"Unfortunately I do not know. I was told that I could use anything in this room for you. I found the box in the closet."
Lyana wondered if that was such a good idea, when this jewelry was so valuable. Would the king mind it? On the other hand, she had worn his mother's white fur cape again and again without him complaining about it. So that shouldn't be a problem either.
Alisen had just helped her into her dress when there was a knock on the door.
It was Baridi who wanted to accompany her to the dining room. But when he saw her, he suddenly
winced.
"Are you okay?", Lyana wanted to know uncertainly. She found that she was dressed very appropriately. Maybe she should have put on yesterday's blue dress again?
"No ... no, everything is fine, Your Royal Highness. Please forgive me. You look really lovely. I assume that you like the color pink?" With a wave of his hand he indicated to her that they could go. Lyana straightened her skirt and left her room. "Well, I guess a lot of young women like pink.
It's a very cheerful color. It always reminds me of spring." She glanced at the valet, but his expression was impenetrable.
"I guess that's true," she heard him mumble softly. Something didn't seem right, but Lyana didn't dare to ask what. In addition, they had already arrived at the dining room and this time she would probably dine with the king again, because he too had just walked around the corner.
When he saw her he suddenly stopped. All color seemed to have drained from his face and his
mouth was slightly open. But Lyana had no idea how to classify this reaction. It was just as strange
as it was with Baridi when he saw her. Did it have something to do with the color of her dress? Was
King Ulric going to get angry again? Those who forbade songs could also forbid certain colors.
Finally he started moving again and stopped in front of her again, but this time to open the door for
her. "Princess," he said in a strangely weak voice.
She curtsied and walked past him into the dining room. It was as if his eyes were burning holes in
her back. But that wasn't enough, he also straightened her chair. All without losing a word of
mockery. Slowly Lyana felt like she was sitting across from a complete stranger instead of the tyrant who had brought her here.
Even when the food was brought, the king did not speak to her. He just looked at her with that
impenetrable look she didn't know how to interpret.
As soon as they had finished eating, the king got up and was about to leave the room. Next to her chair he stopped again, his gaze fixed straight ahead. "I think another color suits you better.
Tomorrow we will go to the village and buy new clothes for you." With that he went and left a
speechless Lyana. Nothing in his tone had been angry or derisive. Almost as if his thoughts were somewhere completely different.
She sought Baridis attention, but he only looked embarrassed at the floor. So he had suspected all
along that the king would react like that. What was going on here? Was it just the color of her dress?
He probably hadn't even looked at the clothes in the closet. Why else would he have something to
complain about every time?
"We should go into the kitchen now," she reminded Baridi, who was finally able to look her in the
eye again. "Of course, Your Royal Highness. Please follow me."
He led her through a few side doors until they got to the kitchen. The servants immediately dropped
everything and lined up in front of them.
Baridi let the nervous Lyana step forward. She wasn't sure what to do, but surely Baridi would help
her if she did something wrong. "I'm very happy to meet you all. You have probably already heard
who I am and why I am ... living here. As of today, I was also given responsibility for the castle's
housekeeping. So I hope for a good cooperation." She peeked briefly at Baridi, who had nothing to add. "Well ... I think we should start with a new menu and then you are welcome to come up to me
and talk about problems or wishes. Who is responsible for choosing the food?"
A middle-aged man stepped out of the line. "That would be me, Your Royal Highness."
"Okay, let's go to a table first and discuss everything." She looked at the valet. "Baridi, could you please keep us company? You probably know the king's eating habits best." He bowed slightly and followed them.
Since the food already tasted very good, Lyana just tried to find a slightly more balanced selection.
Together with these two men, that wasn't a big problem either. The plan was drawn up and a list of
the necessary food was written. During the visit to the village the next day, everything could be taken care of.