Vex

Chapter Eight: I Feel Seen

Emma and I headed back to our bedroom after a long shift. We walked side by side down the dim light hallway.

"Is it just me, or does it seem like Annabelle is working us to the bone?" I complain while rubbing my aching shoulder.

"No, seriously. What even were those chores?" Emma chimes in. Emma stops abruptly and walks forward. She pulled a note from off our door. The door he gifted me was the one gift I wouldn't return to Draci. I was so grateful for it. I shook my head to stop thinking about him; I let him go. I moved closer to read from off her shoulder,

"Try to spend less time being the royal sibling's plaything." Emma read out loud while turning her lip up in disgust. I guess it was easy for the other workers to figure out who Jax and Draci were arguing about. They may not have said my name, but I'm sure they have seen me with both of them. However, I was not their plaything regardless of how it looked. Emma looked heated as she looked around for the culprit.

"Whoever wrote this is such a lowlife." she scoffed before opening our door and plopping on her bed. I walked into the room and shrugged while shutting the door behind me,

"Let's just forget it," I reply while sitting on my bed and easing out of my uniform. The last thing I expected was drama. Aren't we all adults here? Emma and I got into bed and decided just to let it go. It was probably just some girl who wanted one of the siblings to herself. Whoever she is, she is more than welcome to have whoever she wants. None of the siblings were tied to us, no matter how much it seemed like they did.

The rest of the night went horribly. At random moments of the night, someone would run by, kicking or banging on our door. It seemed like the two of us were being hazed. Neither of us got a good night's sleep. However, you only get the days the castle decides off; you weren't allowed to miss any other day. We started our day early since we were on the kitchen team, so we were up at the crack of dawn. I yawned while cracking multiple eggs into the silver bowl. Annabelle passed by me,

"Vex, you're moving a bit slower than usual." Annabelle comments,

"Well, that's because-"

"If you spent less time doing leisure activities, you would have more energy. Don't you think?" Annabelle remarked while giving me a look that could kill. I sighed and looked away from her. I'm guessing she is the one behind these hazing incidents, so I couldn't even complain to her about it. Great. I manage to finish my morning routine without Annabelle glaring my face off. I met up with Emma to start cleaning the halls and dusting. I was so tired I could sleep on the floor for all I cared. Emma slowly dusted while yawning,

"You look exhausted." Krea comments. I rub my eyes and look over at her. I didn't have the energy to pry myself between them again. Emma would have to handle it herself this time. I went back to scrubbing a smudge off the wall. I didn't hear Emma respond, so I peeked over at them to see what she might do. Krea was much closer than I was expecting. Krea said something that I didn't quite catch before Emma shoved her aside,

"Excuse me, my lady. Wouldnt want people to think you were treating staff special now, would we," she grumbled while walking away. Krea looked heated, and I wanted to cheer for Emma. That's right; girl, stand up for yourself. Krea looked over at me, and I quickly looked away. Please don't have her take her anger out on me. In an instant, she was right beside me.

"You're Emma's friend, right?" she gruffed out,

"Um, yes," I reply

"Good," she replied as she grabbed my arm and pulled me into one of the empty study rooms. Why do I have to get looped into this?!

"Look, can you just talk to her?"

"Me?"

"Yes! You understand the situation I was in, right? I mean, all my siblings were there; if I were to go over there and protect her again, they would all know. You get it, right?" she argued, and I wanted to roll my eyes.