The Oreans

Chapter 31

Chapter 31
Leone

"In the Roilion Palace? I thought you said I must keep my identity secret even here." The princess looked helplessly from Rafim to Adrien and Divan, then back to Rafim. "I can't ask for the king and queen's protection without revealing who I am."

Alen, who was sitting right beside Rafim, saw Adrien and Divan exchange glances before turning to Rafim. The latter glanced at the door as if to ascertain that no one was eavesdropping, and then began to explain, "When we arrived last afternoon, I had a conversation with the owner of the inn and his wife. I learned that the queen needs three young chambermaids. The only requirement is a recommendation from her Majesty's chief of staff, and that should not be a problem as that person happens to be my aunt."

"Your aunt?" Alen could not help but interrupt at this disclosure. "You're a Faunean then."

"Partly, but I'm mostly Florean," explained Rafim offhandedly.

"Are you suggesting that the princess and these two young ladies apply for the post?" Adrien asked evenly but with knitted brows.

"Yes, that way they can be in the palace without anyone suspecting who they are."

"Except if they notice that we're ignorant about housekeeping," Miel remarked with a frown.

"That's easy enough to learn, my Lady," said Rafim. "Besides, this will be temporary."

"Rafim, you seem to have given this a great deal of thought. But have you ever considered the fact that you're bringing the princess down to the level of a palace chambermaid?" said Divan.

"I know of a princess who had been made to serve a lowlier post," Rafim said softly, then suddenly turned pale and bit his lips as if he did not mean for this revelation.

"Who are you talking about?" asked Adrien with a curious expression.

"Princess Reishina." Rafim looked out of the window. "I—I learned it from my aunt. I'm sure you know that King Rillian had tasked Duke Sheepine to keep her. The duke, they said, had been very good to her, but his second wife had been his opposite. The princess had been made a slave every time the duke was away. She was rescued out of it by Queen Lalaine."

"My sister had gone through that?" Princess Roseana said.

"I—I didn't know," Adrien whispered in a tone that drew a puzzled look from the princess and Rafim.

When Adrien said nothing more, Rafim turned to the princess and said, "My point is assuming a lowly job won't make Your Highness any less noble. And don't worry; my aunt will make sure you'll never suffer the same fate. And as I was saying, this is going to be temporary. While you're in RoilionPalace, we can slip back to Florea to find out how things are there. Then, we can know when we can bring you back safely."

"Your Highness?"

"What is it, Erin?"

"I have faith in Master Rafim," Erin said with a flush on her cheeks. "I believe this is all for the best."

"Alright, I accept your suggestion," the princess told Rafim. "When can we meet with your aunt?"

"I've already sent her a message last night..."

"Last night?" Divan murmured. "That's quite rash of you."

Rafim ignored the criticism. "I knew the princess would agree with me, and even if she didn't I could easily take back my words."

"Then, your aunt must be waiting for us already," said the princess.

"I guess she is. We can start out for the city right after breakfast in time for an audience with the queen this afternoon."