"Find him!"
"Go search to the left! I'll go to the right!"
"Has anybody seen him yet?"
"No! Keep looking."
Lana huddled in the corner as steps and voices faded in and out. She trembled in fear that any second her hiding place would be found. It was a small, inconspicuous storage room. It was filled with old and faded draperies that should have been thrown away or repurposed years ago.
'They won't find me. I am safe.' Lana chanted silently.
For as long as she can remember, she was the target of the servants' abuse and bullying. It was not for any other reason than the fact that the Masters paid special attention to her. It was said that she was brought by them when she was barely a year old and given to the servants to take care. She was not given any status nor title, however the Masters occasionally asked for and talked to her. There was no explanation as to who she was but the Masters were very kind to her, especially the young lords. And it caused jealousy among the servants.
"Lana." A clear and firm voice called.
Lana started, abruptly straightening and looked at the source. It was the Young Lord.
"Young Lord." Lana stood up hastily and curtsied clumsily.
The other frowned, displeased. "I told you not to call me that."
Lana lowered her already bowed head making him more displeased.
He sighed. "We will discuss this later. For now, my Royal Father and Mother are summoning you. Come."
He then turned around and left.
Confused and anxious, Lana followed.