FATED: Servant girl to princess.

Chapter 2: The dawn interview

Dawn broke cold over the Astoria Palace gardens. The east wing windows glowed like lanterns as servants scurried about, whispering of the Prince's bride hunt.

In the kitchens, Alice was already elbow-deep in bread dough.

"Alice, you're summoned," Madam Ruth said, shoving a cup of weak tea at her. "East wing. Now. Wear something decent."

Alice blinked, wiping hair off her face. "Summoned? By who? I already got scolded yesterday—"

"The Prince, apparently." Madam Ruth's voice was tight. "Don't know why. But don't trip. Don't spill. And for the love of all ovens, don't talk too much."

Alice's eyes widened. "I'm a kitchen girl! He probably wants me to scrub his boots."

"Then scrub them with your teeth, but don't embarrass us."

Alice changed into her one "decent" dress – a faded blue servant's uniform with a white apron over it. She braided her hair, pinched her cheeks for color, and looked... sort of presentable. Like a sparrow dressed for a sparrow party.

At the east wing door, she curtsied to the guard. "Alice, kitchen. Um, summoned?"

The guard barely looked up from his scroll. "Room 3. Down the hall. You're late."

Late? She wasn't supposed to be on time? She was supposed to be invisible!

She sprinted, dress fluttering, and skidded into Room 3.

It was a small, stuffy library. Bookshelves, a desk, and... the Prince. Alex. Sitting like a storm cloud in a suit.

He looked up. Dark eyes narrowed.

"Alice."

She curtsied so low her nose nearly hit the floor. "Your Highness! I'm sorry I'm late! The bread was—"

"Sit."

He gestured to a chair. She perched on it, hands in her lap.

Duke Hale stood by the wall, looking like he'd eaten a lemon.

"Your... interview," Alex said, like the word tasted bad. "Tell me something about yourself."

Alice blinked. "Uh... I can make soup? And I'm funny? I mean, people say I'm funny. Not always, but—"

Alex leaned back. "Not a scholar, I gather."

"No, Highness! I'm a kitchen girl! I trip a lot, but I can carry a tray without spilling! Mostly."

Hale caved, coughing into his sleeve.

Alex's gaze lingered on her face. "Why do you think you're on this list, Alice?"

She frowned. "List, Highness?"

"The list of candidates for the Prince's bride," Hale clarified.

Alice's laugh was loud and honest. "Oh, that's a joke, right? I mean, I'm a servant. You're... you."

Alex raised an eyebrow. "And what does that mean?"

"It means you'd marry a princess with a pedigree, not a girl who can't even use a fork properly."

A ghost of a smile flickered on Alex's lips. "You're honest, at least."

Suddenly, the door burst open. A lady-in-waiting, Lady Elise, swept in, hair perfect, smile poisonous.

"Apologies, Highness! I heard about the...selection and wanted to..." She saw Alice. "Oh. You're... interviewing... her."

Alex's expression turned glacial. "Lady Elise. You're... early."

Elise ignored Alice, focusing on Alex. "I brought my lute. To... entertain?"

Alice stood. "I'll go."

"No," Alex said, before she could curtsy. "You stay. Lady Elise, play."

Elise's smile sharpened. She began a flawless melody on her lute. Alice watched, entranced, as the notes turned into a slow, sad song.

Alex leaned back, eyes on Alice. Who was staring at Elise like she was a unicorn.

When the song ended, Elise curtsied low, eyes on Alex. "Highness?"

Alex stood. "Thank you, Lady Elise. You... may go."

Elise's smile faltered. "But... the interview—"

"I said go."

Elise's face turned pink. She swept out, ignoring Alice entirely.

Silence.

Alice let out a breath. "Wow. She's... intense."

Alex looked at her. Really looked. Like he was seeing her for the first time.

"Alice, do you... want to be here?" he asked, low.

She laughed. "No, Highness. I want to be in the kitchens, making soup. Not... this."

Something flickered in his eyes. Surprise? Relief?

"Then why did you come?"

Alice shrugged. "You told me to."

He leaned forward. "I could've had you punished. For being late. For laughing."

"Then I guess I'm lucky, Highness."

A pause. A heartbeat.

Alex leaned back, expression unreadable again. "You may go, Alice. Back to the kitchens."

She curtsied, grinning. "Thank you, Highness! For not drowning me."

As she turned to leave, he said, "Alice?"

"Yes?"

"Don't tell anyone you were here."

She winked. "My secret's safe with me,

The door closed behind her.

Alex stared at it , fingers drumming on the desk.

Hale cleared his throat. "Highness... she's...not exactly throne material."