A maidservant rushed in to pick Konrad's silver plate. Lifting it, she bowed toward him, bowed toward the king, then prepared to take her leave.
"Wait. May his majesty dispatch one guard to make sure the girl doesn't embezzle or tamper with the food. I will also do the same."
Now, there was no longer any need for pretense, and Ernst failed to fake smiles.
"As you wish."
He then had a royal eunuch escort the girl, while Konrad dispatched a delegation member to do the same. Even if she wasn't well-versed in politics, the maidservant could feel the crushing weight of the plate she held. And the knowledge that she might be bringing poisoned food to a royal made her arms tremble.
If anything happened to the second prince, even if the king didn't immediately blame her, how could he not vent his anger on a later date? Without background, peerless beauty, or strength, a quick death was the best outcome she could hope for.
