the kitchens #24
What was that?
“What was that?” Samsi asks in a stage whisper, echoing Prem’s very thought.
Prem shrugs. “It’s nothing.” In his haste to prove that, he nearly cuts his finger, has to stop and take a breath. “Acting like some jilted lover. What’s wrong with you?” he grumbles.
“Huh?” Samsi asks. “Me?”
Samsi stands staring at Prem, and Prem sniffs. “Is something burning?”
Immediately, Samsi whirls around with a curse and Prem is left once more to berate himself for being so awkward. Maybe he should give Ten more grace; the prince had actually come up to him to talk and to check how he was doing, which princes have no reason to do unless maybe those princes actually do want to be friends…?
Well, maybe not friends anymore. Or—
It’s complicated. Obviously if Ten still wants to be friends, then Prem should agree that they’re friends, but maybe friendly is better? Friendly acquaintances. A friendly subject to a friendly royal prince.
A royal prince who will soon be married. And— And then he’ll certainly not have time to check on Prem, which is fine.
“Prem.” Samsi has apparently fixed whatever it was. “I think you should go talk to Prince Todsatid.”
Prem slides an array of chopped vegetables into a pan. “Why?”
“Because he wants to talk to you.” Samsi pauses. “Right?”
“Doing my job is more important,” Prem replies, but even he can hear how stupid that is. He’s in the palace, his number one concern should be the royals. They’re the ones who decide everything. Still, he wastes more time cooking, and feels Samsi glancing over at him far too frequently as his friend does the same.
Then, the door opens with a creak and a hush falls over the other cooks.
If Ten has come back, then—
“Nong Prem, right?” says a different voice, a female voice, and Prem turns to find a woman there that they all know. Although she is not the queen, she is the king’s current partner. Prem is never sure if the proper term is consort, especially as Charlotte is not married to the king.
Prem wais deeply. “Krub. Is there something you need?”
Charlotte’s gaze sweeps over him. “No, I just wanted to meet you, since you’re important to Nong Ten— Prince Todsatid,” she corrects. She smiles at him, then pats his shoulder.
Then, like Ten, she simply leaves.