Her Unwanted Mate On The Throne

Chapter 4

#Chapter 4 Prince Martin? All content © N/.ôvel/Dr/ama.Org.

“To celebrate Prince Martin’s upcoming marriage, there’s going to be an amnesty signed by the Alpha King. I heard that both of our names are on the list among many others!” Beth grinned in delight, Doris gasped and grabbed her friends’ hands.

“Are you serious? Our names on the list? You mean we might have our freedom soon?” Doris bounced a little on her toes as she squeezed Beth’s hands. All the places they could visit! All the things they could do! “You’re not lying, are you?”

“Why would I ever lie about that!” Beth laughed. “Unless you were truly hoping to marry a prince so you could stay at the Golden Palace forever.” She teased.

Doris cringed at her words, “I assure you I don’t. All I want is to be free of this place.”

Beth ignored her reaction and continued. “You know, you’re very beautiful Doris. Even more so than Lisa in my opinion. If you weren’t hiding every day in this library I just know a prince would have already fallen for you.” Doris felt her cheeks redden at her compliment, the idea of charming a prince was the last thing on her mind. In fact, she’d rather not think of a prince at all.

“Prince Martin would have been an excellent choice for you if he hadn’t just gotten engaged,” Beth rested her hands on her hips and paced the area around Doris. “Handsome, kind, well cultured and refined. He even loves books as you do, he’ll make an excellent king.” Doris sighed silently.

Beth seemed to be enjoying herself, she continued. “Prince Daniel, the Majestic General—the best warrior in the kingdom. He’s very handsome as well, most of the younger maids already have their hearts set on him.” Beth laughed. “He is a year younger than you, though. But I don’t think it really matters!”

Doris only wished she could melt into the floor and disappear forever if it meant this conversation would end. Her friend kept on. “And—well… Prince William. Extremely handsome but a terrible temper. I don’t

think any lady has truly made it into his heart yet. But if you wanted to try—“

“That’s enough!” Doris almost shouted, she rested her hand against her beating chest. “Please, stop.”

“Is something wrong?” Beth stopped pacing and neared Doris. “Are you feeling alright?”

“I’m fine. I just—“ Doris hesitated. “I was thinking of how poor Lisa suffered, it made me sick thinking about all she went through.”

“Oh, yes. She has been through quite a lot.” Beth sighed. “I suppose no one in this Golden Palace is reliable enough to love.”

Doris widened her eyes at Beth’s words. If anyone had heard that, it was enough to get them killed. A lot of what her friend said today was more than enough to set them both in deep trouble with the palace, at least no one else really ventured into the Royal Library often. Though, the thought of anyone overhearing their conversation was enough for Doris to hold her tongue. There was so much she wanted to say, but what if someone—

Suddenly the grand doors of the library were pushed open. Both girls flinched at the loud creak and turned towards the sound. Sunlight pooled in from the bright hallways, they squinted their eyes against the harsh light and the man that entered made them both gasp.

“Prince… Prince Martin!” Doris and Beth kneeled, their voices a little shaky at the sight of him.

Doris glanced up at him through her lashes. The Crown Prince was quite handsome, with light green eyes and chestnut hair swept back in an elegant fashion. His suit was as light as the sky and fit perfectly to his lovely form. He had a kind look to his face, much different than the harsh one Prince William held.

Beth’s hands were shaking, Doris stopped herself from grabbing them to comfort her friend. She didn’t want to come across as either of them being guilty of anything, even though she knew that Beth had said enough about the Royal House Arnold to get her entire family killed. Doris silently hoped Prince Martin

hadn’t been standing outside the door listening to them. He was kind though—surely he would have mercy on them if he had heard their silly gossip. She hoped.

Prince Martin walked towards them, Doris felt goosebumps trail her skin at the sound of his steps. “Rise.” He said much gentler than Doris expected, he looked at Beth with a kind expression. “What’s your name?”

“Be—Beth, your majesty.”

“Beth? I’ve never seen you here before. You don’t work in the Royal Library, do you?” He asked, his voice polite and patient as they both straightened themselves. His eyes flickered towards Doris.

Doris cleared her throat and replied for her friend. “No, your majesty. Beth was only here to help me organize some books but we’re all finished now. Beth, you may leave.” Doris squeezed her friends’ hand and hoped Beth took the hint. “Thank you for all the help, please let me know if there’s anything I can do in return.”

Doris had never seen her friend so caught off guard before. Her eyes were wide and lips parted in shock at just being in his presence. Doris might have laughed under different circumstances. “Oh! Yes, if Prince Martin doesn’t need anything, I will return to my normal duties.” Beth curtsied and walked backwards towards the door. They both watched her leave, and turned away when Beth stumbled and hit her head against the doorframe before quickly closing it behind her.

Prince Martin had a ghost of a smile on his lips, he said nothing as he ventured towards the shelves. Doris busied herself to give him a sense of privacy as he searched. She re-shelved books that someone must’ve left out, and put away the new ones the palace had delivered. Each time she passed his section, she couldn’t help but steal a peek at him. His head was bent in concentration as he read the synopsis for each book he touched. Chestnut hair fell into his eyes, she smiled a little whenever he brushed it away. He always had a sense of patience that she’d rarely seen with any of the other royal members.

Especially… especially Prince William. Doris shook him out of her mind, she didn’t need to think of that horrible man.

After she dusted the tables and realized he still hadn’t chosen a book, she wandered towards the poetry and retrieved an ancient poem book titled, Moon Rising. Doris opened it to see his marked pages from the last time he’d read the book and grinned to herself before she went to find him.

“Excuse me, Prince Martin.” Doris spoke softly, he turned to see her holding out the book and a smile lit up his face. The sight made her breath catch, he really was quite handsome with his bright green eyes and neat hair. He accepted the book with a polite nod of his head.

It was rare for anyone to visit the library during the hours she worked. It had always just been her alone here. She cleaned and reorganized, often she would bring books to those in the palace that requested them. There wasn’t much work to have more than one maid tend to the Library, and she liked it that way. It gave her an escape from what resided beyond these walls.

A year ago, Prince Martin stepped through the doors for the first time while she was working. He was in search of another poetry book, one that Doris just so happened to have been reading. Once she found it for him, he made a habit of coming by quite often ever since. It should have made her feel on edge, having a prince so close to her. She could have made any simple mistake around him and risk some sort of punishment, but it didn’t. She never felt that way around him, he was too kind.

Though, he never really said anything to her, either. Often they would smile at each other and let the silence pass between them. It was never odd or awkward, it was always a comfortable sort of silence.

Today was no different. He seated himself in his usual area by the high windows with his book already propped open on his lap. Doris silently sat across from him, he lifted his head for a moment to smile at her before he returned to his book. She couldn’t help but observe everything about him. The way he tilted his head in thought or smiled when he finished a poem he liked. Sometimes she saw sadness pass over his features and she wondered if the poem he read made him feel that way—or something else.