Chapter 13

MILA

The castle doctor bandaged up my hand just fine. The ointment he applied was soothing, and I felt better already. Even though there was still a stinging sensation, the doctor assured me I would be cleared to cook the next day.

There was a knock on the infirmary door, and Felix and Isabella entered. Isabella was still pouting, but Felix looked happy to see me. I sat up a bit straighter at their arrival.

“We came to check on the patient,” Felix told the doctor. “How is she doing?”

The doctor smiled and bowed. “Yes, she will have a full recovery, Your Highness. Her hand was burned, but it will be fine in the morning. It was a good thing you brought her in as soon as you did.”

Felix nodded and dismissed the doctor before turning to me. “You’re sure you’re feeling all right?” he asked.

“Yes, thank you,” I murmured. “I appreciate your kindness.”

“You need to replace my dress, you stupid klutz,” Isabella snapped. “You ruined it. I deserve compensation for my trouble.”

I gaped at her dress. It easily cost more money than I would ever earn in a lifetime. There was no way I could pay for a replacement.

“I can pay for it to be cleaned,” I offered timidly. “Or I can even clean it myself. Coffee stains will come out in the wash.”

Isabella stomped her foot.

“Do you have any idea what this dress is made of? It simply cannot be washed. Especially not by peasants,” she spat.

I was once again filled with a sense of hopelessness. It seemed like every time I had success, I messed it up somehow. My burned hand was karma for all my mistakes.

Felix saw my expression. He turned to Isabella and said, “That won’t be necessary. I will cover the compensation. Perhaps five pieces of similar value? Would that satisfy you?”

Isabella sniffed, but I could tell her resolve was dropping. It was clearly an offer she couldn’t refuse.

“I’ll accept that,” she said finally. “But I don’t understand why this girl is so important to you that you feel the need to go to her rescue.”

Secretly, I had been wondering the same thing. Why was Felix being so kind to a lowly chef who had done nothing but screw up in front of him?

“She’s a very important chef for tomorrow’s banquet,” Felix explained calmly. “In fact, she is invaluable to the event as a whole. It would be in your best interest, Lady Isabella, to not bother her.”

Isabella huffed and stomped out of the room. Felix turned to me, kindness in his eyes. “I apologize for her behavior,” he said softly, before walking out himself.

It was honestly really nice to hear those kind words from him. It was clear he valued my skill set, and was willing to overlook my mistakes as a result. Tomorrow, I needed to put my best foot forward and do my best not to disappoint him.

I resolved to return the necklace to his bedchamber tonight. Once that was off my chest–literally and figuratively–I could move forward with a clear conscience. If the Prince really was just looking for a repeat of our night together, and not just on the hunt for a thief, then maybe I could reveal my identity to him. Someday.

Not today, though.

Besides, he had said the necklace was a matter of life or death. It clearly meant more to him than I had originally realized. I needed to return it as soon as possible.

Back in our shared room, I tried my best to ignore Fiona, but it was difficult. She was annoying and buzzy, like a housefly, and kept making ridiculous and unreasonable demands.

“You’re not allowed to have any closet space,” Fiona declared. “It’s all mine.”

I said nothing. I had no interest in engaging with her.

“Don’t you dare use the bathroom after 5 p.m, either. You’ll waste all the hot water, and I need a long bath at night. And you’re not allowed to make any noise whatsoever,” Fiona continued. “It will bother me in my sleep. It’s probably best to keep your breathing as quiet as possible.”

My eye twitched, but I kept my thoughts to myself.

“How was your little tea party?” Fiona flopped down on my bed, not caring as my belongings got squished in the process. “Did you mess up and humiliate yourself in front of the royal family again? I bet you did.”

I couldn’t help it. I involuntarily flinched. Fiona saw my reaction and started laughing.

“Oh my god, you did, didn’t you?!” she exclaimed, unable to contain her glee. “You are so, so stupid. Just a clueless little American, way out of your depth. What’s wrong with you? Why are you so bad at everything?”

It was as if I had been transported back ten years and thousands of miles, and Nadine was sitting across from me at the dinner table, making a mockery of my whole life.

Something inside me snapped.

“Don’t act like everything has been my fault,” I hissed at Fiona. She frowned. “I know what you did with the prickly pears this morning. I don’t know what I did to make you hate me so much, but sabotaging Samara’s big day? You’re a shameless, small woman.”

Fiona became defensive, instantly leaping to her feet and glaring at me. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“I think you do,” I said, staring her down.

“You have no evidence,” Fiona cried out. “We take slander very seriously here in Fresonia. Keep that up and you’ll be fired, and even better, deported.”

I held Fiona’s gaze. For the first time in many days, I felt... confident. Calm.

“Don’t stir up any more trouble for me,” I told her. “Prince Felix has specifically requested my presence here. I take my job seriously. I advise you to do the same.”

Fiona’s jaw dropped. I ignored her and walked out of the room.

In the hallway, I gathered my thoughts. Maybe it had been stupid to let Fiona get under my skin. But I had been walked over my whole life. It felt nice to finally fight back a little.

Once nighttime fell over the castle, I started my plan. Fiona was fast asleep in the bed across from me. I put on my darkest clothes, grabbed the necklace, and prepared to sneak out of the room.

The castle was dark at night. There were not many torchlights to brighten the hallways. All the better, perhaps, since it would hide me. I heard some servants pass up ahead, and I hid behind a pillar.

I had made the effort earlier today to map out my route to Felix’s chambers. Even in the dark, I knew my way. I was relying on the Prince spending the night in the city, but even if he wasn’t, I could be quiet.

I found those carved doors easily. I ran my fingers over the raised images of dragons and knights, something about their faces drawing me in. I remembered my mission and snapped out of it.

I slipped the necklace off my neck, preparing myself for a quick escape. I clutched the stone in my hand and started to push open the door.

From behind me, Isabella said, “What are you doing here?”