Heather's POVMy heart hammered against my ribs as the book I held suddenly felt rough and scratchy for my trembling fingers. The words swam before my eyes, each syllable that I had read had helped with my understanding of the world, of the King, and most terrifyingly, of Prince Keith. Was the king aware that everything was documented and how come no one had said anything about it? Or was I the one that doesn’t know what was happening or the history of the kingdom because I was busy trying to be a good person to my father, stepmother, and step-sister? I still couldn’t understand the death of Prince Keith's parents, the rebellion that took place ten years ago... all orchestrated by our King? It was a monstrous betrayal, a festering wound hidden beneath layers of royal ceremony and smiling pronouncements.Then if all these were true, why? Why would the King allow Prince Keith to live? He was supposed to be a potential threat to his throne. Maybe it was all because the world saw him as
Prince Keith's POVI looked at the document I had received earlier from my men and I couldn't hide how disappointed I was. I wanted more but it seemed it was hard penetrating the king's chambers, I was slowly losing my patience but at the same time I had to remind myself the reason I started. A sharp rap at the door suddenly shattered the silence. My immediate instinct was to panic, I quickly sat down in my wheelchair, and spun around, forcing myself to be calm before I spoke. "Enter," I called out, the word sounding hollow even to my own ears.The door swung inward and the Grand Luna stepped inside, her eyes sweeping over the room, missing nothing. I remained quiet as she closed the door and made her way forward, her presence was shocking because she was never someone who would visit my room, what changed? "Keith," she said, her voice low like a melodious hum. "What are you doing shut up in here all alone?""Resting, Grand Luna. Just... resting." I replied as I wheeled towards her
Heather's POVIt didn't take much time for Molly to finish eating and we returned back to the palace, the walk back to the palace was filled with silence as my mind was preoccupied, even though I tried to hide how concerned I was, I couldn't do it. We finally returned to my room, sat down and I noticed Molly's eyes were on me, she cleared her throat and asked, "Are you angry about what they said about Prince Keith?"The question was sudden and unexpected, I couldn't stop myself as I burst into laughter. "Angry? Why would I be angry, Molly? You were only saying the truth of what you know about him and apart from that, It's not like I'm harboring some secret desire about him, it's when you are in love with a man you care about that stuff." The words felt hollow even to my own ears, but it was a desperate attempt to mask the fact I was affected by the words I had read or heard. Molly had only smiled knowingly, which was an infuriating, gentle smile that saw right through me but she sai
Heather's POV My cheeks burned with humiliation as I slammed my bedroom door shut. Prince Keith's words were so condensing and dismissive, I still couldn't believe what had made him think of all that, how could he think I had a purpose or I was happy with the fact that Nyles was sent out of the palaces Was that what he thought this was? I was just trying to be decent, especially after... well, after the drunken disaster. I had tried to forget about it, pushed it to the back of my mind, but his coldness made the awkwardness resurface.I needed a distraction, something to pull me out of this swirling vortex of confusion and hurt pride. My gaze landed on the book I had pilfered from the palace library a few days ago, still remembering it contains the details of the history of Dovontae's monarchy, something that could help me understand Prince Keith and the palace more. I reached for it and settled onto the bed, willing myself to focus on the dense text.The book talked about King Alaric
Prince Keith's POVMy own breathing felt ragged as Nyles trailed behind me, back to my room. I could hear the soft sniffles escaping her, I ignored her, she was supposed to go and pack her stuff and leave not trailing behind me. We finally reached my room, I stepped inside and she did too, closing the door behind us with a dull thud. Nyles finally found her voice, which was thick with unshed tears. "Why, Keith? Why didn't you say anything?" Her words were a raw plea, directed at me as much as they were at the gilded ceiling. "When the King… when he told me I had to leave for six weeks… why didn't you defend me? You were supposed to say something and stop him from exiling me from the palace!” The question ignited a spark of anger within me, I was angry at the way she was acting, slapping Heather was uncalled for, she could have spoken to me first but no, she wanted to show authority while I had tried all my possible best that Heather is not coming to take her position. I spun around
Heather's POV I woke up with one of the worst headaches I had ever experienced. It felt like my head was pounding in my skull and a constant feeling of wanting to kneel over and die. I grabbed my head and sat up, the memories of last night slowly registering in my head. I had gone out to find a way to get over the thoughts in my mind, somewhat gotten drunk and I remembered coming back to the room with Prince Keith.My eyes flew open in horror as I immediately threw the covers away to scan my body, did I just say I came back to the room with Prince Keith? I didn't know what had happened last night but I couldn't forget the feeling of hotness I had felt in between my legs. I shook the thought of Prince Keith out of my head but wondered how my clothes had been changed. The thought of him seeing me naked terrified me and for some reason, I hoped that we hadn't made any bad choices. Before now, I have never been with a man. I have never entertained anyone and even when I got suitors, my