Jay's Palace
Katelyn, the now formidable heiress of the Jay family, sat in front of a large mirror like the princess she believed herself to be. It was her usual morning ritual — admiring her own reflection after a bath, perfectly content to let the world wait on her. Her three trusted maids, Angel, Clara, and Mercy, were the ones doing the waiting — and the running.
The moment the morning bell went off, all three of them bolted to her room with the kind of urgency that only came from knowing what happened when you kept Katelyn waiting. It was obvious they were late.
"My lady, it's us," Angel spoke up — the bravest of the three. The other two stood just behind her, feet trembling, holding their breath for her response.
"You're late," Katelyn said flatly. "Anyway — come in and give me a hand."
"Yes, miss." All three answered in unison, stepping inside and pulling the door shut behind them.
Clara and Mercy got the running bath ready while Angel helped the young miss into her bathrobe. Katelyn walked straight into the bathroom and over to the center of the room where the bathtub sat. She loosened her robe slowly, let it slide down to the floor, and lowered herself into the steaming hot water.
The three girls divided up the tasks without needing to be told twice. Clara measured out a few drops of the coconut oil Katelyn always used and poured it into the water. Mercy took the washing sponge, dipped it into the foaming bath, and began working — scrubbing gently until Katelyn's skin glowed to her satisfaction.
"That's enough, Mercy."
"Angel — towel."
"Right away, miss."
Fifteen minutes later, Katelyn was seated back in front of her mirror, scrolling through her phone while the girls buzzed around her like bees with no choice but to keep flying.
Angel was on hair duty, transforming Katelyn's short chocolate bun into a sleek ponytail with the help of a few pins, letting some strands fall loosely across her forehead. Clara and Mercy took turns perfecting her makeup — every line clean, every contour flawless. When Angel was satisfied with the hair, she slipped away to tackle what was arguably the most dangerous task of the morning: choosing an outfit.
She rummaged through the closet with care, pulling out a few of her best picks — the ones she was sure would land.
She held up the first one. A blue strapless satin knee-length gown with three buttons down the center slate.
"What is this?" Katelyn's nose wrinkled. "I wore that to a gathering. Next."
Angel quietly set it aside.
"What about this one?" She reached for another — a butterfly-cut gown, elegant and eye-catching.
"It's lovely, but I'm not in the mood to be too much today." Katelyn waved it off. "Something simple."
Angel exhaled through her nose. Simple. Right.
She reached back into the closet and pulled out a stunning black and yellow two-piece — fitted, sharp, the kind of outfit that made people stop mid-sentence.
This is the one, Angel thought, holding it up with quiet confidence. If she wears this, heads will roll.
"Oh—" Katelyn snapped her fingers. "I remember this one. I wore it on a date with my fiancé a few days ago." She tilted her head with a small pout. "What a shame. It would've been perfect."
The smile on Angel's face died instantly.
She's worn ALL of these? Angel felt something inside her quietly unravel. They had spent nearly half an hour trying to dress this woman and they were still nowhere. She usually picks her own outfits — what changed today of all days?
"Hey." Katelyn's voice cut through her thoughts. "Why are you still standing there daydreaming?"
"My bad — I'll find another one." Angel hurried out.
"Girls," Katelyn called to Clara and Mercy, spinning slightly in her chair, "since you're done here, go and help Angel. Clearly she needs it."
Clara and Mercy exchanged a look — the kind that said everything without saying a word. They were exhausted. Between cleaning the room, running the bath, doing her hair and makeup, and now this — there was no end in sight. Still, they dragged themselves to the closet and began pushing dresses aside one by one, shooting quiet, weary glances at Angel as they went.