Chapter 10

Clara

I worked twice as hard in my new duties as Nora’s personal attendant. I was determined to pay her and Prince Gideon back for improving my station in life. I was no longer among the lowest ranked servants, and I was grateful.

I avoided the other palace maids. The tasks prince Gideon assigned me made that simple. I only cleaned his room and Nora’s. Both rooms could be locked while I cleaned, so I was safe from bullying while I worked.

Prince Gideon kept his rooms neat, so it took me only a short time each day to clean. Nora knew how hard maids worked. She was careful not to leave too big a mess for me to pick up.

Sometimes she would linger in her room while I cleaned so we could spend time together. Nora talked about how exciting it was to be Gideon’s mistress. I couldn’t talk much, because I needed to use my hands to work. But I grinned at Nora’s enthusiasm and laughed at her jokes.

I wanted to ask Nora how things had gone with Gideon. But if I did, I would have to admit that I had eavesdropped. That would be too embarrassing.

I made sure to go to the kitchens early to prepare Gideon and Nora’s meals. I already knew Nora’s favorites and made sure to claim a serving for her. I was learning Gideon’s preferences, too. I could ask the cooks for advice, but they were always busy. I didn’t want to bother them more than I absolutely had to.

I was surprised to see Nora in the kitchens. As Prince Gideon’s mistress, she wasn’t expected to do servant’s work anymore. Maybe she was looking for a particular treat. I wondered why she wouldn’t just ask me to get it, though. It was my job now.

I saw her go to the wine selection, and understood. She was picking out wine for dinner. She must want to surprise Prince Gideon. That was sweet.

I busied myself gathering their dinner. That night I chose simple fare. I gathered a hearty, savory stew in a soup tureen. I accepted a plate piled high with soft, warm bread rolls to go with the stew.

When I looked over at the wine again, Nora was gone. I assumed she had found what she wanted and left. But I saw that the wine she’d selected was still there.

I hesitated to take it at first. Had Nora rejected that selection for some reason? Or had she left it for me to deliver?

The butler saw my hesitation and stalked over. He was a stern, proper man. He ruled over the palace servants with an iron fist.

I watched him warily, expecting to be cuffed for loitering or being slow. My old supervisor would have taken any excuse to hit me.

The butler hadn’t struck me yet. In fact he’d been scrupulously fair. I was just used to the higher ranked servants taking their anger out on me.

“You need to be smarter,” the butler said.

“What do you mean, sir?” I signed. I was careful to sign slowly. The butler knew some signs, but he told me he was more familiar with battlefield signs than my more complicated version. He had been a warrior before he retired into service in the palace.

“Take the initiative, don’t just wait to be ordered. You’ll advance faster if you please both of your masters,” he explained.

Oh, that was good advice. I bowed in thanks and gathered up the wine. I would show it to Nora first and make sure it was the one she wanted. If it wasn’t, I would be sure to take the blame for the mistake. The last thing I wanted to do was get Nora in trouble with Prince Gideon.

When I reached Prince Gideon’s room, though, Nora wasn’t there. I decided to set up dinner so it would be ready for her.

“Hello,” Prince Gideon said when I walked into the sitting room.

I curtsied, since I couldn’t bow with a full tray of food.

“Going to try to pour the wine again?” Prince Gideon asked.

I blushed. I was still embarrassed about soaking him with wine that first night.

“I can pour my own wine,” Prince Gideon said. “Your wrist is still healing, isn’t it?”

I nodded. My bruises were mostly gone. But the wrist had been badly sprained, so it took just a little longer to fully heal.

I handed Prince Gideon the wine bottle and the corkscrew to open it with. He popped the cork out easily and poured a healthy portion into his wine glass.

He sat back in his chair and swirled the wine lightly to let it breath. He gave a deep, appreciative sniff.

“This is a good vintage. Good choice,” he said.

I signed that Nora had chosen the wine, but Prince Gideon had taken a deep sip and may have missed seeing my hands move. That was a problem sometimes. People had to watch closely when I signed. If they looked away, they missed things. But if I pointed it out, they got annoyed with me.

I motioned to the food and tilted my head in question. Did he want me to serve the stew?

“No, I’ll wait for Nora,” Prince Gideon answered my silent question. “It is only polite. Would you like to go now to find your own meal, or would you prefer to see Nora before you retire for the night?”

I knew Nora would want a private dinner with Prince Gideon. However, I wanted a chance to explain that she should tell Prince Gideon that she had chosen the wine so that he’d compliment her taste.

I signed that I would rather wait, and Prince Gideon nodded and took another sip of the wine.

After a few minutes, I noticed that Prince Gideon started to look uncomfortable. He shifted in his seat. His brow beaded with sweat.

I thought he was full healed from the poison, but maybe there were some lingering effects. I wondered if I should go and call for help. I hesitated because I wasn’t sure who to call for.

Prince Gideon sniffed the air a few times. I turned towards him and saw that his eyes were fixed on me. His breath was coming faster than I thought was healthy. I could see his pulse pounding in his throat.

Something was wrong. I turned to the door, meaning to go find a healer.

Before I could, Prince Gideon was on his feet. He grabbed me and shoved me against the nearest wall. I froze in his grip.

I should have tried to get free. But I couldn’t. He was too strong.

And his tough felt good. I didn’t understand. His scent washed over me, and all I could do was look up at him as he stared into my eyes.

He leaned close, put his nose to the joint between my neck and shoulder. Was he going to kiss me or bite me? I shivered as I realized I would welcome either one in that moment.

He took a deep breath. I kept myself still, unwilling to break the strange tension of the moment.

He shook his head slightly and leaned back. His grip tightened and he shook me a little.

“Did you drug me?” Prince Gideon demanded.