On a signal from the Queen, The court musicians started to play. The sound was too cheerful for the mood in the room.

It was our cue to move. I picked up my tray, heavy with empty glasses, and followed the stream of other maids back toward the kitchens.

My mind wandered back to the poison, I had to prevent it from happening but how, The air in the hallway felt cooler, but it didn’t calm the racing in my chest.

The kitchen was loud and hot. I moved without thinking, dropping dirty dishes ...