As the maids left to follow her instructions, Maxi went down to the kitchen. Preparations for the welcome feast were well under way, and the place was buzzing with activity. While Maxi oversaw the progress, her mind kept returning to the image of Riftan and the princess standing side by side. It was a magnificent sight fit for any fairytale ballad: a golden-haired sorceress who was radiant as the sun, and the dashing knight next to her.
No wonder people wanted to see them wed.
Maxi anxiously bit her lip. Was there truly nothing between the princess and Riftan? Although the princess seemed to be eccentric, there was no doubt that she was extremely charming. If even Maxi found her attractive, then how much more alluring must she be to men?
“My lady?” A servant’s voice pulled her from her thoughts. “We are about to slaughter a lamb for the feast. Will you be watching?”
Maxi had been blankly staring out of the doorway leading outside. As her eyes focused, she finally noticed the lamb tied to a post and the man with a bushy black beard sharpening a knife. Not having the heart to witness such a scene, Maxi gave the servant an awkward smile and spun on her heel to scurry out of the kitchen.
Out in the sunlit hall, maidservants bustled about with their arms full of linens. Others, their sleeves dripping wet, lugged pails of hot water from the steam room. The rhythmic chopping of firewood resonated from the rear gardens, and even the stable hands were busy tending the guests’ horses.
Maxi gave clear, methodical instructions to ensure that the guests had everything they needed before they gathered in the banquet hall. First, she gave directions about drawing baths, providing soap, and gathering clean towels. Then, she instructed the servants to bring out wine, biscuits, and preserved fruits should anyone need refreshments before the feast.
She had two long tables moved into the hall so she and Rodrigo could carefully select tablecloths, candleholders, and tableware. The gold, silver, and glassware were prone to theft, and it was her duty as lady of the castle to keep track of how many were laid out.
As costly gold candelabras and silver trays were brought out from the storage room, Maxi recorded every item in a ledger, careful not to miss a single plate or piece of cutlery. She went over the count twice before moving on to confirm the quantities of candles, firewood, produce, and wine that they would need to last the night.
It was unheard of for a feast to run out of food or drink, but it would not do to waste good ingredients by preparing an excessive amount. The trick was to prepare just enough without going overboard….
“My lady.”
Maxi was busy taking stock of wine barrels when she saw Ludis approaching her with measured steps. “What…is it?”
“The princess wishes to know if you could show her around the castle. What shall I tell her?”
“R-Right now?”
Visitors usually rested once they arrived at a castle, but Princess Agnes was apparently still bursting with energy after traveling the length of Wedon.
Maxi quickly finished jotting down the numbers and handed the ledger to Rodrigo. When she stepped outside the banquet hall, she saw the princess gliding toward her, now having donned a deep blue dress.
“Thank you for preparing such a lovely room for me. The tapestry is especially nice.”
“I-I am glad it is to your liking, Your Highness,” Maxi answered timidly.
The princess flashed another dazzling smile. “You don’t have to be so formal. Please, call me Agnes. I would like to call you by your name, if that would be all right?”
Maxi’s lips parted as her brain raced to keep up with the flurry of requests. Dazed, all she could do was nod blankly at the princess’s satisfied smile.
“Wonderful. Now, let’s start outside.” Without waiting for an answer, the princess took Maxi’s arm and started pulling her down the stairs. Feeling like a buoy in a storm, Maxi followed behind her.
—
Never had Maxi imaginedthat the princess would treat her so favorably. It left her utterly confused. Had the princess not wanted to marry Riftan?
“I suppose Riftan is in the annex with the knights?” Agnes glanced at Maxi curiously.
Maxi’s expression hardened slightly at how easily her husband’s name fell from the princess’s lips.
“H-He may be…Your Highness.”
“Then I suppose I’ll have to wait to ask him for a tour of the training grounds. Can we go up the walls? I’d love a good view of the castle’s surroundings.”
Maxi hesitated for a moment before nodding and ushering the princess to a narrow path on their right that cut through the forest. It was a route normally trod by the sentries. After following it for a time, they arrived at a stone stairway leading up onto the outer wall. The patrolling sentries spotted them and immediately bowed in greeting.
Maxi explained her outing with the princess, and the sentries bowed them through to climb the steps. It was still early spring, and although the weather had warmed, the wind blowing off the mountains was icy. Agnes climbed up first and stood at the edge of the battlement, her long skirt fluttering behind her like a banner. She closed her eyes, breathed deeply, and stretched in the lashing wind, perfectly at ease.
“What a beautiful place.”
