Efren, the previous day
“Efren!” Merewina’s merry voice rang out behind him. “You’re not on the practice field this morning?”
Efren paused in his tracks and turned to face his sister. “I had…” He double flashed his eyebrows. “…an errand to run.”
To say that Merewina’s snort was inelegant would be charitable, but Efren was in a jovial mood and magnanimity flowed through his veins like a bubbling brook, so he didn’t seek a less charitable description with which to tease her, as they were wont to do with each other.
Her gaze lit on the package he was carrying, and her eyes widened. “Ooh, is that a gift for Marcelo?”
“It is.” He didn’t elaborate, because it would be more fun to let her draw it out of him.
To her credit, she didn’t stamp her foot. She didn’t even roll her eyes. She narrowed them, but her overall countenance remained playful. “Do tell. Or better yet, show.”
“Promise you won’t forewarn him? It’s a surprise.”
“I would never!” Her expression reflected a genuine affront.
“Sorry.” He proffered the loosely wrapped package for her inspection. “I know you wouldn’t. Not intentionally. I plan to give this to him this evening.”
As she unfolded the wrapping and lifted the lid to the box, her lips twitched, giving lie to her apparent outrage. “Oh! Are these those Nutty Buzzies he’s gone on about?”
“Nutter Buzzers. Yes. Mr. Othes procured them for me.”
“Splendid. May I offer myself as a stand in for Jeffery?” She batted her eyes, but he knew she was jesting.
Much as it had been many years since a Zioneven royal food taster had fallen ill from the completion of their duties—it was, in fact, a desired position for some who might otherwise be aging out of service—the protocol was deeply ingrained.
They would never truly consider bypassing the royal food taster. Besides, Jeffery loved special treats like this. It was a perk of his potentially dangerous job.
Efren grinned. “Hands off, sis’. You can ask Marcelo to share tomorrow.”
“I will absolutely do that.” With a final smile, she flounced off.
Efren pushed through the doors that led into the servants’ domain. “Hello,” he said when multiple sets of eyes turned his way. “Where might I find Jeffery?”
“I’m here, sir.” Jeffrey himself popped out of another doorway, and his gaze landed on the still-opened package of Nutter Buzzers, and he grinned. “Ah. Right this way, sir.”
Returning the knowing grin, Efren followed Jeffrey into a kitchen alcove. “These are a surprise for Prince Marcelo. They’re called ‘Nutter Buzzers,’ and Mr. Othes special ordered them from a shop in Sheburat. They are Prince Marcelo’s favorite treat.”
“How kind of you. The young prince is fortunate to have such a thoughtful husband.” Jeffery reached for one of the nut-covered balls. He knew why Efren had sought him out, of course, and didn’t need further prompting. He examined all sides minutely, then sniffed it before taking a small nibble. “Mmm. Delicious.”
“So I’ve heard. I look forward to my own taste of them this evening.” No doubt Marcelo would offer, and though Efren intended for the bulk of the order to be enjoyed by Marcelo, he wouldn’t refuse one.
After a minute, Jeffery took a larger bite, and they waited another minute before he spoke. “I feel perfectly fine, and detect no questionable aftertaste.”
“Wonderful.” Efren had no particular reason to expect an adverse reaction, otherwise he would have abandoned the gift rather than put Jeffery in undo danger, but the package had traveled quite a distance to get to the Zioneven capital, so perhaps there was a slight elevated risk.
“Shall I inspect them all, sir?” Jeffery raised a single querulous brow.
“Please.” It was always better to be safe than sorry, especially when there was no good reason not to be.
Jeffery pulled on a clean pair of gloves before proceeding to pick up, carefully inspect, and sniff each of the remaining confections.
“Of course,” Jeffery said, “I’m not familiar with how these treats should appear in a fresh, untampered-with state, but I do not detect anything suspiciously untoward, sir.”
“Good enough.” Efren closed the container. “And you still feel well?”
“Perfectly, sir.” Jeffery nodded. “I will notify you immediately if that changes.”
“Thank you, Jeffery.” And with a nod, Efren turned with his package, exited the kitchen and workrooms, and headed toward the staircase leading to his and Marcelo’s suite of rooms.
On the way up, Efren crossed paths with his personal servant. “Ah, Dru.” Efren hitched his head, and Dru fell into step beside him. “The confections from Sheburat arrived this morning.” He gestured to the rewrapped package in his hands. “I would like to set up a romantic evening. Could you arrange to bring up some berries and wine for us tonight? Something to complement the nutty treats? Jeffery’s had a taste, he can recommend something.”
“Of course, sir, I’ll see to it.”
“Mum’s still the word, other than consulting Jeffery. I want this to be a surprise.”
“Absolutely, sir. I haven’t even told Erich about the special order. I know he would never betray a confidence, but neither would he outright lie to Prince Marcelo if the young prince suspected something and quizzed him directly.”
“Good thinking. What would I do without you, Dru?”
“Excellent question, sir. A mystery for the ages.”
Efren snorted a laugh. “Be off with you, then. I can change my own garments.”