The Bodyguard

Part Five

Lakshmi bent down and slipped the small, ragged brown dog a bite of succulent lamb. The dog gobbled it up, as it had gobbled up the chicken, the potatoes, and even some of the corn. It looked up at Lakshmi expectantly.

The cook was looking at Lakshmi, too, her wooden spoon held in an angry grip. “I hardly think this is necessary,” the woman said. “It’s insulting, thinking the food was poisoned.” Her voice dropped a bit on the last, but her anger got through.

Lakshmi couldn’t worry about the cook’s feelings. Despite the fact that she liked and respected the woman, her main concern was for the emperor’s life. “As long as Prince Roland is here, it is necessary.”

“You’re giving these mutts good food,” the cook objected. “Picking apart the emperor’s meals like this, before he even gets them, is a crime. A crime!”

Lakshmi smiled without humor and sent the cook a grim look. “Poisoning the emperor is a crime. This is a mere inconvenience.”

Since it had been several minutes and the small dog looked to be suffering no ill effects, Lakshmi judged the food safe to eat. “Arrange the food on the plate as you will,” Lakshmi said. “Then I will bring it out.”

“You?”

“A concubine can serve her master,” Lakshmi said. The woman grumbled under her breath as she did her job, then handed the platter over.

“Here. Take it.”

“Thank you.” Lakshmi regretted hurting the woman’s feelings, but she had no other choice. “You must know it isn’t you I distrust.”

“You don’t trust me to keep my kitchens in line,” the cook said. “It amounts to the same thing.”

Since Lakshmi had no idea what it was like to run something like the palace kitchens, she couldn’t be sure of that. Insult or no, she would see that the king’s food was safe to eat before every meal. She would not forgive herself if something so easily preventable led to the emperor’s demise.

“Ah, Lakshmi, you’ve brought my food.”

“Yes, Your Imperial Majesty.” Lakshmi set the food before him as other servants brought out plates for the rest of the people at the dinner table. Prince Roland sat to the emperor’s right, looking splendid in a deep purple shirt and black pants. Esma sat on the emperor’s left, demure behind her yellow veil.

Other important people were seated at the table, visiting the palace at this time not only for the emperor but to meet with the visiting royalty. It wasn’t only Prince Roland Lakshmi didn’t trust, though he was the most obvious threat.

“Please, eat,” Emperor Samarth said, digging into his own food with gusto. He didn’t mention that a select portion of lamb was missing. Lakshmi wasn’t sure if he hadn’t noticed, or if it was because he did not want to let on that his food was being checked for poisons, though he was aware of the precautions being taken.

It didn’t matter, so long as he was safe.

Lakshmi was not allowed to eat at the table with so many important people and their wives, so she retreated to a darkened alcove. The cook must have forgiven her, for food was waiting there, and Lakshmi ate it while she watched the table. It was doubtful anyone would make a move during dinner, but she watched the men with weapons, and anyone who moved toward the emperor’s wine glass.

It was easy enough to slip someone poison without them noticing.

The meal passed without incident, and Lakshmi slipped out the back way as the guests were leaving out the front.