A Dove's Tale

Chapter 54

I'd always been an early riser, but waking up at four o'clock in the morning was pushing it. The sun wasn't even up to keep me company. I had to leave at five o'clock, though, which meant I couldn't linger in bed, so I lit a candle and got to work. Mother was better last night and this morning than she had been in a while, which made me feel a little better about leaving her today. I told her the abbreviated, glossy version of my day yesterday, and she provided the occasional teasing commentary about Prince Chevalier. Talking about him always made her happy. I'd stopped trying to remind her that our stations were too different for anything to happen, and she didn't care that he was twelve years older than me, either. It wasn't worth arguing about.

But outside of my house, away from her, I was in the real world. Not that the real world was a bad place. It was just different. And with the prospect of putting together gift baskets for the foreign princes, it was a good different. I liked doing things for others, and I liked giving presents. Today could be a very fulfilling day for me, if all went well.

My first hurdle to having a good day was keeping Marge in a good mood.

She was already flustered when I arrived, directing servants in fifteen different directions all at once, and she put me to work as soon as she saw me. As I guessed, my first task was to prepare the foreign princes' rooms. I dusted and scrubbed every inch of those rooms until they sparkled, running through my gift basket idea while I worked. Floral arrangements would be easy enough with a quick trip down to the gardens, but anything else would require a shopping trip to the city. Fortunately, Marge was too busy to keep a close eye on me, so even if she didn't approve, it might be doable. She didn't notice me slipping into the kitchens at eight o'clock to remind Prince Chevalier's preferred cook about his breakfast, nor did she see me pick it up at nine o'clock. Would she miss me sneaking out of the palace for an hour or two, though?

I needed Prince Chevalier's approval. She couldn't argue with him.

He was my second hurdle. I had to maintain a professional distance from him, and I had to make him think I could handle this without his interference.

"Good morning, Prince Chevalier!"

"No, it's not," he grumbled from under the blankets.

"Not with that attitude, it won't be. I was thinking about putting together gift baskets for the foreign princes. Do you have any suggestions, your highness?"

"Hmph." The blankets rustled behind me as I pulled his clothes out of the bureau. "That isn't necessary."

"Well, no, it's not, but I thought it would be nice. You and the other princes could sign cards for them, too. It's just a way to start their visit off on friendly terms, don't you think, your highness?"

I set his clothes on the bench and met his icy blue eyes as he sat up. His obvious frown showed his distaste for the idea.

"I hope you won't give them that face, Prince Chevalier," I said, smiling despite his expression. "This is a goodwill gala, after all."

"It won't be a celebratory party like you think," he muttered.

"Of course not, but I'll leave the politics to you, your highness. Is it alright if I go now? Before the head maid misses me?"

That brought a small smirk to his lips. "You didn't tell her."

"I'm trying to establish friendly terms with her, too, Prince Chevalier. Although that may be more difficult than pleasing the foreign princes."

He stood up, stretching languidly. "Go. If I need anything, I'll call you."

"Yes, your highness."

So far, so good. Maybe not entirely professional, but we could be friendly without crossing the line into flirting, and he didn't say no to my gift basket idea. I made it back to the kitchens, and Marge, before she realized I was ever gone, and she sent me to the ballroom to help with decorating. I had never been in the ballroom, and a giddy excitement built in my chest as I approached the massive wooden double doors decorated with elaborate floral gold designs.