Bethroted To Three Princes

''Margaret, have you sent the parcel?''

''Margaret, you forgot to file for the stationaries.''

''Margaret, don't be such a lazy bum. I sent you on an errand an hour ago.''

Orders and instructions flew in from left, right and center at Margaret as she tried to keep up with work at the council where she got a job as an errand girl. An orphan who happened to have been adopted by a regular family in the outskirts of Magus, worked day and night to make ends meet just so that she could get an education and move on from that home where she had lived for eighteen years.

At the end of the day's work, Margaret was fatigued and dehydrated. She had to walk nearly a mile to get home where she would continue to exhaust herself in chores that she had to meet up at home.

''I have told you before Margaret, you have to try and return from work earlier. Who will handle all these chores? You know I have to cook dinner for your father, he always comes home drunk and angry.''

If he beats me again, know that I will also transfer the anger to you.'' Margaret's foster mother said to her as she pointed at the pile of work that Margaret had to attend to in the kitchen, the living room, and the study.

''I'm sorry mom. I'll get to work at once.'' Margaret put down her work bag, grabbed an apron, and wore it over her work clothes, diving into the load of chores that she had to attend to at home.

''Pfft! Pathetic Margaret. Look at how pale you look. Mom, make sure you don't spare her any food until she's done with everything.'' Constance, Margaret's foster sister said to her mother, eyeing Magaret with disdain.

''Even if I wished to, I can't because your father would return any moment, drunk and angry and hungry.'' Margaret's foster mother replied.

While the three ladies were having this conversation, there was a loud knock on the door.

''Is that your father? Is he back already?'' Margaret's foster mother asked, panic visible in her eyes.

''Quick. Margaret, check who just knocked.'' The older lady said.

Margaret who already had her hands full with work, hurried to answer the door while her foster sister sat at the kitchen table, doing absolutely nothing.

At the door, there stood a man in regal attire. He oozed of audacity and dominance as he stared down at Margaret who was so many inches shorter. The man was so tall, Margaret was only a head above his waist.

''Margaret?'' The man asked.

Margaret frowned, wondering how the man knew her name.

''Who's asking?'' Margaret asked with caution, looking behond her to see if anyone was coming.

The man smiled briefly, displaying his perfect set of teeth, white and proportional to the size of his mouth.

''Here. Margaret Usynol.'' The man handed Margaret a letter.

Margaret was staring at the letter and also wondering how the man knew her name, and her surname. The man addressed Margaret by her original surname, and not the name of the family she currently lived with.

''Wait, a minute.'' Margaret raised her head up to ask the man his name and how he knew her, but to her surprise, he was no longer there.

''Margaret!'' Someone screamed from inside the house.

Margaret tucked the letter she had just taken from the mysterious man into her apron as she hurried back to the kitchen to answer her foster mother.

''Who was that? What kept you there for so long?'' Margaret's foster mother eyed her, eager for her to finish the chores before her ever drunk husband returned.

''Um... It was a stray. He knocked on the wrong door. He was looking for another street so I directed him.'' Margaret lied.

There was no way she could tell a woman who always maltreated her that a letter had come for her from an unknown source, a letter that bore her original surname. It only meant that it was private.

''Hurry up and finish those dishes. I'm almost done cooking. Your father would be here in a bit. Whoever came knocking was an omen to tell us that your father is on his way.'' Margaret's foster mother resumed cooking while Constance stared at Margaret with suspicion.

After the days work, Margaret returned to her tiny bedroom to clean up and catch some sleep before she returned to work the following day.

So far, everything was going on smoothly until Margaret finished taking a shower and stepped out of her bathroom, only to see Constance in her room with the letter that the mysterious man had given her.

''Constance, put that down. What are you doing in my room?'' Margaret hurried towards her foster sister and tried to snatch the letter from her, but of course, Constance dodged.

''Liar, liar. Pants on fire.'' Constance started to tear the letter open, hoping to read it.

''I saw you take this from a man at the door. You have a boyfriend now, ehn? Margaret. You lied to my mother that it was a stray, meanwhile, your boyfriend dropped off a love letter.'' Constance giggled with mockery as she tore the letter open.

''I wonder which pathetic man would find you attractive, as dirty as you look.'' Constance said, staring at Margaret with contempt.

Margaret's heart was beating against her chest. She hoped that the letter did not contain anything that would implicate her as she watched Constance tear it open, ignoring the fact that the letter was addressed to Margaret, using her original surname.

''What? What's this gibberish?'' Constance looked at the letter with an appauling gaze as she tried to decipher what was written in it.

''Urgh.'' Constance became impatient and threw the letter away, pushing Margaret aside as she made for the door.

''Get out of my way, homeless idiot.''

Margaret almost tumbled over as she struggled to stay on her feet while Constance walked out of her room with disappointment.