“Thank you for letting me know. Have you had a chance to fill Tara in on my requests?”
Yes. And I want to thank you so much for asking for me. Tara jumped in to speak for herself. I never dreamed of such an opportunity, and I want to assure you that you can absolutely rely on me. I will not allow another soul to cross your doorway. I will guard it with my life.
I chuckled despite my fatigue. “I hope that won’t be necessary, but I appreciate the sentiment.”
It will not be necessary, Your Highness. Did I imagine Lottie’s slight stress on my title? The staff have all been informed of your orders, and none of them would defy you.
Tara sighed. But if they did, we would protect you.
We would not, however, wish you to feel unsafe. Was it possible to hear a glare? You need have no fear of the staff here.
A bubble of amusement welled inside me, and I desperately wished I could see their facial expressions. They were as much of an ill fit as I had imagined, and I briefly felt guilty for forcing them together. But, the decision had already been made, and I suspected they would make a good team, even if they couldn’t see it now.
You look tired, Princess Sophie… Tara sounded hesitant, and I suspected she would have liked to substitute the word tired for something stronger. Of course, Lottie wouldn’t have commented at all.
“I will admit I have something of an aching head.” I gently massaged my temples before smiling in their direction. “Your master is not the easiest person to talk to.”
Don’t tell me he chased you off before you finished your meal again?
Tara!
Tara ignored Lottie. Would you like me to fetch you some food from the kitchens?
“There is no need, I ate enough.” I sighed. “He does have a bit of a temper, doesn’t he?”
It’s gotten ever so bad since the curse, Tara agreed.
But you’re tired, interjected Lottie. Don’t let us keep you up talking. We’ll help you undress.
As she spoke, I felt the laces at the back of my dress loosen, although I could not feel her hand. I had to suppress a shiver at the strangeness. I had made her experiment with me earlier, and nothing we tried had allowed either of us to make contact with the other. I could not see her, of course, but she had assured me that she was attempting to place her hand on my arm. And yet, each time she got close, her hand seemed to veer away, skimming just above the surface of my skin. I was just glad she could still touch my clothes.
On the other side of the room, a large jug of water lifted into the air and began pouring water into a basin. Tara’s voice sounded from that direction. I would love to see you tell him off one day. I can’t imagine being brave enough myself.
I snorted, and my laces jerked. I suspected Lottie would soon be losing some illusions about princesses and their elegant ways.
“Don’t worry, my knees knock together so loudly he can probably hear them.” I stepped away from the dress which now pooled at my feet.
Tara giggled, so I decided to push for a little information.
“How did he become a Beast? He was obviously a normal man once.”
My dress, which had been floating away from me, paused, and a small splash of water missed the basin and landed on the table.
Oh, how clumsy of me! I promise I’m not usually so careless. Tara sounded breathless as the jug floated down to the table and a towel mopped up the spill.
Any lingering uncertainty disappeared. They had been told not to speak to me about the curse. Which meant I would need to be much less direct in my future attempts. And also, that it was time to resume my search of the castle.
The next morning, I woke to a fresh breakfast laid out next to my bed. No one answered my tentative morning greetings, so it seemed my new maids had already left the room. I ate quickly, eager to return to my explorations. By the time I had finished eating, Lottie had announced her arrival and stood ready to help me dress.
I considered asking her to be my guide, but I worried that such a task might make her uncomfortable. Especially given she was still adjusting to her new role as my maid. Plus, I wasn’t sure that I could take a full day of being called ‘Your Highness’ every five words.
So, once again, I found myself wandering alone through the rooms of the castle. I soon found myself in a new section, one that seemed even more expensively decorated than the parts I had already seen. I shook my head. Such a large building to house only one prince. Yet another example of the Beast’s selfishness.
I had managed to turn myself around in circles twice when I heard a small voice.
What are you doing? Gordon spoke from a shadowy back corner.
“I’m learning my way around the castle. What are you doing?”
I’m hiding.
“Hiding from what?”
From Gilda. She wants me to scrub pots. She says it will be good for me. I don’t see how.
“That is certainly a little mysterious.” He sounded just the way I had always felt when forced to study mathematics. “You seem very young to be working in the castle.”
Gordon sighed as if he had the weight of the world on his shoulders. That’s what I always say. I’m only nine years old, after all. One of the grooms has a son, Michael, who’s nine, too. And he’s always running around outside. But Gilda says that if the prince is housing and feeding me, I must earn my way. She says I need to learn to be grateful. He sighed again. Sometimes it’s hard to be grateful. Especially when I want a second sticky bun, and Gilda says no.
I carefully kept any amusement off my face. “Does Gilda have the care of you? What about your parents?”
I don’t know my parents. Apparently, some of the grooms found me out in the stables when I was just a baby. I wish I could have stayed out there. He sounded dejected.
“In the stables? You’d like to live with the horses?”
With old Matthew. He’s a right one. A more energetic note entered his voice. Have you seen the way he handles the horses? There’s not a one anywhere in the kingdom he couldn’t calm right down. Even the prince has things to learn from old Matthew.
“It’s a pity that I am unable to see him, then. He sounds like a fine stable master.”
Oh, that’s right, I forgot. He spent a moment pondering my predicament. You would think it would be fun to be invisible. But it turns out it doesn’t feel any different from usual. Plus, what’s the use of it when Gilda can still see me?
“What use indeed?” I bit my lip. “So, you would rather have been a groom than a kitchen boy?”
Of course! Who wouldn’t? But, apparently, they all felt that a baby needed a ‘female influence’. Whatever that means. So here I am stuck with Gilda and all the scullery maids.
I couldn’t help feeling sorry for the boy, although he himself seemed much more interested in the horses than his lack of family. And as for the Beast…expecting a young child to earn his keep in such a way? I shook my head. It was despicable. Did he truly have no compassion?