“It’s time to begin getting ready for dinner m’lady.” my maid Madelyne says. I turn away from the book I was reading. “Okay.” I say and stand up.

On my way down to the dinning room, Prince Capricum catches up to me in the hall. “Hello Drisela. _What_ a surprise to see you here.” I put on a look of shock. “Oh I _know_. It’s not like I don’t walk this way to dinner _every_ day.” He chuckles. “My I escort you tonight?” he says in a very posh accent. “Oh I suppose.” I say mimicking his tone and flicking my hand like I could care less. Cap is my best friend. But lately he’s been doing things like this more often. Even though he says it with a silly tone, I have a feeling he’s starting to like me as more than a friend—and a good thing too. I’ve been wanting to kiss him for the last year at least. It’s nice to know my feelings are reciprocated.

As I walk into the dining room on Capricum’s arm, I catch Esther glaring at me. She’s hated me ever since we were children. Why, I cannot quite say but I think now it is because the prince has begun to take an interest in me. Unfortunately, I am seated next to Esther tonight and far from Capricum. During the first couple of courses I make small talk with the nobles around me, doing my best to ignore Esther. But something strange happens when the entree comes out. I am turned to a lady on the other side of me from Esther when out of the corner of my eye I think I see Esther sprinkle a powder on my food. It happens so fast though that I tell myself it must have been my imagination and that even she is not malicious enough to poison someone. I cut into my steak and take a bite of the tender, delicious meat—or what should be delicious meat. Instead there is a strange taste to the food but I swallow the bite anyway before sending the food back to the kitchens. A couple of minutes later however, I find myself with a headache and excuse myself.

On the way back to my chambers I find myself feeling lightheaded and dizzy. Not ten steps from the doors of the dining room I collapse. Faintly I hear a servant call for help, but then everything…starts to…fade…..