He exhaled, seemingly in relief.
He chuckled while sheepishly rubbing the back of his neck with his palm.”Ah, excellent,” he exhaled, locking his gaze with mine. “For a brief moment, I believed he would remove you from my life.”
I sensed my breath constricting in my throat as he maintained his gaze upon me, the warmth flushing my cheeks. For a brief instance, the air in this room was saturated with hair, leaving me uncertain of how to respond or act.
His gaze penetrated me with such intensity that I nearly lost my sense of location.
“Molly…” he uttered my name as if he had never pronounced it previously. I attempted to speak, but no words emerged, prompting me to close my mouth promptly. “I am pleased that you are not departing.”
What was the significance of that?
Does he imply that he desires for me to remain confined within this palace and forfeit my freedom? Did he imply that he did not wish for me to become a lady of the palace?
I gazed at him in confusion for a few moments until the sound of heels clicking on the wooden floor startled us.
We turned to observe Lady Elsie approaching us, as elegant as ever. Her hair was styled in a blonde bun adorned with flowers intertwined among her curls, complementing the pink gown that accentuated her figure flawlessly. Her breasts were prominently displayed, with cleavage that could captivate any man.
It was speculated within the maid’s quarters that she had previously engaged in an affair with Prince Jayce. Her status as the most elegant and beautiful woman in the kingdom rendered the situation unsurprising. She epitomised the type of woman that Jayce would pursue.
Her beauty alone could procure her anything she desired, and at this moment, she desired her husband, Prince Ashton.
“Darling, are you nearly prepared to depart?” she enquired, gazing curiously between the two of us.
I remained flushed and averted my gaze to conceal my expression. Fortunately, Ashton appeared to be unremarkable. He selected a book from the shelf and gestured for her to observe it.
“Nearly,” he replied. “I merely need to verify this.”
“It is one of my favourites,” I remarked, gazing at the book he was displaying. “Highly innovative. You will appreciate it!”
He commenced his approach to the main desk at the front of the library; I recognised this as my signal to accompany him and facilitate the book checkout, thus I followed closely behind.
While I marked the book’s interior with the date and recorded the return date in both the book and my files, I endeavoured to preserve a composed demeanour.
I was unable to meet the gaze of Prince Ashton or Lady Elsie.
No event had transpired. At least not anything I could elucidate. I was uncertain about the events that transpired and the reasons behind Ashton’s behaviour. However, I was not inclined to enquire of him. I would not presume to enquire in his presence, particularly not before Lady Elsie.
She remained in the doorway, awaiting my completion with patience. I presented the book to Ashton and briefly made eye contact with him. I offered him a slight smile, and he reciprocated. He maintained eye contact for a moment longer before his voice resonated in my ears like a bird’s song.
“I am truly pleased you are present, Molly,” he remarked, quietly enough for only me to perceive.
I experienced a flush in my cheeks once more as he exited the library accompanied by Lady Elsie.
I shook my head to dispel my thoughts regarding the recent events as I returned to the aisle where I had been, placing the latest books back on the shelves. However, I halted abruptly upon hearing a voice emanating from the doorway.
“Was that Prince Ashton?” Jayce enquired.
“Your Majesty?” I enquired, performing a curtsy. “I did not observe your entrance.”
I sensed the hue from my complexion fading, and my palms became increasingly damp as he gazed at me with profound intensity. For a brief instant, I believed I was on the verge of collapsing. The intensity of Jayce’s gaze was more hostile compared to Ashton’s stare.
Upon arriving at the library, I had secured my hair in an updo; I neglected to verify whether my blemish was still concealed by makeup. However, given the extent of my perspiration that day, I am sceptical.
Nonetheless, I believed I would be secure once my shift commenced, remaining unnoticed by the majority; however, Jayce was advancing towards me, and I realised it was merely a matter of time before he detected the mark.
He seldom visited the library, if at all. I was compelled to ponder his presence here. It is possible that they continued to reprimand me for my conduct in the fields while assessing our grades. Perhaps he sensed something amiss and arrived to verify.
“Respond to my inquiry,” he stated, maintaining a subdued tone. His tone was nearly menacing and sent a shiver down my spine.
I cleared my throat prior to speaking.
“Indeed, that was Prince Ashton,” I replied. “He frequently visits to examine the latest editions.”
He scowled and averted his gaze from me, surveying the library as though he had never visited it previously.
“Hmm,” he remarked, displaying indifference. “I comprehend.”
“Is there anything I can assist you with, your majesty?” I enquired, still pondering the reason for his presence.
