The Sultan's son

10. Numa

The next day, during her break, she went to the small bar near the living area, where they served breakfast. The bartender was on break, so there was someone else at the bar.

Joridey had climbed onto the counter and was tiptoeing through the tall shelves of the pantry. He was in balance.

"Joridey, what are you doing up there? Get down, it's dangerous!"

The child, frightened, swayed dangerously. "Gosh! You scared me!"

"Sorry! But what are you up to? "

"I can't reach the Nutella jar!"

"And couldn't you ask someone? Or get yourself a chair ... the counter is not made to support the weight of a person, even if you weigh 65 lbs when wet"

"No, the cook doesn't give me any, on the contrary, he hides it because he says I eat too much chocolate. And with the chair, I can't reach up there anyway!"

"Are you hungry?"

He nodded.

"If Nutella is unreachable, maybe we can find another good snack, what do you say?"

"But I want Nutella with peanuts, it's my favorite snack! And it's not unreachable. Look, it's right back there, where I was looking for. Wouldn't you take it for me? Pretty please?" And he gave a tight smile as he blinked.

She couldn't resist that face.

"Okay, but I need the chair too, it's not that I'm much taller than you."

Charmant arrived at the bar as they both ate a heaping spoonful of Nutella with a generous helping of salted peanuts.

She was perfect as always, from clothing to makeup, with her flowing, shiny hair.

"Oh, hello. What are you eating? Uh, Regina, now I understand why you are fat, you have to forget about that stuff, it's poison!"

And she took from the fridge a bottle of somewhat flavored water.

The boy said to her: "But Regina isn't fat, she just isn't thin like you."

"And I'm afraid I'll never be. She is right Joridey, I'm at least 10 pounds overweight. But every time I try to fight against sweets, they win. What can I do?" and winked at Joridey, then gorged herself the rest of the spoon as Joridey laughed.

Charmant smirked a little. "Whatever. If you are happy ..." and left the bar.

Actually, Regina didn't realize that with all the work she had on the ship she moved a lot more and ate less, and she had already lost weight. But without weighing herself, and used as she was to seeing herself fat, she didn't notice that she was almost no longer overweight.

"I don't think you're fat, Regina, you're very pretty!"

Regina smiled and hugged the child. "And you are my favorite person on the ship!"

As they chatted, Numa passed, all happy, but as soon as she saw Regina she started barking at her.

Joridey went to the dog to calm her down, but she kept barking and growling, stepping behind the boy.

Regina got up, took something out of her pocket, and squatted in front of the dog. She handed her the contents of a bag. Numa barked a little more but came over to sniff.

Then she took a piece of wiener that Regina handed her and swallowed it in an instant. Immediately afterward, she continued to growl.

"Here, Numa dear, don't you like it? Here, have another one!" and she gave her another piece of wiener.

In a short time, the dog's attitude changed, and she stopped growling. Now she was barking just to ask for another piece of wiener.

"Ah, little opportunist, I knew you were corruptible!" smiled Regina.

"She made peace with you, see?" Joridey said.

“Yeah, it seems so. I hoped so, even my Mint liked wieners a lot, he was crazy about them! "

"Numa never eats them because Quarin says they are bad for her."

“Hush… don't tell anyone I gave them to her, your brother is right! But it was an emergency, do you understand? I can't have this adorable little dog as an enemy. For once, nothing will happen." and stroked her. Numa let herself be pampered, happy.

Regina admired the calm sea and the wild coast passing by the sailing ship.

That day had definitely changed for the better.

In the afternoon, she began her cleaning shift.

As usual, the head waitress, Iris, put her to work. It was time to polish all the briar surfaces.

“Be very careful with the gold inserts; it's real gold and needs to be cleaned with a different product. I want everything to shine!"

"Damn, what a waste of money," she murmured. But Iris had heard it.

"What do you say? Waste of money? The Sultan has employed many craftsmen with these works! And it's only natural that he wants the best!"

"For heaven's sake, it's good, I'm just saying ... well, maybe the money could be spent better."

“Better? Better how? The Sultan's ship is also a presentation to guests and must show how rich the country is! You talk like this because you have no idea what it means to have all the money you want. If you had it too, I bet you would live in the wildest luxury, much more than what you see! I would, I have no trouble admitting it! Yours is just envy disguised as modesty! However, what's the point of having money, if you don't spend it?"

Regina was annoyed at her words.

"Envy? Absolutely not. A roof over my head, health, and a full stomach are enough for me to be happy. I don't need much else. But there are those who are dying of hunger, and for the price of a golden tap, you can feed a village! This ostentation of wealth demonstrates disinterest in truly needy people! Donations could be made to poor countries instead of… this!" and indicated with her arms all the exquisite furnishings.

"Good afternoon, ladies" they heard from the top of a balustrade.

The girls looked up and saw the Sultan with the dog in his arms.

Regina felt her heart sink. How much had the Sultan heard about their speech?

"Iris, I'd like to have a few words with Regina." and addressing her directly, he added: "When you're done, I'll be waiting for you in the tea room, okay?"

"Yes, Your Majesty," she said, almost breathless. Now she realized that he had heard everything.

The Sultan walked away.

Iris looked at her with a wicked smile.

“You are screwed. The Sultan is not tender with those who judge him. Expect the worst!"

She shivered. How could her little speech appear in the eyes of the Sultan? Maybe that she thought he was spoiled and vain? Or at least indifferent towards the most unfortunate people, not very generous? Indeed, he had been generous with her, he was one of the very few people who had always treated her well and she considered him an ally ... at least until now. Maybe her stay on the ship was at stake.

Iris urged her: “What are you waiting for? Go now, don't keep His Majesty waiting! You'll finish the job later ... if you're still here!" She laughed.

She shuffled to the tearoom concrete-legged. 'What can he do to me at most? He can fire me, right? But I don't want to be fired ... and I don't want him to think that I have no respect for him, it's quite the opposite ... ' and with a silent prayer, she entered the room.