Her attempt at prevarication was so blatant that I could see there was no point in pursuing the matter directly. “What were you both doing in the kitchens?” I asked instead. “I didn’t know you spent much time there, Lottie.”
Tara giggled. She didn’t used to. But then I let her know that Samuel always spends his mornings there if he isn’t on duty. I dragged her along with me because I have this brilliant plan to—
Embarrass me. Lottie sounded glum. You know that’s all that’s going to happen, right?
Don’t be so pessimistic! You’re nice and you’re pretty, too. I’m sure Samuel would like you if you gave him the chance.
“And if he doesn’t, he’ll have to answer to me.”
I peered around in confusion. “Is this the right way?”
Oh, no, sorry we were supposed to take that corridor back there. Tara’s voice was moving away, so I followed it.
“You know I should make you both carry a candle or something, so I know where I’m going,” I said.
That’s a good idea! said Lottie. Two candles detached themselves from the nearest sconce and floated to a spot just ahead of me. One of them dropped slightly and then moved away from the other.
We started off again, and I watched the bobbing candles in fascination. “This really is one of the strangest things I’ve ever done.”
Only one of? Tara sounded amused. If this castle isn’t the strangest thing you’ve ever encountered, your Arcadia must be a very odd place indeed!
“You’re forgetting that competing in the Princess Tourney was what got me here in the first place. And I don’t know if anything could top some of the things that happened there.”
What was it like?
It must have been terrifying!
I shrugged. “I had my sister with me which helped. As for what it was like…” I looked down. “We’re forbidden to talk about it.”
We know what that feels like. Lottie’s quiet words sounded sad.
I bit my lip. It wasn’t really fair of me to be trying to coax the servants into talking about something that might get them into trouble. But I was helpless, lost in the dark without information, and I didn’t know how else to get it.
I cast around for something I could say to brighten the mood. “You know, something has just occurred to me. When you carry candles, or bowls or blankets, I can see them, floating through the air. Why can’t I see your clothes?” My eyes grew wide. “Please, please tell me you’re not all naked in this other realm?”
What?
No!
Tara dissolved into giggles. Oh, can you imagine! She drew a deep breath and then went off into another round of laughter.
Definitely not, said Lottie in a more dignified tone. Our personal possessions, like our animals, came with us. Only the communal items belonging to the castle remain with you, able to be touched by either of us.
“It was a rather ingenious solution,” I murmured quietly to myself.
Solution, Your Highness?
“Never mind. Are we nearly at the theater?”
Yes, it’s just here. Both candles stopped outside a nearby door, and then the door itself swung open. Stepping inside, I saw a reasonably sized room with several rows of tiered seats. A small platform at the front of the room was framed by red velvet curtains, and gilt statues lined the edge of the room.
“Goodness!” I blinked several times.
It is a little gaudy, isn’t it? said Tara.
It’s certainly not much fun to dust.
“What use is there for such a room in a castle that hosts so few guests?”
Oh, that’s just Prince Dominic. Apparently, some crown princes in the past used to like to bring large groups of nobles down here with them. They would have readings and recitations, and even small plays on occasion.
I certainly could not imagine Dominic sitting in one of the spindly chairs. It would probably collapse beneath him. I walked down the series of broad, shallow steps and stood on the platform facing the chairs. I tried to imagine them full of brightly dressed nobles and had to blink again. If the room was overwhelming now…
Still. “It seems a pity for the room to sit unused.”
Oh, it isn’t unused, said Lottie. The servants use it all the time. Some of the maids can recite beautifully, and the pastry chef can sing the most incredible opera. Even the stable boys sometimes put together humorous routines. I must have looked shocked because she hurried to reassure me. Only on our half days off, of course. Usually we all have different days off, spread across the week. But once a month we have an extra half day all together. The kitchen leaves out a cold meal for the prince, and they clean up the scraps the next morning. I suppose you would have missed it since the last one happened while the prince was ill. Naturally the medical staff would not have considered taking time off in such a situation.
“How considerate of Prince Dominic.”
Oh yes, agreed Tara. Several of the maids started out working in the capital, and they said they never got an extra day like that there. But it’s been the way here for several years.
“But he always seems so…well…”
Terrifying, you mean? asked Lottie.
I nodded, but my mind flew back to the time when Dominic had been ill in bed. I had wondered then if despite his brusque behavior to them, the servants had a reason to be grateful to him.
His ill-humor was bad enough before…well, you know, before, said Tara. I’m sure I couldn’t speak to him without my knees knocking together. But he always makes a point to set up systems for his staff that are more than fair.
Lottie murmured her agreement. As long as you stay out of notice, you don’t get roared at, and then he’s an excellent master.
“What was he like before?” I asked, following Tara’s lead in not mentioning the curse. “I can’t imagine it.”
Well…Usually Lottie was the cautious one, so Tara’s hesitation made me dread what was coming next. He was a little less angry, I suppose.
I stared in their vague direction. “That’s it? A little less angry? His parents die, his kingdom is cursed, and he’s transformed into a beast, and he only becomes a little angrier? What in the kingdoms was he like before?”
Tara giggled. When you put it like that…
It’s true that he was angry and proud and rude before the curse, said Lottie, surprising me with her honest speaking. But he wasn’t nearly so bad. My family has worked at this castle for generations, and they told me about the good years here after King Nicolas was crowned. After he became king, Queen Ruby used to come down here alone, except for the children, for long visits to work on her rose garden.