Me: My plan is to hack the king’s system when I’m able to. I need direct access to it, though, so it doesn’t trigger anything. That takes time, and I just started with this new position on this side of the palace. Once I figure out all of the cameras and triggers, I’ll move in.
S.B: Get it done. I don’t have to remind you of what he did to your brother. Or what it means for you and Jaqueline if you don’t follow through with this.
Me: I’ll get it done.
I leave it at that. Maybe that’s the best way to do this. Get what I need on the king, plant the things Signoria and Antonia have been working on onto his computer, and get the fuck outof this palace. Nothing good will come of my staying here. Rowan will figure it out eventually. I’ll get fired, I’ll literally kill someone, end up in prison for what I’m plotting to do, or all of the above.
Now that all of the bedrooms and studies are done, I get going on the long hallway outside the royal bedrooms. I start with the duster, going over gilded frames holding paintings with eyes that follow me as I jump from one to the next.
When that’s all finished, I set up the large mop with the microfiber head. The children shouldn’t be back here for a couple of hours, giving everything plenty of time to dry. I can’t wait to be done with this so I can take my walk along the path that leads through the back of the palace grounds and into a wooded area. It’s quiet and peaceful and is the only place where eyes aren’t always on me. Where I can find some freedom.
The silence of the vast hall wraps around me, broken only by the distant tick of a grandfather clock and the soft swish of microfiber on stone floors. A melody flows through my head, and I follow it, singing the words. I don’t listen to music while I’m working. I don’t have headphones or wireless earbuds the way everyone else does. I don’t have music apps or decent cellular or internet on my phone—it’s old and functional.
I don’t have luxuries. Hell, I barely have the basics, and this is the first time I’ve ever earned a paycheck.
So singing whatever song is in my head is the best I’ve got, and most of my songs are old Italian croons the Signoria likes or more modern angsty rock that Samil used to enjoy. I end up morphing into his favorite song, the words flowing effortlessly past my lips as I swish the mop back and forth.
“That’s beautiful.”
Startled, I whirl around, the mop dropping from my hand and clattering to the floor. Princess Sabrina and Phaedra are standing before me, holding a large box between them. Arthuris by their feet, peering curiously at me with his glowing eyes. I’ve never been a fan of animals, truth be told, but there’s something adorable about the ferret. Probably because he’s always with the children—their loyal guard.
I instantly dip into a deep curtsy.
“Your Highnesses, I apologize if my singing was too loud.”
“It wasn’t loud at all,” Phaedra states.
“I liked it,” Sabrina chimes in. “We got our chess game from our room. Aunt Althea is going to teach us how to play.”
My face lights up. “I love chess. It’s my favorite. My brother taught me how to play.”
“Are you good?” Phaedra questions.
I shrug. “I think so.”
“Girls, here you are,” Althea exclaims from behind me. “Zayer is asking for a snack, so perhaps we’ll play later.”
Both their expressions fall.
I twist toward her. “If I may, I’d be happy to teach them while you tend to the prince.”
Althea studies me, and then after a long beat asks, “You wouldn’t mind?”
“Not at all. I was about finished here anyway and was going to go on my break, but I’d be happy to play chess with them instead.”
“If you’re sure, that would be great. I sent Bellamy for a nap. She ran around with them all morning, and I don’t want her to overdo it.”
I nod. “Of course. I understand. Truly, it’d be my pleasure.”
“Yeah,” Sabrina chimes in, jumping up and down. “It’s her favorite game.”
“Is it? Fabulous. Marcella, if you could take them to the playroom and get started on the game, that would be a huge help.”
“Absolutely.” I curtsy to the princesses. “Lead the way, Your Highnesses and Arthur.”
This makes the girls giggle, and they happily take me along. I remove the box from their hands, carrying it for them, and once we reach the playroom, I set it down on the large coffee table bracketed by two sofas.
I open the box and pull out the board while the girls eye the pieces.