“There she is… I was starting to believe I may have struck you too forcefully.” A man with blond hair emerged from the shadows. Molly attempted to extricate her hands from the ropes, which only exacerbated the abrasions on her skin with each tug.
“Please… allow me to leave-” The wooden chair groaned under her as she writhed.
“That would be a considerable waste.” He bent down to meet her gaze. She recoiled from his foul breath and decayed teeth. “We desired a prince, yet we received you instead.”
The confrontation surged back to her in an instant. Is Jayce still alive? Was he able to escape before being apprehended—or worse? She adjusted her position in her seat. “Where is he located?”
The gentleman smiled. His teeth had become sharper than an instant prior. “Your prince has escaped into the night without you.” He unsheathed a dagger from his belt and glided it slowly along her skin. “Are you his partner?”
“N-no. I am merely a maid at the palace.” Molly momentarily closed her eyes as the cold blade glided across her jaw.
“Only a maid? I find that hard to believe. What sort of prince becomes infatuated with his maid?” He exerted slight pressure on her neck, causing Molly to wince.
“I assure you, I am merely a maid to him. He safeguarded me in that situation because I was unarmed, nothing more.” Molly recoiled as he probed further before ultimately withdrawing.
“That seems logical.” He began to circle her. Her attention shifted to the door as another man entered abruptly. He was slightly shorter than his companion and possessed the same greasy blond hair. He relinquished a sack onto the ground.
“What is logical, Alex?” he enquired. He scrutinised Molly from head to toe and offered her a smile that sent a chill through her bones.
“I presumed she was his companion, yet a prince would never abandon his consort. She is merely an inconsequential servant, Micah.”
“Oh, really?” his friend chuckled. “It appears he will not return for her; he is likely far away at this point.”
Alex seized a chair and manoeuvred it adjacent to Molly’s before he sat down abruptly. “She likely possesses pertinent information regarding the prince that could be advantageous.”
“Indeed, she likely possesses some knowledge.” Micah leaned against the wall and retrieved a small knife to groom his unsightly nails. “What is the prince doing in the north?”
“I am uncertain,”
“Incorrect!” Alex rose abruptly, causing his chair to collide with the floor. He seized Molly by the chin and compelled her to meet his gaze. “I disdain deceit. Is the prince intending to assault the rogues in the north?”
“No! He is not contemplating that-” His grip on her chin intensified; she attempted to withdraw, but he only applied greater pressure.
“Is that loyalty I perceive? I would not waste my efforts attempting to shield him; your companion fled without a moment’s pause regarding your fate. You are merely a servant, as you stated,” Alex remarked.
Molly ingested. She had no doubt regarding its veracity. Prince Jayce would not jeopardise himself to rescue her. He was likely already miles away, without a second thought regarding her fate. He would not jeopardise himself for a maid, particularly not one of her calibre. It continues to cause pain to hear.
“Please explain why the prince selected you over the other maids available.”
“Indeed, why did he summon you? Does the prince anticipate your service in every capacity?” His companion smirked and knelt beside her chair.
Molly endeavoured to maintain a steady tone, despite her nearly insurmountable fear. “I was nearest to him at the time of his departure. He is a prince and travels with numerous attendants.”
“That is simply untrue, is it not? All the men present were trained guards; you are the sole servant.” Micah placed his hand on her knee, and she wished she could retaliate by kicking him in the face for his unwelcome touch. “You must have encountered some information regarding his presence.”
Her dress was constricting, and perspiration trickled down her back. Each inhalation induced a sensation of impending faintness. She was unable to disclose the reason for Prince Jayce’s presence, as doing so would reveal his exact location. An ambush could result in his death. They were correct; she was merely a maid—yet he was a prince. He was significant to the kingdom. She would not betray him, regardless of their actions.
“I possess no knowledge. As you indicated, I am merely a maid. The royals have never divulged confidential information to their servants,” Molly stated with a tremulous voice.
The men exchanged glances. “What is the duration of your employment there?”
“What is your name?” Alex enquired.
Molly ingested. “I have been employed there for five years.”
The men awaited her continuation; when she remained silent, Alex struck her across the face. “I enquired about your name!”
“D-Molly!” she exclaimed swiftly as the pain seared her skin.
“Well, Molly,” Micah began to circle her chair. “You must possess some information to share with us. Five years of employment at the palace yields valuable insights.”
“I was employed in the library, and none of the royals ever visited.”
