When Flora awoke the next day she was almost glad to see that she was not invited to breakfast again. Not that the food wasn’t good, but she did not want to see the aftermath of last night’s battle of the wills. She was sure that the whole castle must have heard by now, and Flora wanted to stay as far away from it as possible.

Pulling herself into a fresh pair of work clothes, she grabbed the rope she used as Spot’s leash and brought the puppy with her as she got ready for the day. She found a back hall that lead to the kitchens where she quickly grabbed something for herself and Spot to eat before heading out for the day, getting an early start on evaluating the animals and training.

As she ate her biscuit, she examined her schedule for the day. Flora noted that scribbled in between the printed lines were times to meet with Leon about the upcoming Spring Inspection, and Flora felt dread in the pit of her stomach as she realized she was another day closer to having to go out for the long trip. She knew her family farm was usually the last to be visited, which gave her plenty of time to think of something to say to her father and brother, but so far nothing felt adequate enough.

With Spot happily following her, Flora led the puppy out of the castle and to the royal stables to tack up Condor and ride out for work today. On the way, she noted that several of the servants had given her suspicious glances, and a few of the younger girls even hid giggles behind their hands. By the gods, I hope Lady Martha hasn’t said anything. Flora gritted her teeth, positively sure that the Lady had spread some rumor to tarnish Flora’s image to the rest of the castle staff. Flora pushed through it, making her way to the barn and heading inside.

“You’re here awful early.” A voice called from inside, and Flora turned to see old Leon down the aisle, brushing his aging palomino stallion. The horse gave a gentle nicker as Flora walked over to Leon. “I wasn’t expecting to see anyone out here at this time of day.” He commented, returning to brushing his horse.

“I can say the same to you.” Flora replied, and Leon nearly cackled a laugh.

“After yesterday I decided breakfast on my own is much preferred to that old crone.” Flora nearly gasped at his insult towards Lady Martha. While she held a similar sentiment, she would never risk saying it lest someone overhear and punish her for it. Leon saw the panicked look on her face and only laughed harder. “What do you think she’s gonna do to me? Hang me? I’d like to see the old hag try!” Leon fell into a barking laughter, and his horse merely snorted as if to say just another day for him. Flora made a small strangled noise at the thought of Leon being hanged for insulting a woman, but quickly shook her head clear of the thoughts.

“Ah, well seeing as ‘yer here I might as well give you some instruction on the Spring Inspection.” Leon returned to a more serious attitude, brushing his horse while speaking to Flora. “It’s really not that hard. You go out, you talk to some cranky farmers, evaluate their animals, and go home.” Leon said it with such frankness that Flora nearly believed it really was that easy, until he continued. “Usually you take a handful of farm hands with yah’ to get an accurate accounting of everything, and it makes the overall evaluation quicker. I don’t imagine you’ll have many with you seeing as it’s on such short notice, but I’m sure you’ll get by.” He finished, going around his horse to brush the stallion’s other side.

Flora suddenly did not feel so sure. She could just imagine trekking along the countryside, alone, and having to deal with the cranky farmers and recording the livestock of the kingdom. She knew it was an important job, the kingdom relied heavily on its export of animal and farm goods, but the idea of doing it alone was no solace.

“Ah I see that look on your face.” Leon said from over the back of the horse. Before Flora could deny it, he shook his head and continued. “Don’t think that lonesome king of ours will let you go alone. It’s too dangerous. Besides, he hasn’t gone these last few years, so he might go with you himself.” Leon said with a surety that both comforted and distressed Flora at the same time. Doing the tedious task of animal counting with someone was surely better than doing it alone, but being alone with the King for two weeks was not something she looked forward to. Nearly every moment with him had been a mixed bag, and Flora did not need the anxiety of what’s gonna happen next on her shoulders for the arduous task ahead of her.

Flora breathed a sigh through her nose, trying to hide her feelings. “I suppose you’re right. Thanks for the help.” Was all she said before tying Spot to a post along the wall and getting Condor out of his stall.

“Of course I am.” Leon said with a chuckle. “How else do you think I stayed here this long?” His chuckle turned into a laugh as he finished up caring for his horse. “But I’ll let ya go now, I’m sure you have a very busy day, especially after such a long night.” Leon left with a wink that left Flora confused and baffled. Is he referring to the fight between Lady Martha and King Erick? But he wouldn’t wink unless he thought I had something to do with it. Unless… Flora’s thoughts traded into waters she did not want to explore, and quickly tacked up Condor and got him ready for the day.

Flora spent the rest of her day much like the one before. She examined the progress of the dog training, this time taking the adults out for a short hunt in the King’s game park. They made swift work of catching a large turkey, and Flora was glad to bring in something useful for a change. She still shivered at the thought of the fox pelt from her hunt only a few days ago, which now sat on the mantle of her fireplace. A part of her wished to burn it, but knew it would only be a waste.

Returning to the kitchens with the large turkey, the staff were delighted. Flora learned that the bird they had planned for the dinner tonight had mysteriously disappeared this morning, and Flora couldn’t help but think of a possible puppy-dog who might have been responsible for it.

Flora also noted that some of the staff gave her similar looks to the ones she got this morning, and a feeling of dread and worry once again filled the pit of her stomach and squeezed her heart. She paid them no mind, returning to Condor and Spot outside to continue her work for the day.

Eventually it came time for her to fill in at the cow barn, as Barn Manager Irene still had not found someone to fill in for the third milking station. Flora tied both Condor and Spot outside, the puppy whining at being left alone. She gave him a hearty pat before entering the cow barn. Taking off her heavier work jacket, she grabbed a stool and bucket before getting to work.

She didn’t notice it at first but the other two girls - Myrtle and Ida - were much more quiet than usual. Flora didn’t mind, getting right to work and keeping to herself as she usually did. That is until the quiet settled in, and she could almost feel the girls staring at her. Flora paused, turning in her seat to address them.

“Is something the matter?” She asked, not nervous necessarily but certainly wary. The two gave each other a knowing look before smiling. Flora became nervous at hat.

“So what was it like?” Ida blurted, excitement fizzing across her entire being as she looked at Flora expectantly.

“I’m sorry?” Flora, at a loss, did not know how else to respond. Lost in her work as she was, she hadn’t quite caught onto Ida’s meaning just yet. Ida gave a knowing look to Myrtle.

“You know, last night?” Myrtle prompted, looking just as conspiratorial as Ida. Flora frowned, her thoughts going right to the argument between Lady Martha and King Erick.

“Well, I suppose it could have gone better.” Flora muttered, her mood soured by the idea of running into Martha again. Living in the castle now, there was a very real possibility that Lady Martha could find her at any time of the day just to berate her. Ida and Myrtle looked taken aback, the two nearly gasping in unison.

“Really?” Ida exclaimed.

“Could have gone better? With the King?” Myrtle sounded equally shocked. It was only then that it dawned on Flora exactly what they meant. Her face turned beet red with flush as she realized what they were talking about, and how she hadn’t caught on until just now.

“What? No! That’s not- I mean, that didn’t-” Flora knew her stuttering only made things worse, and by now her reputation would be forever marred by one rumor. One rumor spread by a salty old hag. Flora dropped her head into her hands, resigned to this new fate of hers. She would be getting side-eyed looks for months, she could already see it. The girls only laughed.

“So it was good then?” Myrtle asked with a mischievous grin. Ida giggled, and Flora only moaned in despair.

“I don’t want to talk about it.” Flora muttered, returning to her work. The girls laughed and giggled, until they abruptly stopped.

Flora turned to see that Irene had come into the barn. With her hands on her hips, and a foul expression, she asked “And what are we all giggling so much for?” Flora knew it was a rhetorical question, and kept to her work, but the two girls gaped and floundered for a response. “No! I don’t want to hear it!” Irene held up her hands at the two girls and they quieted. Irene turned to Flora.

“And you!” Irene pointed her finger at Flora and she started, surprised at the way Irene addressed her. “I don’t know what all this nonsense is I hear about you but don’t think it makes you any better than the rest of us.” Irene shook her finger at Flora like a parent scolding a child. Flora was at a loss for words. Her only response was to give a silent nod and go back to work, before realizing she technically held rank over Irene. At that point she didn’t have the energy to care anymore, and continued to milk the rest of the cows in silence.

King Erick sat in silence at the dinner table that night. His two youngest sisters had arrived earlier this day, and so they held dinner in the dining hall that night. Several courtiers had joined them, none of whom Erick bothered to remember.

Esther was seated to his left, with Grace and Alice seated in a row next to her. The three looked like they were already conspiring something mischievous, casting glances at Dante who sat to Erick’s right, who only smiled back. Erick sighed, knowing he should be glad for having most of his family with him but already tired of their games. They didn’t play practical jokes like Dante, but rather pulled the strings of the court for more entertaining jokes.

Erick nearly grimaced at the thought of what had happened last time his sisters got together like this. Somehow, probably with a lot of help from Esther, the three had managed to not only set up a party in the castle without his parents’ knowing, they had also crowned Erick the King of Fools. His parents got a good laugh from it, and Balder even more so. To this day they still won’t let him forget it.

The dinner table around him was busy with chatter, and more than once he heard Flora’s name brought up. He knew that it had first been brought up over the large turkey that the kitchen staff brought in. By now he knew something else was up, and had listened more carefully to what those around him had to say. He couldn’t help but notice the smug look his Aunt had, and he had a fairly good idea of exactly what she had done to Flora by now.

He knew that deep down his care for Flora was more than a reasonable amount. It was definitely more than what a king should feel for anyone who worked under him, even if she was formally a part of his court now. He also knew that he had to put those feelings aside, knowing the damage that can be done to her reputation if he didn’t. Erick mulled over this, quietly keeping to himself during his dinner, when Dante turned to speak to him.

“Is it true you fucked the stable girl?” Dante whispered with a sly grin.

Erick inhaled the food he was eating, throwing him into a coughing fit. Dante burst into laughter while the conversation at the table came to a halt. Erick’s sisters and Aunt looked horror stricken, and the other guests mirrored their expressions. Erick went from coughing to choking, and the panic seized around him as memories from three months ago resurfaced.

Erick didn’t hear or see when both Dante and Grace rushed to his side, the world going dark as the two came to help him. He wasn’t fully aware when Dante pulled him out of his chair and began squeezing his chest, or when Grace used her healing magic to help him recover. All Erick remembered was choking one moment, and being on the floor the next moment. Erick glared at Dante, who rightfully shrunk beneath his gaze, guilt plastered his face and body.

Erick pulled himself up, looking at the dinner guests who bore a mixture of shock and relief, and possibly a little guilt. “I find I’ve lost my appetite.” He grumbled before leaving the room, Dante following a step behind him. The room was silent, even after they left, and Erick took his time going down the hall before turning on Dante.

“Why would you say that?” He demanded in a tone that was lethally quiet. Erick knew the walls had ears, and he didn’t want anyone to hear him fighting with the Captain of the Royal Guard.

“Erick, I didn’t mean- I’m sorry, I was just playing. I didn’t know.” Dante was quiet in his response, his face pale and eyes sincere. Erick knew it was an accident, but the memory of being poisoned still haunted him and anger at the memory and fear still gripped his heart. When he didn’t respond, Dante looked genuinely afraid, as if Erick would punish him.

Erick heavily sighed. “I know.” Was all he said. What else could I say? His one joke nearly killed me. Perhaps he’ll find a way to make it funny later but right now… Erick didn’t want to think about it anymore, and changed the subject. “Nothing happened last night. I invited her for dinner to make up for breakfast. That was all.” Erick schooled his expression and voice to remain neutral. Even though he knew it would hurt his friend to be so distant, the only other option right now was to be angry, and that would only make things worse.

“Really?” Erick couldn’t tell if Dante was genuinely interested or teasing again, but he followed Erick as he continued down the halls to his room. “Esther told me she left you two alone intentionally. Said she had a ‘good feeling’ about you two.” So she had bailed. Erick clenched his jaw in frustration.