All Chapters of Barren? Honey, I'm Just Getting Started: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

- WILLOWMaisy hauled a massive garment bag from the wooden wardrobe and pulled out a dark blue dress made of soft, heavy silk. I took one look at it and practically backed into the bathroom."I can't wear that," I said, pointing a finger at the fabric. "I'll look like a giant sapphire, Maisy. Plus, I’ll spill tea on it within five minutes.""It's just royal guest attire," Maisy insisted, holding it up against her own apron. "His Grace specifically asked for comfortable silk. No corsets or heavy stays. Try it on, my Lady."Ten minutes later, I was standing in front of a floor-length mirror, turning side to side. The silk fell smoothly down to my ankles, warm and surprisingly light against my skin. It hid the bruises on my ribs, covered the old pack marks on my shoulders, and actually fit my waist properly. Back at Callum's house, my wardrobe consisted of whatever faded wool dresses his housekeeper thought looked modest enough for a disgraced bride."See?" Maisy smiled, stepping back

- WILLOWThe afternoon in the West Conservatory felt like something out of a dream with twenty years of catching up over white roses. But by five o'clock, the sun was dropping fast, and my skin was itching.After a long afternoon of tea and quiet laughs, her eyes started getting heavy. I helped her up and led her back to the Wisteria Suite, her private bedchamber connected to the glasshouse, lined with soft lavender silks and the faint scent of fresh blooms. Once she was settled under the blankets to rest for the afternoon, I gave her a quick kiss on the forehead, promised I’d be back for dinner, and headed straight for the Rose Suite.The moment the walnut doors clicked shut behind me, I locked them. I moved fast across the thick rug, dropping to my knees right in front of the heavy mahogany wardrobe.I pulled the small brass key out of my inner silk pocket, jammed it into the bottom cedar drawer, and turned it. I reached past the stacks of spare socks and pulled out my cheap plast

- WILLOWBy two in the afternoon, my legs were sore as hell from sparring with Noah, but sitting in the warm West Conservatory made up for it. The sun was beaming straight through the glass roof, lighting up the white roses and filling the air with the smell of sweet tea and fresh rain.I was sitting on the velvet sofa, leaning back with a porcelain cup in my hand, while my mother sat right beside me, braiding a piece of my hair."You really kicked Noah in the knee?" she asked, her blue eyes dancing with amusement as she tucked a dark strand behind my ear."Slammed my heel right into his joint," I grinned, taking a careful sip of the hot chamomile. "He stumbled back two full steps, Mom. His painful face was priceless."Lady Josephine let out a light, airy laugh that warmed my entire chest. "Good. He was getting far too arrogant with those private sparring lessons. Your late father used to think he was indestructible too, right until I dropped him during our first pack tournament.""Wai

- WILLOWMaisy was taking her job way too seriously.It was eight in the morning, and she was already humming a loud tune while balancing a folded pile of lavender silk sheets, two heavy wool blankets, and a brass tray of silver polish on one hip. I was dragged right behind her down the back corridor, carrying a stack of my own fresh cotton shirts and trying not to trip over the long hem of my apron."We have to set up your primary station in the West Conservatory ante-room," Maisy said, turning on her heel without dropping a single spoon. "Lady Josephine prefers her morning tea served at seven-thirty sharp, but since you’re her private caretaker, King Noah said you get direct access to the side kitchen. You don't even have to pass the main staff hall.""That's great, Maisy," I muttered, shifting the clothes in my arms. "Seriously. Less stairs, less people staring at my boots.""Oh, people are still staring," Maisy chuckled, tossing her dark braids over her shoulder as we reached the

- WILLOWMy thumb hovered over the screen of the black palace phone for five full seconds before I tapped the encrypted contact icon.It buzzed twice, and Noah picked up on the third ring. "Report.""Maisy gave me a tip," I said, keeping my voice low as I leaned against the doorframe of the empty ante-room. "Ronin’s men let a group of southern messengers through the east service gate around midnight. No names logged. They had southern pack brands on their forearms."A heavy and cold silence stretched over the line for a second."I'll have my personal unit sweep the east tower," Noah said, his tone turning sharp and clinical. "Stay in the west wing tonight, Willow. Keep an eye on the corridor leading to the Conservatory, but don't go chasing any shadows yourself.""Got it," I said, disconnecting the call before slipping the device back into my legging pocket.Sleep didn't happen after that. By four-thirty in the morning, my head was spinning so fast with thoughts of Ronin, Callum, and