I was walking back to the office hall when suddenly my messaging pigeon came flying to me. It sat on my shoulder, there was a tiny paper rolled and tied to one of her legs that contained my message. I took the letter and let it fly back.
It was a short message written by Min Ha. She asked me to meet her in the woods at the back of the servant's quarter after lunch.
I guess she had interesting news and I wondered what it could be!
I went to my work as usual and then at lunchtime went to have lunch at my usual place. Though I was excited, I can't be seen hurrying or eager to leave, just in case someone was keeping an eye on me.
You can call me paranoid but that has saved me lots of times in these kinds of jobs. Sometimes even I couldn't tell if I was being tailed when I'm distracted or too excited because believe me, at the time of your excitement you let your guards down and your precious sixth sense doesn't work anymore to alert you of dangers. And one moment of bad luck and the next thing you know is Boom! you are caught by your enemy! Better be safe than regretting later.
After eating with deliberate slowness I still finished earlier than usual, guess I wasn't succeeding much at my slowing down. So I wasted some time chatting and wandering lazily around with my co-workers. After what felt like forever, I finally slipped away from the crowd, slowly and casually. I walked to my destination like I didn't know where I was going, so even if someone notices my departure, it would seem like wandering around for a walk.
I came to my destination but it was deserted. I put one hand over my mouth and made a low sound of a peacock, it was our signal. After the third call, Min ha stepped out of a deep bush and smiled at me. I stepped closer to her and said my greetings and asked what was it about. What she said next made me delighted.
She said excitedly, "When you were summoned to the Queen's palace earlier today, I took your place to serve the prince! And you know, as you expected, I got some interesting information for you!" Her eyes were twinkling, she was carefully waiting for my reactions. She always tries to help me and make me happy. She was like a younger sister to me. I smiled at her encouragingly and asked, "You did a great job! What did you hear? Tell me all in detail Min Ha! I knew having you here with me will bring luck to me."
She was someone who only talked necessary words when needed or else was always silent, it was one of her many talents I loved. So, she went straight to the point with much drama. She said, "Prince Shen took away the royal title and position of the minister of royal accounts. Because the prince found clear evidence of his huge corruption and many other crimes. He even stole gold bars from the royal accounts. The prince confiscated the minister's fortunes and sent him to jail. The minister denied all his offenses and was so raged, he seemed like he wanted to take revenge and even kill the prince, what with all the swearing when the guards were dragging him away."
I was shocked though I knew Prince Shen was a very righteous man because it was very brave of him to offend those powerful people like the minister, he will surely look for revenge and the crown prince has yet to ride the throne!
Then I asked Min Ha, "How did you see all these?!" She smiled, "I went behind the hall outside and listened by the back window. I was actually on cleaning duty before I took your place and pretending to clean the window!" I was impressed by her wittiness. I thanked her for this valuable piece of news but also warned her of the possible dangers. I shouldn't drag her to dangers with myself. If anything bad happened to her I won't be able to forgive myself!
(Time Skip)
Today is the day of the party. Everything was properly arranged and the decorations were almost done. I was checking everything for the last time and after it, I have to get ready and go behind the Queen and play my role of the loyal servant of her!
The sun is setting and the horizon was in a beautiful shade of pink. The musicians started to fill the atmosphere with such beautiful music and the Orions has started dancing on the stage. The royal guests were already present.
The Queen and the Prince were entering the circle together and I was behind them in the group of their personal guards and servants with bowing heads.
When they entered the music changed to a different melody smoothly, in a royal welcoming and every guest stood up and bowed before them and greeted them together.
"Greetings to your majesty!!!"
The Queen and the Prince took their seats and asked everyone to take their seats.
I was just enjoying these royalties and observing everyone here. My instinct always made me observe everything for probable dangers everywhere I went. I couldn't find anything suspicious except some of the guests' smiles and cheerfulness seemed fake. But they weren't important. There were always some cowards and greedy people in the palace who never liked the royal family because they had power which they wanted for themselves!
The Queen talked with all the guests and exchanged casualties. Everyone was enjoying the beautiful performances.
After some time food and drinks were served.
The Queen successfully brought the topic of the Prince's consort selection, saying how he needed a wife to take care of him and blah blah...
When the time for serving drinks came, I poured the drink into her majesty's cup. She toasted for the Prince's success and prosperity.