A Dove's Tale

Chapter 60

How was I supposed to go back to work for Prince Chevalier and pretend that had never happened?

The question nagged at me when I got home and found the bucket blessedly empty, allowing me to collapse into bed beside Mother and drift into a restless sleep. It was still there when I dragged myself out of bed at six o'clock, as tired as I was when I fell into bed far too few hours ago. I didn't have the time or energy to smooth my slept-in, rumpled uniform out. My feet were dragging, and I barely finished my morning routine with Mother before I had to leave for the palace. How was I supposed to handle this day, the palace, or any of the princes, for that matter?

Oh. That's what I meant to tell Prince Chevalier. Prince Gilbert wanted him at breakfast at eight o'clock.

I sighed as I walked through the servants' entrance. I didn't want to deal with Prince Gilbert, and I didn't want to deal with Prince Chevalier, but I had to deal with both of them. Plus nine other princes who were used to behaving a certain way and didn't always recognize when that wasn't appropriate.

There was an unfamiliar smell in the kitchens when I arrived at eight o'clock, something deliciously enticing that instantly made me feel more awake. I found Prince Chevalier's cook and told him not to worry about making Prince Chevalier's breakfast, and when I turned to go, I bumped into Theresa.

"Ivetta! You're alive!" she squealed, giving me a hug. She stepped back and looked me over, frowning. "But you look awful."

"Thanks. I need to go change," I said, trying to push past her again.

"Hold on. You need some coffee," she said, grabbing my hand and pulling me toward a row of steaming mugs on one section of the counter.

"Coffee?" I asked curiously, picking up a mug and inhaling the energizing aroma.

"The Benitoite delegation brought it. You can add cream and sugar to it, just like tea. It really wakes you up."

I took a sip and grimaced. "It's too hot, and it's too bitter. I don't have time to wait for it to cool, either."

"Here," she said, dumping a generous splash of cream and a heaping spoonful of sugar into it. "Now take it with you."

I shook my head and smiled. Carrying a mug around the palace with me wasn't practical, but neither was arguing with Theresa. I took another sip, left for the laundry and a quick change, and then I was on my way to Prince Chevalier's room. The coffee really was energizing. By the time I got to his door, I had my mask firmly in place. I set the mug on his writing desk and threw the drapes open.

"Good morning, Prince Chevalier!"

The blankets rustled behind me. "How can you possibly be so cheerful with so little sleep?" he grumbled.

"Coffee, your highness," I said brightly. "I forgot to tell you last night, but Prince Gilbert is having breakfast with the other princes. Shouldn't you join them?"

He pushed the blankets back and yawned, stretching languidly. "How much?" he asked.

I was better at answering his vague questions than Prince Gilbert's. He wanted to know how much sleep I got. It would have been more if it weren't for him.

"An hour, maybe two," I answered as I pulled his clothes out of the bureau. "But I'll get off work on time tonight, and I'll be much more rested tomorrow morning, so you don't need to worry about me, your highness."

Assuming thoughts of him didn't keep me awake again, I thought, turning to put the clothes on the sofa. He was sitting up now, watching me. I averted my gaze and turned back to the writing desk for another sip of coffee.