Hope you enjoy this next chapter (: Thank so much for reading! -m

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"So we'll start in the main room." Shay said as he guided me into the front room of the castle, the same room that I had first seen when I arrived here.

"So you've seen this room before. This is the main room or hall or whatever you want to call it and everything in the palace centres around here. To the right are all of the bedrooms and chambers and on the left is everything else. I'll show you that side." Shay pointed to the left side of the massive room.

"Okay." I nodded and he strode over to the staircase.

I followed him up the extensive stairway and into a corridor.

"So up here we have the dining room." Shay directed me towards a door and led me inside.

A long wooden table that reached about 20 feet went across the room. Place settings were already set out and flower arrangements were in place.

"This is where the Untouchables eat. The King dines here and since you are his personal servant you will dine here as well." Shay explained.

"But I'm not an Untouchable. I'm an Unexceptional." I attested, folding my arms across my stomach.

"No, technically you are Unclassified. And if the King wants you to eat in here with him then you will do so." He shot me a 'that's final' look.

"Okay fine, what's next." I shrugged it off.

"Alright well next we have the gym and training centre. You have access to this 24 hours a day, everyday." Shay led me out of the dining hall and down the corridor to a glass wall where equipment that looked scary to me was placed.

"Gym that I will stay far away from, check. What's next?" I looked away from the glass wall and Shay chuckled.

"So next we have the kitchen and servants quarters." Shay and I walked to the end of the corridor and down a flight of stairs until we were at another massive corridor.

"You know, if the King hadn't taken such a liking to you, this is where you would be." Shay pointed out and I nodded.

I walked along with him to another wall of glass but behind it was the kitchen.

I could see people rushing about the colossal kitchen with food, pots or dishes. The walls of the kitchen, besides the glass one, were bronze metal. Black and white checkered floor covered the expanse of space and tables, stoves, and oven lined the walls.

The people inside wore white uniforms and hustled about like they were in a hurry.

"Come on I'll show you the servants quarters." Shay drug me away from the window and down another hallway where I saw more servants wandering around.

The women were dressed in the maids dresses like Lux while the men were in tuxedos.

Some looked at me and Shay and I entered the room.

I recognised the woman who was next me in line when we were taken into the room to be assigned our labour positions the night of the Gathering. Her black hair was braided back and pinned into a bun.

Her dark eyes widened when she saw me and she quickly looked away.

I frowned a little and then caught up to Shay who had walked a few paces ahead of me.

By now everyone in the room was staring at us as we walked through the crowd.

"Everyone's staring." I said through my teeth.

"They've heard about you. Your the girl who escaped fate. You escaped being a palace maid and I'm sure they all wish they were as lucky as you." He said and I did everything I could not to roll my eyes.

Shay saw my job as lucky while I saw it as slavery.

I turned my head to the side to glance around when a familiar face made me double back.

A mop of curls and hazel eyes caught my attention. I had seen that dimpled face before. And that's when it hit me.

The waiting room at the Unexceptional's building during The Gathering. The boy I had had a non-purposeful stare down with. He was caught to?

I turned to walk towards him when a hand clasped my shoulder.

I turned around and was greeted with Shay's wolffish look.

"Where do you think you're going?" He almost snarled, a quick 180 of his friendly manner just moments ago.

"That boy over there, I've seen him before. He's from my classification, or used to be I guess." I nodded towards the boy. "I want to talk to him."

Shay looked around us with his still serious glare and then nodded. "You have two minutes, go." He said in a clipped tone.

I walked away and towards the boy who was now leaning against a wall his face not looking towards me but at the floor.

"Excuse me but I think I've seen you before." I said when I was in front of him.

His head shot up and his eyes widened when he heard me speak.

After a moment of looking at me and look of realisation flashed across his face. "You're the girl from the waiting room."

I nodded. "You were caught to?"

"Yeah. Second Gathering would you believe it?" He half way smiled in diffusion. I understood.

"Same here." I sighed.

"You got the lucky end of the stick though." He gestured towards my clothes.

"I'm the King's personal slave. I wouldn't call it lucky." I crossed my arms.

"Better than me. I'm a stocker." He rolled his eyes. "All I've done the past day is learn where to put things. I'm about ready to bang my head against a wall."

A smile played on my lips at his annoyance.

"Well maybe if you would've just popped off to the King you would be where I was." I said sarcastically and he snorted.

"If only."

I let out a chuckle before I felt a looming presence behind me.

"Times up." Shay said behind me and I turned around to see him with a fierce expression.

I nodded and began to walk away, not wanting to annoy Shay further.

"Wait what's your name?" I called over my shoulder to the boy leaning against the wall.

"Alfie." He replied.

"Eleanor." I called back and then Shay tugged me around a corner and Alfie disappeared behind the wall.

"Well that was rude." I snarled at Shay as we began to walk down an empty hallway.

"I'm not sure you're supposed to be fraternizing with the servants." He said nervously.

"But i'm a servant." I refuted him.

"But you are the King's personal servant. You have special privileges." He exaggerated the word King.

"But I dont want special privledges." I crossed my arms and whined.

"Well you don't get a choice." He said matter-of-factly and I rolled my eyes.

I sighed as we continued to walk.

"So tell me...what's your job? I mean I know your a minder but is that it?" I asked in an attempt to make slightly less annoying conversation.

"I am the Commander and chief of The Minders I guess you could say. Every police order is carried down from me. I assign patrols and guards in the castle and all of Karnevia. So basically I work with the King and the leader of the Hunters, Theo, you've met him, on the security of the castle and the country." Shay explained as we walked.

"Theo?" I questioned.

"Yeah, the blonde scary Hunter that escorted you to the line up room in front of the King." Shay shrugged.

"Oh." I nodded.

"You will meet him tonight actually." Shay added on.

"What's tonight?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Dinner?" He said like I should know. "Remember how I said you dined with the King and his cabinet, well..." He let me fill in the blank.

"Theo is the leader of the Hunters so he'll be there. You'll be there too?" I asked.

"Yes." Shay nodded. "I think it's time I take you back to your room now." He led me down a flight of stairs and we were right back into the main room.

"This castle is so confusing." I shook my head knowing I'd get lost easily.

"S'not that hard." Shay shrugged. "You've just gotta pay attention."

I silently said a 'yeah right' and followed along as he led me back to my chambers.

This time I paid attention to where we were going though, making mental notes of where to turn.

When we arrived at my door I slid my card out of my pocket and scanned it, letting us both into the room.

"Dinner is at 7 sharp. I can expect you to find your way there?" Shay said with a raised look.

"Yes." I nodded, a little more confident in my ability to find my way there.

"Alright then. See you tonight Eleanor." He turned to leave.

"Wait Shay." I said and he pivoted back around to face me. "Call me El, please."

He nodded once before turning and walking off again.

Closing the door behind him, I wandered into my room noticing that the curtains were now open letting light flood in like a tsunami.

I quickly went to shut them and turned on the lamps.

Aww I turned the knob on the last lamp a grumbling sound came from my stomach.

I figure not eating at breakfast today was not the best idea.

With still no clue what time it was I hesitatingly peeked through the curtains to see if I could judge by the sun but I had no idea.

"Ugh." I sighed.

If I could find my way out of the bedroom chambers then I knew how to get to the kitchen.

Leaving the curtains closed and the lamps on I quietly padded across the expanse of carpet to the door and slowly opened it, creeping out into the hallway.

The hall was silent and no one was in sight.

I closed the door and then began to walk, remembering where to turn or at least trying to.

I mentally applauded myself when I ended up back in the main room.

The grand stairs took me up to the second floor and I took the left and followed along the walls until I arrived at the glass wall to the kitchen. A white door was next to the beginning of the glass and I opened it, hoping it led to the kitchen.

Much to my luck I was greeted by the sounds of clanging pots and pans and the chatter of the chefs.

I closer the door behind me and stepped into the kitchen.

Now that I was here I was nervous. Who do I talk to?

Standing awkwardly by the door I watched the cooks hustle about the room. One particular chef nearest to me was making what looked like pasta noodles and I watched her in fascination.

"Can I help you?" A masculine voice asked from my left and I jumped in surprise.

"S-sorry, I was just hungry." I said quietly.

The chef was in his 60's it seemed by his wrinkled skin and callused hands. He smiled kindly at me and instantly he reminded me of my grandfather.

"Of course dear, and what is your name?" He asked.

"Eleanor." I shifted awkwardly.

"Ah, so your the lady who is now the King's personal attendant." He smiled and his blue eyes shined brightly.

"Yes sir." I nodded.

"You seem to have become the talk of the entire castle." He added in a kindly yet wise tone.

"Apparently." I let out a small, breathy laugh as I tucked a strand of hair that had fallen out of my braid behind my ear.

"Let's see about getting you something to eat, huh?" He smiled and I nodded, following along as he led me into the kitchen.

"Have a seat here." He led me to a high, wooden butcher block table with a barstool next to it.

"So Miss Eleanor, what would you like to eat?" He placed a gentle hand on my shoulder as he stood next to me.

My eyes immedietly darted to where I had preveously seen the female chef making pasta. He followed my gaze and sent me a knowing smile.

"Do you like pasta?" He asked sweetly.

I nodded.

"Pasta it is then." He patted my shoulder and then walked off to the chef making pasta.

I observed as he boiled the noodles in hot water and then poured them into another bowl that had holes in it. He carried the bowl over to the wooden counter where I was sat and set a white bowl in front of me. The pasta was then placed in my bowl along with a pad of butter.

"Hold on." He said and then wandered off, returning with a pan of white sauce. He poured it over the pasta and then placed a fork in the bowl.

"Try it." He motioned towards the bowl.

I took the fork between my fingers and brought the pasta to my lips blowing the steam away and then took a bite. A smile graced my lips as the flavors touched my tongue.

"How is it?" He asked and I looked up with an enthusiastic nod.

He smiled back at me.

"You dont talk much do you?" He added.

I shook my head again.

"Well Eleanor, i'll leave you to eat." He began to walk away but i stopped him.

"Wait." I said and he turned back. "Can you stay with me here?"

He smiled and returned to his previous position on the opposite side of the counter from me.

"What is your name?" I asked.

"Charlie." He smiled.

I nodded.

"Well thank you." I took another bite.

"Of course." He said with a twinkle in his eye.

Charlie stood and chatted with me while I finished my pasta. He was a very interesting man. He told me all of the chefs names and told me of how he became a servant at the castle, explaining that he had been born into servitude and had lived in the castle his whole life.

I told of him about The Gathering and being assigned to the King's personal servant and he chuckled when I told him the parts where I sassed off to the King.

"The King is a very harsh man on the outside but he cares about this country more than his own life." Charle assured me. "Speaking of which, dinner is in two hours, you might want to go to your chambers and get dressed."

"I am dressed?" I questioned.

"Ah, but you must wear a dress to dinner. It is required." He chuckled at my expression of horror at the mention of the word dress.

"Dont worry, i'm sure he will be lenient on you since it is your first dinner. You can act like you dont know." He winked at me.

"I like that idea better." I laughed softly, hopping down from the stool.

"Where can I wash this?" I asked as I took the now empty bowl in my hands.

"I'll take care of it." Charlie waved my hand away.

"Please, as a thank you." I insited.

He chuckled at my persistance and then gestured for me to follow him. We went to a sink in the back of the kitchen where a group of four people were washing dishes.

"I'll take that from you dear." An elderly woman took the bowl from my hands.

"Oh, thank you." I smiled at her.

"See." Charlie laughed quietly behind me again.

I sent him a little eye roll with a small smile.

"Thank you again, Charlie."

"Anytime, Eleanor." Charlie smiled so the creased corners of his eyes lifted.

I waved as I walked back the way we came and slipped out the door that I had come in.

My back faced the hallway as I closed the door behind me and when I turned around I ran straight into a stiff body.

"What the bloody hell do you think you're doing?" An annoyed voice seethed at me and I cringed, looking up to see a face I already feared. His arms were crossed across his chest and he glared at me with an irritated expression.

Michael.