Justine
I’m held in the palace infirmary for far too long, and it isn’t until after the end of the sleepless night that the physician sees fit to release me.
William didn’t return to me last night, and I can’t deny the aching in my heart. Though he sent me a note, telling me he loved me and that we would figure everything out, I know there is still a part of him—no matter how small—that is angry with me again. And I also know that this time I deserve it. I should have told him from the start about my father’s ruse, but I couldn’t see past my own anger long enough to do the right thing until now.
I’m led to my guest suite, and I’m immediately sorry I suggested staying in my own guest quarters. I’m alone in a huge suite on the opposite side of the palace as William’s rooms. I long for him to hold me, to take me in his arms and reassure me.
There’s a note on the table from William, and my heart turns a cartwheel, knowing his anger from last night must have faded somewhat.
I’ll see you tonight, my love. Rest well. –W
I head for bed, though I’m not sure I’ll sleep at all. I’m still feeling a bit wired from the medications and excited at the thought of seeing my husband.
Sleep must find me eventually, though, because the next thing I know, a maid is at my door with dinner. I suppose the combination of having an allergic reaction last night and going without sleep for much of it made me more tired than I’d realized. But it doesn’t escape me that William never came to my room as he’d promised.
I smile at the young maid as she sets the trays in the sitting room. She gives me a polite curtsy and begins to hurry from the room before I stop her.
“Wait!” I rush over to the door. “I…” I force another smile at the young woman. “Would you happen to know if the royal family is having dinner together?”
She gives me another shallow curtsy. “I believe so, Your Highness.”
Then why was I not invited? I can hardly ask the maid that, of course—or perhaps I can. Maybe it will help me to show my father there is a large rift between William and me as we’d planned.
I pause, trying to carefully formulate my words. “Do you… Do you know if my husband is at dinner without me?”
“I cannot say for certain, Your Highness, but I believe he is. Would you like me to have him paged to your room—?”
“No.” I interrupt. “No, of course not. I wouldn’t want to interrupt a formal dinner.” That I should have been invited to, regardless of whether or not I would have attended. “Do you by chance know if my father is in attendance at dinner tonight?”
“That, I do not, Your Highness.” She curtsies again. “Is there anything else I might assist you with tonight, Your Highness?”
I shake my head. “No, I suppose not.” I have no idea whether or not she is one of the staff that might start a rumor, but I suppose it won’t hurt to try. “If you should see my husband…” I look the woman up and down for a moment, then think better of this idiotic plan. “Never mind. Have a lovely evening.”
“And you, as well, Your Highness.” She curtsies again for the millionth time and exits through the door.
I walk over and sit in front of the plates of food that have been brought to my room. There has to be enough food here for six people, though no one else is here. For a fleeting moment, I think perhaps William had all this food sent to me so that he might join me, but as the minutes tick by, I realize nothing of the sort is going to happen.
I pick at the food—at least there is no seafood included in tonight’s dishes. As I eat, I can’t help but think of my father. I still can’t quite believe he’s here—nor can I fathom what it is he’s doing here.
But I have far too much time on my hands to think the worst. I check the clock—dinner should be over by now. I have no idea where it is my father is staying in the palace, but I’m certain it can’t be far. The guest wing is large here—much larger than the guest wing in Rosvalia—but even still, it isn’t as though I wouldn’t be able to find him if I tried.
I finish nibbling at a roll and go over to the door. I peek my head out, looking both ways into the corridor. I’m not sure why I feel the need to be hiding—it would be much easier to find one of the staff and simply ask where my father is staying. I probably should have asked the young maid earlier, but I hadn’t thought of it in that moment.
I pad out into the hallway. Thankfully, I know I won’t be treated as a prisoner in this palace, unlike how William has been treated since the day he arrived in Rosvalia. I suppose the Montovians have little to hide, though, unlike my father.
William probably doesn’t believe me, but I have no idea what my father has going on in the east wing of the Rosvalian palace. Like everyone there, I know it has something to do with the Royal Guard, but what that something is, I have no idea.
I round a corner and walk right into William.
He catches me by the wrist and pulls me into a nearby alcove. “What are you doing out here?”
“I…I thought we were going to dine together tonight.”
He lifts a brow, grinning. “I thought we were trying to make it look like we weren’t getting along. And since your father was there… I wasn’t sure I’d be able to keep my hands off you, especially since I haven’t seen you in far too long.”
I can’t help but smile. Something about the way he speaks to me makes me feel like I might never not smile again. “You should have come to my room today.”
“I wanted to let you rest. You had quite the ordeal last night.” He reaches up and threads his hand into my hair, pulling my face to his. “But you have no idea how much I wanted to see you. To do this.” He pulls me toward him, kissing me deeply before releasing me. “But we can’t do this here.”
“Then we should return to my suite.” My voice is breathless, and I’m not certain I’m going to be able to wait that long.
“And we shall… But we can’t be seen together. Not if we’re to keep up the ruse of our hating each other.”
“I know.” I frown. “Maybe…maybe this isn’t the best idea. I’m not sure I can put up with being apart from you all day.”
He grins. “Believe me, my love. I am going to make it very worth your while.”