The Blue Bird

Chapter Sixteen

I woke up on the floor of the chamber of echoes.

"Of course I fell asleep on the floor." I let out an exasperated laugh.

There were no windows in the room, so there was no way of telling how long I had slept. I stood up and paced the floor, debating whether it was worth sitting at the door and listening for signs of life or making a mad dash for my room and hoping for the best.

Eventually, I decided on a mix of both options. Listening at the door rendered no proof of movement outside, so I rushed out, through the hallway and into my own chamber.

The moon was still visible in the sky and the only sign of impending dawn was a hint of purple in the night sky. I had time to prepare for the day. Though I wasn't sure what I would be doing with it.

I had reached out to Hector and he hadn't responded. I wasn't really sure what that meant. Should I go home? Was there any point hanging around if Hector didn't even want to speak to me?

My eyes drifted back to the box Lillian had left me. Two eggs remained. I picked one up. Now seemed like the perfect moment. I cracked it on the bedpost and out fell a beautiful ruby bracelet.

I ran my thumb along the smooth surface of the bracelet then slipped it onto my arm. Sibeta had been rather taken with my bracelet yesterday, maybe this was a sign that I should stick around for one more day. It was enough to convince me to wrap my hair up and hide it under a hat, throw on my uniform and prepare for my last day as a scullery maid - and possibly my last opportunity to say goodbye to Hector.

I thought the kitchen was empty when I arrived, until I noticed a figure hunched on a stool by the cold fireplace.

"Don't think you've impressed me just because you managed to get here early once." Irene said, straightening her posture.

"Not early enough to get here first, it would seem." I answered, approaching her as gently as you would approach a startled mare.

"No indeed. Then again, perhaps you could impress her future majesty enough to convince her to give you my job." She sighed, reaching for the tinder box.

"Mistress?" I wasn't sure how to respond to her remarks.

"She's a nightmare." She explained, lighting the kindling. "His majesty's future bride. She had my niece flogged because she didn't like how she looked at him. Scarlett is still recovering. After everything I've done for the royal family. She may be the death of me."

"I'm sorry." I said, feeling a certain amount of responsibility for my step-sister's actions, though I couldn't think of anything I could do to help.

"You'll be helping the servers today." Irene announced, straightening up and wiping her hands on her apron. "For now you can start preparing the vegetables."

"Yes, ma'am." I said, rolling up my sleeves and taking hold of the closest pot of vegetables.

As the room grew brighter with the rising sun the kitchen slowly filled with people, and my pile of vegetables dwindled. Eventually, the call came for breakfast service.

Neither Hector nor Sibeta were in the dining hall for breakfast. I wondered if I had anything to do with Hector's absence. Was he thinking about me at all? What was going through his head and why didn't he want to talk to me? I hoped he would at least acknowledge me when he saw me again.

Around lunch time a conversation between two nobles informed me that Hector and Sibeta were out with a hunting party and would not be back until dinner time.

Shadows grew on the banquet hall's floor as the midday sun descended in the sky. The mood became more rowdy as the room got darker. Eventually, someone came in to light the large lamps and the smell of dinner drifted in from the kitchen.

"Why don't you smile, love?" One of the nobles asked, grabbing my by the waist. "Come closer, I'll give you something to smile about."

"No, thank you." I said, trying to pull out of his grip.

"Why are you so uptight? I have a cure for that too." He smiled, pulling me closer.

His breath reeked of ale. He put his hands on both sides of my head and started tugging at my hat. I put both my hands on my hat. If he managed to remove it and reveal my undisguised hair, I could potentially be in a lot of trouble.

"Lord Clementine, take your hands off that serving maid!" Hector's voice boomed.

We both froze and turned to the doorway. There he stood. As Sibeta sidled up beside him, I realised I had been too startled to think of keeping my face hidden. Luckily, she seemed uninterested in what was transpiring and barely graced me with a glance. I bowed my head and stepped out of reach of Lord Clementine.

"I expect better of my guests, Lord Clementine, don't disappoint me again." Hector said whilst escorting Sibeta to her chair.

"My humblest apologies, your majesty." Lord Clementine mumbled, casting his gaze to the floor.

"Are you harmed?" Hector asked, turning his attention to me.

"I'm quite alright your majesty." I answered, keeping my head bowed, then a wave of courage swept over me and I continued. "Actually, whilst I have your attention, I wonder if I may beg a favour."

This gave Hector pause. He turned back to Sibeta, who merely shrugged her apathy.

"You may ask." He said.

"I would be most grateful if you would allow me to sleep this night in the chamber of echoes."

A small laugh escaped Sibeta's lips. "Oh, I see now, you're the same odd girl from yesterday."

"Yes, your highness." I replied, eyes still fixed on the floor.

"I see no harm in allowing her this request - strange though it may be - do you, dearest?" Hector asked Sibeta.

"No, my love. Though I'm not sure we should allow her to make a habit of it." She answered.

"Very well then." Hector turned back to me. "You may have one more night in the chamber of echoes."