the servant rushes over and offers him a glass of wine. The king takes a long sip before returning his gaze to Melina.

"Very well. We don't host many gathering's as of late, but a liaison would be useful for when we do host such parties. If you really want to work here, you will be a maid, and when we host events you will act as a liaison. Is that clear? I do not tolerate anything less then perfection, and there are consequences for failing to meet expectations. With that said, go find Voletta. That's the purple and black haired girl who was in here earlier. Tell her your a maid, and she will show you to your room and give you your duties. Is that understood?? If so your dismissed. Get to work."

He says before finishing the wine and standing up, giving the finished glass to one of the butlers before walking off, heading to take care of his business and work on some of his own preparations for tonight. Voletta would still be at the gate, staring at the odd girl, before she sighs and opens the gate, letting the girl in. She had way to much to do and so little time to do it, so she just stares at the girl before motioning towards the doors.

"If your seeking an audience with his majesty, then go through the first and second hallways, up the stairs, and its the first room on the right. That's his throne room, and thats where he was the last I saw him. Now if you'll excuse me..."

She says before rushing back to the kitchen.

Everywhere Voletta went, so too went the white-cloaked Hanged Man, armed to the teeth and clad in his black half-plate armor.



Anyone familiar with this court would recognize him by his limping gait and weary demeanor--he was a knight in reluctant service of the king, a wanderer from an antique land, and a veteran of numerous wars. Most knew him by his grim title--the Hanged Man--or the moniker "Sir Crow." Though he had begun his service two decades ago, he seemed to have aged remarkably gracefully; he didn't look much older than thirty, and on a good day even younger.

Presently, as was the case on many days, he was Voletta's silent watcher. He seemed unburdened by the weight of his shield, all save his eyes, which were sunken and harrowed. As she made her way back to the kitchens, he spun on a heel with a swish of his cloak, and followed her.

Voletta would rush up to one of the cooks in the kitchen, shyly asking what they needed for tonight's feast and banquet. Though when the cook handed her a list, her eye practically popped out of her head at the elongated list of foods they needed to prepare. Each food item had a specific number on it, indicating how many people would be eating that item, and she would sigh heavily as she walked up to the hanged man, showing him the list. For as long as she could remember, he had always been by her side, the good and the bad. She understood that the king had ordered him to keep a watchful eye over her, though she never understood why. Every time she asked him about it, he would never tell her, and eventually she had given up on asking. Though the two of them had become good friends. He was probably her only true friend, despite him being much older than she was. She groaned as she handed him the list, going and grabbing couple of large baskets.

"Can you believe this...Who could possibly consume so much food? I mean, I know his majesty is holding a soiree to find a lady to take the prince's hand, but this much food seems a bit ridiculous. It'll take me a good 45 minutes to bring all this food up, let alone prepare it...not to mention everything else I have to do today...*sigh* Would you mind giving me a hand? I'd appreciate it."

She says before walking off and going towards the food pantry. The pantry was actually a gigantic room filled with any ingredient you could possibly imagine. It was filled with all kinds of meats, fruits, vegetables, grains, dairies, spices, even herbs. She sighed as she started collecting ingredients, putting them in a large basket. Each basket would hold different food groups, so there would be a total of 4-5 baskets, and these baskets would be just shorter than Voletta. She would finish collecting everything and wipe the sweat off her brow, grabbing the straps for the basket of meat and heaving it up, placing her arms through the straps so she could carry them on her back.

(OOC: I hope you don't mind, but I'm gonna fast-forward just a smidge here )

Melina had been shown her quarters, briefed on the daily duties, and changed out of her elegant attire into something more comfortable: a plain, long sleeved, knee-length green dress and peasant shoes. With her hair pulled back and an apron on her front, Melina blended right in with the maids.
But they were getting an event together, so Melina wondered if her talents would best be used in her other job at the moment.
She found Voletta frantically racing from room to room, and paused her in the hallway. The tall figure of the iron-clad man loomed behind Voletta. Melina had only spoken to the girl once before, when she'd been shown the ropes, but she couldn't think of anyone else to ask this... Besides the king.
Like hell she was going to do that!
"Um, Voletta? Do you happen to know where I should go for my liaison duties?"
A piece of meat fell from the top basket Voletta hauled on her back, and Melina's arm snapped out and grabbed it before it could hit the floor.
"Here you are," she said with a smile, handing it back to Voletta.

The Hanged Man's green eyes skimmed the list as Volette handed it to him, then rolled. For all he knew, the paper was covered in arcane runes. It was all squiggles to him, and it trembled in his shaky hand.

"I had m-much the same thought, mistress, when first I saw a lord's banquet," he said as she wondered at the sheer volume of food to be prepared. His voice was higher pitched than one might think, almost boyish, with a stutter that seemed highly uncharacteristic.

He looked around the pantry when they entered, as if expecting assassins to spring out from behind the salt pork. "Well ... I-I hate to see you t-toil so." He slung his shield across his back. With all his arms and armor, it wasn't easy to carry one of the oversized baskets, but nonetheless he tried, slinging one over the opposite shoulder.

Then Melina arrived and provided a timely intervention. The Hanged Man once again fell quiet. He was a sight, though--a heavy shield on one shoulder and a bushel of greens on the other.

(It's okie!! ^-^)

As Voletta was walking back towards the kitchen with the gigantic sack of meat on her back, she would have spaced out, only to be stopped abruptly by the woman she had shown the ropes earlier. The suddenness of her stopping caused her to wobble, trying to balance the giant weight on her back. After a moment of struggling she managed to keep her balance, and would sigh in relief as her hair fell in front of her face. She looked utterly exhausted already, and there was still much more that needed to be done. Much, MUCH more. She would look at Melina and raise an eyebrow. It was a curious question indeed. Though she would take a deep breath and let it out, looking at Melina seriously.

"U-Um, I suppose...If you haven't gotten the list of those who are attending from his majesty, then you should go get that. The list should contain everything you need to know: How to announce them as they come in, where they are from, any dietary restrictions, where there rooms are, ect ect. After you have the list, just make sure that all the preparations for each guest are met. But they won't be here for several hours, and if you have the opportunity the rest of us would appreciate help in preparing the actual festivities."

She says, noticing the meat fall out of her basket. Though she sighed in relief as Melina caught it and handed it to her. Voletta would take it and toss it behind her back, as it landed back in the basket. She would turn her head so she was looking at The Hanged Man, and a small smile spread across her face as she playfully stuck her tongue out at him.

"How many times have I told you, it's not necessary to call me mistress! Voletta is just fine!"

She says, playfully nudging him a bit.

"Thank you for the help though, I appreciate it! Once we get these baskets to the kitchen, the cooks should be able to handle it from there and we can move on to other tasks. I think we should make sure that his majesty's room is clean, so we should hurry up with bringing the food to the kitchen!"

She says before turning to Melina and smiling.

"Thanks for catching the meat!"

She says before walking past her alongside The Hanged Man, going to the kitchen and setting her basket down with a grunt. She would rub her shoulders and watch as The Hanged Man set his down as well. At most, it would take them one or two more trips, and she would take his hand, smirking up at him before dragging him back down to the pantry, grabbing the basket full of Fruits and placing it on her back as well, waiting for The Hanged Man to grab one and making the trek back to the kitchen. After going back to the kitchen and setting the other two baskets down, they would only need to grab 1-2 more, as she headed back towards the pantry. She grabbed one and waited for The Hanged Man to grab the last, before bringing the last of the baskets to the kitchen and setting them down with a heavy flop, before grabbing two glasses and filling them with water, handing one to The Hanged Man. After a quick water break, she would smirk at him and walk out, headed towards the kings room to clean up his sleeping chambers.

Dean Toud....he was a very secretive and quiet young man. He has served this house loyally for 11 years. He was only 8 when he was first sent there to serve. He came from House Toud, They were the main Armory supplier to this kingdom.

The Touds were known for their expert bladesmenship and blacksmithing abilities across the lands. They shouldn't be a force to target. House Toud had sent an 8 year old Dean to this kingdom for many peace and trust reasons. Seeing that Dean's taken care of there is a great bond between the Houses. Dean had to learn many social skills throughout his life to be respected or noted as a Member of this society.

Dean had quickly learned of many deep secrets while he spent his time here. He was one of the most trusted out of a small group of other servants. He had grew up with the family like an additional Son ,of course having no chance of being spared when he got into serious trouble, because of this he learned of the many personalities the children had. He was even trusted with being around and helping the troops in the armory. He was tasked with shadowing many important figures in the hold, including the secretive lady Volette who roams around protected by guards.. (Is this okay?)