Page 11 of Prince of the Northwest Forest
“I think I would be exceptionally good at that.” And not just because I’ve helped out in my mother’s garden.
The woman pulls out a clipboard. “Then we have a deal. You’ll work here in exchange for your room and meals at the restaurant or café. Just give them your room number, and they will account for it. Here’s the paperwork for you to fill out, and we can take it on a day-by-day basis.”
“That is fair.” I tilt my head. “Something that is not fair, however, is that you know my name, but I don’t know yours.”
She holds out her hand. “Layla Fischer. I’m one of the owners.”
I shake her hand firmly. “It’s nice to make your acquaintance.”
Layla pulls out a plastic card and swipes it on the computer, then hands it to me. “Welcome to the Renversé Hotel, Prince Kalle. Here’s your key, and I’ll take you on a quick tour of where the groundskeeping supplies are.”
Twenty minutes later, Martin and Hazel are stationed outside my hotel room while I investigate it.
The room smells like it’s recently been cleaned, and it’s on the generic side. I’m pretty sure it’s reserved for staff.
But there’s a television. And a telephone. A thrill passes through me. The technology isn’t new, and I’m familiar with the concepts, but in my realm we don’t use these things.
I pick up the phone just to listen to it, but put it back on the base quickly before I do something wrong. I’m not entirely sure how to turn on the television, but I can try that later.
After setting my sword against the wall by the door, I take off my satchel and put it in the closet, then sit on the couch and take off my boots.
I’ve never stayed in a hotel room before. The bed is large and looks comfortable enough, with white linens and several pillows. The bathroom is small—at least compared to mine in the castle—but cozy. It’s fine. And maybe soaking in the bath is a good idea after the long walk.
I fill the tub, undress, and get in, enjoying the warmth of the water on my skin.
My fingers skim across the surface of the bathwater as my mind wanders.
Where are you, Mats? I’m worried about you.
I hope he hasn’t done something he’ll regret. Or gone someplace that he can’t get back home from in time for the wedding.
The following morning, after tossing and turning, I wake up early, my face plastered into an unfamiliar plush white pillow.
I’d been dreaming about that tattooed man. He was trying to tell me something. He was leaning in to whisper something, but I never heard it.
Instead, I woke up.
Where am I? I stretch, the thick sheets cool against my skin.
That’s right. Mats is missing. I’m at the Renversé Hotel. I have the first job of my life—well, the first besides learning how to run a kingdom.
I climb out of bed and get dressed and ready for the day. Before I step outside, I glance at my sword. While I likely won’t need it, I feel incomplete without it. So I strap it on.
When I needed my sword skills the most, they failed me, and every time I look in the mirror I’m doomed to remember how, precisely, I failed—the attacks I did not parry, my inability to riposte—but not why I was in the fight in the first place or who or what I was fighting for. I think I was trying to protect a girl, but who? Over the past few years, my feelings on the matter have shifted from being low-level annoyed to generally being demoralized, not trusting my own abilities, and giving up.
Don’t think about that. Just go do what you agreed to—work for the hotel and look for Mats.
Hazel joins me the moment I open the door. “Did you sleep well, Your Highness?”
“I did, thank you.” That’s mostly true. True enough. “Did you?”
“Yes, Your Highness,” Hazel says. Martin nods and bellows.
“I’m going to work,” I say. “But keep your eyes out for Mats.”
“We will, Your Highness,” Martin says. Both of them follow me across the lawn.
It’s cool and gray out, as it’s barely dawn. The air feels sleepy as I make my way over to the shed where Layla showed methe lawn mower, loppers, and other supplies. I find some large shears and a rake. Taking them with me, I walk to the entrance of the hotel and take a step back to decide what needs to be done.
