5

My chance to head out to the front of the building comes at an unexpectedly perfect time. Here I am, just washing dishes like a good girl, when all of a sudden there is a commotion at the front of the Tavern. I know that I am not supposed to go out there unless called but I cannot help but peek my head around the corner to see what is going on. 

In walks four of the Royal Guardians with Prince Francis in the middle of them. He looks around the room quickly before finding a table that is free. As soon as he walks over to the table with his guards the surrounding tables all clear out to give them some privacy. Not that they are not all still straining their ears to listen or anything.

Mary walks in just as I get back to washing dishes and gives me a click once over. I am not sure what she is looking for but she seems satisfied with whatever it is. She walks over and stops right next to me and just waits for me to set down my dishes. I do so and turn to her with a polite smile that makes my face feel like it is going to break.

"Laina, perfect, the Prince is here and he is thoroughly against anybody but nobility serving him. He does not like to have the common person close to him. Would you mind taking care of that table?" Mary asks me.

Most maids would be nervous to make a mistake when waiting on the prince so I have to reel in my excitement. It would appear suspicious to seem excited about the prospect of waiting on him when the wrong move could have me sent to prison. Or worse.

"I.....are you sure that I am the best choice?" I ask hesitantly.

When she nods her head I make sure to visibly gulp as I wipe my hands on my dress. She quickly walks me over to a cabinet along the wall and hands me a dress and apron to change into. She gives me strict orders to wear my hair back but to make sure that the length is still visible so that they do not question her choice as a waitress.

Quickly, I rush into the storage room while she keeps guard. Flinging my own dress to the ground I quickly pull on the one that she gave me. It is a little baggy on me but it is not falling off so it will have to work. It is crimson with black lace along the bodice and bottom hem of the dress. Simply cut, if it were to fit properly then it would most likely look quite beautiful on me. As it is, it still looks okay but I feel odd having my clothes not fitted properly. It makes it harder for me to move around the way that I should.

One good thing to come of the loose fitting gown, I can fit all of my knives onto my arms and legs without them being noticeable. My own dress is made to conceal them but this dress would not work the same way if it weren't for how oversized it is. I smile as I conceal no less than 10 knives on me before bundling up my dress and exiting the store room.

Mary is waiting on me and she takes my dress from me then tosses it into a corner for later. She walks over and begins to pin my hair back so that it is running down my back in soft curls. She really is quite a miracle worker in such a short space of time. Just as I am about to walk out to wait on them she rushes over one more time.

This time, she is holding a wash cloth in her hand. I sigh as she begins to wash up my face and hands. My face still has all of the grime from my trip over here. My hands are already remarkably clean after the time spent doing dishes but she insists on washing them off anyways. With a nod, she then gives me a slight push towards the door.

When I walk out there is a man waiting for me with a tray of tankards. He hands them to me as I make my way towards their table. Now, I just have to make sure that I do not spill any of this on their Prince. I glance into the tankards and find they are all filled with ale. Good to know that our kingdom is being protected by a bunch of drunks as they already look like they have had a few.

Knowing that it would look suspicious if I study the prince too closely, I instead look at the table and keep my head down as I set their drinks in front of them. I respectfully give the Prince his first before moving around and giving each of the others theirs as well. Before I can take a respectful couple of steps back the Prince waves me forward.

"Come here, girl. Take a drink out of my cup before you leave." He commands.

Taken aback I stammer, " But....why?"

"Are you questioning me?" He asks with raised eyebrows. "Fine, I will tell you why but only this one time. After this I expect you to do as you are told without questioning it. If it is poisoned then I want you to try it before I do. That way I can see how it affects you first."

Well, isn't that a little morbid. Living your whole life wondering if you are being poisoned would definitely get old after a while. While I bristle at being commanded to do something, I still step forward and reach for his tankard. Knowing that it would look suspicious for me to take only a small sip a take a decent sized chug before setting it back down in front of him and stepping back. That is when I notice his eyes on me.