Doris POV
“Prince Martin…” I said, curtsying as I spoke.
“Doris,” he said in return. “I’m surprised you’ve come here. I’ve missed you at the library.”
The guards looked amongst one another and stepped aside for me to pass them; Martin stood beside his door, leaving me enough room to step in.
“I’ve actually come to discuss Prince William,” I said softly as he closed the door.
He rose his eyebrows in surprise.
I have never been inside his study before and wasn’t sure what to expect; but once I gathered the appearance of the room, I wasn’t the least bit surprised. It had a warm aura as it was lit only by a candlelight chandelier. He had a soft maroon rug that my feet sunk into as I stepped onto it which matched the maroon paneling across the wooden walls. I wasn’t surprised that he had a bunch of bookshelves in the study; it made me wonder why he always visited the library if he had so many books of his own.
As Melody predicted, on his desk was the book he had checked out of the library about a month ago. It was face down, indicating that he was in the middle of reading it as I came here. I was surprised that he hasn’t finished the book yet; it’s been over a month. I knew the due date was soon and I looked at him, raising my eyebrows as he walked around his desk and bookmarked the book.
He chuckled, reading my expression.
“I haven’t had a lot of time to read lately,” he explained. “Lady Grace keeps me busy.”
I nodded and tried to keep my face expressionless as he casually mentions Lady Grace. I was pleased that they were spending a lot of time together. They were married now after all and he deserved someone as beautiful as Lady Grace, just as she deserved someone as wonderful as Prince Martin.
My last encounter with Martin felt weird but I was trying to brush that thought out of my mind. He’s always been kind to me and that’s why Ms. Shirley thought of the idea for me to speak with Martin on Melody’s behalf.
“How are you enjoying the book?” I asked.
“It’s innovative,” he answered. “Just as you said it would be.”
“It’s one of my favorites,” I told him in return.
“The library isn’t the same without you. Though, Beth has been working it well,” Martin said.
My eyes widened at the mention of Beth.
“I had no idea she was the one who took my place,” I said; I was pleased that it was at least someone I trusted.
The library was an easy job, but I would have hated someone who didn’t love books to take over for me. Like myself, Beth enjoyed reading; it was one of the many things we had in common. I especially loved that now that I knew where she was on certain days, I could see her.
Or at least try to.
“Yes, I figured you would want a friend to take your place. So, I made some arrangements to make that happen,” Martin explained.
I stared at him shocked; how did he know Beth and I were friends?
“Do you miss it?” He asked, eyeing my face.
I met his eyes.
“I do,” I told him softly. But I couldn’t let him see the sadness on my face. I straightened my stance and was about to change the subject, except he beat me to it.
“So, what is it about my brother that you wanted to discuss?” He asked, humor dancing in his eyes.
Oh right.
“My apologies, your majesty,” I said, curtsying again. “I’ve come mainly on behalf of lady Melody.”
Martin looked almost relieved for a moment.
“Lady Melody?” He asked, narrowing his eyes at me. “What business does Lady Melody have?”
“Word had gotten back to her that you, Lady Grace, Prince William, and Lady Jane will be going into the kingdom this evening,” I explained.
He sighed and nodded as if he already knew what I was going to ask.
“And Lady Melody wants an invite?” He asked.
My eyes widened as the heat rose to my cheeks.
“Oh goodness no,” I said, with a nervous laugh. “Actually, Lady Melody has been apprehensive lately because Prince William seems to ignore her and not think much of her. Despite her efforts.”
“My brother is very complicated indeed,” Martin said, shaking his head in dismay as he thought of William.
“She’s worried that he will lose his way and perhaps have wandering eyes for Lady Jane,” I blurted before I could bite my tongue.
Now it was his turn to look shocked. But it only lasted a moment because he started laughing.
“Lady Jane is nothing more to him other than a dear friend. She’s also his best friend’s sister. Tell Lady Melody there’s nothing she needs to worry about,” he said. “Why did she send you to speak with me?” He asked, curiously.
I wasn’t sure how to answer that. I didn’t want him to know that Ms. Shirley had seen us in the library and suspected our friendship to be anything other than it was. He couldn’t know such a thing. Especially considering now the other maids are probably discussing and thinking Martin favors me.
Without meaning to, I chuckled nervously.
“Because I’m her handmaiden. It’s my job, your majesty,” I told him, keeping my structure.
He eyed me for a long while before nodding slowly.
“Well,” he began. “I’m happy to help you however I can.”
I cleared my throat again; it was a relief to hear that he would help, and Melody would be pleased too. But she specifically wanted me to ask him if he could be mindful of her tonight. Perhaps persuade William into bedding with her. I wasn’t sure how to bring something like that up though.
I always found Prince Martin to be easy to talk to, that was what I liked about him, but we usually only spoke about literature.
“There’s more?” He asked, sensing my discomfort
I hesitated before answering, but I nodded slowly and stared up at him sheepishly.
“She wants you to put a bug in Prince William’s ear about perhaps paying more mind to her,” I told him, almost embarrassed to continue speaking.
He was silent for a moment as he assessed my face, processing what I had just said and realizing what I meant.
“Is that right?” He asked, raising his eyebrows.
“I’m sorry to have to come to you for this, your majesty,” I said slowly.
He chuckled again and shook his head in disbelief.
“Tell Lady Melody that she has nothing to worry about and I will do my best to keep him mindful of her,” Martin assured me gently.
I smiled up at him, pleased that he was so willing to do that favor.
“Thank you, your majesty,” I said.
“Is that all you needed?” He asked.
I nodded.
“Yes, your majesty. I appreciate the time you’ve given me. Lady Melody will be pleased with the news,” I answered.
“Tell her I can’t promise her the results she seeks. But I will certainly try,” Martin assured me.
I gave him another smile before curtsying.
“Thank you,” I answered before shuffling to his door.
“Doris?” He called after me; I turned to face him for a moment before leaving. “Thank you for coming to see me.”
(William’s POV)
What is Doris doing leaving Martin’s study?
A bit of anger boiled in William’s stomach as he watched Doris emerge from Martins’ study and make her way toward the foyer. William stayed in the corner, to keep from being seen.
Would Martin really go as low as to fool around with a maid when he was married to the most beautiful woman in the kingdom? It made no sense, and he wasn’t that foolish.
This wasn’t the first time William had seen Doris with Martin, but for some reason, it agitated him that they would go to extreme measures to sneak around. Especially considering they weren’t doing a respectable job at it.
Perhaps he called Doris in because he missed her at the library. Or perhaps she took it upon herself to visit because she missed him.
“Ask a guard to see if they heard anything,” Waylon suggested; William looked over at a couple of guards that took watch of Martin’s study.
The guards looked surprised as William approached them; they both bowed immediately as William cleared his throat.
“That maid that spoke to my brother. Did you hear what they spoke about?” William asked, trying to keep his voice low so Martin wouldn’t overhear them from inside his study.
They looked amongst one another and stared back at William.
“No, your majesty,” one of them said. “But she said she needed to speak to him regarding Prince William… um… you.”