The palace was more awake than usual at this hour. As they walked, a flurry of activity surrounded them as servants rushed about.
The low buzzing of voices and occasional barks of laughter drifted out to greet them as they entered the large room where the emperor and the royal family entertained their honored guests. Today, it was Crown Prince Lerek who filled his father’s seat, laughing at something Lord Galen, the son of Duke Ravos, was saying. The firstborn sons of the realm crowded the table, chatting and laughing, and largely ignoring her entrance behind Lady Maranou. A line of ladies stood against the west wall and turned to stare at her.
Sonah’s heart plummeted as Prince Lerek looked up and, with the most beautiful smile, greeted her warmly. His coppery brown hair hung to his shoulders in soft, shiny waves and his brown eyes danced as he raised his arms.
“Ah, there she is at last! Lady Sleepy, come, please, so we may eat our fill and ready ourselves for the journey!”
The other lords thumped the table and called out, joining the prince with shouted greetings. Sonah cheeks pinkened, but she squared her shoulders and lifted her chin, refusing to return any of their smiles.
Sonah looked at Lady Maranou over her shoulder. “Journey? What journey?”
The older woman pushed her forward, and Sonah tripped. She caught herself on the back of Lord Arron’s chair and the man whooped as he caught her wrist, steadying her.
A rush of blood flooded Sonah’s face and chest and she mumbled apologies while continuing toward the head of the table.
“If I’d known you’d planned a hunt at this ungodsly hour, I wouldn’t have kept you waiting, Your Highness,” she said with a deep curtsey as she reached Prince Lerek’s side.
He stood and hugged her good-naturedly, earning a frown from Lady Maranou and a deeper blush from Sonah.
His show of easy familiarity always made her feel awkward, especially in front of the other nobles, even after seven years.
“We both know you still would’ve been late, Lady Sleepy, but I’m glad you’re here.” Prince Lerek gestured to someone over her right shoulder and Sonah turned to see a servant bring a platter of meat, bread and cheese, while another came around the prince’s left side, setting down a cup of ale. The servants bowed and stepped back.
“And it’s not a hunt, Sonah,” he continued with a grin. “We’re to the north, to see the man who styles himself king of that wasteland.”
She started. Looking over at him, she furrowed her brow. “Oh.”
Lady Maranou loudly cleared her throat. Sonah shot her a sour look as she took the cup of ale. Lifting it to her lips, she noticed the expectant looks around the table.
“Bit early to be poisoned, I think, but let’s see,” she muttered and took a healthy swig of the bitter brew. She almost heaved, hating the taste—especially first thing in the morning—and set down the cup. She then selected a few bits of meat and chewed on it as she placed some cheese into a bit of the bread and stuffed it in her mouth.
Still chewing, she nodded in appreciation to the prince, motioning how wonderful and un-poisoned his breakfast was. Some snickers sounded around the table, and she saw Prince Lerek look across at the others with a small smile dimpling his left cheek as he winked.
When she was done, she lifted her skirts and moved toward the far wall where the other ladies waited.
The expectant glances from the lords bounced off her unnoticed while Prince Lerek took up his cup and sipped. There was a roar of applause when he lifted his cup toward Sonah with a small tilt of his head.
Sonah dropped her gaze and made herself appear bored. This ritual had been going on since she was ten. Being the center of attention for the short time it took to taste his food was agonizing, worse so because the other ladies always sneered at her for it, believing she relished the eyes of the prince and other lords upon her.
Quite the opposite; Sonah loathed attention of any sort. And it made her life at the palace difficult.
“When will you be ready?”
Sonah started as Lady Annalise, standing beside her, smacked her wrist. Her mouth opened when she noticed the way everyone was looking at her. Sonah turned to the prince, who was watching her as well.
“Your Highness?”
“Lady Sonah is ready whenever Your Highness is ready to depart,” Lady Maranou said, her voice carrying over Sonah’s mumbling.
Sonah threw the woman a questioning look. Of course, Lady Maranou didn’t bother to look at her charge.
“Good,” the prince said, setting down his ale. “You can ride with the Ladies Merina and Tollis.”
He must’ve seen how that news sat with her, because he gave her a wry smile. “I apologize for the inconvenience, Lady Sleepy. Blame my father. Luckily, we do not leave until midday. So, you have some hours yet to ready yourself.”
“But—”
Sonah flinched when Lady Maranou pinched her arm behind her.
