A Dove's Tale

Chapter 4

It was springtime, and the sky was a clear, bright blue as I left the palace. The smell of roses, the sound of birds chirping, the soft breeze on my face - I allowed myself to be lost in the sensations, all the stress of the day melting away with each step. This walk was my time, when there was nothing to do, nobody to talk to, and I could just be. By the time I reached the town, I was in my own world, and my feet were carrying me by habit while my mind wandered freely.

"Ivetta? It is you!"

The voice calling my name brought me back to reality, and an arm wrapped around my shoulder in a casual, friendly manner. I looked up in surprise, and there, grinning down at me, was Prince Jin. We weren't anywhere near the tavern yet.

"So have you changed your mind?" he asked, steering us down the street.

I ducked under his arm and stepped away. "No, your highness, I haven't. I'm just on my way home." I smiled sweetly and hoped he'd leave it at that. He didn't.

"You can drop the formalities. Just call me Jin. I'm sure you need a drink after dealing with Chevalier all day."

That charming smile was very disarming. I wondered how many women had fallen for it. I had no desire to add my name to the list.

"No, thank you. I really can't spare even a few minutes."

He shrugged. "I'll walk with you‌," he said. "Seems like we're headed in the same direction, anyway. Where are you going?"

I sighed and started walking. "I'm just going home."

He fell in step beside me, still wearing that irrepressible grin. "So, you live here in the city? Most of the servants live in the palace."

"No, I actually live in a village on the other side of the city," I replied.

"That's quite a distance. And you walk this far every day?"

"Of course." Maybe if I kept my answers as short as possible, he'd lose interest.

"How long does it take you?" he asked. I could hear the frown in his voice, although I made a point of not looking at him.

"About an hour."

"We've got to get you moved into the palace. I'm sure there's room in the servants' quarters."

"I appreciate your concern, but I'm not moving into the palace right now," I said, meeting his eyes and hoping that would be the end of it. He furrowed his brow as he looked down at me.

"Why don't you get a job closer to home?"

It was my turn to shrug. "The palace pays better."

"So, what aren't you telling me?"

"It's really none of your business," I said quietly, looking away from him again.

He fell silent for a while. I hoped that meant he was leaving it alone. The Rose and Tavern came and went, but he kept walking with me. I was starting to worry that he was going to follow me all the way home if I didn't come up with something to get rid of him.

"You walk this same route, twice a day, every day?" he finally asked.

"Yes."

"In case you haven't noticed, this isn't the nicest part of the town." We were passing through the red-light district, where the buildings were run down and dingy, and the people were all at least a bit shady.

"I'm aware, but this is the shortest route."

"It's not safe for you to be here. If you're not moving into the palace, I'll line up a carriage for you."