The dog continues to walk faithfully beside my side on the road. We left a few hours before the sun rose and the last drop of water was drunk about an hour ago.

There is not a building in sight and I have a blister on every toe.

Despite all the adversity, Max continues to wag happily.

Then Max barks and runs away.

Houses appear on the horizon and cast long shadows across the path.

Everwood.

Panting, I run after the dog. The pain in my feet is forgotten.

Although the city could be seen, it still takes longer than expected before I reach the entrance gate.

The name is written in elegant letters and there is not a speck of rust on the metal.

Inside, residents stroll around in neat robes and expensive jewelry.

Max runs into the crowd.

"Max!" People throw me strange looks and make dirty faces as soon as I run by.

Apologizing, I smile as I try to catch the dog.

Then I see him, but remain standing. Guards were ahead of me and are holding the dog captive.

I approach them cautiously. Aware of my sweaty face and dirty clothes.

I might as well have taped a sign to my head with the words, "not from here."

"That's my dog."

The guard who is holding Max firmly by his neck looks at me from head to toe. "Not anymore."

I gasp. The guard next to the speaker takes a step toward me.

"What are you doing in Everwood?" His voice drips with disgust. An ugly scar runs from his forehead across his thick nose and lips.

The third and final guard rolls his eyes. This one was different from his two colleagues.

A wary look shone in his icy blue eyes and his lips were creased in an uncertain smile.

All had their hair shaved short.

The guard with the scar is still waiting for my answer.

"I am here because I want to become a maid to the king."

All three men begin to roar. So loud that the walkers who just passed by jump away startled.

Max barks at me and pulls to break free.

The guard with the blue eyes is the first to recover.

"I'm sorry, but weren't they supposed to be girls who become servants?" That made his friends laugh even harder.

Annoyed, I fold my arms.

"I'm a girl."

The guard grins broadly and shrugs. "My mistake."

I straighten my back and lift my chin. I refuse to be humiliated by three men.

Out of nowhere, Max turns and bites the guard's hand. The latter lets go of him and Max approaches me.

All the fun is gone from their eyes.

"Give that dog here."

"Never."

At the same time their hands go to their swords and draw him. The metal gleams in the setting sun.

Max hides behind my legs and whimpers softly.

I stiffen all over my body.

The guard who first held Max narrows his eyes. His hand bleeds and it drips on the stones.

"He will be taken to the kingdom where he will be treated like a family member."

I burst out a loud laugh. "Then I can bring him myself when I apply there, can't I?"

That doesn't seem to please the guards. They take a step in my direction.

Then I start to run.

I shoot to the side and push aside anyone who gets in my way.

Swearing comes from somewhere behind me and the clink of boots on the stones makes me shudder.

I am dead, I am so dead.

In front of me dooms the castle. The gates are guarded by two other guards wearing the same as my chasers.

The dark blue stands out brightly against their gold seams.

The golden raven in the purple shield is engraved on their coats.

I stop in front of them and my gaze skittishly shoots around.

No guards in sight yet.

The guard in front of me clears his throat and casts a dubious glance at me and my traveling companion.

"Can I help you?"

"Job application." Get I between my gasps.

In front of me, the man blinks and leans forward a little.

"What?"

I look back again and see a flash of dark blue.

"I've come for the application for maid."

The two guards exchange a glance and then together open the heavy, black gate.

At that moment the voices of my chasers sound.

"Stop her!"

Without thinking, I run inside.

And crash into the prince.

Everyone comes to a halt and the shouting is abruptly broken by a deadly silence.

I do the first thing that comes to mind.

I fall to my knees and start begging.

"Please Your Highness! I only come for a job. I haven't done anything wrong."

The prince raises an eyebrow and looks at the guards behind me.

"What's going on here?"

The guard with the scar is the first to dare say something.

"She ran away!"

The prince raises his hand and casts the guard a sharp look. "Don't raise your voice to me Jackson."

Jackson puts on big eyes and drops to one knee. "Forgive me Highness."

The prince's gaze goes to the other guard. He takes in the bloodied hand and then the dog that has laid down beside me with its head on my thighs.

"Go wrap that hand. And you go with him."

Jackson nods, takes a deep bow, and they both take off.

Now the prince turns to the remaining guard. Blue eyes sparkle in the shadows of the hall, and as soon as they look at me, my head shoots back forward.

Rustling echoes as soon as the guard takes a bow.

"Sir. This young lady has gone against our orders to deliver the dog to us."

The prince raises his hand and rubs his smooth jaw. His full lips are slightly open and above his sharp itching bones are two intelligent, amber eyes. Black hair falls across his forehead and the tips hang in front of his eyes.

"Is that so?" He turns to me. "And why is she going against the orders of the royal guard."

It takes me a moment to realize that this question is actually meant for me.

"I wanted to come and apply to be a maid and I figured I wouldn't be able to do that if I was in the dungeons."

Too late I realize that my words could come across as very harsh.

The prince raises a sharp eyebrow and tilts his head.

The guard moves next to him and together they look down at me.

My cheeks turn red.

"What do you think Dante, should we still let her take that application?"

The guard mimics the prince and tilts his head as well. "I don't know Olivier. She ís still a little too fiery. She would only mean for trouble."

A shock passes through me as I realize that the two men call each other by their first names. With no official titles.

Of course I have to start another argument with a friend of the prince.

I press my lips together to keep a curse from escaping me.

"You may be right. That's why she'll need someone to take her to task if she's that fiery again."

Dante nods in agreement and the blue darkens.

The prince suddenly grins and slaps his friend on the shoulder.

"You will see to that."

Dante's eyes get big and he looks at the prince, startled. "What?"

"You did hear me. You look after the girl. She is your responsibility. Íf she gets through the selection you will have to make sure she behaves in an exemplary manner."

My feelings shoot in all directions. I can still participate! I won't be eliminated!

At the same time, I will be stuck with Mr. Grumpy Guard.

Long may I fucking live.

Dante growls and walks away. Leaving the prince and me behind.

I stand up shakily and thank the prince before I too turn and leave.

The prince, however, stops me.

"Wait!"

I freeze.

"What's your name?"

I look over my shoulder. "Eliana."

"All right Eliana. You can join us, in exchange for a favor."

Suspicion sneaks up on me and I squeeze my eyes together. "What favor?"

The prince nods to Max who is trying to grab his tail.

"I get the dog."What!

The prince grins meanly.

"Max is not a bargaining chip."

"Máx shouldn't normally be here, either. Be glad I haven't had him slaughtered yet. After all, it seems dog meat is a delicacy."

Asshole!

"I'm not giving you my dog to eat!"

The prince purses his lips. "I'm not going to eat him either. I want him to keep me company. A prince's life is lonely."

I snort. "Poor you.'"

'You do realize that you've already broken so many rules that you belong in the dungeon don't you? Not only do you have a big mouth, you've stormed into the castle and bumped into your prince, you've gone against the watchman's orders and smuggled an animal in.'

Shit. Fuck.

"If you wanted me in the dungeon, I was on their cold floor a long time ago."

The prince shrugs. He gestures to the guards guarding the big door, and they come at me immediately.

They take my arms and twist them behind my back. I pull a painful face.

"Wait! Wait," I yell as they begin to drag me along. Furious, I try to look at the prince which is hard to do when they have me like this.

"You get Max."

The prince waves the guards away and walks toward me. A few feet in front of me he remains standing. 

His insufferable grin turns sly.

He had me just where he wanted me.

"Good, that's settled then. You can go."

I suppress the urge to punch him in his handsome face and take off after one last kiss on Max's nose.

These were going to be long working days.