A Dove's Tale

Chapter 9

I was settling into a routine at the palace. Prince Chevalier's room in the morning, the library in the afternoon, the occasional errand in between, the hour to myself in the alcove. It made the mask easier to wear, the dance easier to perform, having some consistency. Bring Prince Chevalier his breakfast at nine o'clock, bring him his tea at half-past two. Dust, polish, sweep, mop. Hum as you go, enjoy what you can, pretend to enjoy the rest.

Prince Chevalier didn't arrive at the library at two thirty the next day, but I found myself in the kitchens preparing his tea out of habit. I paused, staring down at the teacup. What was I doing? Well, I'd made it already, and he was very routine about having tea at this time every day. He was probably still in his office. I would just drop it off for him there and head back to the library.

Prince Nokto answered my knock at Prince Chevalier's office door with his trademark smile and his apparently trademark sloppy attire. After a day without having to deal with him, I didn't feel like slapping him on sight, which was a nice change. I actually had to suppress a chuckle at his expense when it occurred to me that he might not bother with his appearance because he disrobed so often.

"Well, if it isn't everyone's favorite maid," he said smoothly.

"Hello, Prince Nokto," I said, smiling sweetly and walking past him to set Prince Chevalier's tea on the desk. His expression was unreadable - was he pleased? Annoyed? Angry? There was no telling. His entire faction was there - Prince Clavis, Prince Nokto, and a tall, muscular young man with red hair who had to be another prince. It felt rude to bring Prince Chevalier tea and ignore the rest.

"I'm sorry. I didn't realize you had company, Prince Chevalier. Would anybody else like anything?"

The red-headed prince wore a boyish grin that was an odd but welcome contrast to Prince Clavis' inscrutable smile and Prince Nokto's sly grin. Actually, he looked completely out of place. He wore brown work boots, plain black pants, a purple shirt under a gray vest, a green jacket, and a pair of worn brown gloves cut off at the fingers. All was remarkably lacking any of the elaborate trappings adorning the other princes. He did wear a sword, a massive longsword much larger than the other princes' blades that he kept strapped to his back, but a small bear charm hanging from the sword belt over his chest softened the effect.

"I'm a bit hungry," he volunteered.

"I'll be right back then. Excuse me."

I knew Prince Chevalier had been in his office since about ten o'clock, and judging by what I saw, all four of the princes would be there for quite a bit longer. I went back to the kitchens and put together a tray of tea and assorted snacks. My second knock brought the red-headed prince to the door. He was taller than Prince Chevalier, possibly even taller than Prince Jin, but although he was physically looking down at me, I immediately felt at ease with him, thanks to his broad smile as he opened the door wide for me.

"Enjoy," I said with a smile of my own, setting the tray on a corner of the desk and leaving quickly with a single chilling look from Prince Chevalier.

"Now that's what I call service," the red-headed prince commented as the door closed behind me.

I was still smiling as I got back to work in the library, in spite of Prince Chevalier's glare. It was nice to express this part of myself - the part that wasn't concerned with appearances or ulterior motives, but just wanted to be kind to those around me. I'd rather make people smile than constantly worry about what they thought of me. My heart felt full to bursting, and I was soon humming and fully engrossed in my work until Prince Chevalier interrupted me a couple of hours later.

"Maid."

His cold voice was right behind me, jerking me back to reality. I was so startled that I actually jumped as I turned to face him.