I opened the door to Prince Chevalier's office. It was neat and tidy, like his bedroom. A large white desk with gold trim was the centerpiece of the room, in front of a backdrop of two large windows separated by another built-in bookcase. Intricate gold designs adorned the wall above each window, and above it all was a chandelier from which hung tear-drop shaped crystals that shone like diamonds. Prince Clavis was leaning over the desk, reading something. He looked up and flashed me a grin.

"I'd heard you were still alive. What's that?"

"Prince Chevalier asked me to bring it here, your highness," I said, setting the letter on the desk and raising my guard.

"What's it say?"

"I didn't read it, Prince Clavis," I said, startled that he would ask such a thing.

"But it's open and everything!" He frowned, looking at me. "You're too honest for your own good, you know that?"

"I thought honesty was a good thing, your highness," I answered carefully.

"Well, maybe, but it's no fun. Let's see what it says." He picked the letter up and unfolded it.

"If you'll excuse me, your highness, I'd better get back to work," I said, heading for the door. I didn't want to know what the letter said. It was probably something about the purge, and I'd already heard more than I cared to on that subject.

He caught up to me in the hallway, linking his arm through mine. "I'll walk with you," he said with a sly grin. This was less than ideal. I was getting a sense for each of the princes I had met so far, but Prince Clavis was definitely the most difficult one to figure out.

"So tell me, have you been enjoying tending to Chev's room in the morning?" he asked with a sly glance and thinly veiled innuendo. I didn't know how he found out about that, but I certainly didn't want him spreading false information about me.

"Why, Prince Clavis, I hope you're not suggesting there has been any impropriety on my part," I said with feigned injury.

"No, I suppose not. Chev is an ice cube in that department. But Jin - now he's a different matter entirely." He was clearly well informed and enjoying this.

"I have met Prince Jin, and I'm sure you'll be relieved to know that he has been nothing but a perfect gentleman to me," I said sweetly. Although he wanted to misbehave.

"What a disappointment," Prince Clavis said with a sigh. "But you still haven't met Nokto, have you?"

That was another prince. If Prince Clavis wanted me to meet him, then I definitely didn't. We had finally arrived at the library, but although he stopped at the door, Prince Clavis still wasn't letting me go.

"Prince Clavis," I began, but he put a finger on my lips to silence me.

"Better save your quick wit for Chev," he said with a wink. He opened the door and led me across the library to the back room, bursting in with me still in tow. "Chev, I found this little dove fluttering around in your office and thought I should return her to you," he said with glee.

I pulled away from him, trying not to show the irritation I felt. "Thank you for the escort, Prince Clavis."

"You'll be pleased to know that she didn't read that letter, Chev. She's honest to a fault." His golden eyes sparkled as he grinned at me.

"If you don't have anything of substance to say to me, leave." Prince Chevalier's icy voice cut through the room like a knife.

"Ah, don't be like that, Chev. After I've been such a kind brother, returning your new little pet."

I blushed. A pet? Is that what he thought I was? "Prince Clavis-" I started, ready to launch into an angry retort, but Prince Chevalier cut me off.

"Get out." He used the same irritated words and voice he'd used on me just a few days ago, but this time, they weren't directed toward me. I looked over at him, startled.

Prince Clavis sighed dramatically. "I guess we'll have to continue our little chat later, Ivetta. You get off work at five o'clock, right?"

What little chat? I didn't want to continue anything with him. "Yes, but-"

"Then it's a date!" He gave me a smirk and disappeared before I could protest further. I stared at the closed door, my mind spinning as I tried to get a handle on what had just happened.

"You seem to enjoy being tormented," Prince Chevalier commented.

I frowned, looking back at him. His cold blue eyes regarded me with contempt. "Not particularly, your highness."

"And yet you frequent the red-light district."

I blushed. "I pass through the red-light district regularly, yes, but I do not 'frequent' it in the sense you're using, your highness," I said firmly.

His lips curved up into a condescending smirk. "You're rather bold for a fragile little dove."

I studied him, considering how to proceed. If I said the wrong thing, I'd very likely be in serious trouble. But I didn't like the rumors that were apparently circulating about me. "Maybe so, but I don't appreciate false accusations, your highness. Is there anything else you need from me, or may I return to my work?"

It felt like he was sizing me up, deciding if I was worth eating or not. "It is not your place to end a conversation started by royalty," he said quietly, setting his book on the end table.

I swallowed and glanced at the clock. How could so much nonsense happen in such a short amount of time?

"It's too early for you to escape," he said as he stood up. I took an involuntary step backwards as he approached me slowly. He came to a stop in front of me, looking down at me with that mocking smirk. "You may as well be shouting with how clearly you show your thoughts on your face." He poked me in the forehead, and I couldn't help but flinch. "But at least you aren't so foolish as to have lost your fear of me."

Was this a threat, or was he teasing me again? I couldn't forget the way he'd spoken so heartlessly about his recent purge. If he wanted me dead, he would have killed me by now. What did he want from me?

"You agree with Black," he said, the smirk disappearing.

I swallowed hard. "I don't know enough to say who I agree with, but I don't like to think of people dying, Prince Chevalier."

"No, you wouldn't." He slid his finger under my chin and tilted it upward. "You're far too naïve."

I pushed his hand away, my cheeks burning. "I don't care what Prince Clavis said. I'm not a pet, your highness."

"No? What are you, then?"

I had a feeling he was irritating me on purpose. Careful to speak as calmly as possible, I responded, "I'm a maid. That's all. If you would care to use my name, do so, but otherwise, I would ask that you refer to me with something factual instead of an insulting nickname based on rumor or opinion."

"I'm not interested in your name. Show me your worth." The smirk vanished again as he looked down at me.

I met his icy blue gaze evenly. "I think I'm worth more to you when I'm working, Prince Chevalier."

He chuckled. "You may be right. You're dismissed." He turned and walked back to his chair.

I was more than happy to leave. I didn't know what to make of him. One minute I was a foolish, fragile little dove, the next he was teasing me in an almost flirting manner. And the way he could read me like a book made it all even more unnerving. I'd never had to think about managing my facial expressions before, but it was a necessity now. What I needed was a mask - a good little maid mask. And I needed it fast, before Prince Clavis returned at five o'clock.

What an odd thing to say. 'Show me your worth.' I hadn't heard him use anybody's name so far. He'd referred to Prince Leon as Black, a physically accurate descriptor, but certainly not broad enough to summarize an entire person. It was dehumanizing, reducing a person down to an adjective. But then again, he didn't really value people at all. He'd said as much himself in his argument with Prince Leon regarding the purge. I didn't know his reasons to justify so much death, but they probably wouldn't make sense to me, anyway. And, really, I didn't want to know. I just wanted to be left alone to do my job.

A few minutes to five, I presented myself to Prince Chevalier for any final requests and to bid good day. My new mask was getting its first test run as I worked to remain completely calm and professional.

"You handled Number One well yesterday. What is your clever plan for Noisy?" he asked, a teasing smirk on his lips.

Noisy must be Prince Clavis. He really didn't use anybody's name, did he?

"I'll manage somehow, your highness," I said, much more confidently than I felt. "If that will be all-"

"Ready for our date, then?" asked Prince Clavis, bursting through the open door with a wide grin.

"Prince Clavis, I really don't-"

But he had already grabbed my hand and took off. I glimpsed Prince Chevalier's mildly irritated expression as Prince Clavis dragged me away. A few minutes later, I was sitting in a carriage, bewildered, and he was taking his seat beside me. The door was shut, the carriage was in motion, and, as if I needed another reminder, his sly grin confirmed that he held all the cards.

"So you've met me, Chev, Jin, and Leon," he said, counting on his fingers. "Four down, four to go. Quite an accomplished little dove, aren't you?"

I didn't feel very accomplished right now, and I didn't feel like talking. It felt like the mask had fallen off somewhere in the library when he grabbed me. That hadn't lasted long. "Prince Clavis, I have to go home right away."

"I know, I know. But you normally arrive at six o'clock, right? We've got some time to kill." He grinned at me, but I made a point of looking out the window, away from him.

"Don't be like that," he said, grabbing my chin and turning me to face him. "It's very rude to ignore your boyfriend in the middle of a date."

I brushed his hand away. "Your highness, you're not my boyfriend, and this isn't a date," I said firmly.

That did nothing to wipe the smile off of his face. If anything, it widened. "Tell me, how is it that a common little dove has managed to throw four beasts into a feeding frenzy?"

"I don't know what you mean, your highness," I replied, blushing involuntarily.

He laughed. "I think I'll arrange a little meeting with you and Nokto tomorrow. That should be amusing."

"Prince Clavis, I'm not a toy," I said, unable to keep the annoyance out of my voice.

"No, you're not. You're a beautiful little dove who flew into the palace for my endless amusement," he teased. He leaned toward me, putting his hands on the carriage wall on either side of my face, trapping me. "Tell me, little dove, are you enjoying this as much as I think you are?"

Enjoying this? Why on earth would I be enjoying this?

The carriage came to a halt with a jostle that brought his face even closer to mine. "I need to go, your highness," I said evenly, trying to ignore his breath on my lips.

He pulled away, laughing. Maybe I could start breathing again - maybe. He opened the carriage door and hopped out lightly, turning back to offer me his hand. I took it, reluctantly, and stepped down. My house was nowhere in sight. We weren't even out of the town yet. We'd stopped right in front of the Rose and Thorn.

"You've got time for one drink," Prince Clavis said, pulling me inside. Just about every table in the place was full, but there was one at the very back with just one occupant.

"Well, this is a pleasant surprise," Prince Jin said, smiling as Prince Clavis pushed me into a chair.

"I managed to trap this little dove, but I don't think we'll be able to hold her for long," Prince Clavis said, grinning as he took a seat next to me.

A busty barmaid came over, smiling coyly at Prince Jin's bold stare. "Can I get you anything?" she asked.

"Another beer and an orange juice," Prince Clavis said before I had a chance to speak. Prince Jin already had a beer in his hand. The barmaid left, Prince Jin's eyes following her longingly.

"They've got the best service here," he said with a sigh.

"I'm more of a leg man myself. What about you, Ivetta?" Prince Clavis' golden eyes had only drifted to the barmaid momentarily, and now they were back on me.

I blushed. "I hope you don't think I enjoy ogling other women."

"So what do you enjoy ogling, then?"

I scanned the room and found a clock. "Prince Clavis, I really don't have time for this."

"Oh, come now, there's got to be something you look for in a man," Prince Jin chimed in.

"I'm not looking for a man, Prince Jin," I said firmly.

The barmaid returned, setting the beer and orange juice on the table and sharing a meaningful look with Prince Jin. I reached for the orange juice, but Prince Clavis took it first.

"Sorry, that's mine," he said with a look that said he wasn't sorry at all.

I sighed and reached for the beer, sniffing it and wrinkling my nose. "You like this, Prince Jin?"

"Don't you?" he asked, surprised.

I pushed it over to him. "Enjoy."

"You've never had beer before?" Prince Clavis asked, sipping his orange juice.

"No, I haven't, Prince Clavis."

His eyes sparkled. "Have you ever had any alcohol?"

I frowned. He was getting an idea, I was sure of it, and I didn't like it. "No."

"What do you do to unwind?" Prince Jin asked, clearly baffled.

I couldn't help but smile at his expression. "There's more to life than drinking and women, Prince Jin."

"I'm curious, too. What do you do to unwind?" Prince Clavis asked.

"I like to read."

"So Chev is your type ," Prince Clavis said with a sly grin.

I blushed again. "Just because I like to read doesn't mean I get along with everybody else who likes to read, Prince Clavis."

"He's not her type, Clavis. She's too sweet and innocent for the likes of him. I bet Leon's more her style."

I glanced over at the clock again. "Prince Clavis, if I'm going to make it on time, we need to be going."

He downed the rest of his orange juice. "Be back soon, Jin. I've got to deliver our little dove safely to her nest."

He helped me up into the carriage and again sat beside me with that devious smile. "Alright, so the tavern isn't your thing. I guess I'll have to come up with something else for our next date."

I sighed heavily. "Prince Clavis, I'm not interested in you, or Prince Jin, or anybody else."

"You are a tricky one. Don't worry, I'm not giving up on you."

I looked out the window for the remaining few minutes of the ride. He didn't say anything more, but I felt his eyes on me the whole time. Finally, the carriage came to a stop, and he helped me out, kissing the back of my hand.

"Rest up, little dove. You'll have a busy day tomorrow."

I pulled free and left without so much as a goodbye.