Hung Royals

04/01/1821

The next day I walked towards the dining hall to lay the table for breakfast, but Felix, Casper's head footman stopped me in my tracks.

"I'm afraid the table is already laid, Miss Grace. Cook has asked for your support in the kitchens instead."

"Right" I mumbled in early-morning confusion and made my way towards the kitchens.

~~~

When I re-entered the dining hall at 8, Casper, Simon and Wilhelm were already seated at the table, which was set for four people. Confused, I took up my station on Wilhelm's right and began serving him coffee.

The silence was broken by Wilhelm's laughter, which was closely followed by chuckles from Simon and Casper's direction. I looked quizzically down into Wilhelm's face which positively glowed with excitement.

"Sit down Evelyn" he told me and he took the jug of coffee out of my hands and set it back on the table.

I stared between the fourth plate on the West length of the table and Wilhelm in disbelief. "That's for me?" I asked incredulously.

"Sit down, dear" Casper instructed "I'm hungry and it's rude to start breakfast without one's guests." I walked towards the empty chair and seated myself on it as daintily as possible. One of the other servants stepped forward to tuck it in underneath me.

I looked up over the mountain of fruit, bread, pastries, porridge, eggs, bacon and sausages into Simon's face as he sat across from me. He was smiling with that same curious expression around his eyes. I looked away shyly, images of his tongue on Wilhelm's chest flashing through my mind. I took a sip of coffee, savouring its strength and bitterness, and moved a pastry onto my plate.

"So, Evelyn" Casper said through a mouthful of eggs. "What is it that you intend to do today?"

"Um... well I noticed that the library would benefit from a little dusting" at the mention of the library, Wilhelm's knife screeched across his plate and Simon choked on his toast. I aimed a kick at him underneath the table, hoping Casper hadn't noticed.

Casper laughed again "you will do no such thing, dear, you're a guest now."

An idea formed in my mind, something I was almost too scared to ask, but when I did finally speak, my voice carried more confidence than I felt.

"Do you think, your highness, that-"

"Casper, please" he smiled "...or uncle if you prefer".

"Casper... do you think I could borrow a book from the library and accompany Simon and the Prince to the beach?"

"You can take a whole trunk of books if you like, my dear!" He grinned and winked at me over his coffee cup "and you must go and see the Hillerska Maze to the East. It's quite the attraction in the summer."

~~~

"I didn't know you could read" Wilhelm said from the sand next to me, as he wriggled out of his trousers.

I tore my eyes away from the book and smiled at him. "Servants are rarely afforded the opportunity"

"Who taught you?" He pulled his shirt over his head and dropped it in a heap next to his trousers.

"My mother..." I answered, my eyes glazing over. "She was a remarkable woman."

He must have noticed my use of the past tense because he moved closer and wrapped an arm around my waist, burying his face in my neck. "I'm sorry I never asked you about your family" he whispered.