Doris POV
“Your majesty?” I said, curtsying. “I didn’t see you coming in.”
I felt all the color from my features draining, and the palms of my hand grew moister as he stared at me with such intensity. For a moment, I thought I was going to fall over. It wasn’t the same intensity as when Martin stared at me; the way William looked at me was more hostile.
Arriving at the library I had thrown my hair up; I didn’t check to see if my mark was still covered with makeup. But considering the amount I sweat that day, I doubt it.
However, I thought I would be safe once I began my shift, being unseen by most, but William was approaching me, and I knew it was only a matter of time before he saw the mark.
He rarely ever came to the library, if ever. I couldn’t help but wonder what he was doing here. Perhaps it was to continue yelling at me for my behavior in the fields when they were checking our marks. Maybe he knew something was wrong and he came to double-check.
“Answer my question,” he said, keeping his voice low. His tone was almost threatening and gave me a chill down my spine.
I cleared my throat before speaking.
“Yes, that was Prince Martin,” I answered. “He comes often to see the newest editions.”
He frowned and looked away from me, staring around the library as if he’s never been here before.
“Hmm,” he said, uninterested. “I see.”
“Is there something I can help you with, your majesty?” I asked; still wondering why he was here.
“I didn’t know he read often,” he said, still not looking at me. I wasn’t sure if he was talking to me or to himself, but either or I wasn’t sure what to say in response. “Do you read often?” He asked,
He glanced down at me briefly; my eyes widened as I looked up at him. No one has ever asked me about my interests before. I wondered why he was taking interest all of a sudden.
“Uh…” I stammered. “I do.”
“Interesting,” he muttered; but he sounded anything but interested.
He started to approach me, and I could feel my heart beating rapidly against my chest. I was beginning to shake uncontrollably as he slowly made his way in my direction.
“So, you and Prince Martin talk often?” He asked, keeping his eyes locked on mine.
I was locked in my place; unable to move. My body still and waiting.
“Only when he visits the library,” I answered, my voice sounding distant.
“How did a maid, like you, learn to read?” William asked, still walking toward me.
Heat was rising into my face and my breath got caught in my throat.
“I was homeschooled,” I answered. “Before I came here.”
Something unfamiliar flashed through his eyes; he tilted his head as he examined my face. I was trying to keep the nervousness out of my expression, but I was afraid he was going to see through it. I was afraid he was going to see the mark that was so loudly on my neck.
At this moment, I feared that this would be the end of everything. I would never be able to get the freedom I so desperately craved.
He stopped, suddenly, and turned his attention to a book on the shelf in front of him. I let out a shaky breath as he picked up the book and skimmed the back cover.
“How did you get to the palace?” He asked without looking at me. Curiosity leaked through his tone.
I swallowed hard; why was he asking me all these questions?
That was the one question I didn’t want to answer. Answering it would mean talking about my mother and her passing and I wasn’t willing to do that. Especially with William. I just couldn’t.
“I… I don’t remember,” I stuttered.
He frowned, looking up from the book, and narrowed his eyes at me. There was annoyance on his face, and he placed the book back on the shelf, without breaking his gaze from mine.
I sucked in a breath again and held it there for a few moments as he began taking another step toward me.
“You don’t rem…” he was about to say but stopped when he heard the doors of the library swinging open and Melody ran in.
We both turned to her as she ran in breathlessly; she stopped abruptly and stared up at William, with surprise on her face, obviously not knowing he was going to be there. She straightened her stance and curtsied to him, her face reddening as he stared down at her.
“Your majesty,” she said in a breath. “My apologies, I’ve just come to speak to Doris.”
“Why?” He asked, his voice emotionless.
She glanced over at me and then back up at William.
“As a lady of the palace, I need a handmaiden. I’ve come to ask Doris if she would be my handmaiden,” Melody answered.
My mouth nearly dropped to the floor. For some reason I doubt she was “asking” me to be her handmaiden; more like forcing me to be her handmaiden. I had to stifle a groan as she continued sucking up to William.
“Why her?” William asked, he didn’t bother turning back to acknowledge me. He sounded more disgusted and disappointed in her choices.
Her face reddened again.
“Because I would feel better having a handmaiden that I already know and trust,” Melody answered; she didn’t sound confident in her answering and I had a feeling that wasn’t why she wanted me to be her handmaiden.
She wanted to continue torturing me while I was still at the palace. She didn’t want me to be free of her. I had no choice but to let her do that.
“Well, Doris? What do you say?” She asked, beaming at me.
She had a plastered smile on her face that only I could see through; the kindness she was portraying for Prince William wasn’t meant for anyone else other than Prince William. I knew of the ugly woman that lay deep within her and I didn’t like her. I certainly didn’t want to work for her; it was bad enough when she was the head maid. Now, I was going to be the only one working directly under her.
But could I deny her on the spot like this? In front of Prince William.
He finally glanced in my direction as they waited for me to answer the question.
“Uh…” I hesitated, looking between the two of them and trying to come up with an excuse. “It would be an honor,” I heard myself answer.
Melody clapped her hands together happily as she strolled passed William and closer to me. She grabbed onto my hands and held them as if we were best friends. She tightened her grip around my fingers and broadened her smile as she looked over at Prince William who was staring at us with dismay written all over his face.
I could tell he no longer wanted to be there.
“You’ll approve it?” Melody asked him, peering up at him through her pale brown eyes and long dark lashes.
He paused for a moment, still staring at the two of us as if we were nothing more than bugs. I wanted to curl up in a ball and start crying. I did not want to be her handmaiden and I didn’t want to be around either of them any longer than I had to.
But I knew I couldn’t deny them. I needed to continue playing by the rules if I wished for the king to sign that amnesty and grant us freedom. I had to get out of this palace more than anything and if that meant I needed to work as Melody’s handmaiden, then so be it.
“I don’t care,” William finally said after a long pause, waving his hand in the air like he was swatting away a fly. “Your decision.” His voice sounded bored.
He turned and began walking away from the library, without a single glance back.
“Then it’s decided,” Melody said, tightening her grip to where it was almost painful. I winced in pain as her nails dug into my skin. “You’ll be working for me until the day you die.”
I saw a flash of silver going through her eyes as I knew her wolf had a silvery gaze to it. All the niceness that was once in her voice for Prince William was now gone, leaving her voice sounding icy cold and giving me chills down my spine.
There was an icy fire in her eyes that only her wolf could produce. Not that I would know considering I never got a wolf. I didn’t understand the power that a wolf holds and the inner dialogues that become of it.
But at that moment, I knew Hell was nearing.