I have never entered a carriage before; it was exceedingly uncommon for me to leave the palace grounds and travel elsewhere. I had to concede that it was a pleasant alteration of environment, despite being involuntary and orchestrated by a prince whom I believed detested me.
The carriage commenced its motion, and I was taken aback by its velocity; Jayce observed my anxious expression, rolled his eyes, and turned his gaze out the window as we navigated around the palace and onto the cobblestone path.
Behind the palace, there were rows of cottages where former mistresses and ladies of the palace typically resided. When a royal family member became weary of others, they would dispatch them to reside in the cottages to eliminate their presence. Although they were well-cared for and sheltered, returning to the palace was still deemed disgraceful.
I found it inconceivable for such an event to occur to me, and I became agitated at the mere contemplation of it.
We approached the village and halted in front of one of the larger cottages. I exited the carriage behind Prince Jayce and approached the door where he rapped. The guards remained with the carriage.
An elegant older woman stood at the door, her face illuminating upon seeing Prince Jayce before her.
“Jayce!” she exclaimed, embracing him; to my astonishment, he reciprocated the hug, eliciting a faint smile from me at the sight. “I am delighted to see you, my dear.”
“Greetings, mother,” Jayce remarked as he distanced himself from her.
She intended to articulate an additional thought, but upon noticing me, her eyes widened. She appeared momentarily astonished, leaving me unable to discern her thoughts.
“Greetings,” she remarked to me, a congenial smile emerging on her lips.
I curtsied and was poised to speak when I heard her laughter as I straightened myself. Jayce merely rolled his eyes and shook his head.
“There is no necessity for such formality,” she remarked, dismissively waving her hand through the air as if to shoo away an insect. I immediately sensed my face flush. She cleared her throat and moved aside to allow us entry into her residence. “Please enter! You are the first woman Jayce has ever introduced to me!”
“What prompts your visit?” she enquired as we entered her cottage.
“I wished to bid farewell for the time being. Should anything occur…” Jayce stated.
I tensed at his words; it was disconcerting to hear him suggest that something dire could occur from which we might not return.
She scowled and gazed at us for a brief moment.
“What is your meaning?”
“We shall proceed northward at dusk,” he replied.
Her eyes expanded in size.
“You intend to travel North and take this unfortunate girl with you?” Lady Elizabeth exclaimed. “Have you lost your sanity?”
“I must ascertain the identity of the individual who poisoned Luna Queen Kamila,” Jayce responded. “They believe it was Molly and incarcerated her, where Jack nearly murdered her.”
Lady Elizabeth sighed at the mention of Jack’s name; did everyone harbour animosity towards him? I cannot fault them; he was a torment.
Jayce expressed his distrust and his desire to ensure they do not interfere with her.
He was accompanying me for my protection.
He averted his gaze, yet a subtle smile appeared on Lady Elizabeth’s lips as she cast a glance in my direction.
“Has he recounted his history to you?”
“No, ma’am,” I replied, my face flushed.
“Do you expect her to jeopardise her life to accompany you on this journey despite knowing nothing about you?” she enquired.
I was astonished to observe Jayce’s face redden, yet he still averted his gaze from me.
“She is merely a maid. I do not disclose my affairs to maids,” he murmured, reclining on the couch and gazing intently at the fire before us.
Lady Elizabeth exhaled in exasperation and directed her gaze towards me.
“I believe it is essential to be acquainted with the individual you are entering the perilous situation alongside, do you not agree?” she enquired.
…
“I would prefer that we abstain,” he murmured.
She disregarded him and maintained her gaze fixed on me.
“He presents a formidable demeanour, yet he is not as resilient as he appears. Beneath that hardened facade lies a young boy who lost his mother at an early age,” Lady Elizabeth commenced.
Jayce sighed, yet he refrained from interjecting.
“His mother was Alpha King Elliott’s destined mate, and her death devastated him. He could never replicate the love she offered and ceased his attempts. Jayce, having lost his mother, lacked a maternal figure in his life. In contrast, Prince Ashton and Prince Jack received unwavering maternal affection from Luna Queen Kamila, while Prince Abel had his mother for a time. Jayce was the sole outlier until I entered his life and provided the maternal love he yearned for…”
I glanced at Jayce; he remained fixated on the fire, a look of sorrow crossing his face as he recalled the moment of his mother’s demise and the profound solitude he must have experienced.
I felt profound sympathy for him.
Lady Elizabeth glanced at Jayce and offered him a gentle smile as their eyes connected.
Alpha King Elliott perceives significant qualities of his destined mate in Jayce, which complicates his ability to love Jayce appropriately.
“Did he neglect him during childhood?” I exclaimed; Jayce recoiled at my statement, and I immediately regretted my words. “I sincerely apologise…”
