A Dove's Tale

Chapter 14

“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 sofa 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 neatly into the category of ‘big brother’ to me, but I wasn’t entirely sure he intended that kiss 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 said, wearing 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 at that. “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,” he said, his golden eyes sparkling 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 with 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.

“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.”

“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.”

That was true, and 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 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. Unfortunately, Prince Clavis was back.

“Hello again,” he said happily.

I stifled a groan. “Hello, Prince Clavis.”

“Is my dear older brother taking you to the theater today?”

Was he talking about Prince Jin or Prince Chevalier? Not that it mattered. I knew nothing about a theatrical performance, and I wasn’t going anywhere with any prince.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, your highness, but I have nothing planned for today except work.”

“Perfect! Then you won’t mind going with Licht.”

I looked up at him in confusion. There were too many princes involved in this conversation already, and I was still in the dark.

“Prince Clavis, I’m working,” I repeated. “And when I get done with work here, I have to go home and take care of my mother. You know that.”

“Licht will be so pleased,” Clavis continued, as if he hadn’t heard me. “You’d better take these tickets to him right away. And don’t be concerned if he doesn’t answer the door. Just go on in and leave them somewhere he’ll see them.”

My mind was spinning as he shoved some paper in my hand and pushed me to the door.

“Prince Clavis-”

“The tickets are hard to come by, and these are only for tonight’s performance, so you’d better hurry!”

“But-”

“Ah, where are my manners? Of course, you need an escort. Unfortunately, Chev has some important business for me, so you’ll have to forgive me for not coming along for the fun. Licht’s room is across the hall from Nokto’s. You know where that is.”

“I-”

But the library door had already closed behind me, Prince Clavis was halfway down the hall, and I was standing alone in front of the door, bewildered. I looked down at the papers in my hand. There were two tickets and a note. Printed on the tickets were the name of the theater troupe, today’s date, and the performance time. Six o’clock. Prince Clavis knew full well that I wasn’t going to any performance at six o’clock. I sighed and looked at the note, but it was illegible, either written in bad handwriting scribbled in haste or in some sort of code.

Well, at least I could count on Prince Licht not wanting to talk to me, if he was even in his room. This interruption shouldn’t take me more than a few minutes. I headed down the hall toward the bedrooms, hoping this was the last prince interaction of my day other than Prince Chevalier.

When did he become the easy one to deal with?

I knocked on the door Prince Clavis indicated, and the thought crossed my mind that he could have told me the wrong room. There was no answer. I knocked again, a sense of anxiety rising in my chest. Still no answer. I took a deep breath and called out, “Prince Licht?”

Nothing. But it was midday, and he was probably out working. I let myself in, hoping I had the right room, and it was empty.

“Prince Licht?” I called again, squinting into the darkness. With no candles and no uncovered windows, I couldn’t see a thing.

“What are you doing here?”

His cold, hard voice nearly made me jump out of my skin. My eyes were gradually adjusting to the dim lighting, and I could just make out the shadows of furniture. The distinctive metallic smell of blood permeated the air and turned my stomach. I swallowed down my trepidation and forced my voice to remain calm.

“My apologies for disturbing you, your highness, but Prince Clavis wanted me to deliver these tickets to you.”

“Shut the door.”

I did so, my heart pounding out of my chest. The outline of his shaggy head of hair was across the room from me, and a soft thunk sounded as he set something down on a table, followed by a rustling - fabric or paper, maybe? I focused on the table, and to my horror, I realized the object he’d set down was a bloody dagger.

“E-excuse me,” I said, spinning quickly back to the door. Quick footsteps overtook me as I fumbled with the doorknob, and a rough hand clamped over my mouth and jerked me back.

“Don’t scream.”

His breath was hot on my ear, his muscled torso hard against my back, and the smell of blood followed him. I was shaking all over, barely able to breathe from the tightening of my chest, let alone scream.

“When I let you go, you will not scream, and you will not try to leave,” he continued.

I somehow managed to nod. As suddenly as he’d grabbed me, he was gone. I closed my eyes and released my pent-up breath in a gasp. His footsteps retreated, and the rustling came again.

“You dropped something.”

The tickets and the note. They’d fallen from my trembling fingers when he grabbed me. I bent over to pick them up, wishing I’d just ignored Prince Clavis and gone back to work. There was no table near the door, just the one the bloody dagger was on, and I slowly turned around to face Prince Licht again. He was sitting on the bed shirtless, and he was wrapping bandages around his arm with practiced ease.

“Whatever Clavis says, leave me alone.”

Already planning on it.

“Y-yes, your highness.”

He finished bandaging his arm, and the rustling came again as he returned his first aid supplies to a box and slid it under his bed. It suddenly hit me what was going on. He had cut his own arm with that dagger, and he had bandaged the wound. And he did this often. A wave of nausea washed over me, and I averted my gaze as sweat broke out on my forehead.

“Are you going to give me those?”

He crossed the room and stopped right in front of me. I held out the tickets and note without looking at him or speaking a word. They left my hand, but the warmth of his body, strange in this chilling atmosphere, didn’t move away.

“Do not tell anybody about this.”

“Y-yes, your highness,” I whispered.

“Go.”

That was all I needed. I bolted from his room into the glaring light of the hallway and ducked into Prince Chevalier’s room without a second thought. The sunlight streaming through the windows hurt my eyes after the darkness of Prince Licht’s room. I darted into the bathroom and knelt over the toilet, vomiting my lunch, the cold of the porcelain soothing under my shaking hands. The smell of blood still stung my nostrils. I climbed to my feet and went to the sink, staring at my reflection. Pale, sweaty, shaking, fine black hair coming loose from my ponytail, green eyes wide with fright. No blood on my uniform. He must have grabbed me with his uninjured arm. The arm he hadn’t cut open. Another wave of nausea hit me, and I was back at the toilet, dry heaving.

It was over. I had to pull myself together and get back to work.

Just a few more minutes.

When did Prince Chevalier’s bedroom become a safe place for me?