The Girls from Downstairs

Six: the deal

“No.  NO.  No!  Not just no, double no!” I refused.  Adrian followed me through the kitchen as I prepared breakfast for the royal court.

“Why not?  It’ll get Felix’s attention!  Make him realize you’re not just some young sixteen year old chef’s apprentice, you’re a young woman!  And what would make him more jealous than seeing you with me?”

“Because it’s disgusting and downright wrong!” Jinx squeaked.

“Exactly!” I agreed.

“Come on!  Just go out with me once!  Maybe if he sees us together kissing or something it’ll be enough to change his mind!  Just once!  Please?”

“I thought you hated me?  Why are you so keen on making me do this?” I asked.

His eagerness faded.  “To be honest?  I want Esmerelda for my own and I can’t stand to see Felix so happy.  I was visited by Vesta Malise years before he was, and yet he finds his bride before I do?  It doesn’t make sense!”

“He’s the crown prince!  Of course he’s going to find her before you!”

“But-“

“Listen, Romeo.  She’s not interested, and certainly not in hurting Felix’s feelings.  Give up already,” Jinx suggested.

“Please?” he begged once more.

I sighed.

“No.  Harlow, no!  I know that sigh!  It means you’re about to give in!” Jinx said.

“But, he’s so pathetic!” I argued.

“No!  I refuse to allow you to go through with this!”

“What are you, my fairy godmother?” I turned to Adrian, determined.  “I’ll do it.”

He jumped up.  “Yes!”

“But just one time!   If it appears to catch his interest, we might do it again, but for now just the once!” I said.

He grinned.  “Whatever you say, love.  I’ll catch you later; I’m wanted by a certain mermaid...”

“Men and those mermaids...” Jinx scoffed.  She flicked my ear.  “Why did you say yes?”

I shrugged.  “It might work.”

She crossed her arms.  “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were doing it because you might like-“

“Don’t you dare finish that sentence unless you want to be squashed like a bug with this frying pan!” I warned.  Her jaw snapped shut.

“Fine.  But when you’re walking down the aisle, don’t expect me to not say ‘I told you so’.”

I literally dropped the eggs I was holding into the pan.  “Aren’t you wanted somewhere else?”

“To do what?  I’m a pixie!  All we can do is annoy, destroy, or advise.  A few of us can do household things, like knit, sew, paint, and a few - usually those with some fairy blood - can work with nature.  But I can only sew!  Am I supposed to go to the queen and ask to fix any of her ripped garments?!”

I frowned at my best friend.  “If it gets you out of my hair while I’m making breakfast, yes.”

“That was rude, Harlow.”

“What’s rude is you even suggesting that I could like Adrian!” I spat in the sink next to me.  “I wouldn’t say that to you about Cornelius.”

Her face squished together in disgust. “I still can’t believe he married Thumbelina!  We were such a perfect match before she showed up!”

“Don’t sound so bitter,” I teased.