36
Molly
I looked around for things to do to preoccupy my mind after Damon left. It was strange to have all my old things in a new set of apartments. My rooms were joined to the king’s residence. On the other side of his spare bedroom was a corridor that connected his suite to mine. I didn’t need a set of rooms, but I realized while I worked on my dissertation it was nice to have a space to spread out. I didn’t have to worry about Brooklyn stacking up my notecards.
I had left her a voicemail and sent two texts. She hadn’t responded. I’d try her again after lunch.
I had two bedrooms, a living room, dining room, an enormous bathroom, and a closet as big as a garage. There was no kitchen. Whatever I wanted came from the royal kitchen downstairs. The chefs on staff were ready to cook anything the royals wanted, no matter what time it was.
I opened my laptop. Palace cyber security was at an all-time high. One of the tech guys had to reprogram my laptop with encrypted codes so that it couldn’t be hacked when I was out. As the king’s newest advisor, that was a threat that concerned the intelligence force.
I didn’t tell them I wasn’t an actual advisor. I let them do what they needed and waited to get my laptop back.
The screen lit up and I clicked on my email. I had poured a second cup of coffee after my shower with Damon. I wasn’t sure how we had mixed being so dirty with clean, but it was a fun experiment. I giggled to myself.
I deleted a few of the coupons in my inbox. Then I saw it.
The email popped open and I read it so fast that I couldn’t process the message. I had to reread it.
“Oh my God.” I placed the mug on the desk. I couldn’t believe this. I held my breath as if that would somehow affect the contents of the letter.
It had happened. London had accepted my application.
I read the email again, much slower this time.
I jumped up, throwing my arms in the air. “Yes!” I spun around.
Six weeks at the Literary Institute in London, locked in a vault with rare texts. It was a career dream. My dream. I could almost smell the pages.
But oh. Holy shit. Damon was never going to be ok with that.
And my stomach flipped as I realized that I might not be either.
***
I was positioned at one end of the dining room table. I decided this was the best place to line up the notecards. I wasn’t going to host any state dinners here. It was unused space, and from what I gathered, the apartments were closed up when they weren’t occupied.
I looked up when my new suite manager knocked.
“It’s ok, Francesca. You don’t have to knock.” I smiled.
“Ma’am, you have a visitor.”
“Oh?” I looked down at what I was wearing. Ayla wouldn’t be happy I had taken the day off to be a student.
“Princess Isabel is here.”
“Oh.”
“Where would you like to receive the princess?”
I fumbled. Was it supposed to be formal? Couldn’t she just walk in here like a regular person?
“The living room is fine, Francesca. I’ll be right out. You can offer her something to drink.” There was one thing all palace rooms had—a fully stocked bar.
I left the rows of colored cards and walked into the main room of my apartment. Damon’s sister was waiting for me.
“There you are.”
“Hi, Isabel. Sorry, I was working on my chapter orders.”
She waved her hand in the air. “I’m not like my brother. You don’t have to apologize. I can wait a few minutes.”
I smiled and took a seat next to her. “Thank you for understanding.”
“Have you recovered from last night?”
I almost choked. “Y-yes, I have.”
“Good. I know my mother was a complete bitch. She’s gone.”
I wasn’t sure how to respond. A delicate approach was probably the way to go. “It’s not her fault. It was rushed. There was a large audience. It’s ok.”
“You are way too saintly for this family.” She crossed her legs. I didn’t know if she was planning on staying a while. “After that scene, I didn’t want to speak to her. Damon was livid. She won’t be back until he requests it, which isn’t likely any time soon.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. Damon has told me a short version of the situation I’m sure, but I don’t want to be one more reason she stays away from Freychon.”
“Believe me, you are not the reason. I’m the only one willing to visit her anymore.”
“I’m sure you were excited about the olive grove vote. Damon told me you spent time there before our trip.”
“That was his victory, not mine. I go where I’m requested. Which is actually why I’m here.” She flipped her long hair over her shoulder. Her high cheek bones were dusted with a light pink.
“What do you mean?”
She grinned. “As the king’s advisor I was hoping you’d be able to put in a request for me.”
I laughed. “You can’t be serious. You’re his sister. You have more pull than I do.”
“True, but with a little nudge from his favorite consort I think my idea would be more successful.”
“I don’t have that kind of influence. Really. Damon makes his own decisions.”
“Then think of it as a favor.”
“Ok. I’m happy to help with a favor. But please, not as Consort. I wouldn’t feel right.”
She sighed lightly. “You have so much to learn about royal politics. Anyway, I’ve been trying to convince my brother to send me to Spain.”
“Spain?”
“Yes. I need to get away from Galona for a while. I’m tired of these rural trips. I need a vacation. And not a fake vacation where I have to make appearances. An actual, honest to God break from being princess.”
I didn’t feel like I could ask her what was behind the request. Besides, she should be able to travel where she wanted. But I was learning that everyone in the family had issues with the crown. It was like a ghost that haunted them.
“Sure. I’ll say something,” I offered.
“That’s it? You’re not going to squeeze answers out of me?”
I shook my head. “No. I’m sure you have a reason for wanting to go. My parents didn’t try to talk me out of studying in Freychon. I’m twenty-seven. I’m past the point of asking permission.”
“Ahh. And you aren’t royal.”
“No, I’m not.” It seemed as if someone was always trying to remind me what my position was in the palace. Instructing me to adhere to all the rules. Explaining that because I’m such an outsider, I couldn’t possibly understand.
“That’s a good thing, Molly.” She smiled. “Damon needs that. We all do. A touch of reality in these walls is what we’re all looking for. It will keep him grounded and make him a better king. I think it’s already happening.”
“Favor granted.” I used my best royal voice. We both laughed.
“You’re the best.” She stood to leave. “I’m glad you’re here. You have no idea what it’s like living with four brothers.”
The palace was so huge I never ran into any of them. Everyone kept to their private apartments.
“No, I only have one.” I couldn’t relate to her life for many reasons.
“Lucky you.”
“I’ll let you know how it goes with Damon.”
She pulled me into a hug. “Thank you.”
I sighed. If only the rest of my day was going to be that easy.