Elena was known in their high school batch as “the scholarship student, daughter of a laundress.”
For four years, she endured relentless bullying from Bea and her group.
Ten years passed.
One day, Elena received an invitation to the Grand High School Reunion.
“Elena! You should come,” Bea said over the phone, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
“We heard you’re leaving abroad to work as a domestic helper? What a shame. Come to the reunion first—let’s make it your farewell party. Wear something comfortable, okay? You might be the one serving drinks. You’re used to that kind of work anyway, right”
Instead of getting angry, Elena simply smiled.
“Alright, Bea. I’ll come. I’ll wear my uniform so you can all see it.”
The night of the reunion arrived.
It was held in the garden of a luxurious hotel. Everyone wore elegant gowns and tailored suits. Jewelry sparkled under the lights. Pride and arrogance filled the air.
Then Elena arrived.
Just as they expected.
She was wearing a simple maid’s uniform—a white blouse, black skirt, and apron. No makeup.
As she stepped inside, the crowd went silent.
Then Bea’s group burst into laughter.
“Oh my God!” Bea shrieked, holding her wine glass.
“It’s true! Our maid really showed up in uniform! Girls, look at her—she looks perfect!”
The former bullies walked toward Elena, surrounding her.
“Elena,” Bea sneered, “I was about to get some wine. Why don’t you get it for me? That’s going to be your job abroad anyway, right? Are you already practicing?”
“Exactly,” another added.
“What a waste of your intelligence. You were the valedictorian back then—and now you end up as a nanny? How pathetic.”
Elena lowered her head. She said nothing.
She let them talk.
She let them pour out all the poison they had inside.
“Why aren’t you answering?” Bea shoved Elena’s shoulder.
“Are you mute from shame now? Honestly, you shouldn’t have come. You’re ruining the view for the rich people here.”
In the middle of their laughter—
The ground suddenly began to shake.
WUG! WUG! WUG!
A powerful gust of wind tore through the garden. Decorations were blown aside. Tablecloths and napkins flew through the air. Guests screamed in panic.
“What’s that?! Is there a storm?!” someone shouted.
Everyone looked up.
A massive, gleaming royal helicopter, adorned with golden insignias, descended into the open field of the hotel garden. On its side was the Royal Crest of the Kingdom of Altaria.
“A h-helicopter?!” Bea gasped.
“Who’s arriving? Is there some VIP here?”
The helicopter landed.
The door opened.
Six men wearing decorated military uniforms stepped out, followed by two female attendants carrying a silk-and-gold royal cloak.
The soldiers rushed forward and surrounded the garden, blocking the guests.
“Secure the area!” the captain shouted.
Bea and her classmates trembled in fear.
“What’s happening?! Who are you?!” they cried.
The Captain of the Royal Guards walked straight through the crowd—directly toward Elena.
Bea smirked.
“She’s done for! She must’ve stolen something—this is why the police came for her!”
But everyone froze in shock.
The Captain and all the soldiers knelt before Elena.
“Your Royal Highness,” the Captain said, bowing his head.
“The vehicle is ready to escort you back to the Palace. Your father, the King, is waiting.”
Bea stopped breathing.
The wine glass slipped from her hand and shattered.
Slowly, Elena removed her apron and handed it to one of the attendants.
They draped the royal robe over her shoulders and placed a sparkling diamond tiara upon her head.
Elena turned to Bea.
The gentle face they once mocked now radiated royal authority.
“Bea,” Elena said calmly, her voice steady and firm.
“You’re right. I am leaving abroad. But not to become a maid.”
“I’m returning to my grandfather’s kingdom—to rule it.”
“P-Princess…?” Bea stammered.
“But… you’re the daughter of a laundress… you were poor…”
Elena smiled.
“The woman you called a ‘laundress’ was once a Princess who fled the palace because she wanted a simple life—far away from politics.
We lived in poverty so I could experience the real world.
But now that she is gone… I am next in line to become Queen.”
Elena stepped closer. Bea’s knees trembled.
“I came here wearing this uniform for a reason,” Elena whispered.
“I wanted to see if you had changed. I wanted to know if you had learned compassion for those you look down on.
But sadly… your hearts are still rotten.”
She turned to the Captain.
“Captain, list their names. Make sure that none of their families’ businesses are ever allowed to operate within the lands of Altaria.
They are banned from my Kingdom.”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
Elena boarded the helicopter.
As it rose into the sky, Bea and her classmates were left behind—frozen in place, humiliated, drowning in regret.
The “maid” they once mocked was royalty beyond their reach.
For the final time, Elena waved from the window—
not as a servant saying goodbye,
but as a Queen bidding farewell to people unworthy of her presence.
