Chapter Fifty Nine

After Prince Noah ordered me to call his maids, he soon ordered me to do something else.

"Inform my sister I am going to join the dinner tonight, Alex." Prince Noah told me while the maids were excitedly choosing his clothes for him.

"Yes, Your Highness." I said promptly before I left the room.

Although I left Prince Noah's room confidently trying to show I could be dependable, in truth I was feeling nervous. 

''Ugh…I don't want to be involved with the princess again.'' I grumbled while walking through the hallways of the second floor.

'But there is nothing I can do about it. The princess might have her reasons to dislike me, but right now I'm just doing what Prince Noah ordered me to and I can't disappoint him.' I thought, trying to convince myself why I should go.

After walking for a while, I was in the corridor where Prince Noah and I bumped into each other earlier, and so I started to search for the princess's room.

When I found it I took a deep breath and then I knocked on the door.

The door was fastly opened by a maid. It was Anna the same maid who went to Prince Noah's room under Princess Isabel's orders.

"You are Alex, Prince Noah's servant, aren't you? May I ask you what are you doing here knocking on the princess's door?" She asked looking at me with a calm, yet curious look.

"I-I…" I stuttered, but then I composed myself. "I'm here under Prince Noah's order to inform, Her Highness, the princess, that he accepted her invitation. Prince Noah intends on participating in the dinner tonight with the princess and the other royal guests." I said trying to be as formal as I could.

Anna didn't hide her surprise.

"Wait a minute here, child, I will inform the princess." She said quickly closing the door. I could hear her steps rushing inside the room, probably looking for the princess.

'D-Didn't I already pass the message, why should I wait here?' I asked myself nervous.

The door was opened again, but this time it was entirely opened and the maids's words were exactly the ones I didn't want to hear.

"Her Highness, the princess, wants to talk to you. Please, enter." She said, inviting me to stay in the drawing room.

Although I didn't want to, I forced myself to get inside.

'I can see her room is by no means smaller than Prince Noah's.' I thought while looking at the room trying to ignore my anxiety. 

Princess Isabel's room, at least the drawing room, was pretty big and well-designed just like Prince Noah's room, the only difference was that the color palette was lighter and had more white aspects. 

'I expected it to be more feminine, though.' I thought feeling the expectations of a 'princess room' from my past life to be shattered. 

Then, the door between the drawing room and the bedroom was opened, taking me out of my thoughts.

"G-Greetings, Your Highness." I quickly said bowing respectfully.

"You may raise your head." The princess said politely.

As I raised my head and looked at her properly I noticed how well-dressed she was, probably already ready for tonight's dinner with the guests.

I was expecting her to say something since she invited me to get inside, but she was silent, just staring at me. I don't know if it was because of my anxiety, but this brief moment seemed to me like an eternity.

The princess was calm, yet her eyes seemed like they were piercing my skin. 

"Is…Is there anything wrong, Your Highness?" I asked, feeling uncomfortable by her gaze. 

My questions seemed to take her out of her thoughts. 

"Sorry for my rudeness. Please have a seat. I would like to have a quick chat with you. " She said, gesturing for me to sit on one of the couches in her drawing room.

"Y-Yes, Your Highness." I said feeling nervous. 

As I was told, I sat on one of the couches as the princess sat on another couch, right in front of me. Although the couch was far more comfortable than any couch I've ever sat on before in my past life, I couldn't stop feeling uncomfortable.

"Do you like tea, Alex?" Princess Isabell suddenly asked.

"Yes, Your Highness." I answered, fearing what she was going to say next.

"I see, then Anna, please bring us some tea." The princess said just as I feared while looking at her maid.

"Yes, Your Highness." The maid promptly said.

"There is no need for tea-" I tried to say but the maid had already left, leaving me alone with the princess.

I gulped, nervous.

"You said you liked tea, Alex, or did you lie?" Princess Isabel asked looking at me as if she was studying my expressions.

"N-No, I mean, I like tea, but I am just not thirsty right now Your Highness. I don't want to bother you…" I lied feeling my mouth dry because of the anxiety. 

'If she asked for tea or the conversation will not be short, or she just wanted to be alone with me.' I thought, feeling uneasy with both options.

"Oh, no need to worry, you are not bothering me at all." The princess said smiling kindly.

I forced myself to smile back, although I just wished to get away from her as fast as possible.

When I met her I thought that Princess Isabel was a nice girl, but after Prince Noah told me about how she disliked me for no good reason and wanted him to fire me, it was hard for me to feel calm around her. It was hard to know what was passing in her head.

But I cleared my throat and forced myself to ask the princess. "Your Highness, you said you wanted to talk to me. May I ask you what is it about?"

"Yes, indeed, I want to talk to you, Alex, to be more precise I want to ask you something." The princess answered in a sudden serious tone.

"Do you want to ask me something?" I asked, curious.

The princess nodded.

"You…" She started saying but then she stopped herself and stayed in silence for a moment, she seemed to be hesitant.

But then she smiled again as her serious expression faded away, and then asked me. "How did you manage to change my brother's mind?"

"W-What do you mean, Your Highness?" I asked, confused.

"I assume it was you who convinced my brother to participate in the dinner tonight, am I right?" The Princess asked gazing at me.

"Hm, I…" I mumbled unsure how to answer her. But it seemed she took my hesitance as me trying to deny it.

"Anna told me how harshly my brother sent her away as he said he was decided to not participate in tonight's dinner. And, she also told me that there were only you two in his room after she left, but now not much later he suddenly changed his mind. So it's hard for me not to conclude that you had something to do with it. Am I perhaps wrong, Alex?" Princess Isabel asked with her golden eyes sharply staring at me.

"N-No, you are not wrong, Your Highness." I answered looking away, feeling uncomfortable.

As soon as I answered her the cordiality in her expression was back, and then in a curious tone Princes Isabel asked smiling. "I see, then please tell me, my brother was so adamant about not going, yet you changed his mind so quickly, how did you manage it?" 

The way she was smiling while talking to me it seemed we were close friends, but the way her eyes stared at me, it seemed otherwise.

"I…I just talked to Prince Noah and he made up his decision, that is all, Your Highness." I said, feeling uneasy.

To my surprise, my vague answer was enough for her. 

"I see. Thank you, for that, Alex. I know my brother can be a bit hard to deal with, and I owe you for that. If you want anything just tell me." The princess said with a polite smile on her face. 

"T-There is no need for that, Your Highness." I said, nervously not wishing to be involved with her any further.

"Really? Many people would love a royal favor." Princess Isabel said surprised.

I was going to affirm again that I didn't want anything, but then I changed my mind.

"...Actually, Your Highness, there is something I would like." 

"What is it?" She asked looking at me with a smile that seemed more like a smirk to me.

I bowed and said. "Please, Your Highness, support and help Prince Noah tonight in any way you can, that is all I ask."

There is a limit to how much I, as a servant, can help Prince Noah, it is even worse when there are other royals involved. Different from me, the princess can stand by his side and deal with the royals. So her support would be really helpful.

'As a light mage, I doubt anyone wants to be on her bad side.' I thought, remembering how valued light mages are in this world, and even more among the royal family.

"Even if you didn't ask me I was already planning on doing that. I'm his sister what did you expect from me?" The princess asked with an annoyed expression.

"I-I'm sorry, Your Highness, I didn't want to offend you." I said, bowing again, scared to get myself into her bad side, more than I probably already was.

To my surprise, the princess chuckled playfully. 

"There is no need to apologize, I was just joking."

I looked up again and confirmed that the princess was indeed just smiling calmly. 

"I can see now why my brother got so close to you, you seem like a nice kid, Alex." Princess Isabel said smiling kindly.

"Thank you, Your Highness." I said, bowing politely. 

I didn't know what to think about the princess, she was still an enigma to me, but I could tell that she cared for Prince Noah. But it didn't mean I wanted to spend much time with her, even less just the two of us alone.

'I almost got in trouble last time although Nicholas and the Head Maid were present. This time there is no one backing me up.' I realized, getting tense. 

"I-Is there anything else, you want to ask me, Your Highness?" I asked her in a rush.

The princess seemed pensive for a brief moment before she answered. "No, that was all."

"Then, excuse me, Your Highness, but I need to tell Prince Noah that I already passed his message to you. I don't want to keep him waiting, so can I take my leave?" I asked nervous, thinking how Prince Noah could have the wrong idea if I took too long to come back. 

"The tea hasn't arrived yet, but I understand, you may leave now, Alex." Princess Isabel answered comprehensively.

"Then, excuse me, Your Highness, I will take my leave." I said bowing respectfully.

Before I could open the door, the princess called me. 

"Alex." She said.

"Yes, Your Highness?" 

"Please, tell my brother to come to my room after he is ready, I want us to go to the dining room together." Princess Isabel said smiling.

"Yes, Your Highness I will make sure to tell Prince Noah. Excuse me." I said smiling politely.

After I closed the door as I left the princess's room I breathed a sigh of relief.

'I don't know if the princess is just weird or she has something against me, but I hope the thing between us gets better from now on…' I thought as I walked away. 

***

"What took you so long?" That was the first thing Prince Noah asked me as soon as I entered his room, as usual.

Prince Noah was standing in front of the mirror in his room, he seemed to be almost ready for dinner. Mary and the other maids were near him, looking proudly at how well they worked.

"Nice clothes, Your Highness, you look great." I praised him smiling, ignoring his question.

The maids did indeed a good job helping him. Prince Noah's clothes are always elegant, fit for a prince, but tonight I could tell his outfit was more formal and impressive, with way more jewels than usual. And his hair was well groomed too. He seemed different from his usual self, way more elegant.

Prince Noah was taken out of guard by my words. 

"T-Thank you." He said, blushing a little, and looking away.

But then he got annoyed again. "Wait, you didn't answer me!"

"I'm sorry, Your Highness, the princess just wanted to talk to me. That is why it took me a while to come back" I answered him, knowing I couldn't fool him this time.

"...What did you two talk about?" Prince Noah asked, in a wary tone.

"We didn't talk much. The princess was just surprised that you changed your mind, Your Highness." I explained.

"Hmph. I see." Prince Noah said, crossing his arms.

"Also, the princess asked me to tell you to go to her room as soon as you are ready, Your Highness. She said she wanted to go to the dining room together with you." I said, conveying her message.

"Alright, I will go see her as soon as I am ready." Prince Noah said uncrossing his arms.

"May I go with you, Your Highness?" I asked.

"No, there is no need. You are free for today, you already have done enough." Prince Noah answered firmly.

"Oh, alright." I said feeling a bit frustrated because I wanted to stay by Prince Noah's side and support him during the dinner, but I accepted his decision knowing I wouldn't be of quite much help if I was there. 

"Your Highness, before you go, please let us take a look at you to see if everything is fine, one last time." A maid suggested.

Prince Noah sighed. "Alright."

While Prince Noah was being helped by the maids who looked at him with intense perfectionist eyes, searching for any imperfection, Mary approached me.

"Can I talk to you for a moment, Alex?" Mary asked me quietly while gesturing for me to follow her.

"Yes, of course." I answered, going after her. 

As we were a few steps away from Prince Noah and the other maids, Mary started asking me, quietly, almost whispering.

"Since you won't be able to have a meal with Prince Noah tonight you might go to the Servant's Hall, right?"

'Right, the Servant's Hall is where most servants are supposed to have their meals. But after being harassed by other servants the first time I went there I don't intend to go there again.' I thought, realizing what it meant Prince Noah having dinner with his siblings and the other royal children.

Because of my silence, Mary quickly said. "I know last time you went there it wasn't pleasant, that is why I think I know someone who might help you."

"Who is it?" I asked curious, imitating her low tone.

"It is a boy called Peter, he is the same age as Prince Dylan. I am sure he is going to help you if anything happens." Mary said with conviction.

"Why would he help me?" I asked, confused. 

Mary hesitated to answer. But when she saw that Prince Noah seemed to be about to leave, she started rushing. 

"Peter and you are pretty similar, that is all I can say for now. Peter might be in the east area of the palace like the other servant children. He is always wearing a necklace with a yellow crystal, it is pretty distinguishing. I am sure being friends with him would be good for you, Alex."

"I see…thank you, Mary." Although I was still confused, I thanked her anyway, she was just saying all that out of worry for me.

Mary smiled and nodded, then she quickly walked away, going after Prince Noah. And just like her I decided to go after him too, there was something I wanted to ask Prince Noah before he left.

"Your Highness, can I ask you something?" 

"Sure." Prince Noah answered looking at me.

"May I see you after dinner? I would like to talk to you. If that is fine, of course." I asked, feeling a bit tense.

Since I couldn't accompany Prince Noah during dinner, I at least wanted to talk to him after it ended. If anything happens I could at least console him.

"Yes, I was planning on doing that already." He answered looking away.

"I see, thank you, Your Highness." I said smiling, feeling relieved that I wouldn't have to wait until tomorrow to talk to him again.

"No need to thank me." Prince Noah said, crossing his arms. 

"Should we go now, Your Highness? The dinner will start soon, and the princess is waiting for you, we can't let the princess arrive late for the dinner she is hosting." Mary said, with a nervous smile on her face. By how tense she seemed while looking at the clock, I could say she wasn't exaggerating the fact that they would be late.

"Yes…of course. We should go." Prince Noah said hesitantly with an unpleasant look on his face. He seemed tense.

Before Prince Noah could take a step I grabbed his arm.

"Alex?" He called my name confused.

"If you don't want to go you don't have to, but I'm sure you can do it, Your Highness." I whispered in his ear, trying to give him some comfort and confidence. 

Prince Noah looked at me surprised and then he looked away, pensive. When he looked at me again his eyes seemed to suddenly be full of determination. 

"I am going, Alex. See you later."

I nodded and said. "See you later, Your Highness. And good luck."

Prince Noah gave me a quick nod before he walked away. The maids opened the door for him and quickly followed him. I left the room along with them, but I stopped right in front of his room, knowing I couldn't follow him any further. 

"I hope everything goes well for you tonight, Your Highness.'' I thought out loud, wishful, looking Prince Noah walking away.

***

I wasn't sure what I should do.

After leaving Prince Noah's room, I went to my bedroom and was planning to stay there the whole night and wait for Prince Noah's dinner to be over and go look for him, but Mary's words got me thinking, to say the least.

'Why did Mary say another servant boy would help me?' I asked myself confused.

'It could be nice to have a servant kid like me in this palace as a friend, that is true, but…'

"Do I even need his help?" I asked myself out loud.

I can skip some meals now and then, I am used to it. But Prince Noah after tonight might keep having all his meals with his siblings and guests if everything goes well, at least until the ceremony is over. And so, I won't be able to join him for a while.

When I went to the Servant's Hall for the first time I could feel the animosity in the eyes of the other servants, not just from the kid that tried to assault me.

'Standing there all by myself will truly make me an easy target.' I realized, feeling uncomfortable just imagining myself going there all alone again.

"...Maybe I should go back to eating leftovers.'' I told myself, thinking this could be the only good option.

"Yes, why should I confront any of them again? I can just avoid them until I leave this palace." I said to myself, lying on my bed, thinking I had the right answer.

But then Prince Noah came to my mind.

''Ugh.'' I murmured after bumping my head on the soft pillow in self-reprehension.

'How can I think like this after all I said to Prince Noah?' I asked myself feeling ashamed.

Prince Noah was going to confront his peers and fears all because of my words, but I can't have the guts to do the same.

"I'm such a hypocrite."

I sighed.

"I should try at least once." I murmured, trying to convince myself.

I got out of my bed feeling more determined. 

"Maybe that boy Mary told me about could help me, even if it is just a little." I said, hopeful.

I wasn't expecting a strange kid to be of significant help to me, but having company in the Servant's Hall could be a good thing. 

I opened my door and said. "Let's meet Peter, then."