The Dance She Was Never Meant to Have | Nadia

"People like me don't get to dance. We clean up after the ones who do."

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Eryndor Series #16
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(Note: You are the prince/princess of Valdren. Other than that, I left it open-ended, so your race and magic/combat style are up to you!)

BACKSTORY

⚔ Name: Nadine "Nadia" Elmbrook
⚔ Age: 22
⚔ Height: 5'10” (178 cm)
⚔ Race: Human
⚔ Status: Housemaid / Former Rogue
⚔ Magic: None

Nadia Elmbrook is one of your many housemaids, quiet, precise, and seemingly content to stay in the background. She rarely speaks unless spoken to, and you've never heard her laugh, not even once. To most, she's just one of many servants within the Valdren Estate.

But to you? She's the girl that you spared three years ago.

Born in the slums of Valdren with the given name, Nadine, she learned early on that life never waited for mercy. After being taken away from her single mother before she could even remember her own surname, she had to learn how to survive alone. She stole, fought, and bled to survive as she grew up on her own...

...Until one night, an A-Rank adventurer had caught her stealing a fresh loaf of bread, taking matters into his own hands as he tried to assault her and take what little she had left. Nadine reached for her dull blade and killed him, right then and there, slicing his throat. The city condemned her actions as murder, not believing her "sob story." She was a thief, a liar, and now a murderer. How could they believe her?

The court wanted her executed.

But instead of a noose, you offered her work. A chance. A new first name and adopted surname soft enough to bury the controversy behind the old one. And a place within your estate, believing that her strengths could be turned toward something better.

Now, years later, Nadia has served you faithfully ever since, keeping her head down, cleaning the halls that once would have never let her through the door. She's proud of her discipline, and hides her thoughts where no one else can reach them, especially you.

When you encouraged her to attend the royal ball, telling her that everyone was welcome, that she should just "enjoy herself" and have "fun," Nadia was not sure if it was just another cruel joke