“Your brother is wed to Lady Elsie. I seriously doubt he is harbouring fantasies about a maid,” Elliott remarked, maintaining an unusual composure.
Jayce derided.
“Whatever,” Jayce murmured. “It is inconsequential. Molly will accompany me to the North.”
…
“Where have you been?!” Kylie enquired as I entered our bedroom; she enveloped me in a tight embrace. I grimaced as my body continued to ache. “I apologise,” she remarked, loosening her grip and offering me a contrite smile.
“It is acceptable,” I stated, attempting to eliminate concern from my tone.
“I anticipated your return last night or earlier this morning. I was concerned by your absence,” Kylie remarked, gazing intently at my face.
“I lack sufficient time for conversation,” I informed her while approaching my drawers to select attire. I informed Jayce that I would alter my attire and join him in the foyer at my earliest convenience to prepare for our journey to the North.
I experienced nausea contemplating it.
Kylie scowled, and I sensed her gaze tracking my movements.
“What is occurring?” she enquired.
“He instructed me to accompany him to the North,” I stated, even more deliberately.
Her expression shifted to one of utter terror as I uttered those words. Her eyes exhibited fear as she traversed the room towards me.
“What?” she murmured. “You cannot be serious. You will perish if you travel to the North!”
“I have little choice, Kylie. He commanded me to accompany him before the king,” I stated quietly.
Her eyes expanded in size.
“Is the king aware of your departure?” she enquired. “Did he not attempt to prevent it?”
I negated with a shake of my head.
I replied, “No.” “He did not.”
“Could you not feign illness or something?” she enquired.
“It will be inconsequential,” I informed her. “He has made his decision. There is nothing I can do to change it.”
She remained silent for a moment while I changed my clothes, attempting to process what I had conveyed to her, and I recognised her concern for my well-being. I was apprehensive as well, but I could not permit her to perceive my vulnerability. I needed to maintain my composure; otherwise, I would experience a total breakdown.
“What shall I do in your absence?” she murmured, tears welling in her eyes.
I was unable to observe her tears; had she wept, I would undoubtedly have wept as well.
“You will not discover,” I assured her. “I will be fine.”
I was uncertain; she cleared her throat and dried her eyes with the back of her sleeve.
“I am aware,” she stated, her tone exhibiting increased strength. “I will simply miss you,” she exhaled.
I approached her with a smile and embraced her warmly for an extended period.
“I shall miss you,” I murmured in response.
She withdrew from me to examine my features with curiosity.
“What transpired last night? What activities did you engage in?” she enquired, aware of her eagerness to learn about my evening with Prince Jayce. Regrettably, I had no intriguing information to convey to her.
“I prepared tea for him, arranged his bed, and he subsequently fell asleep. I am uncertain as to the reason for his desire for my presence, to be frank,” I remarked, reflecting on the occurrences of the previous night.
My cheeks reddened slightly as I recalled him drawing me into his bed and maintaining a firm grip on me. He had me slumbering against the warmth of his torso. I had to suppress the faint smile that emerged as the memory of his touch enveloped my body.
She appeared sceptical as she maintained her gaze around my face.
“I understand,” she remarked, amusement glimmering in her eyes. “Does he slumber unclothed?”
I attempted to respond, but a throat clearing from behind startled us, revealing Prince Jayce in the doorway. He glared at us with evident annoyance and rolled his eyes.
Kylie’s complexion flushed a deep crimson as she executed a curtsy.
“Your Majesty,” she stated. “I was merely, um…” she faltered.
“Preserve it,” he murmured. He cast a glance in my direction, and his lips compressed into a narrow line. “We must depart.”
I performed a curtsy to him and then turned to Kylie; I embraced her once more.
“I adore you,” I expressed to her gently. “I will attempt to meet you prior to our official departure this evening.”
“I love you as well,” she stated while letting go of me, tears once more in her eyes.
I disengaged from her and pursued Jayce out of the maid’s quarters. Several guards escorted us as we traversed the palace.
Peter awaited with the carriage outside the main entrance, having opened the carriage doors. I was taken aback by our departure from the palace and remained motionless, gazing at him in bewilderment.
“Enter,” he commanded.
“Your Majesty, may I enquire about our destination?” I asked.
“To visit my mother,” he replied.
I was taken aback by his words, yet I acquiesced and entered the carriage as instructed.
He was escorting me to meet his foster mother, Lady Elizabeth. I am unable to comprehend…
