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 down the stairs, only to run directly into…his body.
“Why do you keep doing this to me?”
Wilhelm
“What did you say to her?” I snapped to Lukas, when Hathor left so hastily.
“It is not any of your concern—”
I stepped very close to him. “If you upset her in the slightest, you will learn very quickly how vast the difference is in our stations.”
“Are you threatening me, Your Highness?”
I gritted my teeth. “Do I need to?”
He inhaled deeply before speaking. “You have said numerous times that not only would you not marry, but you have no interest in her. Yet here you stand before me, applying pressure, as though I were your rival. Be a man and be clear. I told you where I stood on this matter yesterday. What of you?”
My hands and mouth tensed. I had no words with which to reply.
“You cannot even answer. So what right do you have to say anything? If anyone was going to upset her, it would be you. You take nothing and no one seriously. You have toyed with and broken every woman you’ve ever encountered…just like your father.”
“Watch your tongue, it speaks recklessly. I have never hurt any woman—”
“Just because you do not physically strike them and you vanish before they can show you their tears does not mean they are not hurt. You may be a prince, but Lady Hathor deserves better than you and your family. You know it. So, I must ask you to pull back, before you destroy her.” He brushed past me on the way back to his sister.
And I could only stand there, rage building inside me.
“Prince Wilhelm, will you—”
Ignoring them, I began to walk off on my own. I did not know what to make of myself. Truly, I did not. He was right. I said I did not wish to get married; I said I did not like her. Yet here I was, laughing on hunts with her. I told myself I had to go this morning because the queen commanded it. But did I? Since when did I listen to every order given to me? I could have done as I always do, and gone off wherever I pleased. I was free now. A prince with no home. I could live as I wished. But without a second thought, I had woken up early and awaited her this morning. I hung on every word she said. I took the opportunity to be closer and hold on to her when she lifted that gun. I knew what I was doing when I whispered in her ear, when I placed my hand upon her waist…
I needed to stop. I needed to leave before I found myself growing any more attached to her.
That was it.
I had to leave.
I’d done it before, simply lied about an emergency and with that I was gone. The queen would be annoyed, but so be it. In time she’d move on from it. Nodding to myself, I made my way back to the castle.
This would be the best solution for everyone. I would not hurt her like this. She already thought me ill-mannered. She’d most likely just curse me and move on to…to someone else. I pushed the thought from my head. No, I would not be distracted.
“Your Highness. Welcome back,” their butler said to me.
“Thank you. I have just received word that I must leave. Have the stablemen prepare my carriage and footmen sent to my rooms to take my things,” I said.
“Of course, I shall see to it at once,” he said, moving from me to a footman.
Yes, leaving was correct. Pulling the ties at my neck uncomfortably, I headed toward the steps. Just as I made my way up them, the very last person I wished to see ran right into my arms, her body coming so fast we both slipped. Quickly I wrapped my hands around her and held her tightly to me, to soften her fall…which left me on top of her, my hand behind her head and her face far too close to mine. She stared up at me, and never had I seen a face so fiercely beautiful, so utterly stunning. And just like that, there was no other place I wished to be, but on top of her.
“Why do you keep doing this to me?” Why did she keep making me forget myself?
“Doing what?” she asked.
I could not answer her because instead, behind us, I heard the maids say, “Your Highness, my lady, are you all right?”
Quickly I let go and rose to my feet before helping her up as well.
“Yes, I am fine, forgive me. I did not see you,” she said, taking my hand as she got up and looked over herself. All the while, our hands were still touching.
Damn me…let go.