Dove’s eyes were glued to the princess. She could not seem to look away, even though she wanted to. She didn’t want to be rude, just staring at her like this.
And yet, when Her Highness asked for tea, Dove looked away with a blush coming to her cheeks. She approached her, bowed, and set the tray down on the table. Taking the teapot, she poured the princess’s cup.
“Sugar or honey, Your Highness?” Dove asked softly. She could feel her stepfamily’s eyes boring into her.
Just as dove couldn't stop looking at alice couldn't keep her eyes off of dove she'd never seen anybody so beautiful before, she had a sweet affectionate smile on her face as dove walked over to her ' honey it you wouldn't mind.. " she looked over as the family for a slight second noticing their stares before speaking again "I love your hair it's just absolutely beautiful I've never seen anything like it. "
“Of course,” Dove nodded. She gave Princess Alice two spoonfuls of honey. “Stir to your liking.”
Then her face turned very red, and her eyes widened. It had been a long time since anyone said that to her. “O— oh, Your Highness, how— how kind of you to say.” Momentarily she forgot about her stepfamily. All that mattered was that the princess herself was smiling at her and looking at her like she was the brightest, fullest moon.
"I speak the truth dear, what did you say your name was again I'm afraid I didn't hear you at our first encounter.. " she paid no more attention to the rest of them she was focused on dove she was amazed by her beauty
Vaguely, she heard her stepmother call for a glass of wine and stepbrothers for coffee, but her gaze was still fixed on the princess. “Dove,” she said. “My name is Dove.” Then she chuckled, feeling a little awkward. “You can probably tell why.”
She laughed softly "it's a very pretty name it suits you, I know my hand maid would love to braid it. "
A smile grew on her face. It was rather unfamiliar; when was the last time she had ever smiled like this? What was this feeling, deep in her gut and burning in her face?
“Thank you, Your Highness. Is that—“
A loud coughing sound cut her off. Dove looked to see her stepmother glaring at her. Her blood turned cold. She looked back to Princess Alice and bowed, then took the tea tray and walked out of the room.
"Of course-" Alice cleared her throat quietly "sorry about that, she's a very nice girl.." She could feel the flutter of butterflies in her stomach as she looked over at doves step mother
“Oh no, I just wouldn’t want her to take up too much of your time, princess,” the duchess said with narrowed eyes.
Dove placed the tray on the table in the kitchen and tried to calm herself. She could feel her heart pumping and her limbs shaking. Why did her stepmother glare at her like that? Dove knew that she was very particular and perfectionist whenever they had visitors, and the fact that the princess herself was here only made this worse, but that glare had felt almost… personal. Like she had done something to specifically insult her stepmother. But how? Dove took a small breath. Maybe she was overthinking it. She didn’t know, and there wasn’t really a way to find out.
"Oh I really didn't mind talking to her as I said we were having a nice conversation outside… " she smiled at Montgomery as she brought her tea up to her lips and took a sip of it she didn't really know what else to say so she just sat there quietly
(I almost want to time skip, maybe? But we don’t have to. I just can’t really think of anything else interesting happening)
(Yeah that works when were you wanting to jump to?)
(Just before Alice leaves, maybe?)
(Yeah sure that works for me would you mind starting it off?)
(Not at all, it’s my turn anyway ^^)
(Okie dokie ty :)
Dinner was awkward, mostly, with a side of twin rivalry. Soon everyone had their fill, and it was decided that the princess should take her leave. Lady Montgomery and her sons stood at the entrance to the manor to see her off.
“It was an honor to have Princess Alice herself dine with us,” the duchess smiled. She bowed, and andrew (Our Supreme Lord and Overseer) and Michael followed suit. Unbeknownst to them, Dove had followed and was peeking behind a corner to see.
Alice stood at the entrance thanking them for allowing her to stay for dinner she bowed in response to them before she noticed dove behind a corner and she smiled softly "I look forward to seeing you again. " it was unclear while she was talking to but she was talking to dove she bowed once more before walking outside to the stables
The duchess and the twins were mildly confused, but nodded and murmured their assent before shutting the door. Blushing, and feeling a little brave, Dove quickly ran from her stepfamily’s sight and out the back door. She picked up her skirts and rushed to the stables, coming up behind the princess.
“Your Highness?” She called. “May I help you with your horse?”
Alice turned around a little surprised but quickly smiled and nodded her head "sure you can help me if you'd like. "
Dove shyly returned the smile, then approached the princess and the horse’s stall. As she opened it, she said, “He’s a very beautiful stallion. Does he have a name, if I may ask?”
She blushed a little before making sure his saddle was secure "His name is Cyrus I've had him since he was just a foal. "
“Oh, how lovely,” Dove said, watching and moving to face the horse. “Hello, Cyrus, I’m Dove. How do you do?” She placed her hand in between Cyrus’s eyes, gently stroking him.
Alice eyed her in suspicion with a warm smile "ya know I don't think he can talk.. That would be amazing though.. "
She laughed, maybe for the first time that day. “Yes, it would. I just like to talk to animals, even if they can’t talk back. It’s only polite to greet him, isn’t it?” Dove kept stroking the horse, admiring his sleek coat and deep eyes.