“I cannot remain for an extended period,” Ashton remarked, clearing his throat. “However, I wished to present this to you,” he stated as he extracted a book from his jacket.
I smiled and acquired the book; I had not previously read it.
“It is among my preferred selections,” he elucidated. “I anticipated you would be bored here and wished to provide you with reading material.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty. I eagerly anticipate commencing this reading. What a thoughtful gesture,” I remarked, smiling at him.
He reciprocated the smile.
“I believe you will appreciate it,” he remarked, as he pivoted and proceeded towards the door. “It is highly innovative,” he remarked with a slight chuckle.
Kylie performed a curtsy as Ashton approached; he acknowledged her with a respectful nod before departing. Kylie closed the door and sprinted towards my bed.
“It is disingenuous to assert that he does not cherish you,” Kylie chuckled. “He also presented you with a gift!”
I once more rolled my eyes at her.
“He was merely being courteous, Kylie. He is wed to Lady Elsie. We facilitated their wedding ceremony,” I reminded her.
“It is universally acknowledged that the marriage lacks affection,” Kylie remarked, also rolling her eyes. “The arrangement was made by Luna Queen Kamila. Ashton harbours no affection for Elsie, nor does Elsie for Ashton.”
The thought distressed me, as Ashton was an exemplary individual and poised to become an even more exceptional ruler. He merited someone who genuinely loved him.
“It is inconsequential, Kylie,” I conveyed to her. “I am merely a maid.”
“You are not merely a maid, Molly,” Kylie remarked as she took a seat beside me. “You are the most remarkable person I know. You possess extraordinary beauty. This morning, two princes visited you out of concern, clearly indicating the impression you have made on them.”
Her words elicited an involuntary smile from me.
“They are truly benevolent,” I murmured.
She chuckled.
“I do not believe their kindness is the primary factor. Although they are indeed exceptionally kind, I contend that their deep affection for you and the anguish of seeing you in distress profoundly distresses them,” Kylie remarked in a whimsical tone.
I laughed but immediately winced as pain coursed through my body; for a brief moment, I had overlooked my injuries.
She sprang to her feet and approached my bedside table. She took some medication from the table and measured it into a teaspoon. She presented the medicine to my lips, and I recoiled at the unpleasant flavour. I detested medicine, yet I recognised that this pain would persist without it.
The medication commenced its effect promptly; I experienced a numbing and cooling sensation as the pain diminished.
Kylie has consistently been a hopeless romantic; the books she reads are predominantly romance novels. She envisioned marrying a prince and frequently jested that one day we would both wed princes in a distant kingdom and live blissfully ever after.
I have always considered that existence to be futile; we invested considerable time striving for our liberation and escaping this palace, only to inhabit another palace and wed a prince. However, it was merely a fantasy, and we consistently found amusement in the notion.
She consistently acknowledged attractive men; since all the attendants were female, we seldom encountered males outside the royal family.
“Once we obtain that amnesty and depart from this place, all of this will merely be a distant and dreadful recollection,” Kylie assured me as she resumed her position on the bed.
I scowled, attempting to conceal my discomfort.
“If I manage to escape from this place,” I remarked, my voice echoing faintly and strained. “I have not yet been declared innocent.”
Kylie locked eyes with me, a subtle smile gracing her lips.
“They will!” she assured me. “They are diligently striving to establish your innocence. I have heard that Abel and Ashton were virtually imploring Luna Queen Kamila and Alpha King Elliott to liberate you, but they declined…” She paused momentarily, hesitating before continuing her next sentence. “Nevertheless, no one has exerted as much effort as Prince Jayce.”
…
“Prince Jayce?” I enquired, gazing at her in bewilderment. “What motivates him to exert more effort than his peers?”
It was illogical for Jayce to be so invested in demonstrating my innocence. However, I recalled that it was his partner who succumbed to the poison, and he sought to avenge Vera.
“He has reportedly sequestered himself in his study for the past three days, meticulously examining all available evidence. Additionally, he has been interrogating all kitchen staff and those involved in the party.”
His demand for answers in the kitchen did not astonish me; despite his handsome appearance, he was perpetually fierce, instilling fear in many within the palace. He would quickly discover the answers they seek.
“However, no one was aware of who placed the flower in the soup. Or so they claimed,” Kylie remarked with an eye roll. “Nonetheless, it was noted that Zoe was scheduled to work at the party; however, she sustained a hand injury and was directed to the medic. Consequently, he sought her out and enquired about the situation.”
“Did she confess immediately?” I enquired, attempting to suppress thoughts of Jayce’s methods to elicit her admission of guilt.
Zoe’s demeanour in the courtroom indicated that she was composed and exhibited no visible injuries. He did not subject Zoe to the same treatment that Jack inflicted upon me.
“To my knowledge, yes, but she did not admit to the poisoning. She continues to assert uncertainty regarding the identity of the individual who contaminated the soup. She merely added the flower to the soup.”
“Prince Jayce’s desire to seek justice for Lady Vera is commendable,” I remarked, gazing at my hands; an unsettling sensation churned in my stomach as I articulated those words.
Kylie remarked, scrutinising my expression, “He is undoubtedly not undertaking this for Vera.”
“What do you signify?” I enquired.
