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)
Meanwhile, my father stares at me with a disgusted expression. I don't know how he found out that I've been seeing someone in secret, but it doesn’t matter at this point. I'm glad he knows now because I love Kitty with all of my heart, and I want the entire world to be aware of that fact. She's an amazing woman, and someday, she'll be my wife. I should have told Wilhelm about us a long time ago, but I was trying to protect my relationship with Kitty. But now, by keeping her a secret, I’ve caused the very thing I was trying to avoid. Meanwhile, my father leans forward in his seat and looks me square in my eyes.
“I forbid this relationship,” he says in a stern voice. I take a step back with a shrug. After all, nothing can keep me from Kitty. I've made up my mind already, and I'm going to spend the rest of my life with her.
“Okay that’s fine, but it's not up to you,” I say, standing my ground. “I love her, and we're going to be together, whether you like it or not.” Wilhelm’s caught off guard by my words because obviously he’s gotten his way throughout his life.
My father’s eyes narrow on me, but I don't move a muscle. My feet are firmly planted on the ground, and I'm standing behind every word that I’ve uttered. I'll probably lose my place in line to the throne, but none of that matters as long as I can be with Kitty.
But then Wilhelm sits back, and suddenly, his disapproving frown fades away. He rubs his eyes as he sighs heavily.
“Fine. Who am I to stand in the way of true love?” he says.
What? I can't believe my ears. Did my father just give me his approval to date whomever I want?
“You mean you won't try to stop us from being together?” I ask incredulously.
“No,” he says. “Or yes, you should be together. After all, look what I did to your Aunt Mildred. I don't want to do the same to you, Son. You're my child, and I want you to be happy.”
I stand there, disbelieving.
“Are you serious?”
Wilhelm nods wearily.
“If I could take back my actions with Mildred, I would in a heartbeat. I miss my sister still.”
I nod because around the time that my father first became King, his sister, Princess Mildred, fell in love with a commoner. They snuck around Chromia behind my father's back for almost a year, but once he found out the truth, he forbade their relationship. She begged my father to change his mind, but he refused, leaving her heartbroken.
For years after that, she’d searched for love, she finally thought she had found it again with the Earl of Cambridge. They ended up getting married, but he had abused her both physically and emotionally. They split only a year after being married, and she was left all alone again. Then, Mildred went through a series of marriages and divorces before taking her own life about ten years ago. It was awful, and really, there was no reason for it.
But I had no idea that my dad felt so guilty about the whole thing. After all, Wilhelm doesn’t speak of his sister, nor has he ever expressed any regret, so this is a huge shock.
“So, you're okay with the fact that Kitty’s common?” I ask.
“Yes,” he sighs. “You should date whomever you want. If you’re really in love with a woman, then I won’t stand in your way. Besides, who are we, anyways?” he says with a wry smile. “Just the descendants of some guy who had the foresight to build an especially strong wall around his castle a couple hundred years ago. That’s all.”
I stare as a weight lifts off of my shoulders. Kitty and I can finally be together without having to worry about what anyone is going to say! It’s hard to believe this is happening, but I’m not going to look a gift horse in the mouth. I glance up into the shadows, where the maids have been clustered this whole time and raise one hand.
“Kitty!” I call out. Everyone hushes, and at first, there's no movement, but then slowly, my beautiful girl emerges from the darkness. Her lovely features are a blushing pink, and her brown curls are hidden beneath a cap, but I don’t care.
“Come down,” I say in an emotional voice. “I’d like to introduce you to someone.”
Kitty swallows, but then she nods and walks down the stairs, looking ravishingly beautiful even in her plain maid's uniform. Everyone's eyes are locked on her, and I feel a sense of pride, knowing that she's my woman. My heart throbs in my chest as she approaches, and I meet her halfway and grab hold of her hand, leading her over to my father.