I left the estate without answering his question and it haunted me all day and even when we saw each other at the parlour a day after, I couldn’t hold his gaze. A part of me wished I knew what we were because, from what I knew, we were partners who couldn’t maintain a formal relationship. I blamed it on our attraction to each other, which had gotten beyond our control. It first started carnally, but it was turning into more. I wanted more and I could see in his eyes that he did too and so I understand why being placed in the same box as everyone else would hurt him. He had ignored me in the parlour since I came in and there was a time when that would have done nothing to me, but not anymore. I wanted to talk to him, but I didn’t know what to say and also didn’t know if he’d want to hear it. I stood at the corner and as I saw him enter his office; I followed. I slipped into the room and closed the door. He was reading through the scroll in his hand, but he looked at me when he heard

The smile on Rue’s face was implacable as she stared at her to-be husband, Oliver, who held her hand, smiling right back at her. She was adorned in a golden lacey gown that flowed on the floor behind her and a golden veil to hide her face until she was wedded. Oliver had the same golden lace on, sewn into a long robe that stopped on his knee and a pair of matching trousers. The two look so happy and glorious. It was the best love story I’d witnessed. Being the bride’s family, we sat on the left side of the temple and the groom sat on the right. Prince Edward was the first to catch my attention in his royal purple robe and black trousers well designed and created to meet his royal title. The robe’s long sleeves had gold cufflinks, which served as an attention grabber. A few maiden’s heads also turned at his presence, knowing who he was, and they swooned at his sight, but he paid them no mind. He looked my way a few times, and I felt the heat of his gaze. But as interesting as his gaze

There were a few changes in our initial arrangement. The prince went ahead to the capital first a few days ago because the king beckoned to him, but he promised to send for me and every day I waited agitated and counting down. After I got home yesterday, I received visitors and before my door were six royal guards to bring me to the capital, just as he had promised. The smile on my face remained impeccable. Edward had kept to his words, and that made me happy. I gathered my luggage containing the dresses the dressmaker had worked on a few days ago, and a guard helped set the bag into the carriage. They looked beautiful. I knew the prince would love them when he sees them on me. I had already set Jane in charge of the parlour in mine and Edward’s absence and though she was sceptical about us; I told her not to be. Edward cared about me more than anything else and he wanted to be with me. It felt like a dream, but it was real. She hugged me and told me to stay safe in the Capital and g

I felt the bed dip underneath me and a weight dropped on my lower body while I stayed asleep. Moments passed, and I felt a faint trail that caused goosebumps to scatter all over my body. I squirmed and turned my head to the side, wanting to continue with sleep. My legs moved apart, and I felt something plugged into me from behind. It moved slowly but into deep parts of me. This wasn’t the first time I had been taken in my dreams, but this was the one that felt real. I moaned and my lashes pulled apart and I found Edward behind me like he was when we went to bed last night. His arms, however, were no longer around me, but his hand stayed on my hips. My eyes were narrow, partly because I was still sleepy and partly because I was confused. I felt the pressure I had experienced in the dream and realised it wasn’t a dream, but real. I inhaled sharply when he thrust into me. “Morning.” he moaned, lathering kisses all over my neck. “Edward?” “Mistress, I woke up wanting you. I knew I ha

“Edward.” He unwrapped his arms from around my waist and I felt my heart shrink in my chest and cold gripped my skin. “Father,” he bowed his head a little, and I did likewise. “We had plans to meet this morning. What changed? What could be more important than your future?” the grey-haired man demanded, his eyes too fixed on his son to acknowledge my presence. “My presence was needed here, father and I needed to commit to this.” “You’re sounding just like your brother. Do not become reckless. The kingdom cannot afford that at this point.” I saw Edward’s teeth clench and I could tell he was doing his very best to keep silent while his father ranted on. “I know my part to play and when my time comes, I’ll do what needs to be done.” Edward didn’t look happy about what he had to do, and I didn’t know what that was. He had spent the whole day with his father yesterday, but didn’t tell me what his meeting with his father was about. I should have asked, but from the look of things