At eight o'clock the next morning, I stopped by the kitchen to put in an order for Prince Chevalier's breakfast for pick up at nine o'clock. I'd made a mental note of what he had and hadn't eaten the day before, so today's order was tailored to his preferences. Then, I went to his room to start cleaning. He was asleep, of course, which made it much easier for me to relax and settle into the routine. At nine o'clock, I pulled his drapes open with a cheery, "Good morning, Prince Chevalier."
I didn't have to yank the comforter off of him this time. He pushed the covers back himself, the sunlight catching his blonde hair, and for just a moment he was nothing more than a handsome man yawning languidly as he woke up. Of course, even his pajamas set him apart from a commoner - they would have passed for church clothes in the village. His black pants were perfectly fitted, and his white shirt was decorated with gold vines similar to those on his cloak.
"What were you humming?" he asked, his voice not by any means gentle, but sleepy and without a hint of threat.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't realize I was humming, your highness. It's just a song my mother used to sing to me. I'll be back in a moment with your breakfast."
He was in the bathroom when I returned, the door open and water running inside. It was a bit discomforting for me, but it was easy enough to find something to do facing away from the open door. When he emerged, fully dressed, he sat down at the desk to eat, and I went into the bathroom to clean up after him. By the time I'd finished, he was done with breakfast and gone. I collected the dirty dishes and took them back to the kitchens, and then I spent the rest of the morning working in his private library. Theresa wasn't in the kitchens at noon, so I grabbed a quick lunch and headed back to the alcove in the library to read.
Maybe this job wouldn't be so bad after all.
Midafternoon, Prince Chevalier swept through the library to the back room as usual. I went to the kitchens for his tea and brought it to him without a word. He looked up as I did so, one corner of his lips lifting just slightly in a momentary smile, and then he returned to his book.
I could hardly believe it. I had won the Brutal Beast's favor.
It was about an hour later when another man burst through the door and stormed into Prince Chevalier's private library. I barely glimpsed the man from the corner of my eye before he was gone. He hadn't shut the door, and I tried not to listen, but it was impossible to ignore once they started shouting at each other. Well, the intruder was shouting, anyway. Prince Chevalier remained as calm and collected as ever.
"What did you think you were doing?" That was the unknown man.
"I've already said all I have to say on the matter," Prince Chevalier responded coolly.
"Yeah, well, I haven't. Did you ever consider trying to talk it out instead of jumping straight into battle?"
"I don't waste my time talking to traitors."
"What about the village? I can almost understand the fort, but the village, too? Do you even care how many innocent people were killed in your purge?"
My blood ran cold. I'd heard of Prince Chevalier's purges. He was the leader of a political faction focused on foreign affairs, and he was said to be a heartless beast, ruthlessly eradicating any supposed traitors to the crown within and without the country of Rhodolite. There were even stories about him killing his own family members. He was also supposed to be a brilliant tactician, and although he had never lost a battle, his knights inflicted severe casualties, not all of whom were opposing soldiers.
"There is nothing innocent about knowingly aiding and abetting Rhodolite's enemies," Prince Chevalier responded without a trace of remorse.
"You went too far this time, Chevalier."
"If you wish to spout your drivel, do so elsewhere."
I felt sick listening to this. I didn't believe all the rumors before I met Prince Chevalier, but I found them very believable now. He had well and truly earned the names of the Brutal Beast and the Bloody Tiger. I headed for the library door, no destination in mind other than somewhere away from this horrible argument. A loud thud from Prince Chevalier's library stopped me in my tracks. From where I stood, I could clearly see the angry man pinning Prince Chevalier by his collar against a bookcase, his strength clearly apparent as Prince Chevalier's feet dangled just above the floor. Prince Chevalier wasn't a weakling, though - he grabbed the other man's hand and easily ripped it away. Even from this distance, I could see his blue eyes flashing dangerously. I watched, my feet frozen in place, my hand on the doorknob. There was no way I was going to try to stop them, but I couldn't look away. They glared at each other - well, I assume, but I couldn't see the other man's face - and then, suddenly, the tension snapped and they both relaxed.
"Whatever. I don't know why I even bother trying to talk to you," the intruder said, his voice irritated but down to a regular volume. He turned toward me and walked out, his long strides carrying him quickly across the library. He had black hair and angry amber eyes, and he was dressed head to toe in black. His boots were in the same style as Prince Clavis', with gold accents, including gold toes and a golden rim around the top of the boot just below the knee. His jacket was equally ornate, with elaborate gold buttons, seams, and trims. A red sash wrapped around his chest, and the lining of his cloak was red as well. Gold plating decorated the left shoulder of the cloak, which was fastened across his chest by a gold braided cord tied around a gold lion crest. He carried a sword, as did the other princes, strapped to his hip by a striking red belt. If anybody could rival Prince Chevalier, this man certainly appeared to be able to do so. His eyes met mine, and I realized I was staring. I looked away quickly and opened the door to leave.
"Sorry you had to hear that," he said, his voice apologetic as he came up behind me.
I looked up at him in surprise. His expression had completely changed - he wore a relaxed smile, with no trace of anger or tension in his face. How could somebody's mood change so quickly? And why was he apologizing? He was a prince, and I was a maid. What went on between him and Prince Chevalier was none of my business. And I didn't want to talk to him - I just wanted to get away from this whole situation. I should have left earlier instead of standing there staring.
"There is no need to apologize, your highness," I replied politely with a fake smile. "If you'll excuse me-"
Prince Chevalier's frigid voice cut me off with a single word: "Maid." The unknown prince narrowed his amber eyes and let out a frustrated sigh.
So much for leaving. I removed my hand from the doorknob and headed back to Prince Chevalier, who stood in the doorway, his arms crossed over his chest, his icy blue eyes sending a shiver down my spine. But as I approached him, his gaze left me to look over my head, and he, too, narrowed his eyes and sighed.
"Unless you have something of actual importance to say, Black, our business is concluded," he said coldly. I looked back and saw that the other prince was following me. He unflinchingly met Prince Chevalier's dangerous glare.
"I'm just sticking around to make sure you don't mistreat this little lady," the prince said firmly, crossing his arms as well.
Great. Just what I needed - to be trapped between two extremely hostile princes, directly in the crossfire if they decided to have a go at each other again. "Thank you, your highness, but that really isn't necessary," I said quietly to the prince in black, and then I turned back to Prince Chevalier. "What was it you needed, Prince Chevalier?"
He turned and led me back into his library, picking up an open letter on the table next to his tea. "Take that to my office," he commanded, giving it to me.
"Yes, your highness," I said, folding the letter closed along its seams and leaving. The other prince stood just outside the door, watching the whole exchange. I pulled the door shut behind me as a smile spread across his face.
"Well, you're something else," he said.
I looked up at him, confused. "I'm glad you approve, although I don't know what's so special about obeying orders, your highness."
"I'll take you to Chevalier's office," he said, smiling as he turned and headed for the main library door. "You can call me Leon."
Now it all made sense. Prince Leon was the leader of another political faction focused on domestic affairs. I'd heard that he and Prince Chevalier were often at odds with each other. Theresa had said it took a lot to get him upset, but mass civilian casualties would make anybody upset. Anybody except Prince Chevalier.
"Thank you, Prince Leon," I said, falling in step with him. I made a point of using his title, as I did with all the princes I'd met. His manner was casual and friendly, similar to Prince Jin, but with none of the obvious flirtation. Still, I really didn't want to get too friendly with any of them. They were all trouble so far.
"Ivetta, right? You've got quite a reputation already."
That was news to me. "I can't imagine why, your highness," I said, trying to hide my surprise.
"I can. You looked scared to death of me, but you were cool as a cucumber with Chevalier. You know you've got that backwards, right?" He smiled down at me, his amber eyes warm and genuine.
"Well, I do now, but I didn't know who you were then, your highness," I replied, finding myself returning the smile in spite of my newly learned tendency toward caution around princes. Was he truly being kind and considerate, or was there some ulterior motive? The other princes had left a bad taste in my mouth. I would have liked to trust him, but it was far too soon for that.
He laughed, genuinely, and without a trace of mockery. "I guess so. How long have you worked here now?"
"This is my fourth day, your highness."
"Four days working for Chevalier? That's got to be a record." He laughed again, that good-natured, genuine laugh.
I didn't know what to say to that. It wasn't hard to believe. But I did find it odd that a man who was angry enough to engage in a physical altercation with Prince Chevalier could now laugh in such a carefree manner just a few minutes later.
"He treating you okay? You can tell me the truth."
I looked up at his friendly smile, wanting to believe it was real, but I still hesitated. "Prince Chevalier has exacting standards, but I seem to be managing so far, your highness," I said carefully, looking away from him.
"That's not what I asked," he said. "Look, Chevalier's a pretty intimidating guy, but I can handle him. If he ever gives you any trouble, don't be afraid to let me know, okay? I'll straighten him out for you."
I looked back up into his warm amber eyes. Either he was actually concerned, or he was the best liar I'd ever met. "I'll keep that in mind. Thank you, Prince Leon," I said, smiling.
"Good. This is Chevalier's office. Mine is down the hall on the right. Don't be a stranger." He walked away with a casual wave.
He was about as different from Prince Chevalier as night was from day. And I had no doubt whatsoever that he could go toe-to-toe with him at a moment's notice - I'd already seen it once.