Snippet #1555788

Sanestra watched as the Queen left her alone. It was easy to foll those in the palace though, cancelling court and asking everyone to leave the Queen undisturbed. Sanestra had even locked the Queen's quarters, to prevent some well meaning servant from finding out their deception. Let her enjoy a day in the sun.
Besides, Sanestra could run the palace well enough in her absence. Everyone respected her position and the queen's decision to put her there. No one ever questioned her.

Calcifer gave a bow and guestured for her to follow him, leading her into the palace.
It could be confusing at times, the palace. Calcifer understood that. He himself didn't get lost, but there were always so many people bustling around, it was easy to get turned around.
"Tonight?" he said, looking puzzled. "But I always attend...."
Then he realised it was of the party she spoke.
"Oh, the party will not be until the eve after tomorrow," he said gently, giving her a small smile, then turned, a slight pinkness coming to his cheeks, which had everything to do with the party. "I shall be in attendance, indeed. I would not miss such an occassion. It will be an honour to be invited to such an event and I am curious about this.... peet-sa?"
His brow furrowed. He had never heard of such a thing.
He found himself tongue tied for a moment. How was he to ask her to come with him to the ball? He felt foolish saying nothing, yet did you just blurt such a thing out? Sanestra had instructed him to do so. Not to do would be like going against the Queen herself.
"I will not be working that eve," he said slowly, trying to keep his voice level. "If you would not...."
"There you are!" boomed a figure down the hall, and the face of someone very happy and over excitable was waving at them.
Calcifer said nothing more, but side stepped slightly so that the figure could see Evania better.
"Lady Evania," he said, nodding to her, "this is Piagano, one of our chefs."
Piagano bent low, with great enthusiasm and kissed her hand.
"We are so very excited to have you joining us," said Piagano, ushering her past Calcifer and into a room where around 15 people were bustling. They paused and bowed when she entered. "Her Majesty has asked us to listen very carefully so that we can repeat this recipe in 2 days. We are so thrilled to have you."
He glanced at Calcifer.
"You, of course, can remain, Calcifer," he said, guesturing to two servants to close the doors behind them. "Well, my dear. Let's make some magic."