All is Fair in Politics and Dish Washing (TITLE IN PROGRESS)

PART ONE: BLYTHE - Chapter I

The steam from the water blurred my vision but I didn't let it slow me down. Pumping more soap into the pot in time with the music streaming from my headphones, I continued scrubbing. Finally removing the last of the sauce that had dried and crusted over in the bottom, I transferred the pot from the sink to the dishwasher. I had just started on the large serving platter that had previously held the hors d'ouevres for the dinner party when a hand clamped onto my shoulder.

I shrieked as the platter clattered loudly into the sink. I whirled around, looking for the intruder. Standing before me, a surprised but somewhat amused look on his face, was the crown prince. "Your Highness! I-I'm so sorry." I stuttered out, removing my earbuds. "I didn't hear you come in, my music was playing, I didn't hear--" He held up a hand, a small smile playing on his face.

"It's alright."

"No, no. I shouldn't have dropped the serving dish, or been playing my music, or--" He cut me off again.

"You're new here, right?"

"I--Yeah. How did you know?" He held out his raised hand. 

"I'm Everett. 'Your Highness' is my father." I extended my own hand and shook his, trying to mask the panic that was bubbling up inside of me. I dropped my hand suddenly, remembering that it was soapy and probably smelled like dirty dish water.

"Sorry," I mumbled meekly, wiping my hands on my jeans. 

He shook his head and laughed quietly. "Don't worry about it." I went to turn back to my work when he spoke up again. "Oh, and to answer your question, I usually pop down here during the night." I gave him a questioning--but respectful, of course--look. "Insomnia."

"That's unfortunate."

"No, not really. I find it helps me clear my head. Plus, I get to meet some of the staff. Also, the snacks. The snacks definitely help." He paused for a moment and I took that as my cue to continue working. I picked up my sponge and started scrubbing the platter from before. "So," the Prince started. I immediately turned my head to look at him, not wanting to show any form of disrespect. "What were you listening to?" 

"I'm sorry?" The Prince hopped up to sit on the center island, swinging his legs back and forth, allowing his heels to gently bump against the wood paneling.

"What song were you listening to? When I came in."

"Oh, uh," I glanced down at my phone, my mind going blank even though I recognized the lyrics that were still playing. "It's, um, a Mumford and Sons song. Do you," I cleared my throat. "Do you know them?"

"Are you kidding?" His face brightened up considerably. "I love them! What song?"

"Little Lion Man." He nodded appreciatively. 

"Great band." A moment of silence followed.

"Would you...want to listen?"

"Most definitely." I unplugged the earbuds from the jack, starting the song over. I turned up the volume all the way before setting the phone down next to him and turning back to my work. Even if he didn't seem high maintenance, I didn't want to look like a slacker in front of him. God only knows what he could report back to a senior staff member. Or the Queen. Or King.

I made sure not to clang the pots and pans too loudly as I worked so as not to disturb his listening. Half way through the first verse, I realized that the prince was singing along. Quietly, but his voice could definitely be heard. When the chorus came around, I joined in humming. I couldn't help it: it was one of my favorite songs. At the lyric "I really fucked it up this time," I stopped singing out of respect. But apparently the prince did not give a flip about manners because he kept singing straight on through the expletive. He grinned at me when I stared, my mouth open. "What? Didn't think a prince could swear?" I just shook my head. It seemed I was incapable of coherent human speech due to my bafflement. "Yeah, a lot of people think that." And with that, he carried on singing.