Finally leaving the stifling atmosphere of the dress shop, I glance up to see its just past midday. Should I stop for food before heading back? Maybe not, I might run into someone, but father never eats anything that could be considered 'exotic' or commoner food. It could be nice, but then again the main characters are always about.
"Lady Blackwood!" Speak of the devil and she may appear. Eve is jogging up to me. Knowing this is probably inevitable I just sigh and wait for whatever she has to say.
"I'm sorry to interrupt but I need to talk to you. Please," She sounds rather desperate, gesturing for me to follow her off to the side of the street. I do, mostly because I definitely wasn't getting out of this until she'd said her piece, but also out of a little curiosity.
Lowering her voice to be even more certain she won't be heard she says, "You need to be careful of Prince Alaric, he isn't as kind as he portrays. You need to be careful around him or you could end up really hurt."
I stand a little stunned. "What?" My inner thoughts accidentally slipping out without thought.
"I know it sounds ridiculous but please believe me. It's true. I swear I'm telling the truth." She sounds like she's on the verge of tears (again).
"No, not that. I believe you about the prince. He is hardly the first person to walk around pretending to be nicer than they are. Why are you warning me?" Didn't I make her cry a couple days ago, and I just took over her dress appointment. Why would she be trying to help me with such desperation.
"I-well-because I was worried about you. I know we aren't friends but, well, I just didn't want anything bad to happen to you."
I stare at her for a long moment. Genuinely baffled by this strange display. Why was she so concerned for me? Actually, more concerning, why does she consider the prince a threat? I suppose she must have had some encounter with him after that one interaction at the ball, but what could he have done to inspire this level of fear in her of all people. Of the main cast he isn't really the nice one but he doesn't usually go out of his way to be cruel to anyone except those who he considers enemies.
Maybe this is supposed to be one of the darker romances? Where the characters are all more monstrous. One of those 'he's only nice to her and cruel to everyone else', that would be a strange deviation from the norm. Also, usually that's Tragic Backstories or the Scholars role not the prince's. It does bode rather badly for my coming marriage to the guy, but I had already known he was crazy.
"Well, consider me thoroughly warned." Unable to stop both the curiosity and the smallest tinge of concern, I continue. "Did he do something to you? Are you alright?" Had he threatened her or something? Perhaps she had seen something she should not have? Or was it something worse?
Her eyes go wide, "I-it's not important, just be careful." And without further ado she scurries off into the crowd leaving me staring after her, bewildered.
What is happening?
"Do you think she was really telling the truth about the prince, my lady?" I turn to Anne (I had honestly forgotten she was there).
"I do believe her. However, I am unsure how she could have possibly learned something like that. Or why she would insist on warning me about it. We had met once at the ball a couple days ago and it didn't go very well." I hadn't told Anne much about that night outside of having a dance with the prince. It did not seem like something noteworthy enough to mention.
"Well, she seems like a nice girl. Perhaps it was just her conscience that drove her to it." Anne supplied, always a voice of reason.
Which, "Ah, yes you are probably right." She is always portrayed as an overly kind girl. It was just something that had never been directed at myself before. Strange but not entirely out of character, I suppose.
Sighing, I decide once again that overthinking is too much work. "I think I would like to stop somewhere to eat before returning home." Mostly I just really don't feel like seeing my father again, he's been showing up more often now that I'm engaged to the prince. Always looking for flaws, reminding me that I must be perfect. It has been rubbing my nerves raw.
A smile once more returning to her face Anne dutifully replies, "of course my lady, where would you like to go?"
"I'm not sure, something simple I think. Nothing too fancy, I get plenty of that at home." I turn to begin walking. Anne pointing at the few places she thinks fit that bill, but none really pique my interest. We both know that what I want when I say 'nothing too fancy' is 'commoners food'. Establishments with simple food and relaxed atmospheres. As far from the stifling dining room at home as I can get.
So, we make our way away from the bougie parts of the city. Only to once more be stopped at the call of my name. (Because I really cannot catch a break)