"Good morning, Prince Chevalier," I called the next morning, tying the drapes back.

There was no response from the lump under the covers.

"Sorry to break it to you, your highness, but it's back to work again today," I continued as I went to his bureau. The blankets rustled behind me. "The festival was a lot of fun, but I'm glad it only lasted one day."

"For once, we agree on something," he mumbled.

I pulled his clothes out of the drawers, smiling to myself. "It's bound to happen once in a while, your highness." He pushed back the covers and stretched languidly as I set the clothes on the bench next to the bed.

"I hope you had the sense to take my advice," he said condescendingly.

"Yes, I did, your highness. Prince Leon was happy to walk me home. I'll be back with your breakfast."

Maybe a bit too happy, I thought as I left. He fell very neatly into the category of 'big brother' to me, but I wasn't entirely sure that kiss had been intended to come across as innocent. Then again, he'd been drinking all day. He hadn't seemed drunk, but maybe he was one of those people who held their liquor well. In any case, as I'd said to Prince Chevalier, it was back to work today. No more apple cider, or funnel cakes, or teasing smiles and friendly arms around my shoulder. In fact, I planned to work extra hard today, in appreciation for the day off Prince Chevalier had given me.

"I was hoping to run into you," Prince Clavis said, falling in line beside me as I made my way back to Prince Chevalier's room with his breakfast.

"Good morning, Prince Clavis."

"You looked like you were having fun yesterday."

"I was, thank you. I hope you did as well, your highness."

"Oh, yes. There was so much entertainment around." He wore his usual sly grin. "Chev looked like he was having fun, too."

"Really? How could you tell, your highness?" I asked innocently. My tone was meant to deny whatever implication he was making, but the question was genuine.

He shrugged. "Just a feeling I got. How was it, being the life of the party?"

I blushed. "I think Prince Leon was the life of the party, your highness. He really enjoys sneaking out of the palace, doesn't he?"

"Yeah, and he and Chev always avoid each other as much as possible. Yet there they were, hanging on your every word." His golden eyes sparkled mischievously.

"You're exaggerating, Prince Clavis." Fortunately, we had arrived at Prince Chevalier's door, and I could end this embarrassing conversation. "If you'll excuse me, I need to deliver Prince Chevalier's breakfast."

"Chev won't mind if I tag along," he replied smoothly, opening the door for me.

"Prince Clavis, you and I both know that he will. And he's in the bathroom right now, too." I stepped inside and tried to close the door, but Prince Clavis pushed in after me.

"Just do whatever it is you do," he said casually. "Leave Chev to me."

The bathroom door was wide open, as usual. The only way Prince Chevalier wasn't hearing this was if he was currently underwater in the bath. I sighed and called out, "Prince Chevalier, you have a visitor," as I crossed the room to set his breakfast on the desk.

"What do you want, Noisy?" His icy voice emanated threateningly from the bathroom.

"Ah, don't be like that, Chev. When I'm being such a thoughtful younger brother, stopping by to wish you and your lovely little maid a good morning."

I didn't look up at Prince Clavis as I went to work making the bed. He was playing with fire, and he knew it - even as he added more sparks and smoldering embers.

"It's too bad I didn't catch up to you at the festival earlier, but at least I got to see the lion and the tiger drooling over a certain dove. That was very amusing."

My cheeks were bright red, but I knew I wouldn't have to say anything. Any second now, Prince Chevalier would emerge from the bathroom, and he'd send Prince Clavis packing. Although I wished he would hurry it up.

"Did you enjoy your time in the gardens, Ivetta?" Prince Clavis asked teasingly.

I heard a door open and looked up just in time to see Prince Chevalier throwing Prince Clavis out by the back of his collar.

"Thank you, Prince Chevalier," I said as the door slammed shut. He didn't acknowledge me as he went to his desk. I slipped into the bathroom without another word.

Back to business as usual today, it would seem. And unfortunately, Prince Clavis was a frequent annoyance, with or without a festival to provide him with ammunition for his teasing.

Prince Chevalier was gone when I finished in the bathroom. I collected his dishes and headed for the kitchens, mulling over what I should do next. The main library hadn't received its usual attention from me yesterday afternoon, but all the hard work I'd put in during my first few days at the palace had left it in a very manageable state. It wouldn't hurt for me to attend to Prince Chevalier's library this morning, as usual, and then get to the main library in the afternoon. His new books probably needed to be put away, too. They would pose a bit of a challenge, since they were all written in foreign languages that I couldn't read.

The morning flew by, and I was deeply immersed in my book on my lunch break when a familiar voice interrupted me.

"So, this is where you like to hide out," Prince Jin said casually, sitting on the window seat next to me.

"Hello, Prince Jin," I replied politely. "It's not really hiding out. This is just a nice place to read."

"I can see that. You look really comfortable." He gave me a charming smile even as his eyes wandered a bit too boldly over my legs tucked up beside me. The skirt of my uniform was about knee length standing up, and, of course, it rode up a bit when I sat. I pulled it down as much as it would go, blushing.

"Is there something you wanted, Prince Jin?"

He shrugged. "Just sad I missed all the fun at the festival."

"I'm sure you had fun, Prince Jin. Prince Leon said you were in a tavern. Is it safe for me to assume that you enjoyed some 'friendly company' as well?"

He grinned. "You know me too well. But I can find a tavern and some 'friendly company' anytime. I don't always get the chance to hang out with you."

"I wasn't really 'hanging out' with anybody, your highness," I protested.

"No, you were supposedly there as Prince Chevalier's personal attendant. But from what I hear, you ended up with all the attention. Understandably, of course. You're a doll." He winked as I blushed even deeper.

"I think it's about time for me to get back to work," I stammered, closing the book and turning around to put my feet on the floor. At least I could hide my blushing face while I bent down to get my shoes.

He laughed. "And you're even more adorable when you're shy like this. Don't worry, I'll get out of your hair. But next festival, it's my turn to take you. Deal?"

"I can't make that promise, Prince Jin." And that was true, although it was easier to use that excuse than to deny him flat out. If it was during the day, I'd be working. If it was at night, I'd still be working, taking care of Mother-

No, no I wouldn't. Not in a year's time.

I stood up, straightening my skirt so I wouldn't have to look up at Prince Jin, who was now standing beside me. He caught my chin and forced my eyes to his face, anyway.

"Chevalier doesn't deserve you."

I pushed his hand away, my cheeks hot with embarrassment. "It's not a matter of who does or doesn't deserve me, Prince Jin. I'm only here to work. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm a bit behind because of the festival." I turned away decisively and headed back to Prince Chevalier's library, where I'd left my cleaning supplies. Thankfully, when I returned to the main library, Prince Jin was gone.

Maybe I was still too distracted by my encounters with Princes Jin and Clavis to notice how irritable Prince Chevalier was when he arrived at two thirty. When I delivered his tea, I somehow missed his short response and sharply narrowed blue eyes. Or maybe I felt too at ease with him after the events of the festival for his permeating chill to sink as deeply into my bones as usual. Whatever the case, I missed the warning signs, and I returned to the main library, oblivious to the impending danger.

The chandeliers weren't going to clean themselves, so I got a ladder from a supply closet and set it up next to the alcove. I was partially finished dusting the first chandelier when I looked down into the gardens. It was such a nice day outside. I loved working in the library, but it was days like today that got me wishing I was outdoors a bit more. I let my eyes wander around the gardens, just for a moment. Prince Luke was up in a tree, sitting on a branch, his arms folded over his chest. He looked to be asleep. I smiled, looking at him. And down by the pond, there was the bench where Prince Chevalier had taken up residence yesterday, and the tree where I'd enjoyed an hour of reading. That had been oddly nice. I'd never thought the day would come when I'd be able to relax around Prince Chevalier.

Well, back to work for me. I didn't get the luxury of midafternoon naps or strolls through the gardens on a whim. Yesterday had been an exception to the rule, in so many ways.

"Isn't that a bit dangerous?"

I looked down, surprised to see Prince Licht at the bottom of the ladder. He held a small brown paper bag in one hand, the other resting on the lower rungs to stabilize them, and he looked as bored as ever.

"Hello, Prince Licht. I was just coming down, anyway."

"You probably shouldn't be doing this alone," he said, watching me climb down.

"No, but I'm the only one here, other than Prince Chevalier. Is there something you needed, your highness?" I asked as my feet touched the floor.

He held out the paper bag. "Yves wanted you to have this."

"Oh, thank you, your highness," I said, my eyes widening in surprise as I took the bag.

"Don't thank me. It was his idea." He turned to go, but stopped after a few steps and looked back at me. "Does Chevalier know you're climbing around on that ladder all by yourself?"

I had set the bag on the window seat and was already in the process of moving the ladder. "I didn't ask him, your highness. He doesn't interfere in my work, and I don't interfere in his. There's still a lot to do, and I certainly can't reach it all from the floor."

He sighed, irritated, and followed me as I propped the ladder up under the central chandelier. "I'll hold it for you."

"Thank you, but you really don't have to do that, your highness."

"Just hurry up," he snapped.

I tried not to smile as I climbed up the ladder. He was trying to hide it, but he was concerned.

"Did you go to the festival yesterday, Prince Licht?" I asked.

"No," he replied flatly.

"A bit too crowded for you, your highness?"

"Are you going to talk, or are you going to work?" he asked irritably.

"I can do both without any problem, your highness. Just ask Prince Chevalier. But I can stop talking, if you'd prefer."

"Whatever. Just don't expect me to answer you."

For the next hour or so, he followed me around the library, stabilizing the ladder wherever I set it, not speaking a word. I didn't talk the whole time, but I did make occasional comments here or there. When I climbed back down for the last time, I gave him a smile, knowing full well that he wouldn't return it.

"Thank you, Prince Licht, you were very helpful. That's the last one."

"About time," he muttered, turning to go as Prince Chevalier opened the door to his library. Prince Licht left in silence without acknowledging Prince Chevalier. I folded up the ladder, feeling those icy blue eyes on me. Prince Chevalier rarely left his library during the afternoons. He wanted something.

"I'll be right back, Prince Chevalier," I said, heading for the main door. He turned and disappeared back into his library without a word.

I knew he was there waiting for me, but it still felt like an ambush when I returned. He was waiting just inside the door, standing with his arms crossed over his chest. "What did the Mime want?" he asked, towering over me.

Prince Licht certainly wasn't very talkative, but 'the Mime' was rather insulting.

"Prince Licht brought me something from Prince Yves, and then he insisted on holding the ladder until I was finished," I explained.

"A gift from the Showoff. You are a busy little dove," he said, his lips curling into that mocking smirk.

The Showoff. He'd used that nickname yesterday, and I'd glossed over it because I was too busy with the funnel cake. I didn't see how that pertained to Prince Yves, but clearly Prince Chevalier thought it was a suitable nickname.

"I'm sure I don't know what you mean, your highness," I said calmly, stifling the urge to roll my eyes. What did he want from me? "I haven't opened it yet, if you're curious to see what it is."

"I'm more curious about what you did to deserve a gift from him." Was he mocking me, or teasing me? Either way, I didn't like it.

"Nothing that I'm aware of, your highness. If you'll excuse me." I left before he could say another word, not closing the door behind me. I would only be a minute, anyway. If he was so interested, then he could take a look for himself. The small brown paper bag was right where I'd left it, on the window seat. I picked it up and took it back to Prince Chevalier, holding it out for him. "Here."

"You have become brazen," he commented. "It's your gift. Open it."

I still wasn't quite clear where he was on the reaction spectrum, but I was getting the feeling that he was leaning toward teasing right now. I opened up the bag.

"Oh, it's just a pastry," I said, pleasantly surprised as I removed the croissant. "I met Prince Licht and Prince Yves on their way down to a cafe a couple of nights ago. They didn't have to do that."

He chuckled softly. I put the croissant back in the bag, watching him warily.

"How naïve of you. There is no such thing as a simple gift from royalty. Everything comes at a cost."

"Maybe so, your highness, but I don't know of a cost right now, so I think I'd rather be happy for the kind gesture instead of worrying about what this could mean." This was getting frustrating.

"I see. So if I were to give you permission to read one of my books, you would be happy, even though you know I will ask something of you in return?" He was really enjoying this. I wasn't. Why did he have to make everything so complicated?

"Unfortunately, it's not that simple with you, Prince Chevalier. I can accept a gift from Prince Yves without concern because he's never given me any indication of an ulterior motive. You are always angling for something of benefit, which leads me to be more cautious regarding a so-called gift from you."

"You're learning," he said, an amused smile playing on his lips. He turned away from me and walked to the bookshelves, removing a book seemingly at random before coming back to me and setting the book on top of my head. "I give you my word there will be no untoward consequences."

I removed the book from my head, irritated by his condescending behavior. "Didn't your mother ever teach you any manners, your highness?" I snapped without thinking.

His eyes flashed. "My mother taught me nothing. She was too afraid of me to linger in my presence."

"What?" I asked, all irritation suddenly vanquished by shock. Alarm bells had begun to sound in the back of my mind, but I didn't pay them any attention.

"Do you truly find that so hard to believe?" he asked, smirking tauntingly.

"Well, yes, your highness. I've never heard of a mother being afraid of her child before. Why would she be afraid of you?"

"She was weak, allowing her life to be ruled by emotions. Her fear of me, and her foolishly allowing herself to fall in love with a king who had multiple wives and even more mistresses, drove her to an early grave." He tilted my chin up with a finger. "You have the same weakness," he added coolly.

I brushed his hand away, blushing. "Maybe you see it as a weakness to experience emotions, Prince Chevalier, but I don't. And I'm certainly not ruled by them to the extent that I can't think for myself at all. But…" As much as I wanted to be mad at him for the insult, his statement had just explained quite a lot about him. No wonder he was so cold to everybody and distanced himself from emotions as much as possible. "I am sorry, Prince Chevalier."

"Why should you be sorry?" His cold blue eyes met mine, their gaze penetrating.

"I'm not apologizing because I did something wrong, your highness. I'm expressing sympathy for what you went through." And I was beginning to realize my mistake. We were not friends, and I should not have started this conversation in the first place.

"And what makes you think the Brutal Beast would want your sympathy?" he said, his voice dangerously low. He took a step toward me, and I backed away in the face of an aggression I hadn't seen since the first day we met. I couldn't get very far before a bookcase stopped me.

"I guess I didn't think about it, your highness," I said, looking up into those icy blue eyes. His fingers were at my neck again, my heart pounding. I had pushed him too far this time.

"You are a foolish little dove. Perhaps I have let you flutter about for too long." Cool leather traced up and down my neck, making me flinch. I needed to stay calm. I needed to think. Why was he doing this?

"I shouldn't have said anything, your highness. My apologies." I looked away, hoping that would satisfy him. It didn't.

"You seem to be laboring under the false impression that I am a human like you." I looked up at him again, startled. His face was so close that our noses were almost touching.

"What else could you be?" I asked nervously.

He smiled - not a friendly smile, more akin to a predator baring its teeth at its cornered prey. His fingers settled on my skin, sliding around my throat until his palm was flat against it.

"What do you think?"

My heart was racing - no doubt he could feel the bounding pulse in my neck. He wanted me to see him as the Brutal Beast and nothing more. But I knew there was more to him. He was frightening me, yes, but there had to be a reason. Would he actually kill me? After paying my mother's doctor bill, after taking me to the festival yesterday, after talking to me and listening to what I had to say? No. He was bluffing. I had no reason to fear him at all.

"I think I would like to get back to work, Prince Chevalier," I said quietly. The hand did not tighten. It slid up, his thumb and fingers pressing on either side of my jaw to force my chin up.

"You're not worth my time," he said harshly, his breath hot on my lips. He finally released me and stepped back. "Get out of my sight."

I didn't stop to question him. I just walked past him, shutting the door behind me, and kept walking to the alcove. The breath I'd held since leaving him escaped in a rush as I sat down, closing my eyes and leaning back against the window. I hated these games, the pleasure he took in tormenting me. It was exhausting.

My hands tightened around the book he'd given me. I opened my eyes and looked down at the book, The Romance of the Rose. I'd seen him reading it one day and asked him about it. That was when he'd first made his outrageous claim that he didn't feel emotions, and he was simply studying them so he could better manipulate those around him. My fingers traced the gold embossed rose on the front cover. He was wrong. He did feel emotions, but he didn't know how to express them. But I didn't have time to sit around and think about it, anyway; I needed to get back to work.

Before I could stand up, the door to his private library opened, and he appeared. My stomach dropped, but he didn't look at me. He crossed the library to the main door and left. Maybe he really was mad at me. I didn't know. I couldn't tell with him. But it didn't matter, did it? I set the book down and stood, on to my next task.

I tried to empty my mind as I worked, unsuccessfully. Prince Chevalier's behavior had been bizarre, to say the least, but the fact still remained that he had paid my mother's doctor's bill, and yesterday had really happened. Was he just trying to keep me at arm's length, scare me away even? A thought struck me that made me freeze in place for a moment. He was attracted to me. That was why he didn't like the other princes hanging around me. And past experience with his own mother had taught him that emotions, especially those of a romantic nature, were useless at best.

No. Impossible. I shook my head to dislodge the idea. Now I truly was being foolish.

He didn't return until a few minutes to five, when I was collecting his empty teacup from his library. Suddenly, he was in the doorway, blocking my exit.

"Do you need anything else before I go, Prince Chevalier?" I asked, struggling to keep my voice calm, though his appearance startled me.

"Don't forget the book," he said, brushing past me to his chair.

"Thank you, your highness, but I don't really have time to read at home. If it's alright with you, I'd rather just leave it here."

"Do what you like," he said dismissively, not looking up as he opened his own book.

"Have a goodnight, your highness."

What a weird day. Well, at least I had a croissant to eat on my walk home.