And something is missing

I sigh heavily as I recline in my bed.

It's the most comfortable bed I've ever had in my entire life. It gives me the best rest I've ever had.

And yet, most nights, I can't sleep.

I fiddle with the phone Aisha gave me. They have a lot of online content, just like on Earth, but most of it holds little appeal to me.

The humor mostly refers to topics that I don't understand. The tech news is leagues beyond anything I understand. The online forums discuss stuff I'm not familiar with. Even the sports are odd to me - and I don't watch sports.

Furthermore, either the internet traffic in the castle is heavily restricted, or the internet on this planet is heavily moderated, because I very rarely see anything even remotely negative about life here, or about the people in charge. I mean, it's possible that everyone here really is this happy, but... is it? Is it really?

I look over at the bed next to me, watching as Aisha scrolls through her phone with a blank expression. She never actually pays attention to me. I know it sounds weird to say that as a human, thinking like a pet, but...

It'd be nice for at least somebody to acknowledge my existence. Or do so without a mumbled apology for stepping in my way, or a hardly-hidden scowl of distaste.

Every day I wander these halls, I'm left to my own devices. I'm never even told I can't go places - with the exception of the one time I tried to leave. I was admonished by the guard for trying to "run away".

I was actually just hoping to see the city proper, maybe do some sight seeing - but it turns out I'm only allowed to leave the castle when Aisha does.

Which she literally never does.

She does nothing but laze around all day. Quite frankly, if I were the guards here, I'd be scared shitless that she's the next Queen.

I rub my eyes, and decide I need to go for a walk. Aisha barely acknowledges me as I tell her I'm going for a stroll.

The halls are empty at this time of night, but it's no different than usual for me. Even if there were people around, they'd ignore me - or just cast a dirty look at me as they go.

I wander aimlessly, my footsteps echoing lightly in the dimly lit halls. I turn randomly, as I know that I can find my way back by using the map on my phone - a handy feature that has helped me more than once.

After a while, I begin to realize that I'm nearing the Queen's chambers. I typically never go near here, as I get the distinct feeling that she doesn't particularly like me.

As I'm about to turn and walk away, her chamber doors open, and the Queen steps out, head held high as usual. Her nightgown is beautiful on her, accentuating her curves perfectly.

"Your Majesty," I instinctively announce myself, kneeling before her.

"Ah. Peter. I was just coming to fetch you." She holds her chamber doors open for me. "Please, step inside."

I swallow nervously. I hope I didn't do anything wrong.

I wordlessly step into her chambers. "Please, have a seat." She gestures towards one of the two chairs in the corner of her room - they're plush chairs, and between them is a small table.

I do as she asks, taking in the room as I do. It's just as nice as her daughters, but lacks the tech jammed into every corner.

She pulls the door closed, and as she turns to face me, I see that all pretenses of being polite have vanished.

Aliza narrows her eyes at me, adopting a small, disapproving frown. She silently takes the seat next to me, maintaining eye contact as she does.

"I am going to be frank with you," she begins. "I despise you."

Huh. Well, that's one suspicion confirmed.

"All you do is eat and sleep. You contribute nothing. You are even worse than my layabout daughter."

I hike my eyebrows in surprise. She notices, and remarks on it.

"What, did you expect me to commend you for simply existing?"

"No, I'm just surprised to hear you refer to your daughter like that," I explain.

"So you know that you contribute nothing? Hmph. As expected of such a lazy species."

I frown at her. "I'm not particularly happy with my arrangement, either."

"So you would demand more of me?" Her frown deepens. I **** myself to take a deep breath.

"Every day is the same," I begin to explain. "I wake up. I press a button for food. I wait for literally anybody to talk to me. Your daughter ignores me. Your people ignore me. You despise me. I can't identify with anyone. Everything I've ever known is God knows how many light years away. I can't even leave to see the city, because she is content to sit in this castle all day."

"Don't blame your lack of initiative on us."

"I've asked to help," I remind her. "I've asked to do literally anything. I've asked to be enrolled in classes, so I can begin to understand your technology and your science. I've asked for access to machinery so I can understand how it works. I've asked time and time again to contribute, and time and time again I am denied."

"I have never heard of any of this," she replies, clearly agitated.

"Because all my requests go to your daughter. I'm her responsibility, after all. And she refuses it all, because she doesn't want to take the time to look at my requests."

Aliza's eye twitches in irritation. Her knuckles whiten as she tightly grips the arms of her chair. For a moment, I'm afraid that she's going to strike me.

"That girl...!" She slams her fist down on the arm of her chair. "She said she would take responsibility!"

I can't help but scoff. "And you believed her?"

She glares at me, and man...if looks could kill. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"She doesn't have any responsibilities," I remind her. "Her room is cleaned for her. Her bed is made for her. Her hair is brushed for her. Her clothes are washed for her." I lean back in the chair, shaking my head. "I wouldn't be surprised if she doesn't even wipe her own ass. So why would she take on a responsibility as large as a pet?" I hate referring to myself as a pet, but it's appropriate for the discussion.

Apparently, that sets something loose, as Aliza stands and steps away from me. "That little bitch! She told me she was cleaning her own room!"

My eyes widen in shock. I didn't expect such an outburst.

There's a moment of silent tension, before she turns to me with a smirk. My blood runs cold at the sight.

"I believe I may have just discovered a role for you."