I folded the cloth and went on with dusting the side table.
“Black tea, no sugar and no milk, coming right up.” She handed him his cup, lifting the saucer towards him with both hands.
Aegir took it in one hand; with the other, he touched his breastbone. “What’s this?” he asked, referring to her necklace.
“Oh!” She cupped it in her palm and held it up, allowing him a closer look. “It’s a tiny stuffed creature. A cat. Delia made it for me for my fourteenth birthday.”
I rubbed at an invisible stain.
“Howthoughtful of her.”
“Would you also like a carob sweet?”
“Well, I can’t say no to that, can I?”
Sabi let out a small giggle. “Here you go.”
“Are they any good?”
“The sweets?”
“Mmhmm.”
“I cannot be the one to tell, unfortunately.” Sabi exhaled. “You see, we are not allowed to eat royal food, Lord Hailin.”
Smart girl. She chose her words wisely and did not mention that Lady Devora allowed her to have breakfast and dinner with the twins.
“Royal food?” Aegir asked, raising a quizzical brow.
“Mmhmm. You know, things like fruit or food that is fresh and sweet and anything yummy, basically.”
“Hmm,” he said, brows knitted. But then his tone turned full of mischief. “And you are telling me that you have never, ever, ever had one of these little sweets?”
Sabriela’s freckles disappeared beneath her flushed cheeks. She tried to hide her reddened face by looking at the floor.
“That’s enough prying, Lord Hailin,” I cut in. “Leave, Sabi, before he gets you into a heap of trouble.” She nodded with a sheepish smile.
“Wait,” Aegir said. “Here, you have it. For your birthday.” He opened his palm towards her.
She looked at me in search of approval. I hesitated, but then gave her a small nod. She took the sweet, hiding it in her dress pocket.
“Thank you, Lord Hailin! Bye, Delia.”
“Bye, Sabi,” I replied, before she closed the door behind her.
“I wasn’t prying, you know, and you didn’t have to cut my fun short like that.” His voice was something in between a complaint and a tease.
“Fun? Is that what amuses you? A threatened and hungry ch—”
A loud thud came from behind the door, followed by a muffled crackling noise. I rushed to open it, Aegir in tow. Glass shards and carob sweets were scattered all over the carpeted floor. Sabriela stood next to the trolley, lips tightly pursed.
“I’m so sorry,” Sabi blurted. “Delia, it was an accident, I swear it slipped from my hands.”
“It’s all right, Sabi, I’ll help you clean. Let me get the bucket.” I exited Aegir’s room and closed the door behind me, leaving him on the other side of it.
I knelt next to her and instructed, “Pick up the sweets and I’ll pick up the glass shards. Be careful where you place your knees or you’ll cut yourself.”
She bobbed her head and quickly did as told.
