Chapter 14- side consort Eva

She pointed a finger at him. "You have got to be out of your mind. I do not even like the prince one bit. For one thing, he is the son of my worst enemy. Secondly, he is the most arrogant man I have ever met. Do you know the horrible words he said to me?"

"I guess you need some time to think about this. And when you do, you will find out I am right. You need the Crown Prince, Patricia," he said.

"I must be doomed!" She said as she sat beside him.

"It is for the cause. You were the one who told Master that you would lay down your life for the cause. Now do as you said," he teased.

"My life... I meant I could die," she was deep in thought.

"Just that?" He asked. It dawned on him that Patricia had not really thought of being intimate with the Crown Prince. He smiled. He might have to play a few tricks to get Patricia exactly where he wanted her. "Patricia, what if the Crown Prince decides to summon you to serve him in bed? Would you refuse him?"

She rose to her feet angrily, "I will definitely refuse him. I hate him. Besides, I can't betray our love."

He smiled at her, but he felt a bit disappointed. Even with his identity as Philip, she had not let him touch her. Now, she had no intention of being with the prince? He ran his hand through his hair. "It's great to know you love me much. But if only you give me a little sugar, I would not feel this way?"

She smiled, "Let's go to the market. We will buy some sugar."

"You are teasing me... You know what I really mean. And you dare change the topic to real sugar? " He rose to his feet. "I'm out. We will talk later."

She ran to him from behind and grabbed Philip by his waist. "I really need to go to the market and buy some stuff. I need more food. Do you know they serve concubines little food?"

"I serve the food, Patricia. I know what portion of food you are given. But you eat a lot... So I can't blame you," he loosened her hands and turned to face her.

"You will take me out of the palace?" Her eyes were shining brightly.

He hugged her, "I can't stay angry with you for long. We will leave the palace and buy all the food you want. You can store it all like a rabbit if you like." He bent to kiss her forehead gently.

***

Perry was properly dressed as she sat at the table waiting for the Crown Prince.

Ruby walked in, "These girls don't know how to walk quickly. They just finished making soup. They will serve it and bring it here."

Thirty minutes later, the table was full of food.

Perry was expectant. "Oh Ruby, what will I say to the prince? I have thought about it over and over."

"You have always been a great person, my lady. You will definitely please the prince," Ruby answered with a smile on her face.

But their excitement soon gave way to worry as three hours passed without them seeing the Crown Prince enter their door.

Perry rose to her feet, "Pack the food away."

"My lady," Ruby gasped.

"I said take the food away. Every single thing," Perry did not yell. Her voice was cold.

"But, we must wait for the prince. He said he will have dinner with you tonight, Crown Princess," Ruby argued.

Perry turned to Ruby, "We have waited three hours from dinner time. It is time for the night watch. The prince will not be coming to see me. If he was, he would have been here a long time ago." A tear drop ran down her cheek. She wiped it off and sighed. "I do not know why the prince treats me like this. Does this mean he is not pleased with me? He does not like me? I have tried to do everything right. I have tried to be perfect. Yet... Take the dishes away. I am going to bed."

Ruby helped Perry change her clothes and take off her makeup. Perry lay in bed. She tried not to cry.

About an hour later, the Crown Prince slipped into Perry's palace. The maids bowed. Ruby rushed towards him and bowed.

"You may rise," he said. "Where is the Crown Princess?"

Ruby cleared her throat, "She is inside, my prince. Asleep." Prince Edward nodded. He walked towards Perry's bedchamber. She was sound asleep. He decided to sleep beside her.

***

By dawn, Patricia hurried to dress up. They would have to visit the Crown Princess's palace today to pay their respects. Pamela's hand was bandaged, so she had to do things more slowly. Patricia had to help her. The three ladies walked together.

"Patricia," Lisa said. "I went to bed really late. I did not see you."

"I was enjoying the cool breeze in the garden. I returned very late," Patricia explained.

Lisa nodded.

"How is your hand?" Patricia asked Pamela, changing the topic.

Pamela nodded, "I will heal."

They got to the Crown Princess's palace. Soon, all concubines were seated and expecting the Crown Princess. All concubines except one. Patricia noticed that Side Consort Eva was not around.

When the Crown Princess stepped in, all the women rose and bowed.

The Crown Princess took her seat and spoke, "Let us all take our seats, shall we?"

They all obeyed.

Perry looked around, "I see we are not complete. Who knows the whereabouts of Side Consort Eva? She is meant to be here."

At that moment, Side Consort Eva walked into the room. She bowed nonchalantly and rose without the Crown Princess's permission.

"You are late," Perry said.

Eva smiled, "My beauty sleep is important. I believe it is the same for you too. Crown Princess, I do not sit all night to wait for a dignitary that would not come. Maybe the dignitary felt his host was not attractive enough. Not good enough."

Those words were a bullet at Perry's heart. Was Eva referring to what had happened in Perry's palace the previous night? The fact that the Crown Prince had not had dinner with her?

Patricia watched the women. She was enjoying the show. It was about to go down. And she was happy to watch. Maybe this could also be an opportunity for her to punish Eva. Manipulating and using the Crown Princess's hand would not be a bad idea.