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.

hoarse and scratchy.” Beth grabbed another towel to soak

speak, she 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. She cried until she choked, until she couldn’t breathe. It didn’t make

seemingly distracted with her

of her cheek to keep from crying again at the thought of Prince William. Her skin still burned from his hands, she could still feel his lips on her neck and she felt… ruined. On the inside and outside. Never before had she been touched in such a way, she still felt the shame like a fire inside her that refused to be put out. “I

whatever the reason, I’m here to let you know Mr. Carson came by the servants’ quarters and requested that

Carson?” Doris almost squeaked. “Why would he be

Beth picked up the wet

night? Had he seen her and pretended he didn’t? Doris picked at her nails nervously,“What should I do?” 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

did 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,

hear the sounds of a chattering crowd. Whispers of gossip and quiet wonders of why they were gathered, Doris only hoped she remained unseen during this meeting as she slipped in

position as the head of maids. Many of the others liked to

of her arm and dragged Doris to the empty spot beside her. Reluctantly, Doris smiled at Beth and tried to blend into the eager crowd. She was surprised to see everyone else so awake when all she felt was exhausted. Though, she doubted

in conversation with each other—just another normal day in the Palace. Doris’s wandering gaze had accidentally met the eyes of Mr. Carson when they swept across the room. The sight alone made her body shiver, she looked down at her hands in fear he might remember her from the night before. Had he been staring at her this whole time? Was he here because of her? Her heart pounded louder than

Carson finally spoke. The crowd quickly simmered into silence. “The Golden Palace appreciates all of the hard work each of