Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 116570 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 583(@200wpm)___ 466(@250wpm)___ 389(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 116570 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 583(@200wpm)___ 466(@250wpm)___ 389(@300wpm)
“Yes,” Wolfgang and I both replied.
“You may go,” he stated, rising from the chair and moving back behind the desk, burying himself behind paperwork.
Wolfgang stepped out first, and I closed the door behind me.
“I will call a butler for the tray. What happened?” Wolfgang asked.
“Based on her demeanor on exiting and his attitude, I can only assume she tried to rise above her station and was caught.”
His eyes widened, and he leaned in so close I could smell the rosewater in his hair. “You mean she tried to seduce him?”
“Take advantage,” I corrected because that was the only correct way to state it. “And should I see her ever again, I will—just handle her before I do.”
As if the man did not have enough to worry about. Now he could not even rest? I should have followed her inside, but it escaped me to think she would do something so foolish. What happened to the rigorous training of the palace’s help? Had they all forgotten their duties too? Were we all just in a free-for-all of madness now?
“You are upset,” Wolfgang whispered.
“I am fine. Go and inform Ambrose. Also, why were you here instead of with the princess?”
“The princess wanted me to ask if she could get permission to spend time at the Countess of Goscutan’s home for the spring festivals.” He frowned, looking at the door. “I did not even get a chance to ask.”
“It would be best to wait.”
“How long is everyone in this palace supposed to keep mourning?”
“Until the Adelaar or king says otherwise. We are their hands, their protection, and their aid, not their mouths or brain. We do as we are told and wait.” How long that wait would be, I was not sure.
I did not know if anything could help ease the pain and anger in the Adelaar now. The lack of sleep he was getting was already unhelpful. But it was not my job to tell him what to do.
I could only stand guard, follow directions, and wait.
And for the first time in my life, that was much harder to do than anything else because I remembered the old Prince Galahad, and though he was immature and spoiled, he seemed able to navigate the world with ease. But this prince...he was sinking.
And how was I to guard him against himself?
Chapter 2
“Odette, are you trying to kill me?”
“Mom—”
“How could you tell me you are traveling across the ocean in a text message?” she snapped on the phone as I got my bag from the overhead cabin.
“If I told you before, you would have tried to talk me out of this.” Or, at the very least, she would have wanted to come with me, and that was not going to work at all.
“For good reason!”
“See, it was better off in a text.” I flipped the phone to my other ear.
“Thank you for flying Ersovian Airways. Please enjoy your stay,” The first-class attendant said as I walked by.
“Grazne,” I said, thanking the attendant. “I hope to see all the attractions you mentioned.” I knew it was the attendants' job to be friendly, especially in first class, but she had been really nice. When I told her it was my first time to Ersovia, she had spent a few minutes telling me all the places I should see.
“Are you going sightseeing or getting a divorce,” my mother asked as I stepped out of the plane.
“Can’t I do both?”
“I really can’t believe you. Why are you always just diving headfirst into things? You run off to get married, and now you run off to get a divorce.”
Was she kidding? “Who was it that pushed me in the first place? I clearly remember you cheering me on. What did you say, ‘Oh, you really are my daughter.’ Now you are complaining?”
“Because you are in a strange country alone. Did you even hire security? A guard or something.”
“Mom, I’m not Beyoncé—”
“No, you are worth more. Why are you so loose with your safety? I keep telling you—”
“Mom, I will be fine!” Jesus, she was more worried and concerned now that I was a grown woman than when I was a child. Especially recently.
“Odette. Did you even speak to Mr. Greensboro—”
“Mom, I will call you when I get settled. Don’t worry. I let the company know I was here. They helped with my hotel and everything and told me to call if I needed anything. Now, I have to go.”
“Odette, are you sure you don’t need me to come? This might be hard for you to get done alone. You know how attached you get to people.”
“Hey!” I snapped, a bit annoyed. “Seriously, Mom. I’m a big girl. I’m fine. I’m not attached to anyone except you, apparently.”
“Good. Now please, please be careful,” she begged.
“I will, I promise. Love you. Bye.” I hung up before she could protest more.