Doris POV
I nearly jumped to my feet, but the pain stopped me, and I grimaced in agony. “Easy there!”
“David?” I asked as he came closer into view, motioning for me to not get up.
His dark shaggy hair lay messily around his features, and he gave me an almost nervous smile.
“Hey,” he said, sitting beside me on the sofa. “I saw you coming in here and thought I’d keep you company.”
“You seem to be recovering well,” he said, staring at the bruising around my jawline and the bandages on my face and arms.
“I’m fine, David,” I assured him. “I promise.”
“Even so,” David muttered. “A lady should never treat their servants with such disrespect.”
“There’s not much we can do about it,” I reminded him. “As I said, we are prisoners here. They are free to treat us however they like. I’m just lucky she didn’t kill me.”
He was quiet as he let that sink in, staring down at his hands with sadness clear on his face.
“I would have deserved it anyways…” I muttered.
His eyes widened and for a moment it looked like a pained expression was crossing his face.
“So, the rumors were true then,” he murmured, meeting my eyes.
I frowned, raising my eyebrows.
“You and Prince William…” he paused, unable to finish his sentence as he broke eye contact and stared down at his lap, his face reddening.
“No!” I said, knowing what he was about to ask. “I didn’t sleep with him.”
He looked back at me, uncertainty in his gaze.
Relief flooded his face and he sighed out, nodding as he bought my half-lie.
“Oh, good,” he breathed.
I gave him a small smile and he gave me a sheepish grin in return.
“I’m not sleeping with anyone in this palace,” I told him. “I need to focus on getting that amnesty so we can get out of here. That’s the only thing that’s important to me right now.”
He nodded as he understood.
“I get that,” he said softly. “I’m glad you’re okay…” he paused for a moment.
“I was also wondering if you were going to be working Luna Queen Cara’s birthday party,” he murmured, hesitantly.
I blinked at him a few times; what a strange question.
“I’m not sure,” I told him. “I don’t see what kind of use I’d be at a party when I can hardly move my body. I don’t know if Lady Melody would want me there.”
Then again, she might not care if I couldn’t move. I wouldn’t put it passed her to put me to work during my trying conditions. But with my appearance, I would also be ruining her perfect image and this party had to be perfect considering this was the first party she was hosting as Prince William’s lady. It was also for Luna Queen Cara’s birthday, so nothing could go wrong.
He looked almost relieved to hear me say that which made me wonder why he cared so much.
“That’s a shame,” he said softly, a small smile playing on his lips, but he didn’t meet my eyes this time. “But it’s good that you take some time to rest and heal properly.”
“Thank you,” I said gently. “That is true.”
He stood up.
“I won’t bother you for too much longer. I know you wanted to rest and be alone. I just wanted to check on you,” he said with a boyish grin.
“Thank you, David,” I said to him again.
“Until we meet again, my lady,” he said, bowing.
…
Luna Queen Cara’s birthday party fast approached. I walked through the busy foyer of the palace; servants were scurrying around frantically, trying to prepare. Orders are being called to each of them.
Tension was rising as everyone worked to keep Luna Queen Cara happy, which was a chore in itself. I suddenly felt relieved that I wasn’t going to be working this party.
Despite knowing I should have been in bed; I couldn’t help but want to help at least a little bit. Mr. Carson was busy giving orders to other maids when I approached him; he didn’t see me at first, but once he noticed me his frown deepened, and his eyes narrowed at me.
“Why are you here?” He asked, his tone running flat.
“Is there anything you need from me?” I asked him, stopping in front of him.
He scanned my body; I finally felt well enough to be able to walk without much pain and the bruising and swelling had gone down a bunch. I was sure I would be able to help if needed.
“I need you to go rest,” he ordered. “You aren’t needed here.”
He turned away from me to address another maid, telling her to check on the main courses of their meal. She scurried off to do as he said, he turned back once he realized I hadn’t gone anywhere.
“There must be something I can do. “I told him.
Just as he opened his mouth to tell me to leave again, another maid, Peony, appeared with tear-stained features. I knew Peony briefly from when I resided with the maids, but I don’t think I ever had an actual conversation with her. Maybe a few words were exchanged now and again. I do remember her talking to Beth a bunch; Peony was Beth’s main source of finding out the latest gossip.
It was probably her that told Beth and the others what Melody had done to me. I wasn’t sure where Peony always heard the information from though. But from what I could tell, she was always kind enough to where I never had an altercation with her. Beth seemed to be fond of her, but then again, Beth was a social butterfly and enjoyed having conversations with people.
It was something that always got her into trouble. It was also something I admired about her.
Peony looked as though she was in a panic as she approached; she was holding her hand to her chest with a white kitchen rag wrapped around it. Mr. Carson sighed out in annoyance as he grabbed her wrist to look at her hand; I gasped as blood poured from her hand and into the rag.
“Oh my…” I couldn’t help but say under my breath.
“I cut myself in the kitchen,” Peony cried; her voice broken and her body trembling. She was frightened of getting in trouble; I couldn’t blame her. Especially because she was supposed to be working the party for Luna Queen Cara. “I’m supposed to be serving soon and I don’t know what I’m going to do…”
She looked amongst Mr. Carson and me.
Mr. Carson rubbed the bridge of his nose between his thumb and his finger; clearly agitated at the misfortune.
“Get to the medic,” he ordered her with a clenched jaw.
She nodded; a small sob escaping through her lips.
“I’m so sorry,” she cried as she passed us; brushing passed me, she stopped. “Oh, Doris. I’m so glad you are doing better. You had us all worried.”
“Thank you, Peony,” I said to her in return. “Take care of yourself.” I motioned for her hand, and she gave me a grave grin in return as she headed down to the medic.
Mr. Carson turned to me; his eyes drilling into me and leaving everlasting holes through my skin.
“I don’t trust you near beverages, so I need you to be careful in here,” he muttered. “But get in there and standoff against the far side of the wall. Refill beverages when needed, carefully, and wait for them to give you orders.”
I nodded my head.
“Yes, sir,” I said as I headed toward the door of the party.
I could feel my heart beating heavily against my chest; when I said I wanted to help, I didn’t mean actually being in the same room as the royals. I wanted to help from afar. I silently cursed myself for sticking around. I could have been out of here and back in bed by now, but no. I had to be stubborn.
The royals were busy talking amongst themselves as I arrived; I was glad none of them noticed me. At least not at first. As I rounded the table, I felt someone watching me, but I wouldn’t gaze around the table to see who it was.
If I had to guess, I would assume it was Melody.
I made it to the back end of the room and pressed my back against the wall; I looked around the table at their glasses to see if any of them needed a refill. I was relieved to see that all wine was filled.
My eyes shifted to Alpha King Charles. Much like most of his sons, he was a handsome and tall man. However, he was fierce and not someone you would want to make angry. He had his dark hair neatly combed and out of his face, not a hair out of place. He wore a dark blue velvet suit, which brought out the broadness of his shoulders and his firmly built torso.
Beside him, of course, was Luna Queen Cara who was gorgeous as ever. She was also someone to not upset; she had an icy gaze about her that always left a chill down my spine when she looked at me. She wore a gown of silver that wrapped around her thin figure and hugged her form. Her hair, which was typically long and in the shade of caramel, was pinned back with silver jewels along the crown of her head.
Prince Martin, sat beside his lovely Lady Grace who was staring up at him with a loving intent behind her blue eyes. Like Cara, she too wore a silver gown that hugged her form and dipped between her cleavage. Her gown was coated in a shimmering, silvery, lacy material that made her practically sparkle under the chandelier lighting.
She was talking with Prince Martin quietly and paying no mind to the conversations of others.
I noticed Luna Queen Cara’s wine glass was nearing empty and I picked up the bottle of wine at the serving table beside me to go and refill her cup.
As I neared the table, the intensity of whoever was staring at me grew stronger and I felt as if it was getting harder to breathe.
I finally pulled my eyes away from the table itself and glanced around at a couple of faces until I realized who was staring at me.
Prince William.