Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 42883 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 214(@200wpm)___ 172(@250wpm)___ 143(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 42883 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 214(@200wpm)___ 172(@250wpm)___ 143(@300wpm)
Then, Eric turns his head slightly and glances up into the shadows. Oh God! Can he see me right now? I hope not, but I feel like somehow, he knows I’m here. My whole body shakes as my pulse begins to race. Those blue irises still have that effect on me, and somehow, I know he sees me. But then, my lover quickly turns away and continues to approach his father's throne. Somehow, Eric doesn't seem worried at all, but I don't think he even knows why he's been summoned here today.
King Wilhelm stares at his son furiously as the entire court watches. If I were Eric, I would be terrified right now because everyone knows Wilhelm can be vindictive. Yet my lover maintains his cool, and looks right back at his father with a steady gaze. Murmurs rise in the room with all sorts of hushed speculation, and I can't take it anymore because the suspense is killing me. I need to know what's going on. Could it be that Wilhelm is sending him away again? But why?
“Silence,” the King booms. The room goes quiet, and everyone is still. Wilhelm stares at his son, his blue eyes narrowing. “Eric, do you know why I've called you here today?” My eyes are locked on my lover as I await his answer. What's this whole thing about?
“No,” the handsome man replies, unperturbed. Oh God, this is just going from bad to worse. I know it.
“Have you been dating someone?” King Wilhelm asks, narrowing his eyes into slits. My heart beats even faster. Why would he ask him something like that? Did he find out about our relationship? Maybe someone saw us together and told him about us, but that can't be because we were always discreet.
“You're asking me about my dating life?” Eric scoffs. “In front of all of these people?” He looks around at the members of the court with a dismissive, yet confident, air.
“Just answer the question,” King Wilhelm growls. “Are you dating someone?”
My eyes flood with tears as I await his answer because there's no way he's going to tell his father the truth, especially not in front of the entire court. Why is the King doing this? Wilhelm must know something, but how? Maybe he saw me stealing in and out of his son’s room one evening? Or maybe he’s been listening to the palace gossip? Oh gosh, I just don't know what it could be. A million thoughts race through my mind as my heart beats as loud as a drum.
But whatever the case may be, I know Eric won't admit that he’s been seeing one of the palace’s maids. I try to fight back my tears, but I can't, and a lump forms in my throat. I feel like I'm drowning in my own sorrow. If he denies me, my heart will be ripped from my chest. Expecting the worst, I try to brush past the other maids to leave, but Aunt Nellie grabs my arm.
“Where are you going?” she whispers. She looks into my eyes and can see how broken I am. “Oh, honey, what's wrong?” I want to tell her the truth, but I can't get any words out.
But then, Eric’s voice rings out loud and clear.
“Yes,” he says. “I have been seeing someone, in fact.”
My heart stops. Did my ears deceive me? The murmurs start again, but the only thing I can hear is that single word playing over and over again in my mind. Yes. He said yes! He finally admitted that he's dating someone, but I know he'll never confess that he’s been seeing a lowly maid. Surely, my identity will be kept secret. But King Wilhelm leans forward then, blue eyes glinting dangerously.
“And who is this woman?” the King asks.
“Her name is Kitty Light,” Eric says in a steadfast tone. “She’s beautiful, kind, and generous, and I love her.”
The heart stops in my chest. Oh my gosh! Did he really just say that? Aunt Nellie turns toward me with wide eyes, along with the rest of the housekeeping staff, and my heart feels like it’s about to burst out of my chest. I don’t even know what to think to be honest. What do I do? I stare straight ahead at the scene, just trying to absorb things.
But Wilhelm isn’t done yet.
“Kitty Light?” the King questions. “Who is she? Where is this woman from?”
“She’s from Chromia, Father,” Eric replies in an easy tone. His dad raises his eyebrow.
“Is she now? And how do you know this Kitty Light?” the King asks. This is the moment of truth. Will Eric tell his father that I work in the palace? My hands shake as I wait for his answer but Eric is totally unperturbed. He stares at his father coolly without batting an eye.