A Dove's Tale

Chapter 61

I returned to Prince Silvio's room with the hangover recipe, still smiling from my interaction with Prince Nokto. Prince Silvio was still on the sofa with his arm over his face, but he lifted it to peek up at me and frowned.

"Why are you so happy?" he complained.

"I bumped into a friend, your highness. Here. I hope this helps."

He took the teacup I offered him and brought it to his lips. "Doesn't taste like medicine," he grumbled.

"It's not supposed to, your highness. If you'll excuse me, I'll only be a few more minutes."

All I really had left was to tidy up the bathroom, and then Prince Keith's room, and then I could hide in the library until noon. I glanced at the clock as I entered the bathroom. Nine o'clock. Prince Chevalier was keeping Prince Gilbert and whoever else showed up for breakfast busy until ten o'clock. I should be able to finish and get to the library well before then.

Prince Chevalier hated socializing and small talk, I realized with a pang. And he hated waking up early, and he was doing it all for me.

I needed to stop thinking about it. And him.

"So, what's your deal?" Prince Silvio asked when I exited the bathroom. He was still sprawled out on the sofa, but he didn't look as miserable as before.

"Your highness?"

"What was that whole thing with the Rhodolite princes last night?" he asked, his sharp sea-blue eyes penetrating straight through me. "You don't really expect me to buy the whole 'I'm just a maid' thing, do you?"

"Whether you 'buy it' doesn't matter, your highness, because it's the truth," I said firmly. "Do you need anything else from me?"

"Where do you think you're going?"

I sighed. "Nowhere, if you aren't dismissing me, your highness."

He smirked. "That's more like it. Come over here and sit down."

He pulled his legs back to make some room on the sofa. I bit my lip nervously, but I didn't get the sense he was about to try something, so I sat down.

"Are you feeling any better, your highness?"

"Why do you care?"

I frowned at him. "I don't like to see anybody in pain, your highness. Why are you in such a bad mood?"

"Maybe because I've got such a sassy maid annoying me," he retorted, smirking as he sipped his tea.

"I must not be bothering you too much, your highness. You won't let me leave."

He shrugged. "I've never seen a mouthy maid before. You need to learn some manners."

I couldn't help but laugh at that comment. "Sorry, your highness, but I don't think you're one to talk."

"Chevalier's been too lenient with you," he said, his blue eyes sparkling with amusement.

"Clearly, you don't know him very well, your highness. He's having breakfast with Prince Gilbert and some of the other princes right now, if you're feeling up to joining them."

"Why would I want to do that?" He took another sip of tea. "Unless you're trying to get rid of me."

"I'm supposed to be working, your highness. I still have to clean Prince Keith's room, and then the library."

"Not until I say you can leave, woman."

I might have enjoyed this back-and-forth, except for his haughty smile. It gave me the feeling that, as far as he was concerned, he owned me.