A Spy Among Princesses(Prince x reader)

Chapter 3: Chicken Chaos

I thought I was done with birds, really, but nothing could have prepared me for what today's event would be.

The first thing I noticed as we hiked to the event location was the noise. Cooing and clucking could be heard from a mile away. Then I saw them: hundreds of chickens of all shapes, colors, and sizes playing in a wire corral. What in the world are we supposed to do with these?

Waves of the birds ran to the gates when we approached, chucking and squawking with hunger-filled expressions. An assortment of little clothes sat on a gold-embroidered blanket nearby.

I was stunned. First an out-of-the-blue drawing competition and now some kind of a chicken dressing event? What could possibly be next? Evidently whoever was in charge had gone mad.

I stared at the mass of restless chickens as the Announcer inelegantly dragged a chair to the front of the crowd. He appeared to be very amused by what was about to go down.

"Today we will be pampering the Royal Fowl of Avidour. This has been a tradition in the Princess Competition for many years. It is essential for the well-being of the people." He declared.

Hushed murmurs rippled through the crowd of 160. This contest was infamously difficult.

"This is a dignified sport and must be done with the utmost care. Everyone must take part or risk elimination." A couple of servants opened the doors to the pen, and all the birds went silent. Hundreds of eager, greedy-looking faces stared at us as I hesitantly accepted a.

As soon as the gate was closed, all chaos erupted. Only the chickens and the competitors were now in the enclosure, and couldn't leave without risking disqualification. The first to be swallowed in the pandemonium were the ones to go after the chicks. The mother hens were extremely protective. The second were the runners, the eager people who dove at every feathered fowl that flew in their path. The last were the people like me, who knew the evils of the bird. I stood there and tried my best not to draw any attention to myself. I noticed two things: 1- The chickens were clearly trained, either to knock people down or to jump on their heads. 2- everyone outside was laughing their heads off. The assorted servants, Lukas, even the Crown Crierbwas trying to stifle his smile, despite his pompous professionalism. A maelstrom of chickens attacked the contesters, who were frantically throwing around little jackets and custom chicken clothing. Of course the staff would get a kick out of this. I noticed a flash of gold out of my peripheral vision. At first glance, a couple seemed to be peering down on us from a higher tower, but before I could get a better look at them, the came barreling my way and knocked me over. I only heard squawking before I landed face-first in the dirt. I struggled to grab the tiny hat from earlier and put it on the poultry, but to no avail.

Holly and Rosaline had obviously prepared, bringing handfuls of crumbs, but had a difficult time appeasing the two masses that had gathered at their feet. Holly appeared to take pity on me and threw a handful at the chicken crushing my lungs. It worked for a second until I was buried under a mound of hungry poultry. Holly and eventually Rosaline had used up all of their crumbs and suffered the same fate.

I don't know how much time had passed until a whistle blew in the distance. The chickens clucked into their coop in contentment, each one devoid of any tiny clothes. It seemed as though everyone has lost.

I wobbled to my room, and so did the others. Everyone needed a break after that crushing defeat.

Opening the door, I saw none other than Kleptocrow... Holding something shiny that definitely wasn't mine.

When I tried to snatch the seemingly stolen mirror from the crow's withered claws, it jumped and cawed at me. The mirror lit up, revealing Venus' continually scowling face. He must have sent an enchanted mirror.

"Where is the tunnel to the garden?"

I picked up the mirror, "I intend on finding it tomorrow. I couldn't get a good enough look to see where the royal family resides."

"This isn't working."

"What?" I thought the mission was going really well. No one suspects a thing.

"I blame myself. You're too young, too inexperienced. Stand back. I'm going to prepare a portal."

"I'm the only young girl in Morning Star to have no history in Avidour. You said so yourself!" I stepped back.

"Even so, I hesitate to leave such a woefully unprepared agent on the field."

"I can do it. Tomorrow I will find the royal chambers and the secret passageway. Promise."

"Do not disappoint me. Long live The Morning Star."

"Long Live The Morning Star" Just like that, he was gone and the mirror was reflective again. Through the mirror's reflection, I could see the crow sort through a few of my trinkets behind me.

I realized that I had taken a chicken hat in my pocket accidentally, and a wicked plan formed.

"Down you stupid bird! Down! You will wear this hat if it's the last thing you do!" I screeched as it continued to fly out of my reach. A couple of times I threw myself off the bed, only missing my target by a hair. With one final screech, the crow grabbed an empty golden candlestick and flew out the window into the sunset. I loathed that crow.

Tap tap

I looked around. My room was a mess.

Knock knock

There was no way I could clean all this so quickly. How do I explain the candlestick?

Knock knock knock!

Don't lie. Once they catch a lie you're undeniably suspicious.

"Is everything ok in here?" I heard a gasp, "I cleaned this room this morning!" An older maid had her head through the door.

"Everyone's fine. I was just... Re-living today's events."

Her eye twitched. "Please do it a little more quietly. As you can see, it is now past curfew madam."

She closed the door before I could respond.

Tomorrow I will find the royal chambers and the secret passageway. Promise.