Her Unwanted Mate On The Throne

#Chapter 2 Anyone meet Prince William?

“Doris!”

Doris slipped a little when she went to step out of the bathtub. The bathroom door slammed opened and she barely had the chance to cover herself before the shouting continued.

“Where on earth have you been all night? Do you even realize how many miles I walked searching for you—“ Beth held her tongue when she took in the sight of Doris shivering. A small sense of relief bloomed inside Doris to see her best friend stand before her, the look of anger melted off her roommates features and formed into concern. “What—why are you bathing now? The water must be freezing!”

Beth stepped closer, Doris shakily stepped out of the tub entirely and tried to ignore the water that dripped from her skin as she tied her towel around her. It formed a puddle at her feet, one she would have to clean later. What a ridiculous thing to worry about after what happened to her last night.

Absently, she touched her long brown hair and made sure it still covered the mark on her neck from Beth’s view.

“I felt…” Doris hesitated, her voice sounded hollow to her own ears. Numb. “Tainted.”

“Tainted?” Beth’s brows furrowed. “Doris…what happened?”

“I…” Her voice cracked, Doris almost flinched from the sound. She couldn’t possibly tell anyone what happened yet. The words burned on her tongue as if they were poison, she closed her eyes and tried to banish the images of the night before from her mind.

voice is all hoarse and scratchy.” Beth grabbed another towel to soak up the puddle at her feet. “I told you never

knew it was because she’d been up crying all night. She couldn’t have just returned to her room after what Prince William did, Doris hid herself away and let her emotions take over every ounce of her.

continued, seemingly distracted with her own thoughts. “I was up all night worried about

felt… ruined. On the inside and outside. Never before had she been touched in such a way,

to let you know Mr. Carson came by the servants’

Carson?” Doris almost squeaked. “Why would he

Most likely to give us more orders. Anyway, dress yourself and don’t be late.” Beth picked up the wet towels and carried them from the bathroom, leaving

moment the door closed. Why would Mr. Carson want to see all of them? Was it because of last night? Had he seen her and pretended he didn’t? Doris picked at her nails nervously,“What should

looking forward to since she was 16 years old. The day she might finally be allowed to leave the Palace was still a faraway dream, but one she held on to. Five long years were spent quiet yet dedicated to serving the Royal House Arnold as best she could. Five long years inside the castle—of being told what to do and who to serve. She always made sure to keep her head down and out of trouble. The more invisible she was, the better. A maid like Doris wasn’t even allowed outside of the Golden Palace without

she ever allow herself to dream of another life when being a maid was all she’d ever known? It felt as if she were marching to her own funeral when she finally left her room to meet Beth. A small part of her wished that she came clean to her friend about what Prince William did to her. Then, perhaps, she might have one

chattering crowd. Whispers of gossip and quiet wonders of why they were gathered, Doris only

the front of the crowd, Mr. Carson stood with Melody Harford by his side. Doris did her best not to frown at the sight of her. She was only two years older than Doris, yet charmed her way into the position as the head of maids. Many of the others liked to claim it was because of her beauty, while Melody’s friends said it was because she was smart and sociable. Doris begged to differ. Melody wasn’t exactly

at Beth and tried to blend into the eager

Mr. Carson when they swept across the room.

Palace appreciates all of the hard work each of you