Doris POV
“Ms. Shirley had a brilliant idea, because of your relationship with Prince Martin. He will listen to you,” Melody insisted.
“Lady Melody, you can’t be serious. I couldn’t possibly…” I tried to say, but she threw up her hand like she was about to slap me across the face, and I recoiled quickly.
“Last I checked, Doris, you were MY handmaiden,” Melody said; she was acting frantic since I returned; the glass was still on the ground and the water was soaked in the carpet.
“I understand that but…” I tried to say again but she interrupted me once more.
“Doris, I can’t have you undermining me. You do as I say, you understand?” She ordered. It was no use, there was no getting through to her. “You can deny it all you want, but I know you and Prince Martin used to talk in the library when you worked there. Ms. Shirley saw you doing so herself
I frowned
“He’ll listen to you. All you have to do is speak to him about William for me,” she nearly pleaded. It was an outrageous plan, and it was all about going over Prince William’s head. It wasn’t fair to manipulate him into bedding with Melody.
“Prince William will come around on his own,” I tried to reason with her as calmly as I could.
“And if he doesn’t?” Melody asked; tears forming in her eyes. “Ms. Shirley informed me that Lady Jane was going to be staying with us for a while. She and William are so close.”
“That doesn’t mean anything,” I told her. “They are old friends; he respects her family.”
“She’s quite lovely,” Melody said, turning away from me so I couldn’t see the pained expression on her face. “They are going into the kingdom tonight. To catch up. I hear that Prince Martin and Lady Grace are accompanying them. Like a double date.”
I sighed. She felt threatened and now that Lady Jane was staying at the palace, she feels her place here is numbered. I almost felt bad for her.
“It just isn’t fair,” she said, turning back around to face me. The silver eyes of her wolf shone through; she curled her top lip up and snarled and I could see the sharp fangs of her wolf growing. She was getting angrier by the moment. “I do everything for him; I don’t know what else it takes to get him to notice me. She’s going to ruin everything,” she snarled.
“My lady… I hardly think…” I tried to say, but I heard a growl deep within her body, roaming to the surface.
“It’s not your job to think,” she hissed. “It’s your job to do as I say. I say speak with Prince Martin on my behalf. Tell him to not allow William to forget he has a perfectly capable and beautiful lady at the palace and to not be dazzled by Lady Jane’s beauty and charm.”
I sighed; defeated.
There was nothing I can do to change her mind. If I refused her, she would simply punish me. I couldn’t risk being punished because that would jeopardize my chances of getting that amnesty signed. I would do anything to break free from this prison they call a palace .
“Yes, my lady,” I said after a breath of silence.
She straightened her stance and peered at me with her icy gaze.
“Why are you still here?” She asked; her features going cold. “Get going.”
“Where might I find Prince Martin?” I asked; the only time I ever really saw him was when he came to visit the library. Other than that, I have never gone to seek him before.
“Probably his study,” she said, waving me away. “Reading the books you provide him,” she added with a snarky smile.
I stared at her blankly for a moment.
“His study is guarded heavily. They would never let me pass. He rarely allows anyone to enter his study.”
She rolled her eyes.
“That’s why I’m sending you. He’ll let you in, idiot.”
I swallowed hard and bowed my head as I left her room. I tumbled into the quiet hallways; thankful no one was around to see my deep breathing. It felt as if I was holding my breath for ages as I was speaking to her. I couldn’t believe she wanted me to do such a thing. I was sure that Prince William would come around on his terms and eventually see the perfectly wonderful lady he has waiting for him. I keep telling her to be patient with him, but as days go on, her patience begins wearing thin.
It’s been a month now and he hardly ever considers her. It can’t be easy being his lady. It’s something I would never come to understand and something I never want to understand. My priority was to get out of this palace, not fantasize about what it’s like to be Prince William’s lady.
I was glad Melody took the blame as the maid that he marked; I don’t know what I would have done if they found out it was me. Automatically, as I often do when I think about the night he marked me, my fingers traced the area he bit. I don’t hide it with makeup as often anymore because my hair covers it mostly. It’s only when I need to wear my hair up that I’ll cover it.
I traveled down the stairs and noticed that Lady Jane was nowhere in sight; she must have gone off to get settled into her room. Or she was off with William somewhere. That was something I couldn’t tell Melody if that turned out to be true. I don’t think they were sleeping together, but William always had a way with ladies, and he seemed to enjoy having sex and using them for his own gain.
Lisa came to mind.
Which is why I found it odd that he hasn’t courted Melody in any way.
As I got closer to his study, I saw his guards standing in the hallway, outside of his door. They both had the look of boredom. Not many bothered Martin in his study; Prince Martin rarely allowed anyone to enter his study, so he placed guards outside to keep them away. Melody was certain that they would let me through, but I wasn’t so sure.
As I approached, I was getting more nervous.
They straightened and blocked my way before I could say much of anything.
“You’re going the wrong way, maid,” one of the guards said, motioning for the other direction.
“I’ve come to speak to Prince Martin, on behalf of Lady Melody,” I explained.
“He doesn’t allow visitors to his study,” the other guard said, folding his arms across his chest.
“If you could just tell him…” I tried to say but the first guard took a step closer to me and I recoiled back almost instantly.
“He doesn’t allow visitors…” he tried to say again but stopped at the sound of the door of Martin’s study swinging open.
I caught his eye as he stood at his door; at first, he looked puzzled, he tilted his head to the side with a timid frown upon his face. But then he grinned; both guards looked at him with dismay for a moment before turning back to me.
“Let her in,” Martin ordered.