Page 139 of The Fae Girl 1

“No.” I replied. “I don’t want you spending your money on me.”

Nela smirked. “It’s not our money Alice. It’s what the Prince gives as an allowance for you.”

“Excuse me?” I gasped.

“How else do you think you get new clothes, your boots, your sword even?” Indi said.

“He pays for it?”

“The treasury does.” Nela stated. “You belong to the High King remember. He has a duty to take care of you. That extends to ensuring you have an allowance.”

I narrowed my eyes. Of course it did. “How much is this allowance?”

“Why, you thinking about blowing it all?” Indi said grinning.

I laughed. Somehow Indi always knew how to lighten the mood.

We walked on before stopping at stall with more silk shawls than I could count. I ran my hand over some of the fabrics, feeling the softness of them.

“We should get one for Mira.” I said.

“I’m not sure these are meant to be worn by ladies maids.” Nela said.

“What do you mean?” I frowned.

“I mean, most Ladies prefer to keep their maids dressed in bland colours. To not stand out.”

“I don’t want to treat Mira like that. She’s a person too.” I stated.

Nela gave me a look that said very much otherwise.

“I’m buying one.” I said.

Indi grinned. “I think the pink will suit her.”

Nela rolled her eyes and asked how much before handing over a gold coin.

“Thank you.” I said as we walked away.

“Don’t thank me.” Nela said. “Just, and I mean this in the kindest of ways, be careful with Mira. Whatever it’s like in your world, it is not the same here. At the end of the day she is a farm girl. A peasant technically. No matter how fine you dress her that won’t change and all you’ll do is set her up for more pain.”

“You really believe that?” I asked.

“I wish it wasn’t true.” She said. “But you’ve seen yourself what this world is like. It’s designed to keep people in their place.”

“Why?”

She shrugged. “That’s how it’s always been.”

I looked away.

Maybe that was something else I would try and change then.

* * *

By the timewe slipped back into the castle it was almost sunset. We kept to the back passages, the deserted corridors, ensuring we avoided as many prying eyes as we could.

Our arms were laden with things. Though Indi had joked about blowing ‘my allowance’ I rather worried I had. I bought Mira more scarves. Bought Indi a bracelet that she’d stared at and even forced Nela to get herself something. A new sheath for the blade she constantly played with.

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