Prince Eldren

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Service and Surprise

~Ariee~

Fiona practically skipped on the marble as we left the King’s chambers. Her smile was wide, triumphant, the kind that made my teeth grind.

She was acting like she just won a war.

“You saw that, didn’t you?” she gushed, voice practically trembling with excitement. “He… he didn't speak too much! And yet—oh, Ariee, he looked at me! I’m telling you, every gesture, every breath—it was all for me!”

I tried to keep my face neutral, but my stomach twisted. All for her? Please. The King’s icy stare didn’t scream “admiration,” it screamed “you are about to meet your end.” But Fiona didn’t care. She never did.

“And tonight,” she continued, glancing around to make sure we weren’t overheard, “I will hear the punishment for both of us… if any. While I spend time with the King, you…” she jabbed a finger at me, “...will observe and handle all the details, including the manual labour...”

“I—my lady—” I started, hesitation thick in my throat.

“Ariee, no interruptions!” she snapped, her excitement barely contained. “You’re to report everything. Everything! Don’t make me regret bringing you along.”

I swallowed, trying to argue that maybe it wasn’t the safest plan. I never even wanted to come along in the first place! But before I could even open my mouth, a sharp chime rang through the hall.

The bell. The signal.

We froze. Fiona’s eyes sparkled like she was about to experience something incredibly fun, but mine went wary, knowing I would have to clean her messes again.

A herald stepped forward, robes perfectly pressed, holding a scroll on a silver tray. He cleared his throat, voice firm:

“Candidates and attendants of the competition, attend!”

I stiffened. Attendants. That meant Fiona and I, the servants, were included. My pulse quickened.

“The next task,” the herald continued, “will be service to the crown. Groups will be assigned at random to members of the royal household. This includes all candidates and all attendants officially attached to them.”

Fiona’s eyes widened, then narrowed with a gleam I recognized too well. She thinks this is all about her, I thought, teeth gritting. That the king somehow included attendants to make things easier for her.

I rolled my eyes. Was she even listening to that entire conversation?

“Random,” the herald said again, letting the word hang in the air. “There will be no favoritism. Every group will serve as assigned. Any disobedience or disrespect towards the royals will be duly punished.”

Fiona clapped her hands softly, practically bouncing. “Did you hear that, Ariee? Random! This is perfect. Just imagine—me, right there, so close to the King. He’ll have no choice but to notice me!”

“I…I think we should wait and see,” I murmured, trying to temper her excitement. “You never know what…”

The herald raised a hand, silencing all murmurs. The trays of folded slips appeared behind him, golden and gleaming. Each slip bore the name of a member of the royal household. A servant, like me, would automatically follow the candidate they were attached to.

Fiona leaned closer, voice dripping with glee. “Ariee, my little shadow. This is our moment. I’ll win him over this time for sure and you’ll witness everything. Every detail.”

I swallowed hard. “M-my lady, maybe it’s…”

“Shhh!” she interrupted, pressing a manicured finger to my lips. “No complaining now. This is your task too. Do you want to disappoint me?”

I did. More than anything.

The first candidate stepped forward, picked a slip. A hush fell over the hall as names were called. Group assignments. Eyes darted around nervously. I stayed at Fiona’s side, fingers gripping the edge of her sleeve. My heartbeat thumped in my ears.

I prayed to any God that was listening that we would not be assigned to the King. That would be a very cruel fate.

Then the herald called, “Lady Fiona Delaine Carden!”

Her chest puffed with pride. She stepped forward like a queen, hand brushing the folds of her gown, eyes sparkling. I followed automatically. Of course I do. Why would I ever think I had a choice?

She reached for her slip with a flourish, unfolding it delicately.

Prince Eldren.

I froze. Relief slammed into me first. It was not the King!

Fiona’s smile faded into disappointment..

But who was Prince Eldren anyways?

The door swung open without warning. Conversations died instantly. Boots echoed against the marble floor. Slow. Confident.

“So…”

A lazy voice drawled.

“These are the ones assigned to me?”

My blood ran cold.

I knew that voice.

No.

No, no, no…

The air shifted. My stomach plummeted as I turned in the direction of the voice.

Curly dark hair. Tall. Commanding. Every movement lazy, full of a kind of arrogance that made the room shrink around him.

He scanned through Fiona's group. And then those striking green eyes landed on me.

Recognition hit like a thunderclap. My chest tightened, my stomach dropped, and the world narrowed until it was just us.

This… this was Prince Eldren?

Recognition flickered in those eyes.

“Well…” His lips curved slowly. “Isn’t this interesting.”