• THE MAID THE KING WANTED

    It was already too late when I finally understood that my acceptance into the palace was never just about work. When I was chosen by the prince to serve as a maid in the royal palace, I never imagined that the king desired my presence more in his private chamber than in the courtyards where maidens worked. I thought I was there to sweep floors, wash linens, and earn a living. I never knew fate had woven something darker and more complicated around my destiny.

    From the very first week, I became the most disliked maid in the palace. I came there only to work honestly and send money home to take care of my sick mother. Yet whispers followed me everywhere. The maidens discovered that the prince treated me differently, and that alone was enough to turn their hearts against me.

    I never truly understood why I was so hated. I was new, poor, and unimportant—or so I thought. I was brought into the palace personally by the prince, and that alone made me suspicious in their eyes.

    The first time I ever saw the prince was in the market square. That day, the sun was hot and unforgiving. I was hawking cocoyams with a basket balanced carefully on my head, shouting prices with a tired voice. My mother was ill, and I needed money to buy her medicine. My father passed away long ago, leaving us with nothing but stubborn hope.

    Suddenly, guards surrounded me.
    “Beautiful maiden,” the prince called.

    “My prince,” I trembled, lowering my eyes. “I hope I have not offended you?”

    “How do you know I am offended?” he asked calmly. “Because I am.”
    Fear rushed through me. “I am sorry, my prince. Tell me how I offended you, and I will correct it.”

    “You offended me,” he said, “because a maiden as beautiful as you should not be hawking cocoyams under the burning sun.”

    I swallowed hard. “My mother is sick, my prince.”

    “Is it your duty to care for your sick mother?” he asked gently, then paused. “Where is your father?”

    Tears gathered in my eyes, and I could not speak. He noticed immediately and frowned.

    “I did not mean to reopen old sadness,” he said softly. “But you should have come to the palace for help.”

    “I do not know the road to the palace,” I replied. “And even if I did, no one would allow me close to you. Please, what can I do to appease you?”

    “Come and work in the palace,” he said. “Where I can see your pretty face every day. I will take care of your mother if you accept to work as my maid.”

    “As a maid, my prince,” I said quickly. “Even as a servant, I will gladly come if you save my mother.”

    That was how everything began.
    I never knew that a poor maiden, the daughter of a struggling farmer and widow, could attract such attention. When I arrived at the palace, murmurs followed me.

    “Since she came, the prince treats her differently,” they whispered.

    What they did not know was the secret between the queen and her son.
    One evening, the queen had given the prince a royal necklace and said, “The day you see the maiden you want as your wife, place this necklace on her neck. Let her wear it always. When I see it on her, I will understand. But do not tell her your intentions. I will watch her character first.”

    Unfortunately, the secret did not remain secret.

    Wantoh, one of the palace maidens, was deeply in love with the prince. She overheard the conversation while pretending to clean nearby. For two long years, she tried everything to win his attention. Then I arrived—a mere maid—and suddenly the necklace she had dreamed of was no longer on the prince’s neck.

    The day he placed it on mine, my hands trembled.

    “For your beautiful smile that brings peace to my heart,” he said, “wear this necklace. It carries good fortune.”

    “I am only a maid,” I protested. “I am not worthy.”

    He smiled and placed it on me himself. “It represents royalty, loyalty, and trust. Promise me you will never remove it.”

    “Why, my prince?” I asked.
    “One day,” he said, “you will understand.”
    That was the day Wantoh’s hatred for me became fire.

    “How can Shiyla just arrive and receive what I have waited for?” she said angrily to the other maidens. “Whoever helps me destroy her image before the prince will be rewarded when I become a princess—and later, queen.”

    But there was a greater danger none of us could ignore.

    The king.
    The king was known for his wandering eyes for beautiful young maidens. Every maiden knew it, even if no one dared speak openly. One evening, he summoned me to his chamber. I thought I was called to arrange his bed or tidy the room.

    But his words told a different story.
    The queen was away that night.
    The king looked at me for a long moment and said softly, “Come closer.”

    Fear crawled through my bones. He spoke of my beauty, my obedience, and how loyalty should be rewarded. His intentions were clear without being spoken aloud.

    My heart raced. I realized then that my presence in the palace had drawn dangerous attention—attention that could destroy me if I made one wrong move.

    That night, I learned that being chosen is not always a blessing.
    Sometimes, it is a curse dressed in royal silk. I was brought by the prince who asked me to be loyal to him and not allow any man to touch me but now his father the king was luring me to himself.

    Episode 1

    Written by: © Gambo Elvis

    To be continued only on:
    PAUL Elvis christian stories
    Do you want more of this story
    THE MAID THE KING WANTED It was already too late when I finally understood that my acceptance into the palace was never just about work. When I was chosen by the prince to serve as a maid in the royal palace, I never imagined that the king desired my presence more in his private chamber than in the courtyards where maidens worked. I thought I was there to sweep floors, wash linens, and earn a living. I never knew fate had woven something darker and more complicated around my destiny. From the very first week, I became the most disliked maid in the palace. I came there only to work honestly and send money home to take care of my sick mother. Yet whispers followed me everywhere. The maidens discovered that the prince treated me differently, and that alone was enough to turn their hearts against me. I never truly understood why I was so hated. I was new, poor, and unimportant—or so I thought. I was brought into the palace personally by the prince, and that alone made me suspicious in their eyes. The first time I ever saw the prince was in the market square. That day, the sun was hot and unforgiving. I was hawking cocoyams with a basket balanced carefully on my head, shouting prices with a tired voice. My mother was ill, and I needed money to buy her medicine. My father passed away long ago, leaving us with nothing but stubborn hope. Suddenly, guards surrounded me. “Beautiful maiden,” the prince called. “My prince,” I trembled, lowering my eyes. “I hope I have not offended you?” “How do you know I am offended?” he asked calmly. “Because I am.” Fear rushed through me. “I am sorry, my prince. Tell me how I offended you, and I will correct it.” “You offended me,” he said, “because a maiden as beautiful as you should not be hawking cocoyams under the burning sun.” I swallowed hard. “My mother is sick, my prince.” “Is it your duty to care for your sick mother?” he asked gently, then paused. “Where is your father?” Tears gathered in my eyes, and I could not speak. He noticed immediately and frowned. “I did not mean to reopen old sadness,” he said softly. “But you should have come to the palace for help.” “I do not know the road to the palace,” I replied. “And even if I did, no one would allow me close to you. Please, what can I do to appease you?” “Come and work in the palace,” he said. “Where I can see your pretty face every day. I will take care of your mother if you accept to work as my maid.” “As a maid, my prince,” I said quickly. “Even as a servant, I will gladly come if you save my mother.” That was how everything began. I never knew that a poor maiden, the daughter of a struggling farmer and widow, could attract such attention. When I arrived at the palace, murmurs followed me. “Since she came, the prince treats her differently,” they whispered. What they did not know was the secret between the queen and her son. One evening, the queen had given the prince a royal necklace and said, “The day you see the maiden you want as your wife, place this necklace on her neck. Let her wear it always. When I see it on her, I will understand. But do not tell her your intentions. I will watch her character first.” Unfortunately, the secret did not remain secret. Wantoh, one of the palace maidens, was deeply in love with the prince. She overheard the conversation while pretending to clean nearby. For two long years, she tried everything to win his attention. Then I arrived—a mere maid—and suddenly the necklace she had dreamed of was no longer on the prince’s neck. The day he placed it on mine, my hands trembled. “For your beautiful smile that brings peace to my heart,” he said, “wear this necklace. It carries good fortune.” “I am only a maid,” I protested. “I am not worthy.” He smiled and placed it on me himself. “It represents royalty, loyalty, and trust. Promise me you will never remove it.” “Why, my prince?” I asked. “One day,” he said, “you will understand.” That was the day Wantoh’s hatred for me became fire. “How can Shiyla just arrive and receive what I have waited for?” she said angrily to the other maidens. “Whoever helps me destroy her image before the prince will be rewarded when I become a princess—and later, queen.” But there was a greater danger none of us could ignore. The king. The king was known for his wandering eyes for beautiful young maidens. Every maiden knew it, even if no one dared speak openly. One evening, he summoned me to his chamber. I thought I was called to arrange his bed or tidy the room. But his words told a different story. The queen was away that night. The king looked at me for a long moment and said softly, “Come closer.” Fear crawled through my bones. He spoke of my beauty, my obedience, and how loyalty should be rewarded. His intentions were clear without being spoken aloud. My heart raced. I realized then that my presence in the palace had drawn dangerous attention—attention that could destroy me if I made one wrong move. That night, I learned that being chosen is not always a blessing. Sometimes, it is a curse dressed in royal silk. I was brought by the prince who asked me to be loyal to him and not allow any man to touch me but now his father the king was luring me to himself. Episode 1 Written by: © Gambo Elvis To be continued only on: PAUL Elvis christian stories Do you want more of this story
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  • The Arena of True Courage. Brené Brown reminds us through this timeless message that life isn’t about sitting on the sidelines, analyzing, or criticizing how others live or fail — it’s about daring to step into the arena yourself. The moment you choose courage over comfort, you open yourself to both victory and defeat, but more importantly, to growth. The dust, the sweat, and the struggle are not signs of weakness; they’re proof that you’re alive, that you’re trying, that you care enough to fight for something meaningful. The critics will always exist — watching, judging, never risking anything — but their voices fade in the presence of those who dare to act. True fulfillment comes from striving, falling, getting back up, and giving everything you have, even when the outcome is uncertain. Brené’s realization is a reminder that bravery doesn’t guarantee success, but it guarantees a life fully lived — a life defined by effort, resilience, and heart. Speaker: @brenebrown #brenebrown #mindset #mindsetmatters #mindsetiseverything #motivationmindset #giveupquotes #hardwork #positivethinking #positivity #manifestation #visualization #inspiration #inspirationdaily #goalkeepers #desired #goalchaser #goalkeeper #motivation #motivationmonday #successquotes #motivationquotes #motivationdaily #successfulmindset #successtips #goalgetters #successminded #productivity #successprinciples #successmotivation
    The Arena of True Courage. Brené Brown reminds us through this timeless message that life isn’t about sitting on the sidelines, analyzing, or criticizing how others live or fail — it’s about daring to step into the arena yourself. The moment you choose courage over comfort, you open yourself to both victory and defeat, but more importantly, to growth. The dust, the sweat, and the struggle are not signs of weakness; they’re proof that you’re alive, that you’re trying, that you care enough to fight for something meaningful. The critics will always exist — watching, judging, never risking anything — but their voices fade in the presence of those who dare to act. True fulfillment comes from striving, falling, getting back up, and giving everything you have, even when the outcome is uncertain. Brené’s realization is a reminder that bravery doesn’t guarantee success, but it guarantees a life fully lived — a life defined by effort, resilience, and heart. Speaker: @brenebrown #brenebrown #mindset #mindsetmatters #mindsetiseverything #motivationmindset #giveupquotes #hardwork #positivethinking #positivity #manifestation #visualization #inspiration #inspirationdaily #goalkeepers #desired #goalchaser #goalkeeper #motivation #motivationmonday #successquotes #motivationquotes #motivationdaily #successfulmindset #successtips #goalgetters #successminded #productivity #successprinciples #successmotivation
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  • "Sonnet 153: Cupid laid by his brand and fell asleep"

    Cupid laid by his brand and fell asleep:
    A maid of Dian's this advantage found,
    And his love-kindling fire did quickly steep
    In a cold valley-fountain of that ground;
    Which borrow'd from this holy fire of Love,
    A dateless lively heat, still to endure,
    And grew a seeting bath, which yet men prove
    Against strange maladies a sovereign cure.
    But at my mistress' eye Love's brand new-fired,
    The boy for trial needs would touch my breast;
    I, sick withal, the help of bath desired,
    And thither hied, a sad distemper'd guest,
    But found no cure, the bath for my help lies
    Where Cupid got new fire; my mistress' eyes.

    — William Shakespeare

    #poemoftheday #cityvibes #kericho
    "Sonnet 153: Cupid laid by his brand and fell asleep" Cupid laid by his brand and fell asleep: A maid of Dian's this advantage found, And his love-kindling fire did quickly steep In a cold valley-fountain of that ground; Which borrow'd from this holy fire of Love, A dateless lively heat, still to endure, And grew a seeting bath, which yet men prove Against strange maladies a sovereign cure. But at my mistress' eye Love's brand new-fired, The boy for trial needs would touch my breast; I, sick withal, the help of bath desired, And thither hied, a sad distemper'd guest, But found no cure, the bath for my help lies Where Cupid got new fire; my mistress' eyes. — William Shakespeare #poemoftheday #cityvibes #kericho
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  • "Sonnet 89: Say that thou didst forsake me for some fault"

    Say that thou didst forsake me for some fault,
    And I will comment upon that offence:
    Speak of my lameness, and I straight will halt,
    Against thy reasons making no defence.
    Thou canst not love disgrace me half so ill,
    To set a form upon desired change,
    As I'll myself disgrace; knowing thy will,
    I will acquaintance strangle, and look strange;
    Be absent from thy walks; and in my tongue
    Thy sweet beloved name no more shall dwell,
    Lest I, too much profane, should do it wrong,
    And haply of our old acquaintance tell.
    For thee, against my self I'll vow debate,
    For I must ne'er love him whom thou dost hate.

    — William Shakespeare

    #poemoftheday #cityvibes #kericho
    "Sonnet 89: Say that thou didst forsake me for some fault" Say that thou didst forsake me for some fault, And I will comment upon that offence: Speak of my lameness, and I straight will halt, Against thy reasons making no defence. Thou canst not love disgrace me half so ill, To set a form upon desired change, As I'll myself disgrace; knowing thy will, I will acquaintance strangle, and look strange; Be absent from thy walks; and in my tongue Thy sweet beloved name no more shall dwell, Lest I, too much profane, should do it wrong, And haply of our old acquaintance tell. For thee, against my self I'll vow debate, For I must ne'er love him whom thou dost hate. — William Shakespeare #poemoftheday #cityvibes #kericho
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