Following Hearts

Meanwhile...

"I'll leave you to it." Ferdinand stood and made his way back inside the palace, leaving the Prince and his sister alone in the moonlight. Once he entered the large castle doors, he made a right and walked down the aisle until he reached the dining hall, where most of the palace staff were enjoying dinner. The room buzzed with leftover elation over Balthazar's arrival. Nestor, Portia, and Ginger shared their meals in the corner of the dining hall, engaged in quiet conversation and disregarding the excitement around them. Joplin and Delphine sat in the center of the room as they usually did, gossiping eagerly while daintily dining.

In the other corner of the room resided Valentine, Dove, and Henrietta, eyeing the two frivolous ladies-in-waiting and suspiciously conspiring. Ferdinand made his way over to them and seated himself next to his sister.

"Now what could you three possibly be scheming this evening?" Ferdinand said and Henrietta innocently batted her long, curled lashes and sweetly smiled.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

Henrietta was the palace cook and Ferdinand's closest friend, besides Valentine, at the palace. She was born the same day as Ferdinand, and the two of them loved to joke that they were twins. If it weren't for Ferdinand's bright green eyes that marked him as part of the Lovelle family, that joke would be believable. Although Henrietta was blonde where Ferdinand had mousy brown hair, they shared a similar golden-tan complexion and generally happy disposition. After a lifetime of friendship, they even laughed at the same way. Ferdinand was completely at ease around Henrietta; he didn't feel like he had to perform or act around her like he did with most other palace residents.

Despite his love for his family, Ferdinand always felt separated from his father and two older sisters. King Ramses and Amelia were far too consumed in diplomatic affairs for Ferdinand's liking and Rose had always been too preoccupied with fantasies and daydreams to bond with her brother. The only family member he felt like he really connected with was Valentine. His sister's constant pranks and antics reminded him of his own mischievous nature. Valentine and Henrietta had been by Ferdinand's side for as long as he could remember, and he never wanted to have to imagine life without them.

"Oh, of course, you were simply sitting here whispering and staring at Joplin and Delphine just casually." Ferdinand smirked. "Come on, what's the plan?"

"See for yourself." Valentine pointed.

Ferdinand looked at the girls his friends had been whispering about, and watched as Joplin's face reddened from it's usual olive color to a deep scarlett. She began to cough violently and slammed her hands on the table in front of her. Delphine concernedly stared at her friend, baffled and panicked by her peculiar behavior. Joplin abruptly stood, knocking her glass of wine over and spilling the red liquid all over the table and floor.

"WHO-" Her voice cut out as she broke out into a coughing fit. "WHO DID THIS?!"

Ferdinand turned to his table.

"What did you do?" He whispered, making sure to keep careful watch of Joplin out of the corner of his eye.

"Hot sauce in the wine." Henrietta grinned evilly.

Ferdinand turned towards the enraged diva and saw that Joplin was storming over to his table. Her hands clasped into fists as she approached. Henrietta wiped the smile from her face and looked down at her plate.

"Which one of you was it?!" Joplin slammed her hands on the table and angrily surveyed the mischievous group. Her glance shifted from person to person as she tapped her long, plastic, blood red nail on the table. "I bet it was you." Her face twisted as her eyes landed on Henrietta. The cook's face drained and she looked up at the lady-in-waiting like a deer in the headlights. Ferdinand felt his body tense up as he debated what to do. He couldn't stand to see his compassionate friend be screamed at by Joplin.