Euphemia entered the dining hall. Like the rest of the palace, it was extravagant. A normal person would have been impressed at the golden chandeliers, the long Hogwarts-like table, and the handsome prince at the head of the table. Euphemia was not impressed. She just wanted to get out of the palace.
The prince smiled at her.
She also wanted to hit the crazy prince's face then get out of the palace.
The prince waved at her. He was sitting at the end of the table where the head should be seated. He gestured for her to sit beside him. Euphemia sat at the other end of the table.
"You're so far away, my lady!" Vincent whined and got up.
The prince sat on the chair beside her and smiled brightly.
"Now I can see your beautiful face up close!" Vincent said.
Euphemia's face scrunched up.
"What are you doing?" Euphemia asked, not bothering to hide her distaste.
The prince smiled innocently. "I'm just trying to converse with you, my lady. Do you wish for the servants to serve the food now?"
Euphemia's eyebrows furrowed. "You're disgusting. Go back to your normal self."
The prince laughed. His laughter was a lovely sound just like his mother's. He must have gotten it from her. The shiny looks and the nasty wickedness inside.
"You do amuse me so, Saintess. I am merely trying to woo you!" Vincent said with a smirk.
Euphemia narrowed her eyes at him. "You should get a doctor to check you. I can see that you have a short memory span. I will tell you again. I am engaged already so stop pestering me."
Vincent only laughed harder and Euphemia just ignored him.
The food arrived and it was a feast that couldn't possibly be finished by only two people. Utensils were served also and Euphemia noticed that there were so many of them because there were so many types of food.
The prince noticed Euphemia's surprised look at the number of utensils laid out in front of them.
"You can only use one for each food. You can't use the same fork for different dishes. It's part of your etiquette lesson but I'm teaching you now so you should be thankful," Vincent said with a bright mocking smile.
"You're really giving me etiquette lessons and you'll let me go?" Euphemia asked while she stabbed the steak and the potatoes with the same fork.
"Naturally, you'll be receiving etiquette lessons. We can't have you embarrassing the Imperial Family. Lots of ladies are vying up to be my queen and yet you're going to get that position because you're the Saintess!"
"I don't want that position and I don't want you," Euphemia said and slurped the soup loudly on purpose.
Vincent sighed. "The Duke just said you're not his fiancée anymore. You should be with me instead! Doesn't anybody want to marry a prince?"
"No. Get someone else," Euphemia said.
"I'm being kind to you, Saintess. I can throw you in prison if I wish but you're here eating delicious food and dining in the presence of a prince!"
"Your presence is spoiling the food."
Vincent chattered away incessantly. Euphemia ignored him and concentrated in eating. She knew she was pushing her luck with the prince with her rude remarks at him. He might really just throw her in prison so she should eat as much as she could first.
Euphemia began eating a slice of cake.
"You have cream on your cheek, my lady."
It happened so fast.
She felt his hand on her cheek.
Then his breath on her cheek.
"NO! GET AWAY FROM ME!" Euphemia shouted and pushed him.
She stood up, horrified at what almost happened.
The prince looked merely amused.
Was he going to lick her?!
"My lady, I was just trying to remove the cream," Vincent said with an innocent smile that could have made a lady swoon but it only made her skin crawl.
"You were . .. " Euphemia could no longer finish what she was going to say and touched her cheek to wipe off the cream.
There was no cream.
The prince chuckled. "You were lost in thoughts, my lady. It was the only way I could get your attention."
"You're not going to kill me, are you?"
"Of course not. A dead Saintess is useless," Vincent said.
"Good."
Euphemia picked up the plate containing the slice of cake she was eating and smashed it on the prince's face.
It was a childish move. It wouldn't even hurt him but it gave her momentary satisfaction.
The prince was too shocked to make a sound. While the plate was still on his face, Euphemia quickly grabbed the nearest knife.
She looked at the prince.
She wasn't going to kill him.
So she ran.
*
*
*
A cool breeze fluttered Hansel's hair and lifted it slightly from his shoulders. His light brown hair seemed to glisten under the moonlight. From a casual observer, he would look like a noble man out for a night stroll. He had an upright posture, an air of mystery about him, and he seemed to taking a rest in front of the Ashburn Residence.
Hansel was actually deciding which part of the hedge he should climb over. He was going to start climbing already when a voice suddenly caught his attention.
"Sir? Do you have business in here?"
Hansel turned. It was a maid. What should he say?
The maid was curiously looking at him.
"Are you Lord Hansel?"
Hansel's eyebrows jerked up in surprise.
"You are, aren't you? Do not fret, My Lord. My name is Annie. I am My Lady's trusted servant. She has told me about you," the maid said happily.
"Yes, I was just wondering how I could meet with her in . . . secret," Hansel said while his cheeks burned red.
"Oh, a tryst!" Annie exclaimed.
Hansel blushed even harder.
"N-no, it's not like that. I just wish to talk to her," Hansel protested.
Annie nodded. "No worries, My Lord. My lips are sealed. Come with me. There's a back entrance for servants. You can slip in there and I'll show you the way to her room."
Hansel's heart pounded.
This was no time for his heart to pound! He should be focused! His masters were in danger and he should be doing his best to help them!
Hansel followed Annie to the back entrance. Fortunately, they didn't run across any other people in the hallway.
"This is her room. It's unlocked. She is usually asleep already at this time of the night. Is she expecting you?" Annie asked.
"No, it's um a . . . s-surprise," Hansel stammered.
"Young love." Annie chuckled. "Don't make too much of a noise, okay? I'll leave you now. Have a nice evening, Lord Hansel."
Hansel couldn't possibly get more red.
Annie left and Hansel was now alone in front of Rubiella's room. Hansel slowly turned the doorknob and Annie was right.
Rubiella was already sleeping.
Her long red hair was strewn across her pillow. The moonlight casted light on her ivory skin and flimsy nightgown.
Maybe he should just leave. She looked so peaceful sleeping. A fire goddess in deep slumber.
Hansel turned to leave. The wooden floor creaked from his footstep.
"Who's that?" A sleepy voice asked.
Hansel looked back. She was awake.
Rubiella sat up. Her eyes fluttering, still not seeing who her visitor was. She covered her mouth and yawned.
Well, not fully awake yet. Half-awake.
"My lady, It is I." Hansel said.
*
*
*
Rubiella was . . . panicking. What in Heavens was Hansel doing in her room?!
Her hair was surely in a messy nestlike state. She was wearing a plain old nightgown. She should start wearing lacy silky nightgowns next time! And was she drooling in her sleep?!
Rubiella quickly ran her fingers through her hair trying to detangle it . . . in vain.
"Hansel! What are you doing here?" Rubiella asked.
"I do apologize for interrupting your sleep, my lady," Hansel said and walked over to the side of her bed.
"No, don't apologize. I was not yet sleeping anyway," Rubiella lied.
Hansel was very much welcome in her room but of course she wouldn't say that out loud. She was a proper lady.
"You can sit here," Rubiella said and patted the space beside her.
She was a proper lady just offering Hansel to sit.
"My lady, I bear unfortunate news. Lady Euphemia is in the Imperial Palace and I fear she is being held there captive," Hansel said.
"Oh no! How dare they?!" Rubiella exclaimed.
"His Grace, Duke Ashburn, is unable to help her. He is under a . . . slave contract."
Rubiella was confused. "I don't understand. How did His Grace become a slave? What do you mean by a slave contract?"
"Someone must have made him sign an innocent looking contract and it has been imbued with black magic to make him a slave. He has been commanded to break his engagement with Lady Euphemia. I do not know if there are other commands given to him and I can only help him with this."
Hansel looked incredibly tired and frustrated. She couldn't understand the whole picture yet but one thing was for sure. She wanted to help Hansel. Rubiella put her hand on his shoulder.
"What can I do to help?" Rubiella asked.