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)
“Actually, she works here at the castle,” he says. “As a maid.” Gasps erupt throughout the court, and I feel like I’m about to pass out. He said it. He finally told the truth for the world to hear.
The King looks utterly confused. Eric’s words have obviously thrown Wilhelm’s world into disarray, and I step back into the shadows, trying to hide my face. I don’t know what the King is about to do, but I don’t want to stick around to find out. Aunt Nellie grabs me and pulls me to the side. Her eyes are still wide, and her hands are trembling. She's just as terrified as I am right now.
“Kitty, is Prince Eric the man that you've been dating?” she asks in a trembling voice.
“Yes,” I admit. “I'm sorry, Aunt Nellie. It just happened.”
“Just happened?” she questions with disbelief.
“Yes, we didn’t mean to fall in love,” I say.
“In love? Kitty, he’s a prince. His father is the King of Chromia. What were you thinking?” she asks.
I take a deep breath before meeting her watery blue eyes.
“I know you don’t understand, but I’m in love with Eric, and he loves me too,” I say.
Nellie shakes her gray head.
“Oh sweetheart. You don’t get it, do you? You’re just a maid.”
“Not in his eyes,” I say confidently. “I mean more to him than a job, or a station in life.”
My aunt stares at me for a bit, her lips unmoving, before grabbing my hands in her own.
“Is it real love?” she asks in a gentle tone.
“Yes,” I say without hesitation. “Absolutely.” She takes a deep breath as she squeezes my hand tighter.
“Then I wish you the best,” she says with a warm smile. “You know I love you, Kitty, and only want what’s best for you. If this is love, then you should be proud.”
My heart is filled with so much joy at those words that I tears begin to fall. It feels good to have Nellie on my side because her approval means the world to me. This is an incredible development, but what comes next? Will Wilhelm disown Eric for falling in love with a maid? Will the King banish me to some godforsaken gulag in order to keep us apart?
We turn back at that moment, and see that King Wilhelm and his son are still locked in a silent battle of the wills. They stare at each other, both refusing to back down. Oh god, I don’t want Eric to lose his inheritance because of me. He was born and bred for the throne, even if he’s not interested, and it’s his birthright.
Yet what can I do now? Aunt Nellie holds my hand as we gaze upon the Prince and his father. My knees shake and my stomach turns, but I hold my head up high. I know our love is strong enough to get through anything, and although the future is still unwritten, I know that this will work out … somehow.
CHAPTER 20
Eric
“A maid?” my father questions, his expression disbelieving. I nod coolly.
“Yes. And she works her ass off to keep this place sparkling clean, just how you like it, Dad,” I say.
Wilhelm looks confused.
“This is a serious matter, Eric. You are heir to the Chromian throne,” he huffs.
“I’m aware,” I retort.
“Then why have you taken up with the help? A maid, of all things?” he growls. I hate that this is being broadcast in public, but it is what it is, and I want the world to know. As a result, I raise my voice slightly.
“I chose Kitty because she's an amazing woman. She works hard and takes pride in everything that she does. She's the sweetest woman I've ever met, and she loves me with her whole heart,” I say.
Still, that doesn’t impress my dad.
“But why her? Why not a woman from a high born family?” he asks.
This one’s easy. “I don’t care about her status or about how anyone else feels about it. Kitty may not be royalty, but she will always be a queen in my eyes,” I say.
My dad rolls his eyes, and it pisses me off.
“Eric, think about what you're doing. You're going to be King one day, and this Kitty person is probably just using you because she knows you’re the heir to the Chromian throne,” he says.
Okay, now I’m really getting angry.
“Dad, Kitty is the first woman I’ve ever met who isn’t trying to use me to get to the throne. She isn’t after my crown; she’s after my heart, and it’s already hers, whether you approve our relationship or not,” I say between gritted teeth. After all, Wilhelm needs to know that Kitty and I are going to be together no matter his objections.
The room grows quiet as everyone stares at my father. I love Wilhelm dearly, but I have to make my own decisions in life and these last three days without Kitty have been sheer torture. I've been fucking miserable, moping around the palace, and growling at everyone in sight. I haven't slept a wink, and I’ve barely eaten anything. My heart has been in so much pain since she took her love away from me, and clearly, things can’t go on like this.