Page 19 of Maneater

“Can I ask you something?” Leya asked after we’d settled into a quiet truce of sorts. She was sprawled on her cot, draped in furs. We’d begun to speak freely, knowing if anyone had heard us, they would have come by now.

“What is it?” I replied, sitting on the bench, absently fiddling with the pocketknife to distract myself.

“Did you hate being the prince’s favored? Is that why you’re leaving?”

I thought about it for a moment. “I wouldn’t say I hated it,” I clarified. “I enjoyed my nights with the prince. It was the life we were forced to live that I hated. I found no joy in being chained to the will of the chimes. Everything was an order, never a choice. You realize that, don’t you?”

“That’s not true,” Leya said defensively. “I chose this life. Do you realize how many would give anything to be chosen as a royal courtesan? Do you have any idea how hard it is to earn this position?”

“As I said before, I didn’t choose to be here.”

“It’s not like anyone can just become one!

It’s not as simple as you think. There are standards to be met.

Talent, education, social standing, wealth, beauty, charm, charisma.

It’s earned, not something you just stumble into.

Women who are selected enter the court’s circles, where real power and status can be gained.

And if it’s required, you may be chosen to produce an heir.

It guarantees a life never lacking,” she emphasized.

“Being a royal courtesan is an honor, a status most can only dream of.”

“I must be the exception, then.” Irony was thick in my voice.

“Believe me, I have no idea why you were chosen either. Do you know how much I hated you for it? You should’ve been grateful to His Highness.

Before this, you lived as a peasant, and when he brought you here, he treated you like you were something…

something precious.” Her words carried a sharp edge.

“Rosette, Imogen, and I, we all knew you were just skirtsfolk. There was no reason for it. I still don’t understand why. ”

“There’s nothing to understand, Leya. I was at home in Brier Len, and then out of nowhere, I was forced into a carriage and brought to Hyrall.”

“There has to be a reason,” she said, shaking her head.

“If that’s what you believe, then there’s nothing I can say to change your mind.”

We fell quiet, and the carriage settled into silence. It was probably for the better.

I guessed at least three chimes had passed since we left.

And as time dragged on, Leya started to doze with her emerald robe held close in her arms. I thought about checking through the quarter light to see what was outside, but it didn’t seem worth the risk.

Even if I did, the darkness was too thick to see anything.

My thoughts began to wander. How far did the prince plan to travel tonight?

I vaguely remembered Gadriel telling the carriage master he expected to be on the road for at least ten chimes to start, but that could’ve changed.

I regretted not taking a pocket watch from one of the nobles at the festival.

It would’ve been useful now. At least I’d know what time it was.

Suddenly, the wheels of the coach began to slow, followed by the sound of the carriage master’s voice.

The coach rocked slightly as the driver climbed down from the box seat.

I stayed low, quickly hiding behind the chest to avoid being seen.

Leya stirred at the noise, waking just in time for a knock on the door.

She looked around for me but saw I was already hidden.

After a brief glance, she smoothed out her dress and called, “Coming!”

Leya opened the door just a fraction. “Yes?”

“Good evening, Lady Leya. My name is Master Wilkin. I’ve come to deliver your provisions for the night. After a brief rest for the horses, we’ll be on our way again,” he said.

“Thank you.” Leya took the parcel from him, and just as she was about to close the door, he hesitated.

“Oh, um, my lady, as the carriage master, it’s my duty to ensure all your needs are met. I must ask, would you require a replacement for the chamber pot?”

Leya’s face flushed. “No, thank you. That won’t be necessary.”

Master Wilkin gave a slight bow, stepping back from the coach. He left her with a polite reminder to call on him if she needed anything else.

Leya settled onto the bedding, unwrapping her pack, and said, “He’s gone.”

I stepped out and returned to the bench.

Leya started picking at her food, nibbling on pieces of bread, dried meat, cheese, and an apricot.

I couldn’t help but glance at it, doing my best to hide the hunger growing in my stomach.

I had rations tucked into my cloak, but I knew it was smarter to save them for later.

Who knew where I’d end up once I made my way through the woods?

There were small towns and villages scattered around, but I had to get far enough to avoid being recognized if Gadriel’s men were sent after me.

“Here,” she said, tossing me the rest of her bread and the apricot .

I caught it awkwardly, more surprised than anything. “Are you sure?”

“If you’re leaving soon, you might as well eat it. I’m not much of a fan of apricots anyway.”

“Thanks.”

I took the pack, pulling out the bread, but paused when I felt something else tucked beneath the wax cloth. My fingers brushed against a second bundle, and I pulled it free. My brow creased as I opened it. A crimson tassel caught my eye, and I let out a dry laugh, pulling it from the folds.

Inside was a parchment, and as I unfolded it, a single name was written on the front. On the back, a short message was sprawled out in Gadriel’s handwriting.

Leya glanced at me, her expression turning curious. “What is it?”

“For you,” I said. “From the prince.”

“What?” Leya’s voice was filled with disbelief. She scrambled off the cot and slid over to sit beside me. “Let me see that.”

“The prince penned that you’re called to service,” I said, holding it up. “He instructed you to summon Sir Regis and head straight to his coach once you’ve finished eating.”

Leya’s whole demeanor shifted in a heartbeat. Excitement lit up her face with a kind of enthusiasm that left me stunned. How could she be so eager for this?

As I watched her, it became clear. Leya truly valued her position as a courtesan in a way I never could. I hadn’t chosen to become a royal consort. But she had trained for it. Studied for it. Dreamed of it. The thought stirred something uneasy in my gut, something I couldn’t quite relate to.

“Wait... how do you know that?” she asked quietly, her fingers brushing over Gadriel’s handwriting. “I’ve always wondered, how is it that you can read?”

“Oh.” I hesitated. “Someone taught me. A few years ago. ”

She’d caught me off guard. No one had asked that before. The question cracked something open, and a rush of memories flooded in, each one aching, gnawing at the edges of me.

My right hand stayed hidden beneath my cloak, nails digging into my palm so sharply it hurt.

“Hmm, a tutor then?” Leya asked, tapping her chin thoughtfully. “How curious.”

“Something like that,” I said quietly.

“I had no idea tutors existed on the skirtside,” she added, her eyes widening. “Your family must have been fortunate to hire one.”

“They didn’t hire him. My family was so poor we often went without food for days,” I said, voice tightening.

“I learned from someone passing through Brier Len. His—” I caught myself, cutting the words short.

“You’d better hurry. The prince isn’t fond of waiting.

He’d always be in a foul mood if I lingered too long after being called. ”

“Right. Yes.” Leya nodded, almost to herself. “I should go now.”

She stood and ran her fingers down her waist, smoothing her dress, then turned in a small circle, scanning the room. Her grip tightened around the crimson tassel in her hand.

“Do you need help getting changed?” I asked, not entirely sure why I’d offered.

“No,” Leya said quickly. “No, I—I’m fine.”

She moved to the cot and lifted the silk robe, its emerald beads catching the lantern light. Her hands fumbled with the sleeves of her dress before she let it fall to the floor, slipping into the robe with stiff, uncertain movements. It was clear she was still absorbing everything.

After a pause, she hurried to the table and opened a silver chest, pulling out a gold chain and holding it carefully in her hands. She took a breath and fastened it around her waist, then reached for the crimson tassel. Her hands shook, she missed the loop once, twice, then a third time .

“Let me help you,” I said, stepping forward and gently taking the tassel from her. “Are you alright, Leya?”

“Yes,” she whispered, her breath catching. “It’s just... it’s finally starting to feel real.” Her ochre eyes met mine, something unreadable flickering in them. “You’re leaving Hyrall, and things will go back to how they were before you arrived.”

“One of those is certain,” I replied, looping the crimson tassel around the gold chain at her waist. “There you go. All set.”

Leya let out a breath, smoothing the skirt of her robe and pressing out the wrinkles.

“I don’t know how long I’ll be gone, but don’t do anything reckless while I’m away.

You need to stay hidden, no matter how safe it feels.

I want you out of sight the entire time I’m gone.

Is that understood? I won’t let this be taken from me again. ”

Her words hung in the air, heavy with quiet finality. I gave a small nod and gestured toward the coach door, my voice flat.

“Enjoy.”