Chapter 7 : We Can't Trust Her

It took a few trials to perfect the recipe, but I think I finally did the northern dish justice.

A Hoarfrost territory specialty: roasted duck over red curry.

Looking down at the dish I prepared, I felt a wave of confidence for the first time.

The duck breast was glazed in an herbal marinade, directly sourced from the palace's gardens, and was roasted to perfection. The curry was thick, but just rightly so, and the steaming potatoes in the sauce were golden brown.

I carried the dish under a silver platter which struggled to keep the steam in. I walked up the all too familiar marble staircase, this time in a dignified light-blue gown that graced my ankles, and powder-white flats, perfect for the airy spring day.

When I arrived at the prince's door, I was surprised, albeit relieved, to hear his Beta in there again.

Dylan seemed to be Prince Leonardo's polar opposite. He was respectful, kind, and warm even to me–the supposed enemy. Maybe he didn't see me as a threat.

I knocked on the door and their conversation halted. I heard the heavier footsteps that belonged to Dylan. The door immediately swung open. I saw his wide smile plastered across his face as he greeted me.

"Good evening, princess," Dylan said genially. He graciously took the tray from my hands and asked, "What's this? It smells…familiar."

"I made this for the prince," I smiled slightly, proud of my work. At least the smell wasn't off-putting. Hopefully, the taste didn't differ.

Dylan turned around and directed his question toward the prince. "You wouldn't mind a bit of company, would you, Alpha?" Before Prince Leonardo could answer, Dylan held the door open and motioned, "After you."

There he was, the prince, sitting stoically by the window, his back away from me.

As I approached, I caught a huff of his evergreen scent and was mesmerized by the way his black hair curled at the ends. They were tightly wound, exposing his stiff neck that glowed in the evening sun. He was staring out at the pond in the courtyard.

Dylan carried the platter over to the table lining the windowsill and opened the lid. "Wow, how did you know this is the prince's favorite?" Dylan asked dumbfoundedly.

"I figured the southern palette might not satisfy the prince's taste buds. I decided to give northern cuisine a try." I nodded gently, glancing over at Prince Leonardo hoping for some sort of reaction. As per usual, nothing.

"So, you do a lot of cooking? Rather unusual for a princess to make her own meals...."

I was wary of Dylan's words. Was Dylan onto me? The longer I delayed a response, the more nervous I became.

"Once in a while, I do that for fun," I smiled shyly. It seemed to quell his doubts, which might have just been playful banter.

"Looks pretty good for a first-timer. Wouldn't you say, Alpha?" Dylan tried to make his prince more cordial, but it didn't work. The prince shifted slightly in his chair and I could see the side of his rigid face. My mere presence clearly displeased him..

He wouldn't look at me since I walked in and it seemed like something had been bothering him, or maybe it was simply the scent of the food.

Was the smell that bad? It made me nervous as to how it would taste.

Getting no reaction from his Alpha, Dylan turned back to me. "Certainly. I must say, Your Highness, I'm quite jealous of my Alpha. I wish I had a lovely lady who'd surprise me with duck-breast curry."

Prince Leonardo huffed at that statement after previously remaining silent. The tension in the room was slightly percolating. Even without speaking a word, the prince commanded such power.

"I'll be taking my leave now Prince Leonardo, Dylan. But please, let me know how it tastes. I surely hope it brings back some northern nostalgia at the very least."

"Thank you for your hospitality, your Highness. It's very much appreciated." Dylan nodded, his expression gentle, as he said his goodbyes.

With that, I collected myself and turned to head out the door, but I halted at the sound of something clank on the plate.

I turned around ever-so-slightly as I was closing the door to catch a glimpse of Prince Leonardo lifting up the cover of the platter and staring at the food with his eyebrows furrowed.

From his expression, I was almost certain he would throw away what took a few hours of strenuous effort.

I sighed. I wished at least someone would at least give it a try.

After I shut the door, I walked a few steps before remembering that I forgot to bring the special tea from their hometown. Even if he didn't enjoy my meal, I supposed he would be okay with a soothing drink.

Also, there was no point in wasting it.

I ran down to the kitchen again and quickly returned with the special blend of northern tea when I heard the prince and Dylan speaking.

I knew it wasn't polite to eavesdrop but the conversation seemed rather innocent. They were talking about my cooking!

Dylan's voice alerted my ears as he asked, "So, how's the duck?"

The prince responded concisely, "Good," but the way he spoke it didn't seem that way. However, that was fitting for how he communicated.

"Can I have some?" Dylan asked the prince, sounding like less of a question and more of a plea.

"No," Prince Leonardo declared resolutely.

Dylan let out a small laugh. "You were never too keen on sharing, were you?" The Beta released a long exhale before claiming, "Well, clearly no one's bringing me dinner, so I'm gonna fetch something to eat."

I readied myself to escape far from the doorway as Dylan was soon to exit, but his last words haunted me, "By the way, don't let your guard down. We can't trust her."

Prince Leonardo's voice was gravelly, making his tone sound more threatening when he spoke his next words.

"As if I needed a reminder...."

Heading back to my room my head swarmed with doubts and fears. Just as I thought I made progress with the prince, I found out that he didn't trust me.

But, trust, or not, I had no choice but to persist. I had to do something to change his mind.

I knew he wouldn't talk to me, but I had an idea that might be a step in the right direction.

The prince was a warrior. That was maybe the only straightforward thing about him. Maybe instead of flowers, he would accept something practical that could help him during battle.

After seeing his worn leather holster the other day on the training ground, what better apology gift than if I had a new one made for him? But not any normal holster, but one that specifically could hold up against the heat and moisture in the south.

I requested that the maids put in an order for a new holster from the city's premier leatherworker. I used the money I had saved over my years of servitude at the palace and it took a full day to be made.

But, by the next evening when it arrived, I couldn't help but notice something was missing.

It felt impersonal. Surely, anyone could buy the prince a gift, but I wanted to show that this was something truly special and that it wasn't just any thoughtless present.

That night I spent a few hours hand-stitching his name into the back of the smooth brown calfskin leather.

By the time I had pressed the needle through the leather hundreds of times, my fingertips were aching and red. I'd even begun to suffer from sore wrists and a stiff neck.

I was happy with the end product— a cursive print in golden thread. I looked outside the window and noticed the sun slowly rising.

I must have worked through the whole night!

Then I heard three loud knocks on my door.

I almost forgot! Makeup time!

In a swift motion, I hastily cleared the holster and all of the sewing contents into the vanity drawer just as the door nudged open. As the attendant marched in I tried composing myself, sitting erect at the chair as if I had been waiting for her.

"The Luna Queen sends along a message and a gift," the attendant, once again dressed in all black announced, opening a parcel with a note inside.

I picked up the sturdy canvas that had a message inscribed in cursive.

It read: It seems like you'd rather do things your way. But, I'm not so patient. If you truly cared about your sister, you'd wear this lingerie and seduce the bastard already.

Signed,

The Queen of Sablestone

I used my fingers to hold up what was inside the package: a silken, see-through, scarlet red nightgown, which was more lingerie than a classy piece of evening wear. As I inspected the sheer raunchiness of the outfit, a few pictures dropped to the ground in haste.

I leaned down to grab the pictures, trying to discern the images, when my heart gravitated towards the marble floor.

There, on the glossy photo card was Lily, her hands cuffed in steel and her body seemingly unconscious.

My sisterly instincts overran my judgment. I was furious. I regained my balance and directed my stance toward the queen's attendant. I met her gaze and declared, "I have a message for the Luna Queen."

"The queen doesn't receive messages from lower ranks," the attendant retorted.

"Tell her, if she wants her treaty, then I want to see my sister."

The attendant finished my makeup and we didn't speak another word after that.

I wasn't in any place to be making such demands, but my sister being detained before the two weeks had finished wasn't a part of the deal.

Enemies were wandering her palace halls at the very moment, and if the treaty fell through, full-scale war could break out and Sablestone's collapse could be imminent. These Hoarfrost officials led by Prince Leonardo were well-trained and menacing. They could easily take out our ruling class.

The queen's time was running out at the same pace as mine. Maybe, just maybe, she would entertain my demand.

While waiting for the Luna Queen's response to my request, I needed to make the most of my time. I had Prince Leonardo's gift ready but I had no idea how I could approach him again after what happened.

I needed a woman's advice. Reina, Hoarfrost's nurse, was so kind to me before. She seemed like a person that would have good counseling.

It was early, but I headed down the hallway, and surely everyone was still asleep.

I exited the princess' quarters and hurried gracefully across the courtyard towards the Hoarfrost residence hall.

I made my way down the marble corridor, not sure of Reina's location. I couldn't knock on each door, or wait around for an–

"Hey, Princess, did you have a nice sleep?" It was Dylan. He was toweling his wet hair after a shower and had a bathrobe on. I felt uncomfortable seeing his Beta, who was otherwise very friendly, this naked....

"Oh, I'm so sorry Dylan, for intruding at this time. I didn't mean...." I trailed off and used my right hand to shield my eyes from his chest which was staring right back at me.

"No need, your Highness. I should have changed my morning routine to be a bit less…nude," Dylan chuckled lightly. He rested the towel around the back of his neck and added, "So, here to check on the prince?"

I shook my head, clarifying, "Actually, I was wondering if I could check in with Reina. I had a lingering headache and wanted to see if she had any remedies."

Dylan gestured down the hallway and instructed, "Take the stairs at the end of the hall. She will be in the last room on the left."

"Thank you, Dylan," I said, to which he waved his hand in dismissal.

"Absolutely, no problem. Next time, I'll try to be a bit more tasteful in my morning attire." Dylan's hazel eyes were soft as always, smiling at the edges.

I gently smiled back and took off towards Reina's room. With my eyes pointed down, a habit I needed to quickly correct, I was turning the corner for the staircase when....

Bam.

I bounced off a stone-cold slab of stiffness.

The collision propelled me violently onto the floor, my head colliding with the hardened marble slab.

"Princess!" It sounded like Dylan's voice, but I wasn't quite sure.

My eyes opened to blurred visions and I batted my lashes to see who was above me. The man's long hand extended, and it felt coarse, rigid. I placed my palm into his hand and felt a long scar etched into his skin.

I knew who it was.

The prince.