They must remain unaware of my involvement.
The thought of it made me feel sick.
(Perspective of Jayce)
The maids appeared excessively enthusiastic; this was troubling as it signified anything but a positive outcome. Jayce experienced shame for having marked a maid; however, he resolved not to reveal his embarrassment through his expression. He had a reputation to uphold, and he resolved to adhere to his decision.
An imprudent decision.
An intoxicated choice.
Nonetheless, a decision.
Mrs. Shirly diligently examined each maid for a mark, yet she found none. His patience was waning as he observed the diminishing size of the queue.
“She is present… I can sense her,” his inner wolf, Zayden, growled from within.
He surveyed the crowd and observed that several maids, who had already been checked, were still lingering. He was aware that everyone was eager to discover the identity of the marked individual; it was the subject of conversation throughout the palace.
It appears that an individual observed the silhouette of a maid and a fragment of her uniform in the rose garden. Upon Jayce’s emergence from the garden last night, it was evident that he had designated someone. He vaguely recalls biting into a woman’s flesh. However, he was utterly unable to recall who it was.
“If you can perceive her, then lift her already, you ineffectual wolf,” Jayce hissed, frustrated by the time they were squandering.
“I am making an effort,” Zayden retorted. “However, I am unable to perceive her wolf. It is as though she lacks one.”
“That is absurd,” Jayce retorted, startling Leon who stood beside him. Lowering his tone, Jayce addressed Zayden once more. “This must be a jest from the lunar deities. She must possess a wolf if she is my mate.”
As the queue approached its conclusion, Jayce surveyed the crowd one final time, sensing the escalating animosity between himself and Zayden intensifying within him. This was absurd, and he nearly felt mortified.
Why was she not coming forward?
His gaze fell upon a maid who appeared apprehensive at the rear of the queue; she had ceased moving and was gazing at Mrs Shirly with trepidation. Her body seemed to quiver; she was fidgeting with her fingers and biting her lower lip forcefully.
He identified the girl from that morning; she had doused him in tea.
If he recalled accurately, her name was Molly.
He advanced towards her and gestured for Mr. Leon to observe.
“Why is she not advancing for the examination?” Jayce enquired, his voice subdued and tinged with anger.
Mr. Leon directed his attention and his frown intensified as he approached Molly. Jayce trailed closely behind.
She appeared startled upon their approach, and her breathing was noticeably unsteady.
“Are you defying the prince’s commands?” Leon enquired sharply; her eyes widened, and she parted her lips to respond, but Leon prevented her from uttering a word. “Why have you ceased ambulating? You require an examination just as all others do.”
She nodded slowly and was poised to step back into the queue when Jayce interposed himself in front of her.
Her diminutive physique appeared on the verge of collapse at any instant.
She tensed and gazed up at him, her eyes wide and vigilant. She appeared on the verge of tears; he had that influence on women, which greatly pleased him.
“Molly…” he uttered her name as though he had articulated it countless times previously. However, in actuality, he had merely acquired her name that morning. He gazed at her for an extended period, attempting to evaluate her expression. Zayden remained silent while he attempted to assess her. “Was it you?” Jayce enquired.
She inhaled deeply and appeared astonished by his inquiry.
“No, your majesty,” she replied, her voice subdued, bowing her head as she spoke.
“What caused your hesitation moments ago?” he enquired, scrutinising her intently.
She raised her eyes to meet his; he could distinctly perceive her fear, which irritated him. She attempted to articulate, but no words emerged.
His patience was waning.
“Are you engaging in games?” he enquired, his voice elevating as rage manifested in his expression.
She flinched at his remarks, yet she promptly shook her head.
“Certainly not,” she replied to him, making a concerted effort to maintain a steady tone, which he observed as she swallowed with difficulty.
She was concealing something.
He was finished with this oscillation. He seized Molly’s arm; she recoiled as his nails penetrated her skin, and he pulled her through the remainder of the queue towards Mrs Shirly.
“Inspect her!” he commanded.
His hand was firmly clasped around my wrist as he navigated through the throng of individuals; I recognised the futility of attempting to escape his hold. I had to hope that the blemish remained concealed by the makeup. I questioned whether I could still refute it, even if he observed the mark.
My heart raced swiftly within my chest, and I feared that everyone could perceive it. The crowd had become so silent that one could nearly hear a pin drop. Upon nearing Ms. Shirley, she gazed at me with dismay and disappointment. She was among the eldest attendants at the palace and their most trusted.
He halted me before Ms. Shirley, and my breathing was nearly erratic. My body trembled uncontrollably, and I feared that this would be my end. I feared I would never again experience the outside world beyond this palace.
As she tilted my neck backward and began to move my hair aside, a loud voice resonated through the crowd, prompting us all to turn towards her.
“Your Majesty, I can no longer remain silent. It was I whom you designated last night,” Vera declared.
The audience gasped in astonishment as they gazed at the head maid, whose face remained impassive while she regarded Prince Jayce. She did not even glance in our direction as she approached.
