I ran into Tavik again. This time in the hallway leading to the prince's chambers.
The place was quieter than usual, the polished floors reflecting the soft light from the lamps along the walls.
"Hey!" I called out, spotting him leaning casually against a pillar. "You're here early, boy. What's up?" My eyes immediately drifted to his hands. He was holding a folder.
Suspicious.
He grinned, straightening up and waving the folder slightly. "Alright, girl. We're in gossip mode today, but just for a bit."
He glanced around first, making sure no one was close enough to overhear, then leaned slightly toward me.
"This," he said, tapping the folder, "contains the profile of the prince's future bride. No picture, of course. Cameras don't exist here yet."
My eyes widened. "No way."
He opened it and handed it to me. I took it, scanning the contents.
But...
"Why does this look like spaghetti wires?" I muttered under my breath, squinting at the handwriting. Still, I managed to read through it.
Came from a noble family…Currently studying at a women's university…Age…Favorite food…Favorite color…
I slowly lowered the paper, then looked at him.
"What is this?" I burst out laughing. "A slam book? Seriously?"
He froze for half a second then laughed loudly, covering his mouth.
"Girl, you got it! That's exactly what it is!" he said between laughs. "I'm the one who's talking to them. I just asked random questions and compiled everything here." He tapped the folder again proudly.
"So when the prince starts courting whosoever, he already has material to work with. One-stop information. Efficient, right?"
I shook my head, still laughing. "Now it makes sense. I was about to say, who in their right mind would ask a royal those kinds of questions?"
Then something clicked.
"Wait… how old is the prince again?"
"Seventeen," Tavik replied immediately. "One more year and he's considered of age. They can marry right away. Girls here can already marry at sixteen."
"Ohhh…" I nodded slowly. "Where we from, both have to be eighteen."
He blinked at that, but before he could question it further, he suddenly snapped his fingers.
"Oh right, girl. Want to drink this Saturday?"
I raised a brow. "Drink? Like… alcohol?"
He nodded enthusiastically.
"Sure! Count me in!" I replied, grinning.
I wasn't much of a drinker before… but here? Why not?
No one here knew me. No one would judge me. No one would interfere with what I wanted to try.
"So," he continued, "when's your day off?"
I scratched my head.
"Honestly? I don't even know anymore. There's no calendar here. Not even a clock."
He stared at me, stunned.
"So you've just been working nonstop? You didn't even ask when your day off is?"
I shrugged.
"I thought… I didn't have the right to rest here."
He scoffed lightly. "Alright, I'll ask for you."
I elbowed him lightly. "Hey, that's embarrassing! What if they say something?"
"I've got this, girl," he said confidently. "If there was a labor department here, you probably would've filed a complaint already."
I laughed. "Honestly? Maybe. Thanks, though."
He waved his hand. "Alright, I'll go ahead."
"Take care, friendship," I said casually. "I just need to pick up the prince's dishes real quick."
Tavik's POV
Alright, guys. My time to shine.
You thought it was just those two who get POVs?
Even if I'm a side character, I'm still a character.
I spotted an employee nearby, looked like someone with a bit more authority among the workers.
Perfect.
"Good afternoon!" I greeted, stepping closer. "I'd like to ask something."
He turned to me politely.
"Yes? What is it that you need?"
"When is Lamis' rest day?" I asked casually.
Start with Lamis. Make it less obvious.
"Thursday," he replied.
"Got it," I nodded. Then smoothly... "And what about Rahina?"
Segway. Not obvious at all.
"Saturday."
"Thank you for your answer," I said with a smile, handing him a small bag. "Please accept this token of appreciation."
Japanese cake.
Slightly cold, but still good.
A few moments later, I spotted Rahina again nearby. I glanced around. Not many people. Perfect timing.
"Girl," I called softly, walking up to her. "Your day off is Saturday."
Her eyes widened. "Really? I can't even keep track of time here anymore. Do you have a calendar or something? Give me one."
I laughed. "I'll make you one. No printers here, so everything's handwritten."
She clasped her hands dramatically. "Thank you so much! That's a huge help. Wait... what day is it today?"
"Wednesday," I replied. "In three days, you're free."
She nodded, looking relieved.
"Alright, I'll go for now. See you later."
"Okay, thanks again."
I took a few steps, then stopped.
"Oh wait!"
She looked back.
"I almost forgot," I said, lowering my voice slightly. "There's a banquet on Friday. I'll set aside some alcohol and pass it to you secretly. Hide it well, alright? We'll drink it the next day."
Her face lit up.
"Deal. That's actually a solid plan."
I grinned.
"Alcohol's rare here, girl. Too expensive in shops. So we'll just… steal a little. Maybe one liter."
We both laughed.
Rahina's POV
Even before the banquet day arrived, we were already busy preparing.
The banquet hall was…
Insane.
Elegant. Grand. Expensive-looking. It reminded me of those scenes from manhwa. Old-style settings meant for elites.
Long tables lined the hall, covered in pristine cloth. Even the napkins were folded into intricate designs.
"Wait… they have table napkins here?" I muttered, picking one up and inspecting it.
Then my eyes landed on something else.
Cutlery. Goblets. Glass plates.
"Whoa."
This was my first time seeing these here.
From what I heard, the prince avoided using ceramics because of the noise they made while eating. That's why we usually used wooden utensils.
But for this banquet, everything was different.
The only thing left to worry about was the food itself.
"Hey."
Suddenly...
Darkness.
My vision was covered.
"Guess who I am…" a voice whispered from behind.
I immediately reached up, grabbing his wrist.
"Take your hand off. What if someone sees you? They'll think you're being flirtatious."
"What does flirtatious mean?" he asked, still not letting go.
"It means you're acting like you're courting me, like you are interested in me," I replied quickly. "People will misunderstand."
The moment I finished talking, he immediately let go.
"Oh… is that how it is?" he said, stepping back slightly.
"Yes."
He lowered his gaze for a moment.
"Then I apologize."
I sighed.
"Let's talk later. I'm busy right now."
Then I crossed my arms, eyeing him. "What are you even doing here?"
He straightened slightly. "I am merely inspecting whether the preparations are being carried out properly."
Supervisor. Called it.
"Alright," I said, nodding. "Later, then." I turned back to my tasks.
Honestly, I had already been given three different orders in just a few minutes before he even showed up.
Busy didn't even begin to describe it.
And yet even with all that chaos I couldn't help but feel that things were starting to get… a little more interesting.