I watched Acte’s face tighten as if some invisible hand had just pinched it.
“I brought youMelantho, mistress.”
The princess finally turned and smiled. “Thank you, Acte. You are dismissed.”
Acte stiffened. “May I ask what you intend to do with the girl, mistress?”
“She is to be my handmaid while I reside here for the summer.”
My mouth fell open, surprise rippling through me.
“A handmaid?” Acte spluttered. “But…she’s just a kitchen girl, mistress. She’s not trained for such an esteemed position.”
“Then I will train her.”
“I must warn you, this sla—Melanthohas been known to have trouble with her attitude. She has not yet learned when to hold her tongue.”
“I can hold my tongue!” I interjected.
Acte gave me a despairing look before turning back to Penelope. “Do you see, mistress? If you wish for a handmaid, there are far better candidates I can offer. I am sure Queen Leda has one she can spare.”
Penelope returned her attention to her loom. “I appreciate your concern, but my decision has been made.”
“Does the king know of this?” Acte pressed.
“Of course. It was his idea I take a handmaid to make my stay more comfortable.”
“Yes, but does he know you’ve taken a kitchen slave?”
Penelope turned back, her brows floating upward. She allowed a silence to settle into the room, punctuated by the gentle clacking of the loom’s hanging weights.
“I have made my decision,” she said softly. “And you are dismissed.”
I bit down on a smirk as Acte’s cheeks reddened. She stared at Penelope for a long moment before finally forcing a rigid bow. “Of course, mistress. I apologize for overstepping. Forgive me.”
The princess’s sharp eyes followed Acte as she strode from the room. Once she had disappeared, the stiffness in Penelope’s smile peeled away, revealing something far warmer.
“Hello, Melantho.” She said my name with such familiarity, as if we were the oldest of friends.
Unsure what to do with myself, I bowed. “Mistress.”
Penelope rose and walked toward me. “Just Penelope is fine.”
I frowned up at her. She was at least a head taller than me. “You really want me to be your handmaid?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
She tilted her head. “Do I need a reason?”
I considered that a moment. “Did you bring me here for the sex?”
Penelope seemed to choke on the air, a pink flush creeping up her neck. She shook her head, at a loss for words, and I understood then that I had embarrassed her.
“Because that’s why our masters summon us, you know,” I continued. “That’s what my brother says anyway.”
“I know,” she finally managed. “Well…I know enough.”
