Command

My heart was racing as I waited for Professor Nathan later that night at the majestic entrance of Castle Rivenmoor. His tall, learned form stood out against the waning dusk as the big oak door creaked open. "Hello, sir," I answered, my voice quivering a little from a mixture of anxiety and excitement. "This is a note from Prince Jase; I’m to take notes for you." As he took it, I held out the folded parchment, my fingers grazing the jagged edge.

His keen eyes scanned Prince Jase's graceful script as he unfolded the paper, then raised to meet mine. "All right. Where should we sit? A man used to efficiency, his tone was sharp but polite.

"In the kitchens, sir," I said, trying to seem more composed that way. The kitchens had appeared to be the most sensible option—a peaceful, discrete area where disruptions were unlikely and I could take care of little duties like making tea without drawing attention to myself. I motioned for him to follow, guiding him through the lavish hallways of Castle Rivenmoor. Before arriving at the more modest realm of the kitchens, we passed soaring tapestries that portrayed historical conflicts and glistening chandeliers that threw golden light across the stone walls. The earthy aroma of freshly baked bread permeated the warm, fragrant air there, a reassuring reminder of my everyday routine. Earlier that day, I had set up a simple wooden table beside the fireplace, and a teapot was ready with lovely tendrils of steam flowing upward.

As I poured the tea, the soft crackle of the fire filled the quiet as we took our seats in the mismatched chairs. As I poured his cup, my hands moved carefully and the porcelain teapot shook a little. I wanted to look calm, deserving of this unexpected part. "Where is Prince Jase?" As he took the cup, Professor Nathan questioned in a slightly curious tone.

I said, "He has gone to town, sir, with Queen Bria," as I pushed the saucer in his direction. "They’ve been gone since breakfast." The fine porcelain felt brittle in my hands, reflecting the delicate equilibrium I experienced as I was torn between my responsibilities as a maid and this unique opportunity to transcend them.

"Is there a reason he could not stay and talk with me?" His forehead furrowed slightly, and I had to be careful what I said.

"Yeah, sir. I don't mean to be harsh, but Queen Bria does not value his studies, therefore he would have run afoul of her. In the hopes that I hadn't gone too far, I squeezed my lips together. The servants knew that Queen Bria detested Prince Jase's academic pursuits, but it felt dangerous to say it out loud.

"I understand," he said, his expression softening slightly with sympathy. "Are you ready to write the notes?"

"Yes, sir." Reaching for the quill and parchment I had previously laid out, I sat down across from him and draped my apron across my lap. I dipped the quill and held it above the page, the inkwell gleaming darkly in the firelight, a tiny anchor between us.

The next thing that happened was a flood of information that overwhelmed me. Professor Nathan began his talk with a continuous stream of stories about physics, math, history, and English. I scrawled frantically, trying to keep up as the quill scratched the parchment. His comments conjured up vivid images of rulers whose legacies created our land, of scientific marvels that transformed the ordinary into the magical, and of mathematics that revealed the secrets of the world. Sometimes I became so engrossed that my hand froze, my head soaking up his explanations rather than writing them down. I would then start and rush to catch up, trying to piece together what I had missed before he rushed forward.

Only the gentle crackling of the hearth and the dim light outside the kitchen's small windows could mark the passing of the hours. Once a daunting tangle of numbers, mathematics started to take on the appearance of a puzzle that I might eventually solve. Like a tapestry, history developed, with each thread representing a tale of either victory or tragedy. Science showed me a universe much larger than the boundaries of the fortress I was familiar with. Both my own ignorance and the immensity of what lay beyond it astounded me.

He concluded his presentation as darkness gave way to night. We stood, and I led him back to the entrance via the now-quiet corridors. "Thank you, sir!" As we arrived at the door, I couldn't contain my thankfulness and let it out.

With a slight smile pulling at his lips, he replied, "For what?"

"Well, you have taught me so much by putting all of this in writing for me! Mind you, I've been educated, but this! It was incredible, sir. As I became aware of how exposed I sounded, I felt warmth seeping into my cheeks as my words poured out in an eager rush.

"I'm happy you find learning enjoyable. "It's a gift that most people don't have," he said, grinning broadly. I felt like I was being seen—not just as a maid, but as a person with potential—because of the gentle tenderness in his eyes. I was taller for that brief instant.

He nodded and left, still grinning, and I smiled back at him as I closed the door. I let out a big breath as I leaned against its sturdy frame, my head buzzing with fresh concepts. With each step bolstered by the excitement of what I had taken in, the notes rustled in my hand as I made my way up the twisting staircase to Prince Jase's chambers.

I was delayed by my responsibilities to Queen Bria, but Prince Jase returned after seven, his boots clattering through the hallways. I undid the elaborate clasps on her gown in her opulent rooms, my fingers dexterous in spite of her acerbic disposition. As I combed her hair, she let forth a torrent of complaints about the day. I muttered affirmations as my mind strayed to the notes. I quickly brought her dinner when she insisted on it, setting the tray next to her bed. She scanned it critically, looking for flaws. She said, "And where is the dress I wore yesterday?"

The words "It is being cleaned, Your Majesty," I said uniformly. "It will be ready tomorrow."

She sighed but gave in, and I slipped out as she got into bed. My heart thumping, I knocked lightly at Prince Jase's door. Then he called, "Come in!"

I walked in and offered the notes while curtsying. "Sir, here they are."

From his messy desk, he looked up. "What was the professor like?"

"Oh, that's great, sir! Even though he told me a lot, I believe he could have stayed longer because he knew so much. I apologize, sir, but I had a great time listening to him. An uncontrollable smile appeared on my face.

"Did you just now? You knew what he was talking about?" His eyes flashed with surprise.

"Yes, sir, almost all of it."

"You’ve been schooled?" His interest grew.

"Briefly, sir, when I was ten." It brought back memories of the country schoolroom: crowded benches, slates covered in chalk, a fleeting taste of education before duty called.

"Really? My mother failed to explain that we had a trained maid. What are you aware of?

"I am proficient in reading, writing, math, and addition, and I am somewhat knowledgeable about the history of our country. I had never heard of science before, but tonight I did. My voice was tinged with humility and pride.

"Since you won’t take payment for this, how about I tutor you more?" My eyes widened as I was struck into stillness by his offer.

I managed to say, "Sir, Queen Bria wouldn’t approve," my excitement tempered by caution.

You would therefore arrive while she is sleeping or away. You know, I'd be in trouble too. When I am unable to teach, you can utilize the library and I will provide you notes. Would you like to or not? A hint of mischief lurked beneath his realism.

"Oh, yes, sir!" When my restraint broke, the words exploded forth.

"Good." He dug into a heavy folder on his desk and pulled out a thin pile of papers. "Study these basics for a couple of days, then return."

"Thank you, sir!" I gripped the papers tightly, my hands shaking with excitement.

He turned back to his job after nodding. "Go, I’m tired."

"Sir, tea? "Anything to eat?"

"Not right now. If I need anything, I'll come down." He spoke in a tired, contemptuous tone.

With the notes pressed tight, I curtsied and headed back to the cooks. My hands worked instinctively as I kneaded the bread for tomorrow, but my mind was racing, revealing the promise of knowledge, a secret revealed to Prince Jase, and a future suddenly full of possibilities.