Slave Princess

Chapter Seven: Life in the Palace

 Ashonee sat to eat her dinner alone after Leilelle had stomped off. She was lonely and desperate to be able to confide in someone. The silence was slowly killing her. She knew it was for her own protection and that of her friend’s, but it still hurt. Other than her brief interaction with the royal family at the midday meal she’d been alone for most of the day.

Unable to stand it any longer, Ashonee pushed away her tray after eating no more than a few mouthfuls. Pacing the room, she walked back and forth from the window to the door. During one lap she peered outside at the sunny afternoon weather. Saddened by this as well, Ashonee turned away and refused to look back outside as she continued to walk back and forth.

Finally, she gave up trying to clear hear head in that manner and picked up the practice lyre. She plucked at it for a few minutes before deciding that it too was a lonely chore and she had no desire to continue.

A knock on the door sounded and Ashonee quickly rose to answer it. When she opened the door, a middle aged woman pushed past her and picked up the dinner tray. The woman clucked in annoyance as she turned and looked Ashonee up and down.

“You are too skinny to not be eating, girl. Come here and take a few more bites.” The woman commanded, her hands on her hips.

Blinking, Ashonee dutifully crossed the room and spooned a few more helpings of the now cold soup into her mouth. Miserably, she looked up at the woman who was now glaring, arms folded across her chest.

“This will do no good.” She said as she clucked and picked up the tray. “Follow me, child.” She called over her shoulder.

Blinking once more, Ashonee rushed to follow the woman out of the room and into the hallway. It never occurred to her to do anything other than to follow the woman’s order. The woman reminded Ashonee of one of her old nursemaids who’d been as cranky as she had been bossy.

Ashonee was lead in the same direction as before, towards the royal dinning chamber. However, this time instead of entering the dinning room, Ashonee was steered into the kitchen further down the hallway.

As they entered through the doorway the clatter of pots and pans and the shouting of male and female voices startled Ashonee. She quickly sidestepped as someone rushed past her carrying a wide basket of what looked like bread rolls.

“Don’t fret, child, the kitchen is usually hectic. You will get used to it in no time.” The woman said kindly as she set the tray down and clasped Ashonee’s elbow. “Now come this way and we will get you something hot to fill your belly.”

Ashonee looked up at the woman gratefully and received a warm smile in response. The woman led Ashonee to a quiet corner of the kitchen; she sat her down on a tall stool and served her up a hot bowl of soup with a warm roll fresh from the oven.

“I do not even know how to thank you for the kindness you have shown me.” Ashonee said as she stared up at the woman after looking over the simple, yet wonderful, meal she’d just been served.

“You do not need to thank me, child. I took one look at you and saw that all you needed was some hot food and a little comfort, both of which I can easily supply.” The woman hesitated but then reached out a withered hand and smoothed a black curl off of Ashonee’s forehead.

Ashonee pressed her lips together and glanced away, blinking rapidly to avoid sheading the tears that were threatening to fall.    

“Now eat up, girl, because I won’t be providing a third hot meal for you today.” The woman said as she cleared her throat to break the tense moment.

Obediently, Ashonee lifted the roll and began tearing it into smaller bites before dipping it in the thick, creamy soup. The woman watched her for a moment before clucking her tongue again and hurrying off. She returned the precise moment that Ashonee finished her meal and quickly cleared away the dishes.