After the other kitchen maids and I had introduced ourselves, I spoke to the group as a whole.
“I’m so sorry that Pharis forced you into such an unnatural and uncomfortable silence all this time. As you’ve probablyknown him longer than I have, I’m sure you already know how beastly he is. I can’t imagine how difficult it must be to work for him.”
There were shaking heads and confused looks all around.
“No, miss, he isn’t ‘beastly’ at all,” Nansia said.
“Prince Pharis is good to us,” Kalinda said, and the room was filled with nods of agreement.
“He’s generous,” one of the footmen said.
“And kind,” said another.
“He’s a bit cranky at times,” the chef told me, “but who isn’t? It’s nice to have him home. We all miss the Prince when he isn’t in residence.”
What?Had Pharis swayed them all to say only nice things about him?
Shock almost prevented me from speaking, but Korbin’s remark and Pharis’ protracted absence from the dining room had me wondering.
“Is he not in residence now then?” I asked.
“Oh no, he’s here,” Bretton said. “He’s just been… busy. I’m sure you’ll see him again soon.”
“And every night he’s been—” Kem stopped herself mid-sentence.
Apparently the vow of silence had ended, but not her loyalty to the Prince’s privacy.
The near-miss seemed to remind the rest of the staff of their duties.
Clearing his throat, Chef Korbin said, “It’s time we all returned to work. Have a good night, my lady.”
The room cleared except for Kem, who wrapped her arms around me and evanesced us both back to my room.
Though the space was luxurious and beautiful, I was growing tired of its confines.
“I could really use some fresh air,” I said to her. “Do you suppose you could evanesce me outside tomorrow?”
“I’d love to, my lady. But I’m not sure if it’s allowed.”
“Could you find out?” I asked.
Adding a heavy layer of facetiousness to my tone, I said, “Perhaps your ‘generous,’ ‘kind’ employer wouldn’t begrudge me a peek at the ocean and fall foliage? Or a look at the rest of the castle. Unless he’s keeping me tucked away in here because he doesn’t want me to see what he’s been up to?”
“Up to?” Kem asked.
“Scheming and plotting with his allies. You don’t have to cover for him. I know he’s planning to try to overthrow the King.”
Kem laughed out loud. “You are funny, my lady. I thought for a moment you were serious.”
“You know you don’t have to say, ‘my lady’ when you address me,” I told her. “I’m a commoner.”
“But you’re a guest of the Prince,” she said, “and he clearly holds you in high esteem.”
Leaving me to stand on my own, she moved to the bed and turned it down for me.
“I think Prince Pharis is keeping you ‘tucked away in here’ as you say because he wants you to rest and fully heal. And he hasn’t been visiting while you’re awake because?—”
“While I’m awake?” I asked, cutting her off. “Do you mean to say he’s been visiting my room while I sleep?”
