Before I Lose My Head

Chapter2

I ignored the old hag's lingering curses as I quickly gathered the remaining shards of glass, my mind shifting into overdrive. Honestly, if this was how she treated the employees, it was no wonder this tavern had a one-star rating in my mind.

The tyrannical prince—my absolute favorite, breathtakingly handsome character—wasn't just slaughtering this village out of random cruelty. He was hunting rebels. And looking around this room at these peasants who couldn't even wipe their own noses properly, I highly doubted any of them had the brain cells to form a rebellion. Staying here meant waiting for execution. But running away blindly into the woods? Please, I’m an aspiring novelist, not a wilderness survival expert.

I need a ticket out of this dump, I thought, standing up and wiping my hands on my apron. And I need it before my beloved prince turns this place into a pile of ash and charred ruins tomorrow.

I carried the tray back to the counter, my eyes scanning the tavern, judging everyone in sight. If I wanted to reach the capital and finally see his gorgeous face, I couldn't go as a penniless, runaway peasant girl smelling of cheap ale. I needed a ride.

My gaze shifted back to the three travelers from the capital who had been fan-girling over the Holy Maiden, Elena.

They wore decent clothes, and their cloaks were made of thick, expensive wool. Translation: they had money, they probably had a carriage, and they definitely didn't belong in a trashy village like this. More importantly, they were heading back to the capital.

"Hey, lazy girl! Take these to table four before I throw you out!"

the old hag shouted, shoving a fresh pitcher of ale into my hands. Oh, I'm throwing myself out tonight.

"Right away, ma'am,"

I replied, forcing the most fake, submissive smile humanly possible onto my face while my mind sparked with a daring idea.

I didn't just walk to table four. Instead, I purposely took the scenic route, strutting right past the capital travelers' table. As I neared them, I slowed my pace, leaning in just enough to catch their terrified whispering, waiting for the perfect moment to drop a piece of bait these city boys wouldn't be able to ignore.

"If you value your expensive cloaks, gentlemen, dawn will be far too latr"

I murmured, my voice. dropping it's submissive servant tone completely, replaced by a cold, mocking confidence.

The older merchant blinked, recovering from his initial shock, and his expression hardened into one of pure, aristocratic disgust. He looked at my tattered apron as if it were a biohazard.

"Mind your own business, girl,"

he sneered, waving his hand to shoo me away like an annoying fly.

"Go back to scrubbing floors and leave the politics to people who actually have a brain. We don't need a tavern maid telling us how to travel."

The youngest one let out a nervous, mocking chuckle, trying to look tough in front of his boss.

"Exactly. Go play with your mugs, sweetie. Don't meddle in things you can't possibly understand."

Sweetie? I almost laughed out loud. These absolute clowns were one day away from becoming historical footnotes, and they were trying to flex their non-existent superiority on me. It was honestly adorable. They really thought their expensive wool cloaks came with a survival instinct.

I didn't move an inch. Instead, I leaned against the edge of their table, resting my weight on one hand, looking down at them like a teacher dealing with toddlers who refuse to nap.

"Oh, I'm sorry,"

I said, my voice dripping with heavy, unbothered sarcasm.

"I didn't realize that wearing fancy cloaks made you immune to shadow guards. My mistake."

I straightened up, pretending to walk away, but stopped after one step and looked back over my shoulder with a wicked, patronizing smile.

"Just a friendly tip from a mindless waitress: when the Prince's men find the stolen royal seal in the luggage of three 'innocent' merchants tomorrow morning, try telling them to 'mind their own business.'"

" I'm sure the Prince will love your sense of humor."

The older merchant froze halfway through lifting his mug, his face instantly draining of all color

The silence at the table was so thick you could hear a pin drop. The older merchant's hand shook violently, his mug clattering against the wood. The youngest boy looked like he was about to faint right into his cheap ale. They thought they were master spies, but they were just amateur clowns carrying a death sentence in their leather bags.

"H-How do you..."

the older one stammered, his aristocratic arrogance completely evaporating into thin air. He reached out, trying to grab my wrist, but I stepped back smoothly, giving him a look of pure, unadulterated judgment.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk,"

wagging my finger at him.

"Keep your hands to yourself, sir. I’m just a 'clueless tavern maid,' remember? I should probably get back to scrubbing floors before your brilliant brains handle the rest of your travel plans."

____

"Wait! Please!"

the third merchant, who had been quiet the whole time, finally broke. He looked around frantically to ensure the other peasants weren't listening, his voice a panicked whisper.

"What do you want? Gold? Jewels? Just name your price!"

I sighed dramatically, examining my rough, scratched nails as if I were a bored queen negotiating a minor treaty.

"Well, since you're offering..."

I leaned in, a sharp, greedy smile cutting through my features.

"I want fifty thousand gold coins. Non-negotiable. And of course, a first-class seat in your carriage with a safe, smooth ride straight to the capital tonight."

The older merchant’s eyes practically popped out of his skull.

"Fifty thousand?! Are you insane? That's a fortune! We can't just—"

_______

"Oh, I'm sorry,"

I interrupted, rolling my eyes as I picked up my tray.

"I didn't realize your lives and that shiny stolen seal were worth less than fifty thousand gold coins. My bad. Guess I'll just wait until tomorrow, watch the fireworks when the Prince arrives, and let his men search your carriage. See you around, boys."

"Wait! Fine! Fine, we'll pay!"

the older merchant hissed, sweating through his expensive wool collar, looking like his heart was about to stop.

"Tonight. When the tavern closes, meet us behind the stables. You'll get your seat and your gold."

I smirked, thoroughly enjoying the sheer terror on their faces.

"Pleasure doing business with you. See you at midnight."

I turned on my heel and strutted away, leaving three grown men shivering in their fancy boots. Step one: secured, I thought with a wicked smile. I'm leaving this dump tonight, and I'm entering the capital filthy rich. Get ready, my dear prince. Your future wealthy wife is on her way.