“Are you sure this is a good idea?” Eudemas bit her lip as she laced Vara’s dress.

“Don’t worry,” Vara answered, “I will make sure you won’t get in trouble for this. I will take full blame.”

Eudemas shook  her head. “I should talk you out of this.”

“But you known I won’t listen,” Vara finished. She smiled. “It’s all for a good cause. They won’t look any servant in the eye, so if I dress in one of your dresses, they won’t even recognize me as the king’s ward. It will give me the chance to see their true colors.”

“Just be careful, Vara,” Eudemas sighed, “the king will not be pleased.”

“He will not be there until the start of the official banquet. It’s only refreshments and conversations now.” She pressed Eudemas’  hand. “Do not worry. I won’t be long.” She ran her hand over the servant’s dress to smooth it out and entered the dining hall.

Althea, one of the servant girls, eyed her oddly when she recognized her, but Vara winked at her and motioned her to be silent.  She took one of the trays with refreshments and carefully made her way across the room.

There were a few noble families. She recognized the lord from the Northern Territory.

There was the duke of the Vale.

And the nobles from the Western provinces.

They were all here for the war council that would take place tomorrow. And they had brought their daughters, nieces, cousins.

A small flock of girls was talking not far from her. One voice in particular rang out with a  hint of arrogance.

“It won’t be hard at all. There isn’t a  man that I can’t wrap around my finger.”

“Giulia, there are rumors you know. About the prince. He isn’t exactly a faithful man.”

Giulia laughed softly. “That is the best part. I don’t need him to be faithful. Once I’m wed to him, he can have all the women he wants. I only  want his money and the title that comes with it. Of course I’ll have to take a lover…”

Vara narrowed her eyes at the girl’s words. She didn’t know whose daughter Giulia was, but at the moment she did not care. Quietly she tipped over one of the glasses on her tray so it spilled on Giulia’s dress.

Giulia gasped. “Be careful stupid girl!”

“Forgive me, my lady,” Vara muttered, “it was an accident.”

“You ruined my dress!” Giulia shrieked.

“I’m sure we can wash it out,” Vara said while reaching for the dress.

“Do not touch me!” Giulia said, “they should have you fired! You are completely incompetent!”

“What is gong on here?” Cyrus appeared at her shoulder and looked at Giulia.

Giulia flinched at the sight of him and immediately made a humble curtsy. “My prince.”

The other girls followed suit.

Cyrus sighed and inclined his head. “What seems to be the problem?” he asked.

“Your servant, my prince,” Giulia answered, “she spilled a drink on my dress.”

Cyrus turned his face towards said servant and upon recognizing Vara he eyed her oddly, but kept quiet.

Vara lowered her eyes. “It was an accident, my prince,” she said, “forgive me. I apologized.”

“It is still ruined,” Giulia pouted.

Cyrus sighed. He wasn’t sure what game Vara was playing this time, but he was in no mood to deal with whining women. He turned back to Giulia. “My sincere apologies, my lady,” he said, “I am sure we can have it cleaned. If you please, I am certain my sister would be more than willing to lend you one of her gowns for the evening.”

Giulia’s cheeks turned red. “I … I would be most honored, your highness.”

Cyrus inclined his head again, ignoring the glare he could feel burning in his back. She had brought this upon herself.

He motioned for one to the serving girls to come. “Chloe, could you be so kind to escort the lady to my sister’s chambers to lend her a gown?”

Chloe quickly glanced at Vara, who looked quite annoyed, before curtsying and guiding Giulia out.

Cyrus waited until she was gone and pulled Vara aside. “Don’t insult the guests,” he hissed.

Vara narrowed her eyes. “You didn’t hear what she said about you.”

“It doesn’t matter,” Cyrus hissed, “why are you dressed like that anyway? Hurry up and change into something proper before my father arrives and sees you.”

An angry glare set on Vara’s face and she made  a deep curtsy. “My prince,” she mocked and she bumped his shoulder as she left the room.

Cyrus sighed and his eyes followed her every step. Even in the dress of a servant she still made his blood heat up.

…

In the hallway, Eudemas was waiting for her. Her eyes were wide with concern.

Vara ignored it and took Eudemas’ arm. “Come,” she said, “I need you to help me into my gown.”

“Wh-what did you do?” Eudemas gasped, “I saw…”

Vara cut her off. “The prince wants to see me properly dressed, so let’s not keep him waiting.”

Eudemas let out a deep sigh. “Please behave my lady.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll be the epitome of a lady tonight. She pulled Eudemas with her down the hall.

“Is that a fancy way of saying you’re going to cause trouble?”

Vara shook out her hair. “I’ll be on my best behavior.”

Eudemas hung her head. “I was afraid you would say that.”

***

Three horses came to a halt in the courtyard.

A guard walked up to the first rider, annoyed that he had to go out in the rain. “Who goes there? Name yourself.”

“The prince of Tireze, his royal highness Darius Tirzé, and his sister the lady Ariane.” Torcan dismounted and turned to the guard. “Can someone escort us to our quarters? We have travelled for a long time.”

The guard blinked for a moment. “Where is your entourage? Surely you haven’t travelled without an escort?”

“Do we have to discuss this here in the rain?” Darius barked irritated, “we are weary and cold.”

The guard flinched and made a deep bow. “Forgiveness, your highness.” He motioned for a boy to take care of the horses and lead the trio inside.

“Our wagon broke down,” Torcan spoke while shaking the rain from his hair, “we would be most grateful if you could send some of your men to aid our party with the repair and the transport of our luggage.”

“O-of course,” the guard stuttered, “I’ll arrange it.” He looked around rather helpless. He didn’t want to insult them, but he didn’t feel comfortable sending his men without permission from his superiors. “If you wish, sir,” he said to Torcan, “please ride with my men to show them where you left your entourage.”

Torcan glanced at Darius, who nodded, and grimaced. He didn’t much enjoy the prospect of going back out in the rain and he didn’t want to leave the prince and his sister unprotected. “Very well,” he said.

“In the meantime,” Darius said, “we would like to bathe and perhaps a change of clothes?”

“Yes, your highness,” the guard complied and he looked around for a servant, but Darius beat him to it.

“You girl!” he called when he spotted two females. “Come here.”

“Your highness,” the guard said hesitantly when he followed Darius’ gaze, “she’s…”

But Darius cut him off by a wave of his hand. “I’ll manage from here.”

***

Cyrus let out a deep sigh and rubbed his temple. “What am I to do with her, Iolaus? She’ll give me grey hair before my time.”

Iolaus smirked and leaned back on the recliner while throwing a grape in his mouth. He watched as the other guests mingled around the hall. “she’s a handful, I’ll give you that.”

“Forget handful,” Cyrus dropped himself on a second bench across from his friend, “she’s a bucket load of trouble.”

“Still,” Iolaus mused. He tilted his head. “If I weren’t betroth already, I would not object to her.”

Cyrus sighed. “I don’t know what to do.”

Iolaus frowned. He was worried about his friend. “You need to forget about her,” he said quietly, “she cannot be yours. You are a prince, Cyrus, your father’s successor.”

Cyrus gritted his teeth. “I don’t care.” His eyes moved around the room, without actually seeing the festivities.

Iolaus shook his head. “Your father was a clever man when he gave her his name. He made sure you would never be able to marry her.”

“Bearing my father’s name does not make her my sister,” Cyrus took a swig from his wine cup and tore a piece of bread. “There is no blood tat binds us.”

“She may be your sister only in name,” Iolaus said calmly, “it would still be a scandal.” He shook his head. “Your father would disown you.”

“He can’t disown me,” Cyrus said annoyed. He leaned back and pulled a tray of grapes towards him. “I am his only living child. He has no other heir.”

“Don’t be a fool, Cyrus,” Iolaus said firmly, “you would not be the only one at risk. What about her?”

A stubborn expression marred Cyrus’ face. He didn’t want to admit it, but any scandal would have more consequences for Vara than for him. But he didn’t like the thought of seeing her with anyone else.

“Go find her,” he said to his friend, “it shouldn’t take this long to change her dress. Go and bring her here.”

Iolaus sighed and stood up.

This was going to be a long night.

***

“The look on her face,” Vara laughed, “it was priceless. For that alone it was worth it.”

Eudemas shook her head ad sighed. One of these days there would be serious trouble.

“You girl!” An arrogant youth was shouting at them. When he saw he had their attention, he called again. “Come here!”

Vara narrowed her eyes for a second, but soon after, a mischievous smile replaced her frown.

“No my lady,” Eudemas warned, fully aware of her intentions, “no more pranks. I beg you. He does not look as if he as a sense of humor.”

“But I can’t just ignore him,” Vara smiled innocently, “that would be rude.” She made her way over with a desperate Eudemas following after her.

“You called?”

“Escort us to our chambers,” Darius ordered, “I want to get out of these wet clothes. I want them to be washed and dried and as soon as our luggage arrives, you will have them brought to our rooms so we can attend the banquet. Has it started yet?”

There was a moment of silence as Eudemas and the guard exchanged worried glances.

“Not yet, sir,” Vara said calmly.

“You will address me with ‘your highness’ and my sister with lady Ariane.”

“As you wish,” Vara answered, your highness.”

Darius narrowed his eyes. “Watch your tongue, girl. I’ve never seen such an insolent servant.”

“Your highness,” Eudemas hurried to say, “she’s not…”

“Vara!” Iolaus’ voice sounded from the other side of the hall. He walked over to the group and gently placed a hand on her shoulder. “I’ve been looking all over for you.”

“I was just getting to know our guests,” Vara said while keeping her eyes on Darius.

Iolaus looked from Vara to Darius and sighed. “What did you do now?”

“Your servant insulted me,” Darius spoke.

“I did no such thing.”

“Though she may look the part,” Iolaus ignored Vara’s outburst, “She is the lady Vara vi Aurelios, sister to prince Cyrus.”

Darius narrowed his eyes. Fury was edged on his face. “Do you often dress up as a servant my lady? To spy on and fool your guests?”

Vara smiled amused. “How else would one learn someone’s true colors?”

“So you deceive them?”

“It is no fault of mine that they don’t ask my name,” Vara answered calmly.

Darius took a step closer and gritted his teeth. This woman was annoying the hell out of him. “Where I come from,” he hissed, “women know their place. They wouldn’t dare pull a stunt like this.”

Vara narrowed her eyes. His arrogance was infuriating. “It must be a very primitive land if it includes leaving a woman to stand shivering in cold and wet clothes.” She looked past Darius to his sister, who hadn’t spoken a word yet, but was obviously feeling miserable. “Perhaps you should be more concerned with your sister’s comfort than arguing with me.”

Iolaus coughed discretely. He knew he had to do something before things would get out of hand. “Vara, why don’t you show the lady to her quarters so she can change into something dry? The banquet will start soon. I am sure our guests are starving.”

“Such an excellent idea,” Vara said. She turned her back on Darius and took Eudemas’  hands. “Go see if Chloe has done with Giulia and ask her to prepare a bath for the lady Ariane. Then find Aeneas and tell him to send word to prince Cyrus that I am tending to our newly arrived guests and will be late.”

Eudemas bit her lip. “B-but my lady Vara. Prince Cyrus requested…”

Vara waved her worries away. “I can dress myself. Don’t concern yourself with that. Go.”

Eudemas curtsied and turned to Iolaus. She curtsied again and curtsied at Darius and Ariane before going about her task.

Vara turned towards the guard that was still standing there dumbfounded. “Octavius, please be so kind as to keep an eye out for the prince’s luggage and have someone send me word when it arrives.”

“Yes, my lady,” Octavius bowed.

“Good,” Vara turned to Ariane, “shall we?”

Ariane briefly glanced at her brother. She was uncertain what to do. She could feel anger radiating from him. This woman, Vara, was most unusual and her brother was not used to a woman having authority. And no woman had ever spoken against him.

It made her nervous, but she was also intrigued.

Darius gave a curt nod without even looking a his sister.

Slowly she moved past him to follow Vara.

Iolaus waited until they were out of sight and turned to Darius again. “I apologize on her behalf. Please don’t let your first impression of her cloud your judgment. She is usually more…” he sighed, unable to find a word to describe Vara.

Darius straightened his coat and gave Iolaus a stony look. “I’d like to get changed as well. If you would point me to my quarters. And when my manservant arrives, have him send up.”

Iolaus stiffened at the arrogance in the man’s voice, but he  swallowed his pride and made a slight bow. “As you wish.”