Wild Child

Chapter Seventeen

The first time she had stepped foot inside the grand dining hall, Idana had felt out of place. Inside sat five long tables and at the far end was a dais where the royal family were expected to commandeer. Nobles and their guests would often be entertained by bards, jesters and court mages with bawdy songs or bombastic displays. Yet despite the lavish seating arrangements, many of the staff took their meals in the kitchens. As the private tutor for the Crown Prince that would only serve on until news had been discovered of her master, Idana did not know where she fell along the spectrum.

It was for that very reason Qina has been personally assigned to her, supposed Idana. In every way that mattered, the maid had been an invaluable asset, attending to her every need. It was also why Idana had not initially seen the need to leave the comfort of her own spacious quarters. That, and the fact that she desperately wished to maintain a safe distance between herself and Dendron when they were not forced into close quarters through lessons.

But if she wanted answers, she needed to mingle. She had to learn more about the nobles around her and brush up on the history of the royal family that she was serving. If she hoped to uncover the mystery and redeem herself in the eyes of King Delion, it was her only option.

Aetarnis Sollum.

Though she only had a theory, Idana was almost absolutely positive that she was right. Everything she had read pointed to the fact that the flower had been a key ingredient to whatever concoction Dendron had taken. The real question was who had given it to him and how they had acquired it.

Still, had it not been for the dark-skinned Anais, her initial attempt to ingratiate herself with the court would have been a disaster. After being turned away by one of the palace guards she had been tempted to show her displeasure with a spell or two. Did he not see the importance of what she was trying to achieve? One of the kitchen hands, indeed! If they had known it had been her that had saved the Crown Prince's life...

Goddess above, she would not have been in this mess if she had only learned to close her mouth and only say what was necessary. The people of Lastrune had always been honest and blunt. Life had been simple in the towns and villages. There was none of this dancing around the heart of a matter. People said the first thing that came to mind and though the comments could occasionally sting, there was never any ill intent.

As she had stewed over how best to get her revenge, Anais had swooped in. In actuality, the noble had confused her for someone else. Still, her silver-tongue had allowed Idana entry into the dining hall and Idana had not seen fit to correct the noble. Regrettably, Anais had not been able to stay with her, though Idana had a bevy of questions to ask her. It was no surprise that she had immediately recognised one of the siblings that she had sene in a fierce debate with the Crown Prince's leading physician. But what else could she do? Whereas the daughter of Lord Yaelyn had been reserved a spot near the head of the table with her brother, Idana had been relegated to a far corner – far from the central discussions.

Idana did not let the oversight dampen her spirits. She had her foot through the door and could work on building the necessary connections she needed. If there was one thing her failure with Dendron had taught her, it was patience.

He had not yet woken and it did not appear he would in the near future. Qina had told her over breakfast the day before that the Crown Prince's health had taken a sharp dive before the doctors had managed to stabilise him. It was a worrisome development but Amoleth willing, he would pull through.

From that first encounter, Idana poured her efforts into becoming friends with the staff. Afterall, her bond with Qina had already proved to be enlightening. As she shared her meals with the other staff members in the kitchens, Idana learned many things about the palace, like how the servants were prone to gossip or that Dendron had one older brother and three sisters.