Five maids hurried through the long corridors of the royal castle, their footsteps echoing softly against the polished stone floors. Each of them carried the same urgent message, and without speaking to one another, they split in different directions, their skirts brushing the walls as they moved quickly through the maze of hallways.
Within moments, each maid arrived at a different chamber door.
They raised their hands and knocked.
The sound of their knuckles tapping against the wood echoed almost at the same time throughout that wing of the castle.
"Your Highness, the Old Queen has arrived," they announced together, their voices carrying through the doors they faced.
Inside one of the chambers, Queen Maye's eyes snapped open instantly.
She had been seated near her vanity, her posture relaxed only moments before, but the words struck her like an arrow. Her fingers tightened where they rested, and her teeth clenched together as irritation flashed across her face.
