Chapter 70

I had learned a lot about Jules that morning. He hated sitting in the sun, but loved the outdoors. He could smell peonies from miles away even if he was bombarded by the million scents of the garden.

It was little things that made me feel close to him. Things that nobody probably cares to learn, yet I find terribly interesting. I was even upset to return from it. Enjoying the chat that felt without so much judgment. I could speak of how I hated so many Grandorian traditions and he would agree wholeheartedly. Something I never got from anyone else- not family and not friends.

I knew from them that if anyone were to say Jules wouldn't make a great monarch I would have to argue otherwise. Because as far as I was aware he could be the best yet. He could lead us to greatness.

I was so convinced that for a moment I contemplated settling in Grandor and not moving away. But I stopped just at the very thought.

I plucked the brown jar of pills off my nightstand sceptically, shaking the bottle of now nine pills. I was almost done and yet nothing had changed. The scent was clearly the same…

The pills had been something Mathias had prescribed when he heard of my problem. The genius had been almost spot on with his hypothesis, but I wasn't his pills had done what he intended.

"They'll spoil the smell and taste of your blood. Adding a few scents vampires vehemently dislike" he had said it with so much confidence I didn't doubt it. Now I was very sceptic. I decided to continue with them. Better safe than sorry.

A knock sounded on my doors and the sound of many voices were heard.

"Do you think she'll show us?" I heard Crystal say.

"Of course she will" Lady Rayas voice I was sure of it replied.

"I hope we aren't disturbing her" Lady Willows voice had me to tossing the bottle on the nearest drawer and straightening up to invite my visitors in.

"Please come in" I said immediately after swinging the door open and they all flinched in surprise.

"Madeline- are you feeling better?" Lady Raya was first to speak up after all settled on the coffee table.

"I'm doing great this morning. How are you ladies this afternoon?" I asked, after asking a maid for some tea and snacks.

"Let's cut to the chase" Crystal cut off Lady Raya before she could speak and leaned forward like some type of mob boss disguised impeccably as a beautiful woman, "what was the prize?"

I chuckled at their curious eyes, all full of ideas of treasures and whatnot. I decided it meant no harm to disclose the real treasure.

"It was simply a date with the prince" I replied, watching their reactions to his name for the first time and I saw it. The look of either fear or poorly concealed disdain. Lady Raya even looked at me in pity for a moment.

"Did he hurt you?" Crystals concern came from a good place, but at that moment it angered me.

"Of course not. The prince is a courteous man" I retorted sharply.

Crystal raised her brows at my tone, but didn't cross further than the imaginary line I drew.

"You seem to like the prince? I assumed it was the other way around until that dinner incident" Lady Willow frowned at me, face conveying confusion and a bit of disturbance. As if the notion of someone liking the prince was absurd.

"I do like him. He's a great man" I nodded, wanting to say he saved me but holding myself back.

"That's too bad" Lady Raya suddenly said, voice void of ridicule and mockery, leaning towards sympathy.

"Why do you say so?"

"I don't mean any disrespect, but it's sad because if you were to fail than you wouldn't be able to be with him. You seem to be doing well so you have a high chance of winning" she quickly added the last sentence, but it was hard to miss the troubled glance she threw Charlotte.

"It doesn't matter if I lose or win. I simply mean I think that he'll make a good monarch" I cleared up the small misunderstanding and Lady Willow cleared her throat.

"If you do intend to start being serious then know that I won't go easy on you. Even if we may be friends" she looked straight at me and I felt myself blush at her words.

Friends?

"I'd appreciate that, Lady Willow" I smiled gratefully.

"Myself as well" Lady Raya pitched.

"I'll be doing my best too" Crystal added, less enthusiastic than the others.

We enjoyed normal talk after that. Mostly about discussing what tasks would await us. Eventually Lady Raya and Lady Willow excused themselves, leaving me with Crystal.

"Are you serious?" She asked the moment the door shut behind them.

"I am. He's not a bad man, Crystal".

"He threatened you" she spat in disbelief.

I paused at her words, recalling he had threatened me. On multiple occasions, but I kind of understood the reasoning now.

"He had reasons at the time, but it's different now".

"It doesn't change the past. I don't trust him. I don't think you should either" she looked resolute in her decision, eyes hardening with a stubbornness that earned a few family nicknames like 'hard-headed princess'.

"I won't change your opinion with words, but give him a chance- not as a monster or vampire or even a war monster- just as a person. A man".

Crystal watched me a curtain of understanding pulling away from her eyes. Her eyes cast to the floor as she nodded and then lifted them slowly.

"You're right. I should interact with him more before judging him".

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Dinner was apparently going to be downstairs and every lady was invited to attend. Not by anyone in particular, but that was all the more reason to attend.

I had found out from Crystal that our stay at the palace for this round would span around two weeks or more and had the store not already opened I would have been fuming. I was inconvenienced to say the least and a letter from Anastasia had sent me further into a stress induced state. A sentence in particular repeating over and over in my mind.

'My cousin boasts about you so often that it's getting tiring- come here and marry the man will you?'

I hadn't flushed. No. I felt an immense guilt. I thought of Connor, imagining my lips pressed against his but all it did was create knots in my stomach. Uncomfortable tight knots that made me feel sick.

He had said he'd wait until the end of this mess, but I was sure he wouldn't have to.

"I don't deserve him at all" I groaned.

"Who do you speak of- I hope it isn't the prince?" A lady, whom I had never directly spoke to, asked me. I hadn't even realised she was near me.

"Lady Abel! You gave me a scare" I laughed awkwardly, hoping she'd forget my words as I asked, "On your way to dinner, then?"

"Where else?" She raised a brow rudely, gaze looking me up and down judgementally before she smirked, "so who do you speak off? The prince?"

"Of course not!" I instantly denied, frowning at her persistence.

"Such adamant refusal can only be seen as suspicious" another voice joined. Lady Montgomery… I restrained an eye roll. "I heard you received a letter from the Archangels residence? Whatever about?" She stepped a bit too close for comfort, eyes narrowed and head cocked to the side.

"It was an order" I replied calmly, "I'd love if you ladies visit the store one day. I'll offer you a friend discount".

Her face contorted in disdain.

"A discount? How rude for a mere commoner to offer a noble a discount!"