Patricia knew what could happen if Margaret caught her. She hurriedly placed her veil on her face and rushed into the hall. She found a spot to kneel far away from the door. She was so grateful that all the other concubines were dressed the same way she was. It would be difficult for Margaret to tell who was who.
Margaret rushed in after Patricia. "If I lay my hands on you, I will destroy you. I will give you a beating..." She stopped upon seeing tens of women kneeling, all dressed in the same attire.
A guard rushed to block her with a spear. He observed her attire. "Lady, you should not be here. This is the entrance for concubines only. You may go sit with the other nobles."
***
Prince Edward walked to his father's room. "Dad," he called.
"Son, you are all dressed. Today is your lucky day. You are going to get married to the most beautiful woman in the whole kingdom," King Albert said, placing a hand on Edward's shoulders.
Edward sighed, "Mom told you about our discussion, right? Dad, I think you should have asked me if I liked Perry."
King Albert gazed deep into his son's eyes, "Do you think your father made a mistake?"
"I think there is something my father is not telling me... I am all ears, Dad. What are you hiding from me?"
Edward had spoken the right words. Albert smiled, "You are a smart boy. Do you trust your father?"
"I just want to know what you are getting me into. That would help me," he responded.
King Albert put down his hand, "All in due time, son. I will tell you. But believe me, this was a necessary move."
"I have a request, Father," Edward said.
"Speak on," King Albert replied.
Edward cleared his throat. "I want to wear a mask for the wedding. And I'll keep my mask on for a while, maybe a few months or years?"
King Albert's eyes widened. "You can't be serious. Tell me why you would want to hide your face? Except..." A mischievous glint flashed in the king's eyes. "There are two options. The first is that you do not want Perry to know her former servant boy is the noble prince, and you want to make your identity known to her slowly. Another option: you have deceived another woman you love about your identity, and you want to keep it from her."
"Your first option is right, Dad. Perry might get too startled in front of all those people," Edward replied.
"Is that so?" The king wasn't buying it.
***
"The king and queen of the Kingdom of Lafenia," a eunuch announced.
Everyone rose to their feet. As the royal couple walked in, it seemed they were in deep discussion.
"He said he wanted to wear a mask at his wedding," Queen Constance asked her husband. Her tone was hardly above a whisper.
He whispered back, "yes."
"And you allowed him? You should have refused to give him consent," she said.
"Well, you talk to him after the wedding," Albert gave a smile as he acknowledged the nobles seated by nodding.
The prince was already in the hall, a golden mask on his face. Queen Constance frowned. The king and queen took their seats.
***
In a few hours, the ceremony was over, Patricia was more than glad. She had been assigned to a small building to share with two other concubines, Lisa and Pamela.
They were assigned no servants as their rank was low. They were expected to handle their domestic chores themselves.
"Guess who is a concubine now?" Lisa yelled in a celebratory tone as she poured herself some wine.
She poured a cup for Pamela and handed it over to her. She did the same for Patricia.
"Thanks," Pamela said.
"I'll pass, thank you," Patricia declined softly.
Lisa frowned, "Why? We should celebrate." Lisa sat beside Patricia. "You know why I am so happy? My name is Lisa. I am the daughter of a small magistrate. My mother passed on early, and I have been under the heel of my evil stepmother ever since. When I saw an opportunity to leave my father's house, I used all my late mother's possessions to bribe the palace eunuchs. I even beat my stepsisters to it. I am so glad. I get to be a concubine of the crown prince, and they miss out on it all! I am going to have a wonderful experience from now on."
"My name is Pamela," the other girl said. "My family wanted to sell me to be a concubine of a rich old man. Since they wanted to make me a concubine, I decided to move up higher. The crown prince seemed like a better option. So, I got some money from the rich old man to bribe better people." She laughed, and Lisa joined her.
"Do not be so cold," Lisa said. "Do you have some sad story? You can tell us if you want. Or, you can drink and forget your sorrows."
At that moment, a voice rang from the door. "Concubines, the royal kitchen has sent dinner."
Patricia turned; the voice sounded too familiar. Her eyes widened. It was Philip. He was dressed like a palace eunuch. Patricia tried not to look surprised, as the other ladies might notice.
Philip stepped in and bowed before the concubines.
Lisa giggled, "I like this. Now people bow before me! So exciting."
The moment Philip dropped the dishes and left, Patricia decided to follow him. She waited for about two minutes before she rose to her feet. She sighted Philip and hastened her steps.
He knew she was following him. He had missed her, so he decided to do this. He turned to a place where he knew they would not be disturbed and entered a room. She was right behind him.
" What are you doing here?" She said. She was happy to see him. Very happy to see him, but she could not keep the wonder from her voice.
" I work here now," he said.
" You do not mean it?" She was elated. A small laugh escaped her lips. " Boy, I am so happy to know you are here..." She paused. She began to think. Suddenly, her expression turned sour.
He noticed, " what happened? A few minutes ago, you were extremely delighted!"
" Philip, are you okay? Are you still normal?" She asked.
" Of course I am okay. I am perfectly fine," he answered.
" You said you work here now, as a eunuch. Are you hurt anywhere? I mean like... down there," she lowered her eyes.
He followed her gaze.
" I know eunuchs get cut... You know what I mean, right? Did you go through that to come stay by my side? You are such a fool," she began to weep.
He came close to her as he chuckled softly. " I am alright. It is not what you think."
She wiped her eyes, " you are just saying this to make me happy. Everyone knows what happens to eunuchs. Stop lying to me. Oh! I just want to jump into an ocean!"
He laughed, " good thing there is no ocean around."
" Prove what you say. I want to check it," she said grabbing his shirt tightly and dragging it.
"What are you trying to do?" He asked, slightly confused.
She tightened her grip. " You said something to me, and now you have to prove it. I must check you down there to see if you are cut or not! Only then will my mind be at peace."