I quickly sat up, Time seemed to stop the moment I saw the queen raising a brow at me!
I hurriedly bowed. "I... I..."
"I heard you're sick. You're too weak for this job."
I blinked in confusion. What is she talking about? Then I noticed my mom was also there. I looked around and realised I'm back in our room!!
Ohhh! I collapsed on the bed and took a deep breath.
I thought I was still in Ethan's room! I don't even know if that was a dream or real, but judging by how weak my body feels, it really happened!
I quickly sat up again and bowed. "Not that, Your Majesty, I…."
"Then why do you look relieved?" she raised a brow.
I sighed. "I thought you were going to fire me because of that."
She gave me a creepy smile. "Why would I fire you because of thatttt?"
I swallowed hard. It somehow felt like we were playing a mind game. Why did she drag that word like that?
"You're here to serve me while I pay you," she said. "You signed the smallest contract and you're already sick in your second month."
I looked at her guiltily. The queen really liked my mom, she never checked on any other maid or paid extra money for someone's child's school fees.
"I'm sorry, Your Majesty. I'm just exhausted. I'll start working again today."
"Really?" she raised that brow again. Every time she raised it, it was like she could see all my secrets! No wonder, Ethan took that habit from her.
I nodded nervously. I'll keep pretending no matter what! This queen is kind, but she can switch to her devilish side the moment she finds out about me and her eldest son!
"A doctor is on his way to check on you."
"What?" I gasped. A doctor?! They actually have doctors?! I thought royal families only used herbs and charms! No wonder Ethan's study had all those modern tools!
The queen laughed. "Why are you shocked? Are you pregnant?" She narrowed her eyes dangerously.
"No! Never!!!" I shouted, shaking my head. That's a death sentence! Why would I be pregnant, especially with him?!
The queen nodded slowly. "You've changed... I was just wondering why you've become colder and more beautiful," she said, rubbing her diamond ring. "I don't care if you're dating one of my guards, but remember, not all guards in the palace are allowed to be in a relationship. Especially the ones in green uniforms. You'll be punished if you try."
I nodded immediately. "Rest assured, my queen." The guards in green uniforms were the highest-ranked ones, close to the royal family. They travelled with them, did everything together. I'm not even worthy to breathe near them. Ahhh, I'm doomed!
"Ahh, Your Majesty," my mom said softly. "My daughter isn't that type of person. In fact, she's saving up to start her own business after her service here."
Queen Susan raised her chin. "That's impressive. I'll double her salary this month and the next."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" I clapped happily. Yes! If she really does that, I'll finally have enough to travel by ship!
The queen ignored our excitement and left. Once my mom made sure she was gone, she shut the door and sat beside my bed.
"I shouldn't have let you come here in the first place," she sighed. "You must have overworked yourself serving the royal family, especially when the crown prince despises you."
I rolled my eyes. "Mom, stop blaming yourself. I'm old enough to work and earn to take care of myself. Don't worry, it's just stress."
"It's a good thing the queen doubled your salary," she said. "I'll also give you my six-month salary to make things easier."
I chuckled and pinched her cheek. "Stop worrying so much about me! You should be worrying about Emma!" I burst into laughter as her face changed.
Emma, my younger sister. She is very tough, stubborn, and hates it when Mom worries about her. She left for the city five years ago, and we haven't heard from her since.
"Maybe it's time for me to copy her…"
"Don't even think about it," Mom laughed, squeezing my nose.
I giggled. "You're worrying too much, and it's scaring me, the one in the situation."
She looked up at the ceiling and sighed deeply.
"Mom? I remember not being here yesterday... just wondering why I suddenly…"
"A guard carried you in," she interrupted.
I raised a brow. "A guard?"
"He said you collapsed while watering flowers."
"Watering flowers?" I chuckled and sighed just as a young man in white entered.
Mom stood up and moved away from the bed.
I looked at him in confusion. With the thing hanging around his neck and that serious face, he must be the doctor. He arrogantly walked past my mom and grunted. "Why is the mattress on the floor?"
I blinked. "Where else should it be?"
He glanced at me. "I don't care about the Rogalio anyway. My father is their doctor."
I rolled my eyes. "And how does that relate to where I put my mattress?"
"Ehhmm!" Mom cleared her throat. When I looked at her, she gave me that 'zip it' look.
The man glared at me and bent down to check me. "You're the rude one, hmm?"
"Not rude," I said calmly. "Just curious how putting a mattress on the floor connects to you not liking the Rogalio."
"I've already switched from that topic," he said flatly.
"Ohhh," I nodded. "Didn't know that."
He suddenly leaned closer and sniffed me. "Why do you smell like royal herbs?" he murmured.
I was tense. "I'm a maid, of course I'll smell like different things."
He looked at my mom, then back at me. "Don't think I don't know what happened to you."
I blinked, both confused and scared. "W-what happened to me?" Is this a trick from the queen? Or does he really know something?
He smiled slightly. "You can call me Ramon."
"Oh... hi, Doctor Ramon. Please, can you continue what you were saying earlier?" I asked impatiently. The way he switched topics was annoying! Mom had already left when he started examining me, so it was just the two of us now.
Ramon stood up and packed his medical kit. "Nothing happened to you," he said casually. "You're just exhausted from yesterday's... activities."
I froze, staring at him in shock. "Please, Ramon…"
He smirked. "I know you're dating Ethan."