Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 107763 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107763 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
I rushed to change, to Bernice’s surprise, and ran downstairs, nearly tripping. It did not matter; all I wished to do was go to him.
I was so excited I nearly leapt into the garden. However, I took a moment to collect myself in front of the doors before gracefully stepping out, as I expected all eyes to be on me. But when I made my entrance, everyone was bunched into groups, whispering amongst themselves and moving frantically from one party to the next.
I saw Wilhelm speaking sternly with Damon and not one person noticed me as I walked up.
“What is going on?” I asked him. Wilhelm jumped slightly. Again, his eyes were not where they were supposed to be: on me.
“You are here.” He smiled, nodding to me.
“Yes, I am here. Where is the queen? Mama and Papa are not here?” The realization of that made me panic. “Please tell me they did not say something ill-advised to the queen.”
“As if Mother and Father would ever do such a thing,” Damon said to me. “Relax, little sister, and remember the world does not revolve around you.”
“But today specifically is supposed to be about me—and him.” I pointed to Wilhelm, who handed me a glass from one of the footmen. “But for some reason, this is not going as it is supposed to.”
“Take it up with the writer of your story,” Damon teased, patting Wilhelm’s shoulder before going to where his wife was being held hostage by the other ladies.
“Your brother is amusing.” Wilhelm chuckled.
“That is one word for him, I guess.” I smiled, glad that at least he did not seem against us. “Anyway, where is the queen? I thought you said she wished to announce our engagement.”
“She did. However, I arrived at the same time as a messenger from the palace. The queen went back into the castle quickly.”
“A messenger from the palace?” I gasped and moved closer to him, whispering, “Is it the king?”
He frowned, looking back at the doors. “I have no idea. I hope not. That would crush her spirit, and mine.”
“Are you close to our king?”
“What?”
“If something was wrong, you would be greatly upset, would you not? I truly hope he is well.” I really was concerned, but he smirked at me. “What?”
“I’ve never met King George,” he chuckled. “I said it would crush my spirit because if something has happened, our engagement would have to be held off. After all the effort I put in today, that feels rather—unfair.”
It was not right to chuckle. It was horrible. That was his uncle, and the queen’s love. “You are selfish.”
“I’ll work on it.” He smiled at me. But almost immediately his face fell, as the doors opened and out stepped the queen. And behind her, my parents.
My heart twisted with fear again.
“Do not worry. Whatever comes, we will be all right,” he whispered behind me, and it relaxed me.
The queen’s face was stern, and everyone gathered waited nervously as well as very quietly. Her eyes shifted over the crowd.
“My beloved people,” she spoke softly. Her pause was agonizingly long. It was as if she were torturing us. When she finally opened her mouth once more, we all leaned forward to hear clearly. “It is my responsibility, and great honor, to announce…that the war is over, and we have won!”
The cheers that broke out made me jump in shock. The gentlemen all around shook hands, congratulating one another as if they had planned it themselves. The ladies laughed, hugging each other.
“Such joyous news is only buttressed by my nephew Prince Wilhelm’s engagement to the Lady Hathor Du Bell. May this all be a sign of a brand-new era!”
Wilhelm offered me his arm and I took it, turning to all the guests who clapped for us. In the corner of my eye, however, I could not help but notice that my parents were not clapping—just watching.
It hurt. But I just focused on Wilhelm.
And then it hurt a lot less.
20
Wilhelm
It had been two weeks since our engagement, and I had not seen her since. The very next morning, I was forced to leave with the queen back to London, due to the news of the war. The queen had made it known that the moment Hathor returned to London, she was to come visit her at the palace daily, to go over etiquette and training for royalty. It was pretense, of course; there was no one the queen wished to see daily. And if there was any etiquette Hathor had not already learned and needed to be taught, it would be done by Lady Crane. Whenever she was not doing that, she’d be free to…wander into my company.
For some reason, I was both apprehensive and eager. Apprehensive about how she would handle being at the palace, being in the company of my—my company. But I was eager to—to see her. Since leaving, I could not help but wonder about her constantly. What was she doing at this hour? Was she painting? Going for a walk? Fighting with her sisters? Thinking of me?