“Not entirely alone; there are a few guards down the hall, but I wouldn’t be concerned about them.” Joseph placed his plate down and ran his fingers through his hair. He was undeniably attractive; she surmised that it was effortless for him to captivate a woman’s attention. For some inexplicable reason, he was present instead.
“I am grateful regardless,” Molly stated as she extended her hand to grasp his. A faint blush appeared on his tanned cheeks. The impoverished boy’s eyes brimmed with a glimmer of hope that she was eager to extinguish beneath her foot.
Molly remarked to herself, “I never anticipated loving the snow as profoundly as I do,” while gazing at the snow-dusted window. She recognised that Colton was permanently absent, yet she could not suppress her desire for his return to provide her with reassurance that all would be well. He appeared somewhat sceptical regarding the rogues’ commitment to their promises, and she had not rested for more than a few minutes consecutively since her arrival.
Two days remained before she would be taken to the church to trade her life for a recipe. She detested the notion that her life was once more beyond her control. She was compelled to remain here and await the revelation of her fate, with no recourse available to her. How had her life deteriorated so rapidly?
Joseph had not visited again since the previous night. She was oblivious to the passage of time, unable to ascertain how many hours had elapsed, yet it felt like an eternity in itself. Her plan, which began as a mere concept, had flourished within her mind.
She merely needed to express it before it was too late to flourish. She was unwilling to become a pawn for Life Pharmacy, merely to be eliminated out of spite towards the prince for his actions during his brief visit to the north. They despised him to such an extent that she recognised it would not be a simple exchange. It was merely a question of the extent to which they would retaliate against him. They realised they finally possessed leverage against him, and that leverage was her.
Joseph’s gaze lingered on her longer than is customary for a gentleman. He monitored her more than any inmate likely ever had been. She recalled that the sole occasion she was monitored in the kingdom was when she was on the verge of being tortured for additional information. Inappropriate for courteous dialogue or compassionate enquiries.
The door featured a diminutive lock on the interior, which she inferred indicated it could be secured from the exterior; her fingers brushed against the minute aperture. Nothing in her room was sufficiently diminutive to manipulate, yet the daylight rendered any attempt futile. Molly inhaled deeply and struck the door forcefully, hoping he was nearby. “Hello?” Molly enquired. “Is anyone present?”
The door unlocked and swung open within seconds. Joseph entered briefly and smiled at Molly. It prompted her to contemplate whether he had been anticipating her need for him. “Are you hungry?”
“Indeed, I felt quite faint in this room,” Molly remarked as she fanned herself. “I was unaware that it could become this oppressive.”
Joseph slightly ajar the door. “I presume it becomes somewhat cramped in this confined space. Allow me to attempt to open the window for you.”
Momentarily, she believed he would leave the door ajar; however, he shut and secured it immediately before traversing the room to ascend onto the desk. He exerted maximum effort, and the window ascended effortlessly. He could have fractured it had he applied more pressure.
“Oh dear, I believed it was jammed,” he laughed at his own expense.
“Indeed! I attempted numerous times to open it independently; I suppose you possess considerable strength.” Molly twirled a strand of her hair while observing him descend. He was unaware that Colton had been the initial individual to open it. Particularly when he appeared so self-satisfied in response to her commendation.
“I trust that this alleviates your discomfort.”
“Indeed, I merely…” Molly exhaled deeply and looked out the diminutive window. She sensed the air caress her face, as if it were playfully taunting her.
“What is it?” Joseph enquired, tilting his head and advancing closer. A trace of concern appeared on his face.
“I suppose I simply long for the fresh air.” Molly sank onto the bed.
Joseph knelt before her. “Do not be concerned, Molly. This situation will soon conclude, and you will not remain confined here for much longer. I understand it appears dire at present.”
Molly sighed once more, expressing her desire to trust you. Joseph clasped her diminutive hands within his own. They were significantly warmer than hers, which felt icy. His physical contact with her was inappropriate; however, she presumed that etiquette held less significance in the north.
“It would be a transgression to confine a captivating young woman such as yourself here for an extended period.”
Molly permitted a flush to adorn her cheeks. “Attractive? Please refrain from jesting in that manner.”
His eyebrows knitted together. “Tease you? I would not presume. Hasn’t the prince informed you of your beauty?”
“He has no justification to do so, even if he were not a man of few words.”
Joseph expressed his frustration by shaking his head at the notion. “He certainly has justification for it. I maintain that a girl ought to be reminded daily, particularly if she resembles you.”
Molly emitted laughter. “Oh, do you? You are quite the charmer, are you not?”
Joseph offered her a crooked smile before rising to his feet. “I have been informed of this once or twice.”
“You ought to have been informed significantly more than that.”
