Second Chance

Chapter 19 Moving

Belles POV

The noise of my door bursting open woke me suddenly. I opened my eyes a fraction before burying them in my pillow as the curtains were drawn wide. 

"Good morning Princess, how are we this morning, I have been instructed to get you up and ready for breakfast." 

Maryanne. 

My maid. The woman who bossed me about my entire childhood, and even in my later years when it should surely have been the other way around. I always hated her fussing over me all the time, tugging at my hair, stabbing my cheeks with a powder brush, constantly brushing at my dress, tugging my corset so tight  i could hardly breathe. I know it is her job to help me, but she doesn't. 

"Maryanne, how nice to see you again..." i sighed, sitting up, only a hint of sarcasm in my voice.

She was too busy bustling about the room to notice, as usual. 

"Mh and you dear, now..." and then she did her usual trick of talking to herself, pondering things over aloud, talking one hundred miles an hour.

"Maryanne, I can get myself ready thank you, your assistance wont be required," I said politely, climbing out of bed. I'm a grown woman, I can get myself ready. 

"Oh tush!" She said mid-conversation with herself, before grabbing my wrist and sitting me down in front of my dressing table.

"Maryanne really I-"

"Be quiet little girl, we need to make sure you are presentable," she said, already dragging a brush through my loose curls.

Does she know how old I am now?

"Always was knotty..." she murmured not quietly enough to herself. 

She always used to do this. Say unkind things about me when I'm right here. She says it quietly, as if only she can hear, but I always do. I'm sure she never realises she's talking aloud.

I sigh and let her get on with it. I know better than to argue with her. 

Before long she had my hair in a tight twist, topped with an uncomfortable itchy crown. She then started on my outfit, all the while nattering on to herself. 

I stared at her, hands on my hips, watching her go through my wardrobe. 

I started to chew my lip, nothing has changed in this place...

She decided on a dress, and charged over to me with it.

"Not ladylike," she said, slapping my lip a little, to stop me from chewing, before she threw the dress over my head. 

Oh god. I forgot how uncomfortable these are, especially since i already have a corset on, its only been on five minutes and I'm already longing for the time when I can rip it off. 

"Maryanne, is a corset, really, necessary," I breathed, trying to take deep breaths.

"Of course it is," she muttered, from behind me, fumbling about the the ties. 

"I- can't really, breathe..." my ribs were on fire. 

"If you couldn't you'd be dead," the lack of sympathy in her voice showed.

"Sorry, i just forgot what was like to actually breathe..." it was my turn to mumble under my breath. 

"Pardon? Speak up little girl!" she said.

I smiled and shook my head. 

I forgot how irritating this woman is. 

She dabbed some powder on my face before practically pushing me out the door and down the stairs to the main dining hall.