After we change and I make sure Lily and the jewel are safely secured in my new uniform, I’m ready to get to business.

“Kira, any updates?” I ask my kobold.

“Yes!” Kira tells me. “Prue says Olivina’s quarters are unoccupied tonight. At the moment, she’s greeting the royal court and Princess Scarlet at the entrance to the school.” I breathe a sigh of relief that Raina and Heath made it inside.

The scent of baked apples greets me as we near the kitchen again. Brynn pulls us inside where I immediately start coughing.

We are standing in a dust storm of confectioner’s sugar.

“Keep sprinkling!” instructs a chef to a group of ladies-and lads-in-waiting standing in front of miniature chocolate ganache cakes. While Logan probably would have opted for the less-is-more approach to cake decorating, this chef has taken a different tactic. “Hazel says Olivina wants each cake covered with sugary perfection! Sugar is Princess Scarlet’s favorite ingredient!”

I try not to laugh. This is all for Raina? What exactly did Prue write in her letter to Olivina?

“You three? Why are you just standing there?” A sous chef holding a tray of steamed carrots spots us and frowns. “The appetizer course just went out, and we’re prepping the plates for the main course. Shouldn’t you be at your stations?”

“Sorry, sir! We’re headed over there now.” I spot a table where ladies-in-waiting are arranging swirls of potatoes and gravy on plum china plates. (Plum, I believe, is Princess Scarlet’s favorite color.) Everyone has their heads down and is busy chopping, prepping, and garnishing. The three of us jump right in.

“Your plate is missing carrots!” the same sous chef yells at me. “Oh!”

I guess the steak on my plate does look kind of lonely without any side dishes.

“Weren’t you prepped on the dinner course ahead of time, lady-in-waiting?” the sous chef questions.

I’m not thrilled at his tone. “I have a name. It’s…” Drooping dragons. What is it?

“Lila,” Brynn replies. “Why don’t you watch me assemble my plate? That way you can get yours out faster than a lion can outrun a dragon.”

I grab a pair of tongs to start plating the dish. I get one carrot on the plate when a bell rings. People cover their plates with silver tops and leave the table with them. I follow Brynn and Tara. A chef at the door is watching us head out into the ballroom.

“Heads held high! Smile!” he says. “You are here to serve the royals of this land, and you are thankful for this job Olivina has graciously granted you! Whatever your royal asks of you—whether it be a request for more steak sauce or butter—you grant it! You were placed at RA to serve your royals!”

I bite my lip. This is what ladies- and lads-in-waiting have to hear every day? It’s terrible! Why can’t we get our own butter or steak sauce?

Brynn gives me a look before entering the room ahead of me. I quickly follow and enter a banquet hall that puts my anniversary ball planning to shame.