Shoes are Stupid

A Red Sapphire

Ruby

In all of Ruby's eighteen years of life, she had never seen someone eat as voraciously as the boy who sat across from her at the dinner, Frances if she remembered correctly.
"It's a mystery why you're so skinny."
Prince Philip said, frowning towards his friend. Frances in turn let out an indignant grunt and Ruby couldn't help but chuckle to herself.
The dinner was rather boring all things considered.
The people of Kutai didn't eat meat, and that seemed to be the only thing Lanarians knew how to cook well. At least judging by Frances, Ruby hadn't had any herself. There was enough bread and cheese for her to be content but she would have to find some more food later in the night.
"It's a pleasure to have you here, we hope you will enjoy this month's festivities."
The Queen said from next to Ruby. She was a pretty woman, with bright blue eyes and her son's blonde hair.
Ruby nodded to the woman, smiling kindly before looking back at Frances. Eventually the queen turned and started a conversation with her husband, leaving Ruby almost completely unsupervised. Even the prince was looking away.
So, as any sensible person who had roasted pig on their plate that they knew they wouldn't eat would do, she began to slip her food onto Frances' plate. The poor guy was so busy drooling over Philip's remaining pork that he didn't notice Ruby's quick moments.
When Frances turned back around and saw the food on his plate he looked like he had seen an angel. The boy didn't even hesitate to wolf down the new food, not pausing to question its unknown origin.

After the dinner ended and the dining hall had cleared out, Ruby walked back to her room with the queen.
"Although some people are expecting a difference in culture from you, most of the country is not. I would advise staying more in the shadows until the news of your arrival has spread."
The woman said, giving off the most aggressively motherly aura one could have, the exact opposite of Ruby's own mother.
"Thank you, but I didn't come here to not be noticed."
Ruby replied, letting the queen know in no simple terms that she would never hide in the shadows. The queen smiled sadly and shook her head.
"I hope things go well either way."
They arrived at Ruby's bedroom door where, thankfully, no horde of servants was waiting. She had requested a single personal maid before attending dinner. Just before Ruby closed the door behind her the queen seemed to remember something.
"Oh, and if you need anything please as me and not my husband. He may need some time to warm up to you."
She smiled sweetly then the door was closed, leaving Ruby in silence.
"Well that wasn't ominous at all."
Ruby muttered as she turned back around. However, she ended up staring into large emerald eyes that looked at her with curiosity.
"I am Anna Harvester, your personal maid as you stay in our country."
The girl, who couldn't be much older than Ruby, said. She was tall, that was clear.
Then again most everyone was tall to Ruby.
A grunt was the only acknowledgment Ruby gave, assuming the maid already knew who she was. She flopped ungracefully onto the bed, groaning when the mattress felt more like a brick.
"Are you okay my lady?"
Anna asked, bending over slightly and tilting her head so she was looking into Ruby's eyes.
"This bed isn't very soft."
Ruby grumbled, finally rolling over and sitting back up. Anna sat on the bed cautiously.
"It is quite soft from what I have felt before, so you have much softer beds in Kutai?"
Her face showed genuine curiosity towards what Kutai was like, surprising Ruby.
"Beds in Kutai are much softer than this, yes. Our country has many birds, so our mattresses are stuffed with feathers that we collect."
Ruby tried to explain it as well as she could, but was met by something she though she would never hear in her life.
"I've never seen a real bird."
Anna said, followed by a heavy silence. Ruby tried to remain as calm as she could, standing up and brushing off her dress.
"Pardon?"
"I've been a servant here all my life and birds tend to avoid the castle. I've heard of pigeons in the poorer areas of the cities but I've never seen one in person."
Anna blushed as she explained, probably thinking Ruby was upset with her. However, in reality Ruby felt quite different. She rushed over to the balcony, throwing the doors open and stepping into the cooler night air. Anna followed her, beginning to see the excitement on Ruby's face.
Suddenly, Ruby whistled sharply, the tone rising as she went. A flurry of bright red swooped down from somewhere above them, coming to rest on Ruby's arm. Anna gasped when she saw the brilliantly colored bird. It had one long feather sprouting from the top of its head, then short feathers until the tip of its tail where they grew long again.
"This is Sapphire, my messenger bird and long time companion. I had her wait outside in case you didn't want to see her."
Ruby explained. Anna arched an eyebrow.
"Sapphire? Isn't she red?"
"Well Ruby was already taken."
Ruby huffed, half proud and half embarrassed of how she had named the bird. A laugh filled the air for a split second before Anna slapped her hand over her mouth.
Ruby smiled.
"I don't know how servants in Lanaria are trained, but in Kutai we don't have servants at all. I would much rather have you as a close friend than as a shy mouse waiting to serve my every need."
Ruby didn't wait for a reaction before turning and walking back into her room, Sapphire perching on one of the bed posts.
"My lady?"
Anna quietly closed and locked the balcony doors, looking like she couldn't find the right way to phrase her question.
"If I am not to serve you, what will you have me do?"
At this Ruby had to pause and think for a moment. Eventually she came to a decision.
"How about you become my cultural translator. You can help me dress correctly and act correctly, and I can teach you about my culture if you would like."
Anna's eyes instantly lit up. She nodded almost aggressively, rushing over to a wooden wardrobe that Ruby hadn't paid much attention to before.
The doors were swung open revealing the clothes Ruby had brought with her, along with a few unfamiliar garments. Anna started looking through all of Ruby's clothes, humming in appreciation whenever she saw something that she liked.
Ruby giggled, watching the shy Anna moon over the assortment of clothes.
"Well, let's plan my outfit tomorrow and get some sleep now."
Ruby said as Anna began to pull clothes out. The tall girl blushed, putting everything away and closing the wardrobe.
"My room is through the small door to the left of your door, please ring that bell if you need me."
Anna said, gesturing towards a bell hanging on the left wall. She rushed out of the room, still visibly embarrassed, leaving Ruby alone once again.

——

1,219 words.

The answer to last chapter's question was
D) Ruby slid it to him from across the table

Question of the chapter:
What do you think Frances and Philip are up to while the girls are getting acquainted?
A) Totally not having a pillow fight. They're almost adults for goodness sake (Philip's words)
B) Philip kicked Frances out of his room and went to sleep immediately after the dinner
C) Playing chess on the balcony
D) Sneaking around the castle because it makes them feel cool