Chapter 47

“You have a sister?” I asked incredulously, gaping in Hollie in shock. “You’ve never said. Come to think of it, you’ve not told me much about your family.”

“My father works down at the docks as a shipwright, someone who fixes boats,” Hollie explained, smiling gently. “My mother is a seamstress working down in the city and even though they work full time, money is tight. They couldn’t afford to send Lily to school so my mother tries to homeschool her when she has time.”

“Tell me more about Lily,” I coaxed, genuinely feeling interested. “What is she like? Is she anything like you?”

“Lily is the most beautiful girl I know,” breathed Hollie, her eyes shining happily. “She is only a few years younger than me. Fifteen to be exact. She has such a beautiful voice just like a nightingale, she has a deep passion for loving and caring for people and she is so gentle and delicate just like a rose. You will honestly love her!”

“I will send my men down to the city to look for her,” Kieran announced loudly while holding out his hand for Hollie to shake. “I will see to it that your sister has private tuition here at the Palace to further her education and that she will be well looked after. When she comes of age, she will be made a Lady of the Palace. Lily will be well looked after here!”

“Oh, thank you, Your Highness,” Hollie wept loudly, flinging her arms around Kieran’s neck, who froze to the spot in shock. “But what about my parents? They will be devastated!”

“I will make sure that they are set with enough money to live comfortably and that they have somewhere nice to live and enjoy an early retirement,” smiled Kieran before looking serious once more. “Don’t think I am trying to buy your forgiveness because I’m not. I just want to make it up to you and if this is what will make you happy then so be it!”

“And what about you, Brooke?” Elena questioned gently as she glanced over at Kieran. “What would you like or how would you like Kieran to make it up to you?”

“Well, I definitely don’t want my family bought up to the Palace! Those fuckers sold me out to be bought up here as soon as I turned eighteen!” Brooke retorted back hotly. “I don’t want money or riches as I’m perfectly happy with what I’ve got from living in the Palace. But there is something that has caught my eye back down in the city!”

“And that is what exactly?” Kieran impatiently while staring down at Brooke. “Just say the word and I’ll make it happen.”

“Well, earlier on today, when I was down in the city, I walked past the nursery and saw that there was a job opening being offered,” Brooke explained, blushing furiously. “I would like to apply for a job looking after young children. I love living in the Palace don’t get me wrong, but I want my life back. I need freedom from these walls once in a while!”

“Out of all the things you could ever want or ask for, you ask for a job?” Kieran scoffed loudly before quickly stopping courtesy of Elena’s furious glance. “Um, I mean I can’t see why not. It’s not like you are tied to anyone anymore. You are essentially a free woman. If that is what you want then go for it!”

“Thank you, that would mean a lot to me,” Brooke smiled before bowing her head slightly. “I was kind of expecting you to say no if I am honest with you!”

“Well truth be told, I would have said no seeing as the Palace technically owns you,” Kieran shrugged casually. “But things need to change around here. You will see what I mean very soon!”

“Hmm, well maybe there is hope for you yet!” I scoffed while beckoning Hollie and Brooke to follow me. “I don’t know about you but I am starving! I need to eat before I go back down to the city and find Walter’s!”

Slowly, I led the way to the dining hall, gently caressing my growing bump. I could feel the baby’s faint kicks more and more every day now and it made the pregnancy feel more real. I often dreamed of having my own daughter and that we’d sit beside streams in the sun, singing, and reading, while I braided her long blonde hair. I just couldn’t picture having a son so I had begun to get my hopes up thinking it was a girl, but the more I thought about it, the happier I became at having a healthy baby, no matter the sex.

I was barely aware that I had now walked through the archway to the dining room. It was the general chatter and laughter of the Palace residents congregating over their lunches that bought me back to my senses. The room was significantly emptier now that Carlton and his bedmaidens had all been thrown out, along with his ministers. Kieran’s ex bedmaidens were still residents in the Palace but they were now owned by other important men. Soldiers sat in groups dotted around the room, conversing quietly amongst themselves. The room just seemed to be filled with unease and uncertainty of who was actually supposed to be in the Palace. Something that I knew would soon have to be sorted out – meaning I’d have to sit down and sort it out with Kieran.

Many pairs of eyes looked up and silently watched as I led the way to the top table, while many lingered on my bump. I wasn’t scared to hide the fact that the Prince had got me pregnant. After all, I was his favourite and only bedmaiden. It was bound to happen! And know that everyone knew Kieran was planning on marrying me, they were probably wondering if I’d make a good Luna Queen. I knew that things would have to change around the Palace, if Kieran liked it or not but he had to understand, we were no longer living under his father’s reign. A change had to happen. Sighing, I reached my seat and sat down, feeling Kieran behind me as he pushed my chair in. Gratefully, I smiled my thanks as I eyed up the food hungrily. I looked up as a servant girl hurriedly walked towards me, with her head bowed, carrying a basket of cooked meat. Quickly, she bowed and placed the basket in front of me before taking a step back.

“Excuse me Ma’am but this food has been lovingly cooked especially for you,” the little girl croaked, still keeping her head bowed. “The kitchen staff recommends that you eat it as it will benefit the baby prince!”

“oh, um tell the staff I said thank you,” I replied slowly, in surprise as I watched the girl nod and quickly walk away. “What a lovely surprise. This must mean that the Palace accepts the pregnancy and the future heir!”

Feeling ravenous, I peered into the basket and looked at the selection of cooked chicken legs, honey-glazed gammon steaks, chicken wings, and mounds of sausages. The smell was absolutely divine and my tummy grumbled in appreciation. I decided to try a chicken leg and grabbed one from the top of the basket, before settling back in my chair comfortably. Just as I was about to take a big bite out of the meat, a loud panicked scream echoed around the room as the chicken leg was roughly slapped out of my hand and across the table!”

“No Sunray no!” screamed Hollie angrily as she slapped the chicken away from me. “Don’t eat that! It’s been tampered with! Look!

Gulping in shock, I sat up and peered into the basket, feeling a croaked gasp escape my lips. Hollie was right. In amongst the meat was a faint purple hue of liquid. The same purple hue that had been found in Greta’s chalice. Feeling my eyes widen in shock, I turned to face Kieran who was staring at me furiously. His face had turned to an impressive shade of red, as his body shook and trembled with anger. I could see that he was trying to contain himself but without warning, he pushed himself away from the table and thumped loudly on the table with both fists before furiously addressing the room.

“Guards! Bring me that servant girl! Now!!”