Sorry I haven't been on in a while but I've been busy with life. I finally have my learner's permit and I'm working on getting my GED. My cousin is getting married to a total d-bag.

I came up with this story before falling asleep. My friend told me that my other story was written too early in the series and has too many mistakes so I'm putting it on hold for a while and writing this one. Hopefully you guys like it. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I only own Alina (polish for beautiful, bright)

I awoke to the sound of the rooster. I opened my chocolate brown eyes and sat up. I stretched my pale arms above my head then popped my back. I was used to sleeping on the hard floors of the stable by now. I have served king Maurice for almost ten years now.

My parents had died in a fire along with my little sister. I am now the age of twenty. I used to have an older brother as well but he disappeared shortly after our family died. I was later caught by slave traders and sold to the king.

I ran my fingers through my tangled light brown hair in attempts to tame it. I quickly changed from a dirty nightgown to a tattered servants dress. It was brown with blue patches covering holes I had torn while working. I also had a dirty white apron over the dress along with worn out black flat shoes.

I washed my face before getting to the kitchen to prepare princess Belle's breakfast. Overtime we had become friends. She has taught me how to read so in my spare time, if I ever get any, I read what I can.

On my way up to Belle's room I was stopped by the stable boy Jacob.

"Where you off to Alina?" he asked. He was a bit taller than me and only a year older. He had only been working here for three years. We had grown close as siblings in those years.

"To give the princess her meal." I replied as I continued my way up the steps not pausing for a moment.

"Need help?" he asked.

"No thank you." I said as I reached the top. I heard him shrug then walk off. When I reached Belle's room I balance the tray with her food on one hand before walking inside. She still lay sleeping soundly as I put the tray of food on a table. I chuckled as I heard her light snore.

I walked over to the curtains and opened them up letting some light in. I stared sadly at the red on the horizon. The ogre wars had reached the edge of our village. I heard rumors that the king had sent a letter for help and it would come today.

Belle groaned as the light hit her eyes.

"It's time to wake up your highness. You have horse back riding in an hour, then calligraphy," I said continuing her schedule while tying her bed curtains.

"Why must I have to learn such unimportant things?" she grumbled out as she sat up rubbing her eyes.

"When you are queen I suppose you must know these things in order to succeed." I replied as I brought her food to her. She frowned lightly at my reply but began eating. I went over to her wardrobe and opened it.

"What would you like to wear today your highness?" I asked. She seemed thoughtful for a moment before replying that she wanted to wear blue. I nodded and pulled out a sky blue with white embroidered dress from the wardrobe. As she finished her meal and got out of bed I prepared her corset. She looked at it with distaste before turning and leaning against the bed post while I put it on her. Making sure it was tight.

I then helped her with her dress and hair. When finished we smiled at each other in the mirror. Our beauty rivaled each others. Even though I was a little dirty. I didn't have the privilege to bathe each night like she did. She was a bit skinnier than me but I had more curves in the right places.

"Well I believe it is time for your class." I said sighing and picking up her tray of dirty dishes. I heard a knock at the door and opened it. Jacob stood there.

"The horse is ready for the princess, I'm here to escort her." he said. I nodded and let Belle pass me to go with him before I closed her door behind her. Through out the day I continued my chores.

While washing the floors I began to hum and eventually sing unaware that someone was watching.

"Someday, when we are wiser,
When the worlds older,
When we have learned...
I pray someday we may yet,
Live to live and to let live.

Someday, life will be fairer,
Need will be rarer,
And greed will not pay.
Godspeed this bright millennium,
On its way, let it come someday.

Someday, our fight will be won and,
We'll stand in the sun in,That bright afternoon...
'Til then, on days when the sun,
Is gone, we'll hang on,
If we wish upon the moon.

There are some days, dark and bitter,
Seems we haven't got a prayer,
But a prayer for something better,
Is the one thing we all share.

Someday, when we are wiser,
When the whole world is older,
When we have love,
And I pray, someday we may yet,
Live to live and one day, someday...
Someday, life will be fairer,
Need will be rarer,
And greed will not pay.

Godspeed, this bright millennium,
Let it come,
If we wish upon the moon...
One day, someday...soon." I finished at the same time I finished the floors and sighed. I then gasped when I heard slow clapping. I stood and turned to see an odd man. I bowed as I was taught. Unsure if this man was of high status or not.

"You sing beautifully. Tell me dearie, what is a beauty like you doing dirty work?" he asked walking up to me.

"You flatter me sir but I am just a maid. It is my job to clean." I replied still bowing.

"You can stand," he said. I did so and studied him while avoiding eye contact. He had odd golden skin and hair that went to his shoulders. It was very frizzy but still managed to look good. He had on what appeared to be dragon skin and a coat that had feathers or furs on it. I couldn't tell.

"Did you clean this room by yourself?" he asked while waving a hand to the room. I nodded.

"Yes sir." I replied.

"Impressive. Will you tell me where the throne room is?" he asked.

"I'll take you to it if you'd like." I offered but he declined so I gave him directions and he went on his way with a smirk on his face.

'That must be the man that is meeting the king about the wars.' I thought to myself before moving to the next room to clean.

I soon heard angry footsteps approaching. The door to the room slammed open and the king with several nights, Sir Gaston, and the man from earlier walked in. The king had an angry face. I kneeled low and stayed in that position when they came in.

"Is this the maid you speak of?" the king asked the man while pointing at me. The man walked over and used his hand to raise my head to get a look at my face. He smiled gleefully and looked to the king.

"Indeed it is." he said then let out a high pitched giggle. I looked at him and the others in confusion.

"Then take her, as long as you keep the village safe from the ogre wars then you may have her." the king said. My eyebrows shot up. The king just sold me off! Oh well I suppose that's the life of a low maid. I rose back up as the others watched the man put a hand on my lower back before guiding me out of the room.

"I don't understand." I said to the man as we began walking to the exit of the castle.

"Later dearie." was all he said. I passed Jacob on the way out who looked at us with surprise and confusion. I sent him a look that said I was confused as well.

Once the man and I were out and away from the castle he waved a hand and a dark purple portal appeared in front of us. Another surprise! He was a wizard!

"Ladies first dearie." he said smiling slyly while gesturing to the portal. I looked between the portal and him scared to even approach it. He then grabbed my upper arm and forced me into it. I stumbled foward onto a hard stone floor. I looked around as I stood up and brushed my hands on the sides of my dress.

The man came up behind me and the portal closed. He began explaining to me as he led me somewhere else.

"I required payment from the king in order to protect his kingdom from the war so I took you. Understand?" he said while guiding me down some stairs.

"Why not ask for gold?" I asked having a little trouble keeping up.

"Oh ya see dearie. I make gold." he replied then giggled. We finally came to a door and with a wave of his hand it opened. He gestured for me to go into the room.

"This is your room." he said gesturing for me to go inside. I looked confused. It looked worse than the stables. All that was in there was a small window letting in a bit of moonlight and a small stone bench.

"My room?" I asked confused.

"Well that sounds a lot nicer then dungeon." he said then giggled as he pushed me in and closed the door. I heard it lock and he giggled. I sighed.

"Well Alina, at least the kingdom is safe." I whispered to myself before getting on the stone bench and attempting to sleep.

R&R! do I need to fix anything? Is it okay? I hope you guys like it. also her outfit is a lot like Cinderella's maid outfit.