I awoke the next morning to a clear blue sky above me and a knock at the door. Before I could climb out of bed, the door opened and the servant girl from the previous afternoon entered the room with a food cart.  

As I hurriedly got to my feet, she glanced at me with a gentle smile on her face before crossing the room and placing my meal on the table by the hearth. She pushed the cart to the center of the room and turned to face me.

“His Highness, the First Prince Elantro de Vray, requests your presence after you’ve broken your fast, my Lord,” she informed me in a formal tone, “I will return in one movement’s time to escort you into his glorious presence.”

Wide-eyed, I nodded my understanding.

But wouldn’t I get into trouble with the Second Prince if I left? I couldn’t say no to the First Prince’s request, yet I feared the consequences of leaving the room without permission. 

The servant waited as I had my internal struggle, her intelligent brown eyes fixed on me, watching my reactions carefully. “Thank you, my Lord," she nodded, "I shall bring you a change of clothes upon my return as well, if it pleases you,” she added, eyeing my dirty travel outfit.

Yes, I certainly didn’t look the part of someone who was about to meet the future King. My travel outfit, while not low quality, didn’t match the lavishness of the Golden Palace at all. In fact, even the Palace servants I’d seen were better dressed than I.  

“Please be at ease and enjoy your meal,” she said with a small bow and left the room, closing the door behind her. 

I walked over to the table and sat down on the chair. Breakfast was a plate of sliced fruit served with eggs poached in a rich and creamy sauce. There was also a small basket of crescent shaped pastries that tasted like butter. Like the day before, I ate with too much enthusiasm, stuffing my cheeks full with every bite. I had never eaten food like this in my father’s house. If I discounted the times when I was left to starve, I was still only fed as well as the lowliest of servants. Even if that weren’t the case, I doubted that such delicious food was ever served, even to my father.  

On the road here, I’d been able to eat as much as I wanted at every meal, but we ate nothing but travel rations and poorly seasoned stews. It was filling, but never delicious.

But the food I’d eaten since arriving at the Palace was on a level akin to artistry that transcended mere cooking. Was this what food made by someone fit to cook for Royalty tasted like? It was amazing. 

After eating until I was full to bursting, I leaned back in my chair and carefully sipped a cup of hot tea.  As if she had sensed I was done with my breakfast, I heard another knock on the door. The door once again opened without me answering it, and the servant girl came in with her arms draped in fabric. She hurriedly shut the door behind her. 

“My Lord,” she said, bowing her head to me, “I hope the meal was to your liking. I have brought you some clothing to choose from, but might this humble servant be so bold as to offer you some suggestions?”

I nodded gratefully. I had no knowledge of clothing or fashion, so I couldn’t help but feel that this was a decision best left to someone else.

The servant girl looked at me silently for a moments, her expression similar to the one she wore the previous afternoon. I once again wondered what she might be thinking, but before I had a chance to think too hard about it, she laid three suits out on the couch for me to inspect. Except for the colors, they all looked the same to me. 

“I would recommend the dark green suit. It should highlight your eyes quite nicely. It’s also one of the more popular styles in the Golden City right now,” she advised. "It will accentuate your figure nicely and its high quality materials are worthy of a Marquis."

She sounded far too serious to be talking about something as simple as clothing, but I suppose that was to be expected in the Golden Palace. “However, I dare say we should bathe you before we dress you. If you could follow me, my Lord?” she requested, gesturing for me to follow her. 

Could I really leave? The Second Prince had said I couldn’t. I knew all too well that I was a prisoner, not a guest, and he wasn’t someone I wanted to make angry.

Seeing my hesitation, the servant smiled and said, “What you are worried about is not something you need concern yourself with.”

Her words sent a slight shiver down my spine. How did she know what I was thinking?

I’m not sure what expression I showed her, but it was enough to make her laugh out loud. Her melodious laughter was almost enough to calm the anxiety that raged within me. I didn’t know why, but I felt oddly at ease with this strange but kind servant girl.