The Swan Princess

Chapter 13: Barking Up the Wrong Tree

My footsteps drag as I walk through the halls to my sleeping quarters. I have no idea how much Princess Annalise knows, but nevertheless, I need to regroup. Sitting at the meager desk that acts as my bedside table, I write out a new plan.

1. Forget Prince Siegfried

2. Charm Knight Lukas

Hesitating, I decide to add one last line.

3. Call home

Ever since the first transformation incident, I've been too humiliated to call home and let mother see what's become of me. I miss her. I miss the person I used to be. Someone who isn't desperately chasing after boys, or dealing with modern court responsibilities and ancient curses.

Sighing, I open the drawer beneath the desk and slide in the note. So much for a plan.

I rise when I hear a knock at the door. Who could be here at this hour? Servants tend to go to bed later in the night. It's only after dinner is served, floors swept, and candles are put out that we experience rest. We also wake up before the nobility to light candles, open drapes, and prepare for the day's events, so it is unusual to fraternize or have any late-night visitors.

I open the door, only to be struck silent.

Prince Siegfried is here.

Here.

My room.

Prince Siegfried came to my room!

He's standing there, locking eyes with me in twisted, regal glory. He wears the crown insignia on his indigo coat with navy buttons, and a golden crown upon his head. He's stunning, and, most interestingly, he looks pensive, his mouth pressed into a thin line.

"What are you doing here?" I whisper.

"Who else lives here? What do you think I'm doing here?"

He steps forward, pressing his right hand on my cheek, and brushing his chest against mine.

"I cannot resist you," he murmurs.

As he leans in, it dawns on me.

He's in my room. He's in my room, and right now, he is a Prince, and I am a servant. Or at least, I will be a servant, unless he starts a relationship with me, in which case, I will be...

I shove him back. "I am not your mistress," I huff. "And you will not come here and treat me like one."

His eyes widen for a moment, and then he regains his footing. "Your heartbeat was racing. You enjoy my presence. We are made to be."

My gaze narrowed. "You sound like a predator."

"I am a predator," he growls, clenching his hands into fists. "I am a predator of geese when I hunt them, of taxes when I am deprived of them, and of criminals when I pursue them. But it is ludicrous to propose that I am a predator of innocent women."

"Is that why you followed a defenseless servant to her room, Your Highness?"

"Odette—"

"Goodnight, Prince," I finish, slamming the door in his face.

I hear him take a heavy, deep breath from the other side of the door.

"Let's start over."

"Shall I remind you? I don't date court jesters. I bid you a goodnight."

"Peasant," he warns.

"I might be a lady soon," I near-shout through the door. "Not some lousy peasant, or worse, a simple-minded jester."

"A mere lady? When you could be a princess? How might you justify that, unwed Odette?"

"I have a date with a knight soon. Knight Lukas. We're having a good and honorable courtship. One day, he might even make me his lady."

There's a long, pregnant pause as I wait for his reaction.

Then, he laughs, a dark, sensual sound. "Is that so?"

He chuckles angrily, with exaggerated, heaving breaths; like a man with nothing left to lose. "And what do you think of this so honorable knight, Lukas?"

"Do not laugh. It is rude." Tears sting the corners of my eyes. "He is a kind and honorable man, unlike yourself."

"Have you considered that this man might be living a double life, like some other lovestruck fool I know?"

"He has rescued me multiple times when I was in need. I can think of no better life to live than with him." The words rush out as I defend the man I've grown attached to. "I cannot possibly imagine him taking on a mistress." I add extra angst and emphasis to that last word.

"Enjoy your date with Lukas, then, my hopeless romantic." He grits the sentence out, like he's clenching his teeth.

"I am not your anything."

"You are mine in innumerable ways. All of which I would love to tell you, should you ever stop being so obstinate."

"Perhaps I should summon Lukas right now to come send you away. After all, it would be quite a scandal for you, too, wouldn't it? To be caught in the servant's chambers, and not amongst the princesses in town?"

"Lukas takes orders from me, not you."

"But he could not deny the rumor you were here."

"Summon him, then, and I will prepare a rumor of my own."

"What kind of rumor?"

"That me and Princess Insun were to wed, of course, until she found out about me and my favorite mistress." He draws out the word favorite, rolling it around in his tongue like he's chewing candy. I hate how his voice sounds like decadent silk, even through the thick door.

"Princess Insun would never allow a rumor to spread that degrades the reputation of an innocent servant."

"I do believe I know her better than you do, peasant."

Arrogant ass. Not that I can reveal why that's false.

"Go marry her, then. Ruin my life, and get a pretty princess to take home to your parents and your kingdom."

"Oh, I will. Ruin and take my mate, on every surface I can find, when it's time."

"Gross."

"Enjoy your date with Lukas, peasant," he concludes.

"I do look forward to hearing of your adventures together. Even the most lascivious of details."

With that, his footsteps stride off. I sink to the floor, clutching my still-thundering heart.