Page 38 of Glass Hearts
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I am absolutely beat at the end of the evening of my first day. After completing the dinner service, Margie hands me my very own tray of vegetarian goodies. I take it up to my room instead of opting to dine with my coworkers. Grayer’s outburst, witnessed by a few, has spiraled into whispered staff gossip, and now I feel the cold distance as people avoid me. Lovely.
Though I can’t help reminiscing and wondering about one of the conversations I had overheard earlier as I eat my butteredpeas.
“I wonder if she is sleeping with them all. They are known to like sharing one woman in bed.”
“At the same time?”
“At the same time!” She squeals back in confirmation. “Though, they don’t normally go for people like us.”
“Well, the way Prince Archer removed Prince Grayer and called her ‘the help,’ she definitely hasn’t been with him. Such a shame. I would love to run my hands through his snow-white hair.”
“I would rather run my hands down ALL of their abs… and lower.” They giggle as they walk off.
It doesn’t take a scientist to know they were talking about me. Normally, I couldn’t care less if people were gossiping about me. But if Bernice were to overhear, even if false, I fear what she would do to me.
All the more reason to get out of here and find that dang mage.
Arabella
The next few days become the same. I go to work; I sneak stolen glances at the Princes that are too damn handsome for their own good and then I go to sleep. I can feel myself getting antsy—needing to do more. Not only because I miss being The Shadow, but because my heart does something odd every time I see the Princes with the other ladies.
Yes, I can feel their eyes on me occasionally, making eye contact ever so fleetingly. Yet my betraying heart wonders what it would be like to be one of those ladies. What would it feel like to get up for the day, get dressed in a beautiful gown, and then have breakfast with gorgeous princes? Koi and Grayer have tried to come over to talk with me, though either a council person or the other two princes usually interrupt them.
“Morning, Arabelly! Kip with a report!” Kip scurries up. Standing on his hind legs, he gives me a cute little salute. He watched a wartime play once, and ever since then, every ‘spy mission report’ is followed by these formalities. Not that I am complaining, I love their little personalities.
“What did you find, little friend? Where is Bert?”
“Firstly, the castle is quite heavily guarded. And many cats! But… I think even if we could get past the castle enforcers and cats, we may have a bit of a harder time getting past those princes… Also, Bert is still watching the princes. They don’t seem to love the courting events.”
“What do you mean, getting past the princes?” I sit up a little straighter.
“They… They sort of have been taking turns in the evening, making sure you don’t leave the room. When you leave, to say, grab a snack—which, thank you again for that brie, gotta love a soft cheese. Am I right? Though it is paired best with crackers; perhaps next ti—”
“Kip, focus.”
“Right—Right! Sorry Arabelly. What was I saying.. cheese, prince—right, YES. They follow you everywhere in the evenings when you aren’t working. The other day, when you went to grab a snack for us, Prince Koi was sneaking in the shadows. They stand guard outside your door—I think they worry you will try to leave.”
“Controlling bastards!” I whisper yell.
“Oh, none are outside of your door currently, Arabelly.”
“The audacity they have! Also, what business do princes have standing guard over their servant and prisoner?! Sheesh.” I cross my arms as I pace.
“Well… Bert seems to think that the Princes fancy you. We catch them looking at you all the time. And when they are not at the courting events, they are asking each other about you.”
“Pfft, probably making sure The Shadow isn’t on the loose, and they are just keeping tabs on me. That’s why they are talking about me.”
“Whatever you say, Arabelly!”
A knock on my door interrupts further questioning.
“Morning, Ella!” I hear Bridgette through the door. “May I come in, you decent?” I walk over to the door and open it to see my new friend. She has her dark curly hair down today and two coffees in her hand. She hands me one.
Each day we have become closer and closer. Turns out her father is a councilman. Councilman Alec Thibaut, a powerfulhealer. They are loaded financially, and Bridgette and her mother, Margie, don’t have to work at the castle. Yet they choose to. They see the Princes as a part of their family, so to them, they aren’t serving the crown, but helping their family. To be loved like that must be special. I bet those princes take advantage of or don’t appreciate that love.
“Who were you talking to?” She looks around my room.
