Parallel

Chapter X: Hopeless

Auralea

On my way out of Prince Leopold's quarters, he promised to mail my letter for me and recommended that I get some rest. I feel like all I have been doing lately is resting and I am anxious about missing so many days of work so I decide to spend the rest of my day cleaning. I manage to track down Mrs. Inman in the maids' quarters. She smiles sympathetically when she sees me. "Auralea, I heard about your stay with the physician. Are you feeling any better?" She was being kind to me just as everyone else who had heard of my episodes and delusions has been. "Yes. I am feeling better which is why I came to speak to you. I know I have been gone for a few days but I want to work again."

Mrs. Inman nods in understanding. "If you are feeling up to it then of course but the Prince has asked that you be relocated. Go down to the kitchen and someone there will tell you your new responsibilities. And child, stay safe." She seemed to be delivering a warning but I couldn't quite decipher it. "Thank you Mrs. Inman, for everything." For some reason, I feel like I am saying goodbye. I leave the maids' quarters and spend at least a half hour trying to navigate through the winding halls and down to the kitchen. When I do finally arrive, Odette squeals excitedly and pulls me over to an island in the middle of the room. "Well?" She looks at me expectantly as she pries. I decide to play dumb just to torture her. Surely if she doesn't get details soon, she'll explode.

"Well what?" Odette narrows her eyes at me, making me laugh softly. "Well, how did the prince enjoy your towel? I thought the color really brought out your eyes. Then again, your eyes probably weren't his main focus." She deadpans and flutters her eyelashes, hoping to appear innocent. I swat her arm and flush recalling the incident. "Neither of us enjoyed that situation. I was praying the floor would swallow me up and he couldn't even look at me after the whole ordeal. He just gave me this dress and avoided further contact." She rolls her eyes and busies herself with preparing a tray to be delivered.

"The pair of you are hopeless. The yellow of that dress does perfectly compliment your skin tone though. I think his majesty picked it out just for you."

"Of course a servant and a prince are a hopeless pair."

Odette just hums in agreement as she finishes the tray. Everything is arranged neatly, from the fine china to the grapes and cheese. She smiles proudly at her work and her smile only widens when a young man around our age enters the kitchen. He is wearing a messy apron and a lazy smile. "It looks like Haelan is late as usual." Odette teases, placing her hands firmly on her hips and scolding him as if he was her own child. The boy just scoffs and turns to me. "And who might this be?"

"I am Auralea. I am new to the kitchen. Odette is showing me everything that I need to know." He takes my hand in his and plants a soft kiss on my knuckles. Unsurprisingly, his touch didn't even begin to compare to the prince's. "My name is Haelan. It's a pleasure to meet you, Auralea." He lets go of my hand. The smile on Odette's face drops as fast as my hand does. Oh, I see what's happening here. I can't help but to feel sly as I realize that someone here is crushing hard."If you ever need an escape from that troublemaker over there, you know where to find me." I smile politely and nod. "I will be sure to keep that in mind."

On our way to the chambers where the tray was to be delivered, I nudged Odette's side. "You have a crush on Haelan." She grumbles and shakes her head. "So this is how you felt earlier today? I don't think I like being on the receiving end of this." I giggle as she huffs. "Well get used to it because you two are in for the push of your life." Her eyes widen and this time I laugh at how anxious she seems. Revenge is oh so sweet.

The rest of the day flies by uneventfully. My new duties involve a lot more interaction with the snotty royals and noblemen. It seems as if I'm biting my tongue all day long to avoid certain death but at least the work is much less tedious. The sun is setting when I start to feel nauseous again. I am already back in my room when I finally come to the realization that I haven't eaten all day. I go to lay down, deciding to have sleep for supper when I notice a shining silver tray resting on my scruffy blanket. There is a matching silver lid with a note tucked into the handle. I pick up the note and read:

If you were taking care of yourself, this wouldn't be your first meal today.

~Leopold

I smile and shake my head, putting the note aside. My prince, what a nosy fellow you are. I lift the lid of the tray and am stunned. The food was a lot fancier than what I was used to. There was a broad range of options; a quarter of chicken, a heaping load of mashed potatoes, two rolls, a handful of green grapes and a big scoop of steamed carrots. My mouth watered at the sight. Maybe I am hungry then. I kicked off my worn shoes and stripped out of the yellow dress, dragging myself into bed and greedily eating the food the prince sent up to me.

When I finish, I put the lid back onto the tray and place it beside my bed. I flop back down and smile at Prince Leopold's generosity and caring. There is something about him that makes my heart flutter. The way he speaks and carries himself. The way he smiles. His gentlemanly demeanor. I know that I don't have much experience with men, or any at all for that matter, but Prince Leopold is the most handsome and chivalrous man I have ever come into contact with. A little part of me fantasizes about what we could be like together but the bigger, more logical part of me knows that he could never be with someone like me. I am below him in every way and yet, he still holds my heart without even knowing so. I am truly hopeless.