"keep youreyes down and your mouth sealed,julia .in this place even the walls have ears".
Oliver's voice was starn as she pulled a sheet from the hot tub .her hands ,red from hours in boiling water ,worked with consitency born of years of Servitude.
Julia held the wet sheet and wrung it out,water trilling down her wrists .
"i know ", she whispered ."you had told me everyday since i knew how to speak.
"That Because every day i see that light in your eyes"Oliver whispered back.
That one that shows just how curious you are .
Curiosity in the Royal court is like inviting wolves into your home".
Julia swallowed .The truth was ,she was curious .About the marble wings she wasn't allowed to wander,the feasts where wine and food fllowed like waterfall,those laughed with lips that never quite smiled.
But most of all the things that made her curious-
The king.
Julia had Only glimpsed him once before -at a far distance ,from the shadows of the kitchen courtyard-And yet tge memory had burned itself into her mind.A Tall figure crowned in gold,eyes just like steel ,a presence that makes Eyeryother person small and unimportant without a single spokenword.
Then suddenly -the kitchen door banged open and old Mary ,the Head Cook ,limped in,cheeks flushed."The KING'S"Feast begins within the hour.laundary is in choas -lady Dumbell is overseeing the sitting arrangement we are to bring nothing but fresh fruit ,Drinks and food to the high table".
Oliver stiffened."But only the senior maids attends to the high table".
"Senior maids are on the decorations and sitting arrangement duty".Mary snapped .Her look stayed on julia."you,you will Carry them".
Julua blinked "me ?".
"you have two working legs or do you not ?Go.and don't trip .or breathe too loudly .or look at anyone unless theyspeak to you first is that Clear".
Oliver's eyes shut as julia picked up the folded linens ."Don't linger ",She whispered.
"And for the love of God ,please Dont look at him".
The great hall was Decorated with gold and Brimstones .walls high into the shadows ,and banners of Red and white Ripping in the draft from the high windows.
Nobles and Royalties lined the long tables ,their laughter and Conversations Weaving into a low an Constant Hum.
Julia kept her eyes on the flag weaving between servants balancing trays of Roasted nuts and Spiced wine.At the far end of the hall,beneath the towering throne ,the high table was gleamed with Sliver goblets and platters of fruit.
She laid the tray of roasted nuts and spiced drinks Carefully on the high table,her fingers bruishing the sharp edge.
And then she felt it-like the weight of tge stay pressing down on her.
She really didn't mean to look.Truly ,she didn't.But it felt like her eyes lifted at ot own will,and there he was.
"The Great King AkexanderMcQueen"
Up close he was even more attractive than the she had Rembered .Broad -Shouldered,Beneath his dark tunic .the golden Crown Catching the firelight.And his ...his eyes -Cold ,pale,and Assesing -were now fixed on her,as though he Could See Straight through the Rough weave of her dress to the thoughts she wasn't supposed to have.
Her breath Caught .The room suddenly felt quiet,the noise at the table stopped and all she Could hear was now her own heartbeat .
A man who looked noble at his side leaned in,murmurming something .The king's gaze didn't weaver.
Julia immdiately dropped her eyes at Once,heat Crawled up her spine .She turned to leave,when in a rush she bumped into a Servant carrying a tray of wine,beside her .The globlets tipped-red liquid splied across the king's sleeve.
Whispers moved through the hall.The servant froze -Julia's hands moved before she could think picking up a clean napkin from her pocket ,and moving forward ,and dapping quickly at the dark fabric.
"Forgive me,your majesty",she whispered eyes low.
The king said nothing .The silence streched until it became unbearable.
Then he spoke ,hus voice -deep ,starn -broke the tension.
"your hands are steadier,than most".
Julia's head tittled slightly ,confused ,but she dare say nothing.
"it done -you may go,"he added ,his voice unreadable".
She backed away quickly -almost collidering with a sneering" Lady Campbell".
Who had been watching the exchange .the noble woman's lips curled into something ,as though she had witnessed something worth Remebering .
Julia sliped out of the hall,as the king's gaze still burning in her mind she pressed her forehead to the cool stone wall of the corridor,willing her pause to slow.
Whatever had just happened ,she now knew two things for certain -she had being noticed.
And in this place ,being not noticed was
Dangerous.