After reporting to the king, I needed to clear my head. I hadn’t said anything to the king about the lost message paper. He would find out soon enough. I didn't know when the news would break, but I knew that it would.

I didn’t see Percy in the hall. I decided to go and bathe. It’s been a while since I’ve felt clean.

Before I started my courier assignment, I helped in the kitchen: I peeled vegetables, took out the trash, and mopped the floors. Just a lowly kitchen servant. For my baths, I carried buckets of water to the stove one at a time. Today, a palace servant intercepted my walk to the servant's quarters. “This way, sir,” he said, and led me to an unoccupied guest room. “Her Majesty insisted that you use this room while you are here. Private Baker will use the adjoining room.” He worked speedily to turn on the taps and fluff the towels. “There is a clean uniform in the wardrobe for your use, sir. I’m sure that you would like to be clean after your journey.”

“Thank you. I think I can take it from here,” I told him.

“Very well, sir.” He left the room and shut the door behind him.

After my bath, I put on the clean uniform and went to find Percy. I searched as many halls as I was allowed to. A large window on one of the upper floors beckoned me.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

The sun, high in the sky, shone down upon Egron City. I could see minute figures going about their daily lives. Would my mistake of losing the message cause pain to any of them? If the message fell into enemy hands, they would be two steps ahead of us. How many lives would my mistake cost?

I needed to find Percy. He’d help me. Maybe he’d hidden in the gardens.

The gardens, planted by King Venlaan’s mother back in the day, covered four acres. The palace stretched around three sides, and a brick wall enclosed the fourth. Gravel paths wove between various trees and flowering plants. Queen Syntyque’s small herb garden grew to the left of the doors. Birds chirped in the trees, fat from the abundant seeds in the birdfeeders.

Apart from the birds, I didn’t hear anyone. Wait - was that Percy’s voice, by the willow tree? I followed the path, and was met with a sight that haunted me for weeks afterward:

Percy saw me first. His usually neatly combed hair stood on end. The top button of his uniform was undone. A tiny smear of reddish lipstick on his cheek gave it all away. He shook his head as if to say, This isn’t what it looks like. It’s too late, buddy.

But what really got to me was who sat next to him. Chantelle. She blushed pink, all the way to her hairline. Her hands covered her mouth.

I’d seen enough. I turned and ran to the door. I think Percy chased me, but I’m not sure. I didn’t look back as I ran to my room.