As the Queen peered into Corwin’s room, she saw her son, sweaty and exhausted, slumped in his wheelchair. Lora stood behind him, her hands resting on the chair’s handles.
“Corwin—what were you doing in here?” the Queen asked, her voice tinged with suspicion.
Corwin bit the inside of his cheek. He had triggered painful muscle spasms when lowering himself into the chair and was struggling to mask the discomfort. Speaking now would only betray his pain.
Lora quickly locked the wheelchair’s wheels and stepped aside, curtsying deeply. “My Queen,” she began, her voice calm and respectful, “As you can see, Prince Corwin has been active today. Most recently, he talked with his sister, Princess Lillian, and his voice was strained. When you knocked, I suggested he save his voice until we reached the door. We meant no alarm by locking it—Prince Corwin was going to lie down after his tiring day and didn’t wish to be disturbed. I ask your forgiveness for not announcing that all was well.”
Lora remained in her curtsy, awaiting the Queen’s response. The Queen’s sharp eyes flicked between Lora and Corwin, clearly sensing that more had transpired, though unsure of what.
“Is this true, Corwin?” she asked, her gaze narrowing on her son.
Corwin nodded, attempting to feign indifference. He knew his mother well enough to realize she wouldn’t be easily satisfied.
The Queen’s eyes flashed with impatience. “Stop this silence, Corwin. You’re at the door and able to speak for yourself. If you don’t, I’ll have no choice but to believe this maid is lying to me. And as it stands, I’m inclined to replace her for causing me such concern over your wellbeing.”
Corwin clenched his jaw, the pain in his back easing as the spasms began to subside. “Must I speak to everyone?” he muttered, the irritation from his pain making his comment harsher than intended.
“You will not speak to your mother or your Queen in that tone, young man!” the Queen reprimanded, her voice cold. “I’m pleased to see you up and moving, but you look as though you’ve pushed yourself too hard. If you require stronger assistance now that you’ve grown, I’ll assign someone more capable to help with such tasks.”
Her eyes shifted to Lora with thinly veiled distrust, the young maid still frozen in her curtsy.
Corwin’s temper flared. “And have some boy hovering around, reminding me of everything I can’t do?” he snapped. The pain in his back had lessened, but the emotional pain was constant, fueling his harsh words. “At least with the women, there’s something pleasant to look at. Don’t curse me further by making me watch some servant boy do everything I can’t.”
The Queen recoiled at his outburst but quickly regained her composure. “Oh, Corwin… you are my only son,” she said, her tone softening. “I only wish to see you safe and comfortable. If you refuse a male attendant, so be it. But starting today, I will assign two maids to your side. You’re growing taller, and I fear it will become more difficult for them to assist you.”
With a snap of her fingers, the maids behind her came to attention. “Which one would you like, my son?”
Corwin felt a wave of dread. While he had spoken of the maid’s beauty, he really wanted another maid who would allow him freedoms such as Lora did. But how could he find one who would allow him the freedoms that Lora did? Corwin glanced across the maids standing at attention. He distrusted everyone who was following the Queen so closely. but he knew his mother wouldn’t be satisfied until he had a second maid in waiting.
“I need time to think on this,” Corwin replied, his voice carefully measured. “Lora has served me well, and I want to ensure I choose someone equally capable.”
The Queen regarded him with a lingering mistrust. “Very well,” she conceded. “While you decide, I’ll send Illeria to help you back to bed.”
Corwin’s frustration deepened. He had only just gotten out of bed! “I’d rather see Lillian, if you don’t mind.” The Queen gave him a curious look. “She posed a riddle to me earlier, and I’m eager to discuss the answer,” he quickly replied before the Queen could scrutinize the situation further.
The Queen’s expression brightened. “Riddles? I’m so glad you and Lillian are engaging in such thoughtful exercises again! They’ll keep your mind sharp.”
Corwin nodded. “Yes, Mother. May we pass now?”
The Queen stepped aside, gesturing toward the door. “Give Lillian my best. Between her court duties and your conversation, I doubt she’s had much time to herself today.”
“I’ll let her know of your concern,” Corwin replied with forced politeness. Then, turning to Lora, he said, “Take me to Lillian.”
Lora rose gracefully from her curtsy and began pushing the wheelchair toward the door. As they moved into the hallway, Corwin whispered, “Is Illeria following?”
A soft voice from behind confirmed his suspicion. “I am here, Prince Corwin,” Illeria responded.
Corwin gritted his teeth but managed a cordial tone. “Illeria, would you mind scouting ahead to ensure my sister is in her room? It would be a waste to reach her door only to find her elsewhere.”
“Of course, Prince Corwin,” Illeria replied, curtsying before hurrying up the nearest staircase.
Lora frowned once Illeria was out of sight. “Will you ask me to leave when Illeria returns?”
Corwin shook his head. “No, though I’d like to. Find us a quiet place for now. I need to speak with you.”
Lora led him to a small alcove, the same place where he had once eavesdropped on the Voice of the Square. She parked him by the window, as she always did, giving him a view of the bustling courtyard below.
“What is it you wish to discuss, Prince Corwin?” Lora asked quietly, turning to face him.
“I don’t want a second maid, but if I can’t convince my mother, I need to find someone like you—someone who will let me maintain some independence,” Corwin began. “You handled the situation with my mother well, and I need someone else who’s equally discreet. But Mother will insist on youth and beauty, so I must choose carefully. Do you know of anyone?”
Lora paused to think. “I’m not sure who shares my mindset, but your sister might know. After all, Princess Lillian arranged for me to serve you when your mother deemed me too pretty to be in the Princess’s service.”
Corwin raised an eyebrow. “Lillian?”
Lora nodded. Corwin considered this new information. His sister had a good head on her shoulders, and being the future queen, she could probably discern character well. She also did him a favor by sending Lora in to be his personal maid, even though Corwin had been getting maids fired left and right before Lora came into his service.
“How do I ask Lillian without Illeria overhearing?”
Lora considered this. “If you allow it, I could switch shifts tonight with another maid. While you rest, I could speak with Princess Lillian privately.”
Corwin studied her. “Why do you help me, Lora?” The question had lingered in his mind all day. What did she stand to gain from assisting him? Why would she help a cranky, cursed cripple?
Lora smiled. “Because I believe Princess Lillian will make a fine Queen one day, and you’re important to her. To support my future Queen, I must also support those she cares about.”
Corwin nodded, accepting her reasoning. He had heard similar sentiments from many of the servants around the castle, though very few would willingly agree to be the cranky Cursed Prince’s personal maid.
He glanced out the window, watching the townspeople move about their day. Lora’s kindness hadn’t gone unnoticed—she always parked him by the window, always spoke directly to him, and always treated him with dignity, even when he didn’t deserve it. He only hoped the next maid would be as understanding.
“Take us back to the hallway,” he said at last. “I’ll tell Illeria that I’ve grown tired and will see Lillian tomorrow. Then, help me to bed so she can’t report that you failed in your duties.”
Lora smiled and curtsied. “As you wish, Prince Corwin.”
With that, she wheeled him out into the hall to await Illeria’s return.
B.R. Quinn 