Hung Royals

24/12/1820

The cold woke me early the next morning. I shivered and curled up tighter, trying to recognise my surroundings. The events of the previous night came flooding back to me and I sat bolt upright in my makeshift bed. I sucked in a deep breath, let it out through gritted teeth and allowed myself a few moments of despair, dropping my head into my hands. My hair, which had let itself free from its bun during the night, fell about my face and shoulders untidily.

I pieced myself together internally and sat up straight. The sky outside was still completely dark. Early morning then. And hopefully enough time left to clean myself up before the working day began. I folded the throw neatly, replaced it on the sill and parted the curtains.

I tiptoed silently down the corridor to the communal room where I cleaned myself up; changed my muddied clothing from yesterday, washed the dried blood from my chin and the dried tears from my eyelashes, brushed my hair and twisted it into a knot once more. Finally, I examined myself in the one tiny looking glass. The lump and slight bruise would be easily coverable with powder, but the grotesque swelling on my lower lip would be more difficult to disguise.

I did the best I could with the resources I had available to me - cheap powder and rouge for my lips to mask the cut. When I was finished, I examined myself in the mirror. Despite all my efforts I was still undeniably a sight for sore eyes. I pushed this, along with all other thoughts of my appearance to the back of my mind and began pacing the room, mentally preparing myself for the day ahead.

~~~

I kept to myself for the morning. Head down, ignoring the pitiful glances of the other girls. I even successfully avoided Ava for a while... Until she cornered me while I assisted the chefs in preparing pastries in the kitchen.

"Eve, are you ok? I've been worrying about you all night. Hardly got a wink of sleep." She murmured to me sideways, pretending to busy herself with tidying the kitchen surface. We weren't strictly allowed to have social conversations during work time, but me and Ava were always sticking our necks out for each other.

"I'm fine" I responded flatly "I've been through much worse."

"I know, I'm just... checking in"

"Thank you" I turned my head momentarily and caught her eye in a genuine smile. Just then, a footman entered the kitchen.

"Evelyn Grace?" he called, his eyes searching the dozens of servants' faces.

"Um... here, sir" I stepped forward nervously, despising him for ruining my attempt at being inconspicuous.

"Price Wilhelm has asked for assistance this morning"

Across the room, Ms. Thornton shot me a warning glance and stepped forwards. "I will attend to the Prince" she stated importantly.

"Actually, the Prince has asked for Evelyn by name." Complete silence fell over the kitchen. Ms. Thornton looked as if she'd been slapped, an expression that afforded me a thrill of satisfaction. "Come" said the footman and stunned, I followed him through the echoing corridors of the palace and into the Royal wing...

~~~

In his rooms, Prince Wilhelm stood with his back to me, examining an ornate tapestry on the opposite wall. The footman had left us alone without a word. I clasped my hands nervously in front of my pinafore.

"You wished to see me your majesty?" I asked.

He turned and I found a similar expression of anxious curiosity on his face that I imagined adorned my own. His lips parted for a moment as if he were about to speak before pressing closed again. He turned towards the dresser to his right and picked up a pair of cufflinks. I watched him attempt to jam one through his cuff and fasten it but his hands quivered, and it slipped through his grasp, landing with a clink on the floor.