Prince of Hearts

Chapter 10: Magic Spells

You paced the room, your head swimming with thoughts.

What should I‌ do?

The last drop of trust Jimin had in you had evaporated. For some unfathomable reason, he hadn't sent you to the gallows. But he would be more alert now. On guard.

You had gone and ruined your chance. You should have been smarter. Taken your time, built your trust with him. Made sure you had him wrapped around your little finger before–

Three knocks sounded at the door.

"May I come in, Your Highness?" ‌ A nervous voice asked.

You took the time to compose yourself, dragging the sleeves of your shift down to cover the bruises on your wrists.

"Come in," ‌ you called, sitting down on the edge of the bed.

The face that peered through the open door was young, a dusting of freckles on her nose and a pink flush on her cheeks. The girl smiled and squeezed her way in, carrying a stack of folded clothes in her hand. She stopped in front of you, dropping into a curtsey.

"I am Eleanor, Your Highness, and I will be your maid today."

She wore an embroidered periwinkle-blue gown, with lace trimmings and puffy sleeves. Her auburn hair was done in an elaborate braid secured at the nape of her neck. A few wispy curls escaped from it, framing her youthful face.

"You don't look like a maid, Eleanor,"‌ you said, eyeing her curiously.

With that, her smile widened.

"Oh, Your Highness is very clever. I'm not a maid, you see." She placed the stack on a table. "I'm the daughter of Lord Wymar." 

"Lord Wymar?" You echoed. You had heard that name in your old lessons--the wizened advisor to the King of Enmore. She was a noble, then. A lady of the court.

"I convinced Gwen to let me take her place for today. I wanted to see you--everyone was talking about you, you see. How beautiful and elegant you were, and all that. The other women got to see you at the wedding dinner, but I wasn't allowed to go, so..." She stopped, catching herself with a gasp.

"I didn't overstep, did I?" ‌ Her mouth fell open, and you smiled in spite of yourself.

"I'm flattered that you wanted to see me, Lady Eleanor," you said. "And I'm very pleased to make your acquaintance."

She beamed as she fluttered to the bed, sitting beside you. All of her nervousness from before seemed forgotten.

"You are as beautiful as everyone says," she said. "Prince Jimin must be very happy."

"Thank you, Eleanor,"  you said, your eyes drawn to her delicate features and her sparkling eyes. "You are very beautiful yourself."

She was a snow-blossom, a pocket of warmth and kindness in the stone-cold castle.

But she shook her head.

"Oh, please, Your Highness. You don't have to lie," she sighed. "I know I'm not very pretty. None of the boys would even look at me. They are all busy chasing after Joan and Edith and Isabella, and–"

You reached out, laying your hand over hers. "Then those boys are fools, Eleanor. You are a lovely girl."

She smiled shyly as she stood up.

"I need to get to work," she said, swinging her arms about. "Let's see... You need a bath, don't you, Your Highness?‌ I've already told Gwen to draw up a bath. I can take you to the bath-chamber, and then, I will help you dress. I am very good with doing hair, you know? All the ladies say I have deft hands."