“All women,” he replied.
“You are seeking women in an inappropriate location,” I informed him. He locked eyes with me again, and I felt my heart thumping forcefully in my chest; for an instant, my breath was constricted in my throat. I recuperated swiftly, however. “At times, love merits the peril.”
His eyes darkened as he gazed at me; it appeared he wished to articulate numerous thoughts, yet something hindered him from doing so. I recalled the night he marked me; the pain he inflicted and the fear instilled as he asserted his claim over me.
However, I would never belong to him. I was unable to be his. I was merely a maid, and while it was pleasant to sit with him, become acquainted, and meet his mother, I recognised that it could not progress beyond this point. My foremost objective has consistently been to depart from the castle with my autonomy intact.
I could not allow this to obscure my vision.
Lady Elizabeth emitted a soft chuckle as I diverted my gaze from Jayce, severing our unarticulated bond.
“We must depart,” Jayce stated, rising to his feet.
I stood beside him and smiled at Lady Elizabeth, who appeared sorrowful at our departure.
“Already?” she exclaimed, rising to her feet. She embraced Jayce firmly. “Please exercise caution, my son. I love you dearly.”
He replied softly, “I love you too,” while embracing her in return.
His candour with his mother elicited a smile from me. She disengaged from him and faced me.
“I am delighted to have met you, Molly,” she remarked while embracing me.
Jayce appeared visibly uneasy at the sight, yet remained silent.
“Exercise patience with him,” she murmured into my ear.
I flushed as we separated; I was uncertain of its significance, but I refrained from enquiring in Jayce’s presence.
I accompanied Jayce outside, and as he shut the door, his stern demeanour reemerged. A shiver coursed through me as he gazed at me.
“I instructed the palace to prepare some clothing for you for our journey to the North. I have several tasks to complete before our departure, but I require you to inspect our supplies and rendezvous with me in the stables within the hour,” he commanded.
I acquiesced.
He commenced walking towards the carriage but then paused momentarily.
“Additionally, Molly?”
I sensed my body tense as he glanced at me.
“Do not prolong my wait.”
…
“Is this excessively constricting?” the seamstress enquired as she tugged on the laces of a winter corset. Molly inhaled sharply and promptly nodded to signify her agreement. The seamstress exhaled sharply and relaxed it. “What is the current status?”
Molly exhaled and nodded. “It is acceptable, thank you.”
“I possess multiple dresses akin to this one for your journey, all appropriate for winter. It is unsuitable for a maid accompanying a prince to don trousers; however, I have included them for emergencies.”
Molly furrowed her brow, pondering what type of emergency would necessitate the wearing of trousers. Unless she was alluding to the frigid temperatures. Molly may ultimately don them beneath her dress to prevent her legs from becoming cold.
“Are they all wearing corsets? Will I be able to remove them independently?” Molly enquired.
The taller woman scrutinised Molly with a prolonged, inquisitive gaze and shook her head. “If you loosen the laces slightly, you may be able to extricate yourself, although assistance from another would facilitate the process.”
“No one on the trip would be able-” The woman raised her eyebrows, causing Molly to blush inexplicably due to her peculiar gaze. “I favour dresses that I can effortlessly remove independently.”
“You are preparing to travel with a prince, and he has requested that I procure appropriate attire for you. I cannot allow you to appear as you did upon your arrival, and the only dresses currently available necessitate corsets.”
Molly exhaled and faced the mirror to examine her reflection. The dress was striking, featuring a dark blue hue in a fabric reminiscent of those worn by Prince Jayce. It clung to her waist, accentuating her figure, while also being more substantial than any garment she possessed.
It appeared suitable for a lady, rather than a maid. She presumed there would be no attire suitable for a maid at her destination, as this garment was likely intended for a lady. A fleeting image of Vera’s enraged visage entered her thoughts. Molly could only envision the remarks she would make if she observed her donning a dress appropriate for a lady. She would likely tear it from her and compel her to walk unclothed in the snow. Moreover, she would likely insist that Molly sleep outside in the snow as well.
Molly scowled. She had not considered enquiring about Vera’s recovery or her well-being. No one in her vicinity had raised the subject—Molly felt somewhat apprehensive about enquiring. Kylie had not mentioned her since the incident, despite typically sharing all gossip with Molly.
“Do you find it satisfactory?” enquired the seamstress.
“Thank you for locating something for me on such short notice; I appreciate the challenge it must have posed.”
The seamstress dismissed her remarks. “These garments remain unused throughout the year, as none of the women have requested to utilise them. Although snowfall occurs here in winter, temperatures do not reach the frigid levels experienced in northern regions. These will induce perspiration within half an hour if the destination is not freezing.”
“Should I postpone changing into this until we arrive?” Molly scratched her arm, already beginning to feel somewhat warm.
“It is improbable that you will have the chance to change until you reach a secure location. I suggest wearing it during your departure or at least keeping it accessible to don over your regular attire upon arrival. You may be astonished by how quickly the temperature drops within minutes of entering the north.”
