My days from there on out were pretty similar: run around like a chicken with its head cut off and translate just about every type of conversation one could imagine while somehow memorizing an entirely new alphabet… Easy. I mainly wrote in the dirt in hopes of cementing what I did learn, since it didn't seem like I was gonna be given any formal learning materials. Not that an army camp was the place to expect alphabet books to be hidden or lying around.
The Prince seemed to be quite busy as well. I ended up giving my food report to the Prince's secretary because there wasn't ever a good time that he wasn't in some sort of meeting or asking to not be disturbed. Although, if anything, I thought that giving my reports to the secretary would make more sense in the first place. I didn't think a slave was supposed to be directly communicating with royalty so often in any other normal circumstance.
Interestingly enough, my spoken Empirian also improved since each day seemed to have new words my parent-given education didn't have the chance to. Not only that, but by learning to read and write, I was able to engrave a vocabulary list in the dirt beside my designated mat, a major upgrade from my previous cell. At first I thought that it was going to be completely tedious and boring, but surprisingly, I was having fun. It could've also been the fact that I was getting decent sleep for once in my life.
By the end of the 3 weeks, I had somehow crammed the writing system into my head and was proficient enough to be able to write a report, assuming forgiveness for spelling mistakes. However, my nerves were still in pieces as the time to translate the terms of surrender sped closer at a terrifying pace.
Once the palace came into view, my nerves tangled and jumbled till my hands shook distastefully. Just seeing the sparkling marble and gem encrusted walls was enough to make me want to run back and beg the prince to hire someone else. To make this worse, I was still in my grungy brown tunic that made it clear to anyone that I was no noble, let alone citizen. Everyone had stopped once they reached the palace gates, and I reluctantly reported to the front like I was told.
"Slave, are you ready?" The Prince asked once he saw me. I looked at his brushed hair, not a strand sticking out of place, confidence dripping off his stature. My chest stung painfully as I shoved my jealousy down my stomach.
"Yes, Your Majesty," I stated, although my hands continued to threaten fluttering and shivering every second I held them out. I took a deep breath, closing my eyes, and decided to focus on doing well. It's nothing I haven't done before, and if I got punished for messing up, that also wouldn't be anything new. I straightened my neck and back and made sure any uneasy thoughts never made their way to my face, as we walked through the gates and into the outer palace grounds.
I had to do this right.
We entered the palace, the group splitting up and following their prospective groups to the areas of the palace they were to reside in while the terms were discussed. I was told that at the least it should take three days, and at most a week. However, I was hoping that we could get it over with in one sitting. The head maid and butler spoke a little bit of Empirian, seemingly having studied in preparation for the Prince's arrival. I was surprised but also impressed by their display of courtesy. Although, it would seem like the Prince wasn't.
"Slave, tell them that there's no need to listen to their broken Empirian. If I need anything, I'll just get you to go get it for me. There won't be any need for them to serve me."
I blinked at the statement, trying to hide my confusion from the frontward disrespect from the man that albeit ruthless, but never outright rude.
The Head Butler and Maid looked confused. He spoke quickly, and I doubted they could've caught what he said.
"He says that he wishes for me to serve him during his stay at the palace. If he needs anything, he'll communicate it to me. In the event I need something, I hope you'll guide me," I translated in more ways than one.
They looked at me in surprise.
"You speak Nagarian?"The maid asked, looking me up and down, eyeing my tunic for longer than necessary.
"Yes, I am a slave who was under the order of Count Refer," I said.
"I see," They stated wearily. They glanced at each other, having a conversation exclusively with their expressions.
"I know it may be uncomfortable, but as the Prince is using me as a translator, I hope that you will put up with me for the time being," I said.
They both nodded, not wanting to create any trouble with the prince.
"What's taking so long?" The Prince interjected, obviously bothered by the wait.
"I'm just introducing myself, Your Majesty."
"It shouldn't matter who you are, just that I'm the one you're serving," He said. He looked to be slightly annoyed at this point.
Is he… sleepy? Or something?
"I'm sorry, Your Majesty. Would you like to go to your room to rest first?" I offered.
"Yes, and quickly please," He stated.
Ah.
The servants showed us the way to the room the prince would be staying in before they told me that I could ask another maid to show me to the slave quarters after I was dismissed. I thanked them, and they went on their way.
The Prince plopped down on one of the chairs, and sighed deeply. It was much more obvious that the prince was actually tired now as I realized that he was simply amazing and keeping his expression and posture up in front of others.
"Water," he stated blankly, exhaust etched in the grumbles of his voice.
I looked around the room, seeing a pitcher on one of the side tables. I quickly walked over and poured a glass before giving it to the prince. He took a few gulps before handing me the glass, which I returned to the table.
"I think I'll have a bath before I sleep," he thought aloud, rubbing his face, trying to spark some energy into his features.
"Is there any specific way you like it prepared?" I asked.
"Hot, and I prefer refreshing scents," he added. I nodded and found the bathroom door before getting the bath prepared. There was an irrigation system throughout the palace, so most of it was heating the water versus getting the water. After filling the bathtub, I sprinkled in some forest-y scents along with some citrus. I don't know if it was what he wanted, but it smelt pretty "refreshing" to me. I hung the robe by the door and checked the temperature of the water one last time before putting soap, a wash rag, and a dry towel on the side table.
Wait a minute. I'm not tending to him in the bath right? A slave? Touching the Prince?
I walked out and notified the Prince.
"The bath is ready, Your Highness. Would you like me to call a maid to tend to you while you're there?" I asked.
"No need. I can handle myself," he stated. I internally sighed a breath of relief. As he bathed, a footman came by and delivered the Prince's luggage. I got to work, putting everything away in what I hoped to be the right place. I was setting the prince's jewelry box down when I heard the bathroom door click open. I turned around bowing, waiting for the prince's order.
"Was the luggage delivered?" He asked, adorning the robe.
"Yes, Your Highness. I just finished putting everything away. Would you like me to prepare a change of clothes?" I asked.
"Yes, I'll be resting for the rest of the day today, so nothing too fancy. The negotiations begin tomorrow. After getting my clothes, tell the commanders of every unit that I want a full conclusive report on their status and supplies, and I want a calculation made on the amount used during the whole expedition."
Conclu…? Calcu…what now?Expedition?
"...Is it possible to have you write that down, Your Majesty?" I asked, trying to sound like I didn't completely miss everything he just said.
"Why?"
"I'm afraid I don't know some of the words you said, so if you write it down I won't forget," I admitted.
"Fair enough. I'll write you a note while you get the clothes," he said.
"Thank you, Your Majesty," I said, giving a quick bow. I walked over to the closet I had just finished hanging clothes on. Walking over to one of the trunks, I lifted the heavy lid and got out a set of leisure wear. Although, I mainly just guessed, as it was the only box of clothes that wasn't dyed in expensive colors or decorated with embroidery and jewels. I walked out and handed the prince his clothes while he handed me the note. I looked over it, reading it once over before bowing was once again.
"Then I'll excuse myself to go deliver your request, Your Highness."
"Wait, have Liton teach you the words you didn't know before you come back," he said, referring to his secretary.
"Yes, Your Majesty," I replied.
I set off, and walked around the whole castle, stopping by each unit and delivering his message. Multiple of them already had a report ready, so by the end of my trip, I had a generous amount of paper to deliver to the Prince. Along the way, I had also passed by Mr.Liton, so I asked him to explain the words I didn't understand and happily continued, now able to ignore the paper. The 4th bell of the clock tower caught my attention. I figured that I should be back in time to serve dinner. I held onto the papers tightly, not letting a single one of them drop, while I made my way back to the room. As I still hadn't quite figured out the layout, I had to ask multiple servants along the way. My back was starting to hurt from all the bowing I was doing. Once I got back to the room, I knocked on the door, announcing myself.
"Your Majesty, it's Ruina. May I come in?" I asked. I heard a muffled "come in" and opened the door.
"...You said your name is Ruina?" He asked suddenly.
I looked to him, "Yes, Your Majesty."
"And that's your Empirian name?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"No last name?" He inquired.
"Slaves are not allowed to have a last name, sire," I explained.
"You didn't have one before you became a slave?" He continued.
"I did, however it was quite long ago, and everyone in my area referred to us by our first names. I do believe it started with an 'A', however,"I informed him.
He seemed to think for a moment.
"I see."
"Here are some of the reports from the units, Your Majesty. The rest stated that they would send it over by the end of the day."
"Thank you," he replied, taking the stack and walking over to his desk.
"Did you learn the words from Liton?"
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Good. As it's getting late, go ahead and ask the kitchen to make dinner. I'll be having it in my room today," He said. I bowed and left, making my way to the kitchen. I was about to cross into the next building when I heard some whispers.
"I cannot believe the audacity of that slave. Serving the Prince? Not only that but the prince lets her. If it were me, I wouldn't even let her be in my sight. Why isn't she working in the laundry room or kitchen?"
I furiously nodded.
Exactly. I know what you mean.
Why would he ask me to do a maid's job when I'm just a slave? I don't get it either…
If it wasn't for the fact that the Prince had ordered me to himself, I would've traded jobs with them in an instant. I continued walking, moving farther away,unable to hear the gossiping maid's conversation anymore. Soon enough, I got to the kitchen and asked to have a meal served for the prince. Surprisingly enough, the staff were very friendly, even offering me a loaf of bread and an apple to eat while I waited. Happily munching on what I thought to be a well deserved diner, I watched as the chefs whipped up a gorgeous meal set before topping it with a metal cover to keep it warm. I stuffed the last piece of bread in my mouth before grabbing the platter carefully.
"There you go, hun. Get it there before it gets cold," She said. I nodded.
"Thank you," I said, a bit muffled. I cautiously walked the way back, not wanting to spill the drink or anything inside. Luckily, I have never known myself to be a clumsy person, making the trip fairly easy. Once I got to the door, I shifted the platter as safely as I could to one hand, and knocked on the door.
"Your Highness, may I come in?" I asked. Once again a muffled answer came through the cracks of the door, and I entered in.
I stepped across the room and put the platter on the small table to the side of the room, uncovering the top and holding the cover in my hands.
"Dinner, Your Highness," I called, turning to see him scribbling away at a piece of paper. He finished the sentence he was on and then leaned back in his chair.
"Right," He said, getting up. He strutted over to the table, sitting down in the chair I pulled out for him.
"Is there anything else you need, sire?" I asked. He set his napkin on his lap.
"Not at the moment."
"Let me know if anything comes to mind," I replied. I turned and went around the room resetting the bed since it seemed that the prince rested in it for a while, dusting the fine marble surfaces, and organizing the papers a bit so they weren't so scattered. I was a bit worried that he wouldn't want me touching documents that may or may not have sensitive information, but he hadn't said anything, so I just continued while ignoring the contents of the papers just in case.
After I finished, I was going to move onto the wardrobe and see if I should send any clothes to be ironed, but I was interrupted by the Prince's voice.
"I know that you were a slave, but are you sure you didn't work as a servant? I don't know of many slaves that know how to perform tasks other than hard labor or tedious cleaning."
"The master of my estate had more slaves than servants. There were multiple occasions where I had to substitute a maid and fulfill her duties. However, you are correct. I am much more trained to handle harsh labor like harvesting or laundry."
"Your previous master must have had a lot of money to buy and feed so many slaves," he commented.
"I wouldn't say that he had a lot of money, just that he spent it as soon as he made it," I said.
"Is that so?"
"Yes, sire."
"Anything else, Your Majesty?" I asked, wishing to continue the task I was just about to start.
"No. You're dismissed for the rest of the day. I don't think I will need anything else."
"Understood, Your Majesty. Just in case, the word for guard is 'kolaehahe'. Since I'll be in the slave quarters, I won't be able to hear you should something happen."
"Thank you," he said. I bowed deeply before leaving the room. It was already quite late, so deciding on rest I found a maid to show me to the slave quarters. It was almost disgusting how similar it was to my old cell (It even had a suspiciously empty spider web in the corner) but I guess it was better than trying to sleep in a completely different place. So taking a seat near the bars, I closed my eyes and slept.