A Dove's Tale

Chapter 6

The day started off so well.

What was I even doing before any of this happened? An eternity ago, before Prince Leon came into the library? I couldn't remember. My mind was still reeling. Princes Chevalier and Leon, arguing about the purge, about the people who Prince Chevalier had killed. Prince Clavis' teasing, his warped sense of humor. Whatever that had been with Prince Chevalier. I was just a maid, and I didn't want to deal with any of it. Why couldn't they all just leave me alone?

I found my discarded cleaning supplies and got back to work, trying not to think about it anymore - unsuccessfully. Menial labor was just that, menial, and it didn't do much to occupy my mind. The thoughts whirling around in my head wouldn't settle. Chief among them was Prince Chevalier. I didn't know what to make of him. One minute I was a foolish, fragile little dove, the next he was teasing me in an almost flirting manner. And the way he could read me like a book made it all even more unnerving. I'd never had to think about managing my facial expressions before, but it was a necessity now. What I needed was a mask - a good little maid mask. And I needed it fast, before Prince Clavis returned at five o'clock, because he was clearly trying to use me against Prince Chevalier in his twisted games, and I had no idea how to handle him.

Who was I kidding? I had no idea how to handle any of the princes. Maybe Prince Jin. He was easy enough. Prince Leon wasn't so bad, either. But Prince Chevalier...

What was it he said? 'Show me your worth.'

I hadn't heard him use anybody's name so far. He'd referred to Prince Leon as Black, a physically accurate descriptor, but certainly not broad enough to summarize an entire person. It was dehumanizing, reducing a person down to an adjective. But then again, he didn't really value people at all. He'd said as much himself in his argument with Prince Leon regarding the purge. I didn't know his reasons to justify so much death, but they probably wouldn't make sense to me, anyway. And, really, I didn't want to know. I just wanted to be left alone to do my job.

At least nobody bothered me the rest of the afternoon.

A few minutes to five, I presented myself to Prince Chevalier for any final requests and to bid good day. My new mask was getting its first test run as I worked to remain completely calm and professional.

"You handled Number One well yesterday. What is your clever plan for Noisy?" he asked, a teasing smirk on his lips.

Noisy must be Prince Clavis. He really didn't use anybody's name, did he?

"I'll manage somehow, your highness," I said, much more confidently than I felt. "If that will be all-"

"Ready for our date, then?" asked Prince Clavis, bursting through the open door with a wide grin.

"Prince Clavis, I really don't-"

But he had already grabbed my hand and took off. A few minutes later, I was sitting in a carriage, bewildered, and Prince Clavis was taking his seat beside me. The door shut, the carriage was in motion, and, as if I needed another reminder, his sly grin confirmed that he held all the cards.

"So you've met me, Chev, Jin, and Leon," he said, counting on his fingers. "Four down, four to go. Quite an accomplished little dove, aren't you?"

I didn't feel very accomplished, and I didn't feel like talking. I felt like the mask had fallen off somewhere in the library when he grabbed me.

That hadn't lasted long.

"Prince Clavis, I have to go home right away."

"I know, I know. But you normally arrive at six o'clock, right? We've got some time to kill." He grinned at me, but I made a point of looking out the window, away from him.