6. Chapter 6 #2
“Yes, he returned from a diplomatic mission to Ravencairn the same night you arrived—and has been in a mood ever since. Prince Kavian is at university and Caelmir went on a voyage, but no one knows where.” She tilted her head in a conspiratorial way. “Rumor is the queen asked him to go.”
“Why?”
“Might be in search of a wife. Might be looking to make diplomatic relations. Might be searching for buried treasure, for all I know.” She laughed at her own joke.
Strange. I wondered if Prince Tavric would answer me if I asked him about Prince Caelmir’s voyage.
Not that it mattered. If his schedule ever slowed down, there were plenty of more important things I’d like to discuss with him.
As it was, I had continued to breakfast in the dining hall the past few days despite all the commotion and knowing we would not likely have a chance to speak.
I did my best to catch his eye and give him a smile as often as possible, because for some reason, no one ever seemed to smile at him despite the fact that he was clearly uncomfortable.
Unfortunately, with each passing day, the amount of sideways looks I received from staff and nobility alike increased. All the important people who milled around the prince did not like my presence, but they never said anything about it; they just wrinkled their noses and looked away.
I fully expected someone to tell me to leave.
Or ask when I was leaving. Or insinuate in any way that I should be leaving.
But none of those things happened, and I realized it was time.
Tavric had been so welcoming, and Queen Ondyra was a delight, but I couldn’t continue to rely on their hospitality.
I wasn’t afraid of hard work, and when I’d climbed from my tower, I had never imagined living in luxury and being waited on day in and day out.
I’d planned to work, and there was no better time than now to do something about it.
So I returned to the village the next day, dressed in my own dress instead of the very fine ones that the queen had lent me, and instead of exploring and looking for ways to spend a few coins, I inquired about work.
But the tailor said he didn’t need any help, and the way he looked at my homemade dress—which was admittedly a different style than most wore—made me think he wouldn’t have hired me even if he were desperate.
I spoke with the owner of a tavern, but he just waved me off with a brusque, “Can’t afford to pay no one else.”
The result was the same at the bakery and the dress shop, which left me standing in the middle of the town square, chewing on the side of my thumb, feeling small and inconsequential and wondering what to do next.
I couldn’t think of anything else that I would be good at.
I was happy to learn a new skill, but if no one would even give me a chance…
I let out a sigh and turned to the young boy who was playing the role of my tiny escort. “What am I doing wrong?” I asked, not expecting an answer.
He squinted as he looked up at me, which made his nose wrinkle. “You come from the castle.”
My brow lifted. “What?”
“You’re a guest at the castle. No one is going to disrespect the royal family by hiring you.”
“But I need work.”
He shrugged. “They don’t know you. They only know you come from the castle.”
To the castle I returned, disheartened and frightened as the uncertainty of my future weighed heavily on me.
The nobility continued to snub me and the servants disapproved of my presence, but the queen and Prince Tavric continued to act as if I were welcome.
I wondered what I should do. At some point, one of them was bound to realize that I could not continue to stay here indefinitely, and when that time came, I had no confidence that I’d be able to find work to support myself in the village.
When I found Amilee the next morning, she told me about her position as laundress, as well as some of the other positions held by the myriad of servants in the castle, and that gave me an idea. What if the prince could help me to find a suitable position here in the castle?
So on my sixth day in Islewyn, I walked to the dining hall, expecting another chaotic breakfast scene but determined to stick around until I could have a word with Prince Tavric. Instead, I found only the prince, sitting in silence by himself.
He looked up at me and smiled in a way that I hadn’t seen for days. “Good morning, Lyri,” he said.
“Good morning, Your Highness.” That was the appropriate way to address him.
I’d called him Prince Tavric for the first day, but after noticing the odd looks people would give me, I realized that everyone else called him Your Highness.
I crossed to the narrow table, which I now knew was called a sideboard, and filled my plate.
As soon as I sat, I launched into my speech, worried that at any moment, someone would rush in demanding his attention.
“Might I speak with you about something?”
He looked over at me, apparently startled by the conversation starter, but then offered a soft smile. “Of course,” he answered.
“I cannot thank you enough for your hospitality. You’ve been truly gracious, but I do not feel right about imposing on you any longer. I think I must find a way to earn my keep elsewhere.”
He seemed to freeze, as if both his face and his voice were stuck. Had I surprised him? Offended him? I was suddenly horribly aware of how little I knew about etiquette and socially acceptable interactions. “Do you not agree?” I asked tentatively.
“I—” He stopped and cleared his throat. “I know I have been busy, but I had still wanted to show you around a bit more.”
“That’s very kind of you, and I have been so grateful for the use of your horses and your suggestions for where I should go, but I do not want to impose.”
He frowned. “You are not an imposition.”
“That’s kind of you to say.” I looked down for a moment, remembering all too well the countless times people had looked at me as though I were nothing but an imposition.
“And you do not owe me anything,” he said, fidgeting with his napkin. “I hope you know that. You are not in my debt.”
“I know, but…I can’t stay here as your guest forever. I need to do something to support myself.”
“If you are looking for ways to feel useful or productive, there is plenty here you could do.”
“Oh?” It was a relief to hear him say so.
“You’re practically doing it already. I’ve seen you helping the laundress, and I’m certain she’s glad for the help.”
I wrung my hands in my lap, realizing he wasn’t talking about an official job. “I can sew. In fact, I enjoy it.”
He looked almost relieved. “There is always plenty of work for someone who knows their way around a needle.” He stood and walked closer to my end of the table, pulling out the chair beside me and sinking into it so that he was facing me.
“I understand your need to support yourself. If you need a reliable position, I’m certain that can be arranged, but please don’t feel like you need to be in a rush to start.
From what you’ve told me, you’ve more than earned the right to just be in the world and see what it holds.
” One corner of his mouth twitched up. “I’d like to give you that opportunity, at least for a time.
Please stay,” he said with quiet earnestness, reaching out to cover my hands with one of his. “As my guest. As my friend.”
A sweet warmth filled my chest. “Are we friends?”
His lips only curved up the slightest bit, but his eyes were warm. “Yes, Lyri, we’re friends. There is plenty more of the kingdom for you to see, and I’ll find the time to show you—I promise.”
Nothing would thrill me more, and it was sorely tempting, but I worried that if I stayed as a guest for too long, I might want to stay forever.
However, the prospect of having Tavric show me more of his land wasn’t something I had the strength to reject, nor did I want to. I bit my lip to lessen my grin.
When I nodded, he squeezed my hands once more and then went on his way, leaving me to marvel at his words.
Prince Tavric was my friend, and he wanted me to stay. Even without my gift, he thought my presence was worthwhile—and that was an odd thing to accept. Odd, but wonderful.