It’s wrong.
Worse than that, it’s forbidden.
You and Steve aren’t supposed to be together; his family made that explicitly clear when you were hired. However, that didn’t stop your feelings from blossoming like the flower garden in front of their castle.
In the beginning, everything felt like a dream. How Steve looked at you with eyes as bright as the night sky and that million-dollar smile. It was like your mind was playing tricks on you, because how could anyone like Steve be interested in someone like you? Under different circumstances, you would act on your feelings. But a maid being with a prince? It could never happen.
And then Steve changed everything. He got you alone one night, just as you were about to leave for the day, and asked you something you never thought you’d hear. “Go on a date with me? Please?” You told him there was no way it would work; you’d get caught and would never see each other again. Steve was convincing and determined, and that night he snuck you out to the garden to stargaze with him.
Months after secret dates and sneaking kisses whenever you could, he made it official. How could you say no? Deep down, you knew you two were doomed, but you’d have to enjoy it for now.
As you wash the dishes in the kitchen, you feel a pair of hands sneak around your waist and a pair of lips kiss your cheek. “Steve!” you gasp. “We could get caught, what are you doing?” You pull away and continue working, trying to ignore the prickle on your skin from where he touched you.
“Everyone’s downstairs for dinner, we’re fine,” Steve promises before stepping closer.
“I can’t just stop working. Some of us have to work for a living,” you tease.
“Just one kiss? I’ll leave you alone after, I swear.”
“Just one,” you emphasize.
Of course it’s more than that; you’re practically making out in the kitchen with the sound of the sink drowning the sound out just in case. A few minutes pass before you pull back, already missing the feeling of his lips on yours. “They’re probably wondering where you are, you should go,” you say although you don’t want him to. He doesn’t want to leave either.
“Right,” he frowns. “Don’t forget, meet me in the garden tonight.”
That’s where most of your “dates” take place. Stargazing, picnics, and painting were the most common ones. Often, Steve would paint a portrait of you; you kept them hidden in a box under your bed, along with love letters he’d leave in secret places around the castle. You want to display the artwork like it deserves to be, but you can’t risk your parents asking where they came from.
“I’ll be there. Now go before they get suspicious.”
Steve rushes off back downstairs, leaving you alone to tidy up the kitchen. Going back to work like everything is normal after kissing Steve is almost impossible; you almost drop a plate after your mind drifts off. Even his mother notices, asking if you’re feeling alright, and you lie through gritted teeth.
»»————- ♔ ————-««
Later that night you sneak through the gate to see Steve. He’s sitting on a blanket in the middle of the rose garden, your favorite spot. When he sees you, his face lights up and he greets you with a quick kiss. “I missed you,” he whispers against your lips.
“It’s only been a few hours.”
“So? I still missed you.”
“What’re we doing tonight?” you ask as you sit next to him.
“I snuck some wine out, and there’s supposed to be a shooting star tonight.”
You rarely drink and Steve only does on special occasions with his family. Normally you would decline, but you deserve to relax from time to time. As he pours you a glass, you curl up into his side and look up at the twinkling sky.
“It’s beautiful,” you whisper.
“It’s nothing compared to my princess.”
The compliment makes your cheeks heat up; it only gets worse when he leans down and kisses them. His fingers trace little patterns up and down your arms as you silently wait for the shooting star. You think of what your wish will be and get lost in your train of thought when Steve gasps silently. “There it is.”
I wish for a life with Steve that isn’t secret.
“What’d you wish for?” he questions.
“I can’t say or else it won’t come true.”
The belief is superstitious but it’s a risk you don’t want to take. You don’t know it, but he wished for the same thing.
»»————- ♔ ————-««
“That one’s the little dipper,” Steve slurs, pointing up at the sky. The stars look absolutely nothing like the constellation and you can tell he’s drunk. You feel a little tipsy but not as bad as him; the whole bottle is almost gone, and you’ve only had a few glasses.
“No, it doesn’t,” you giggle and take the bottle. “I think you’ve had enough.”
He whines. Seeing this side of him is new, but you love getting to see a different side of him. “Dance with me?” Before you can answer, he’s pulling you up on your feet.
“There’s no music.”
“I’ll sing for you princess,” he says before belting out your favorite song. It’s messy, loud, and offbeat, but you’re both laughing and having too much fun to be bothered. Enough fun that you don’t hear Steve’s father calling out his name.
“What is going on here?”
The stern, livid voice sobers you both up immediately. You let go of Steve’s hand and take a step away from him, though it’s too late. His father’s eyes dart between the two of you, but your head is hung low in shame. “Don’t tell me…” he starts, shaking his head in disbelief. “Don’t tell me you two are seeing each other.”
“Father -” Steve tries but is cut off.
“You two, inside, now.”
There’s no point in arguing. You follow behind Steve who’s staring at you with horror in his eyes, and you can’t stand to look at him. This is it. Everything’s going to come to an end.
Steve’s mother is waiting in the main room, looking half asleep but still furious. He sits on the chair across from his parents and you stand as far away as possible. “Care to explain what’s going on?” she asks, her voice sending chills down your spine.
You don’t dare speak; it’s not your place, and you’re trying to get as little punishment as possible. It isn’t possible to turn invisible, but you sure are trying as hard as you can.
“I don’t know what there is to explain,” Steve says.
“The two of you are drunk dancing around out in the garden together, singing loudly enough to wake everyone in here. But yes, tell us how that doesn’t need an explanation,” his father huffs.
“We were having fun, which is something I don’t get to do very often.”
“Your idea of fun is drinking with the help and making fools of yourselves?”
Being called the help like you aren’t standing there cuts you to the core. That’s all you’ll ever be seen as around here. The help. Not a human being, not someone with feelings, and certainly not someone who can be with Steve.
“Don’t call her that. She’s my girlfriend.”
His mother almost faints at that. “Girlfriend? Please, don’t humor us, Steven. Whatever you two have going on is finished.” She turns to you. “And you, your work here is over. You’re dismissed.” She waves her hand to signal you away without a chance to explain or defend yourself.
“You can’t dictate our relationship, she’s staying.” Steve walks over and grabs your hand. Your entire body is shaking with anxiety and embarrassment. It reminds you of being reprimanded as a child by your parents, only ten times worse. Now there are stakes involved. “I’m tired of being treated like I don’t have a say in my life. We’re happy together, I won’t let you ruin that because of your stupid expectations of me. Maybe if you two weren’t so closed-minded, this wouldn’t be an issue,” he continues.
“Steven, apologize now. We won’t be spoken to like this,” his mother gasps. “Your father and I want what’s best for you.”
Steve chuckles, “I have nothing to apologize for, and you don’t know what’s best for me.”
Although you’re proud of him for sticking up for the two of you, it’s still nerve-wracking knowing the worst is yet to come. No matter what he says, you know your time together is up. You’ve always known it would come eventually, but the naive part of you hoped it wouldn’t have to.
“You can’t keep dating her, she’s nothing. I thought we raised you better; I don’t understand why you’re so defensive of her!”
“Because I love her!”
The room goes silent.
Steve loves you. Neither of you has said it out loud before, but it’s been an unspoken thing for a while now. It’s in the way that you look at each other, the soft touches and kisses, and the late nights spent together. You squeeze his hand as a silent way to express your love, but you’re dying to tell him properly.
“You don’t know how you feel,” his father responds dismissively. “I want her gone, and she’s not to come back. Understood?” Steve opens his mouth, but his father raises a hand to silence him. “There is no more arguing or backtalk. Go upstairs and go to bed.”
Once again, you’re being treated like you aren’t there. It’s expected but that doesn’t make it hurt less.
“Can I at least walk her out with the guards?”
His mother nods in silent approval. Steve follows behind you as a guard walks you out of the castle for the last time. Once you’ve reached the end of the walkway, you sigh and look up at Steve. “If it’s worth anything, I love you too.” Then you turn and walk away without looking back; the pain is too much to handle. Knowing you’ll never see him again brings unwanted tears to your eyes and a sinking feeling in your chest.
Your love story reached its final chapter. No epilogue, no fairytale ending, nothing.
»»————- ♔ ————-««
The next few months go by in a daze. Most days you can’t be bothered to leave your room, let alone your bed. Your parents were furious in the beginning; if you thought the anger from Steve’s parents was bad, it was nothing compared to theirs. After seeing how hurt you are, they lightened up a little bit. You’re still expected to go and find work again, but for now, they’re letting you rest (really it’s more like sulking).
It’s another restless night in bed when you hear something hit against your window. At first, you assume it’s the rain but it sounds heavier. You tiptoe over and pull open your curtains to see Steve waiting outside with a bouquet of your favorite flowers in his hand. You almost trip over your own feet as you run outside to tackle him in a hug.
“Stevie, I missed you,” you breathe out.
“I missed you too, princess.”
You kiss him and it’s different than usual. Normally it’s slow like you have all the time in the world together. After learning how that isn’t true, the kiss becomes urgent and needy. For all you know, it may be the last time you get to do this; you have to make it count.
“How did you manage to sneak out?”
“I found a way to distract the guards. I’m so sorry, I should’ve come months ago but -”
“Hey, you’re here now and that’s all that matters. They would’ve stopped you anyway,” you interject.
“You’re coming with me. Tell your parents where we’ll be.”
“I...what? You’re taking me back there?”
How could he possibly think that’s a good idea? Is he trying to destroy your relationship even more?
“I’ll explain on the way.”
Per his instructions, you go back inside and wake your parents, explaining where you’re going. They warn you it’s not a good idea, but you have to see what Steve is planning. You’ve already lost him before; how much worse can it get? You say goodbye and tell them you’ll be back soon.
Seeing the castle again brings back a flood of memories. You and Steve painting outside, sneaking kisses behind the guard’s backs, hearing him say he loves you. There are painful ones with those though: being called the help, being told you’re nothing, and leaving Steve and your relationship behind. It’s a lot to take in, but it’s not as intimidating with him by your side.
Steve’s parents are waiting down in the main room. You try letting go of his hand, but like that last night you saw him, he squeezes your hand in reassurance. “It’ll be okay,” he whispers before sitting on the loveseat. You hesitantly sit next to him and await your fate again.
His father clears his throat. “We’re waiting.”
“I know you’re mad, and I know I went behind your backs again, but please hear me out. I’ve never been happier than when I’m with her and these last few months have been like hell. If you really cared about me, you would let us be together without judgment. I love her, and I’ve never felt like this about anyone before. Please just consider it.”
They turn their attention to you. “Do you have anything to say?”
That’s unusual; you’re never asked to speak your opinion about anything. All you’re used to is making small talk while you cook or clean. It almost feels like a trap, with everyone looking at you, waiting for you to beg and plead to be with Steve.
“I feel exactly how Steve does. He makes me really happy, and I promise I never let my feelings affect my work. I love him, I don’t know what else there is for me to say other than I’m sorry.”
Silence again. That same pit in your stomach returns like last time while his parents whisper amongst themselves. Steve gently rubs his thumb against your hand to calm you down, but your hand won’t stop shaking.
“We talked about it, and if it’s what you both truly want, we’ll allow it. Are we happy about this? No, and it will take some time for us to adjust to everything and be fully on board. But who are we to deny our son love and happiness?” his mother says.
Your jaw drops, it’s practically on the perfectly polished tile floor. Steve gets up to hug and thank his parents and you collect yourself to do the same. “Thank you both so much. Steve and I appreciate you hearing us out; it really means the world to us.”
“Mhm. We’ll set you up in the guest house for now, and if this lasts long enough, you’ll move in here. Understood?”
You nod; it’s clear that they’re still processing it, but you’re grateful they’re allowing you and Steve to be together at all. They said goodnight and tell you to be back tomorrow morning before leaving you two alone.
“I can’t believe this,” you say, the disbelief clear in your voice.
“I can’t either.”
Steve kisses you and it’s the familiar slow kiss you’ve been craving these past few months.
“I love you, Stevie.”
“And I love you, princess.”
Turns out your love story isn’t over after all; in fact, it’s just the beginning.