“The dungeon? No! No! No!” He hurried down the stairs to Hugo’s side. “The king was very clear. There’s been some confusion, and you’re to be treated as a guest. I’m taking you to a lovely room. Some new clothes are waiting for you. I’ll drawyou a nice hot bath. We have the silkiest soaps you’ve ever seen. The chef is making a special snack for you.” The servant smiled and motioned for Hugo to resume walking. “Come. You’ll love it. I promise.”
“A guest?” he repeated while looking over his shoulder at the two guards who hovered a few steps away.
“Don’t mind them. They’re just there for your protection. The king is worried that you’ll get lost in the castle if you go wandering about. They’re here to help you.”
Uh. Huh. Help me.
More likely to keep a close eye on him to make sure he didn’t go poking in places he wasn’t permitted. However, it sounded like he was getting a bit more freedom compared to being locked in a cell in the dungeon. That could be useful.
Except…
Hugo hurried up the stairs to catch up with the servant. “What’s your name?”
The servant brightened. “Peppercornelius Fitzwilliam.”
“Really? That’s a bit of a mouthful,” Hugo stated, fighting hard not to show his shock.
The young man appeared to be about Augustine’s age, and he flushed red. “It is. My parents thought it sounded regal, like I was some nobleman’s son, but it’s simply ridiculous.”
“No, I like it. You have a unique name. I’ve never met another Peppercornelius.”
“Most of the other servants call me Pep or Pepper. It’s easier.”
“May I call you Pepper?”
He nodded, his round head bobbing vigorously on his slender neck. “Sure. That would be fine.”
“Pepper, can you tell me if Prince Everand of Branem is still being kept in the dungeon? Has he been shown to a room like me?”
The servant cringed, and his eyes shifted over his shoulder before staring straight ahead, seeming to purposefully avoid meeting Hugo’s eye. “I can’t say. I’ve only been assigned to you. It’s not my business what happens in other parts of the castle. My duty is to obey the king’s wishes, and he wishes for me to see that you are properly taken care of.”
Hugo lowered his voice and leaned closer to Pepper. “Please tell me. Is he in the dungeon?”
Pepper winced, and after a couple of seconds, he gave a tiny nod.
Hugo sighed and stopped at the top of the stairs. This wasn’t going to work. “Pepper, will you take me to the dungeon? This isn’t right. I can’t accept the king’s generosity if my prince is still in the dungeon.”
Once again, Pepper hurried to his side, his face going from flushed to pale in a blink. “No, you can’t reject the king’s gift. It would make him furious. He never has guests staying at the castle.” He dropped his voice to a whisper. “Besides, if you accept the king’s generosity, wouldn’t that make it easier for you to persuade His Majesty to allow the Branem prince to move to more comfortable accommodations?”
A frown tugged at Hugo’s lips. He had a lot of questions about the king’s so-called sudden generosity. What game was he playing at? He didn’t want to become a piece for Prince Everand and King Victor to shove back and forth on the game board.
“I heard through the grapevine that Prince Everand cares a great deal for you. Wouldn’t he want you to stay in a comfortable room? He would want you to be warm and happy.”
“Yes, but I’m worried about him alone in the dungeon.”
This wasn’t right. Tempting, but still wrong. He started down the stairs, intending to find his own way to the dungeon if he had to. He was not leaving Everand alone. If they didn’t tell Everand what was happening, he would panic, convinced that somethinghorrible had happened to Hugo the moment he was out of his sight.
“Wait!” Pepper rushed past Hugo and squeezed between him and the guards blocking Hugo’s path. “I wasn’t supposed to mention this until later, but the king wishes you to join him for dinner. You’ll want to wash and change clothes for that. And! You can request that the king grant Prince Everand a better room. If he doesn’t agree, you can ask to go to the dungeon. That’s a good idea, right?”
It was…better. A little.
“Why am I not surprised that you’re the one clogging up the staircase?” Heavy footsteps accompanied the question. The two guards jumped aside and came to sharp attention, saluting Captain Ryze, but the commander ignored them, keeping his glare locked on Hugo.
“You know, it’s getting late in the day. Shouldn’t you be getting home to your family?” Hugo mocked, flashing the captain a tight smile. He’d had enough of King Victor’s games and not-so-subtle attempts to torment Everand. Hugo was in no mood to be someone’s pawn. Unfortunately, since he couldn’t take his foul temper out on the king, he had to direct it at Captain Ryze.
“I would be home if it weren’t for a certain troublemaker causing problems once again.”
“I’m behaving.”
