Page 31 of Glass Hearts
The devious bastard knows I am lying. Just as much as he is lying to himself. All my brothers haven’t taken up a new partner since meeting the Duchess. And it’s not because we are to choose a bride.
I just wish they would catch up. I don’t want us to lose her.
* * *
The next morning, the four of us head down to the breakfast service. The Baudelaire women have been impatient and unhappy that we haven’t met up with them since bringing them to the castle.
Margie ensured someone would drop off a breakfast plate to Arabella’s suite. I also made sure to pay Margie a few extra gold coins to put together a little gift for my duchess. One of the great things about living in a large-ass castle is the fact that it is stocked up with so much random shit. Like soaps, books, and candles.
My mood turns sour as I spot Arabella’s stepfamily, ordering the staff about as if they were already queens. My vision goes red, remembering how they talked down to Arabella, and the way she would flinch, leaving me to assume it wasn’t just verbal abuse. They should bow down to her, not the other way around. I want to stab them every time they make my girl shrink down asif she is less than. A little light stabbing over breakfast wouldn’t be so bad, right?
“Grayer, you look like you are about to murder the sisters. Check yourself. The council is watching,”Sylas admonishes through the bond. Like I care what the pretentious pricks on the council think.
“For Arabella,” Koi sends down just to me. Always my protector.
We sit down at the table; the servers swooping in to drop off our breakfasts.
“Good morning, Princes, we appreciate our gorgeous suites. I take it the other women will arrive today? With the urgency you displayed yesterday, I was surprised you left us unattended last night, though,” Bernice reprimands.
“Apologies, Mrs Baudelaire, my brothers and I had some important duties to attend to last night. Perhaps we can take a stroll through the gardens after breakfast,” Archer offers, though I would rather not ‘stroll the gardens.’
“Very well,” Bernice concedes. “I have also been looking into where Arabella is staying? I haven’t seen her in the servants’ quarters, or in the kitchen where you said she was to serve?”
“She is already looking for her? This can’t be good,”I send down the bond. Why is she always looking for my woman?
“Wallace said she was quite under the weather. Rest assured, she will be pushed to get back to work as soon as possible.” Sylas says, but through the bond, “We are going to have to make a deal with the vixen. Her stepmother seems to be quite insistent on seeing her. I don’t think she will relent on this, judging by the clear look of disapproval.”
“Do you men always concern yourself with the health of your help? I imagine that is beneath all of you.”
I grip my butter knife harder than I should. Luckily, Archer steps in before I can do or say anything.A butter knife wouldmake the perfect tool to stab this bitch.My brothers just ignore my thoughts.
“We are concerned about all our subjects, including staff. We would expect our future queens to feel the same.”
Bernice maintains a calculated stare between all of us, but luckily doesn’t push further.
“Jeeze, Belly is so lazy. Of course, as soon as she gets away from us, she fakes being sick,” one of her stepsisters spews. “Prince Grayer, I look forward to our chat in the gardens.” I notice this sister always wears red and is always near me. Like an incessant annoying wasp circling about, ready to sting at any moment.
I don’t reply, suppressing my growl. This is going to be a long day.
Arabella
This is why I stay away from trying to find a romantic partner. Men are so confusing; they say one thing but mean another. They will tell you sweet words, bring down your defenses, only to plunge a proverbial dagger through your heart. I’m a downright fool for believing his sweet words last night. After he left, I heard rustling outside the door. When I approached, I overheard their conversation. It confirmed all my suspicions about Gray’s intentions.
“Look. I am just trying to get her out of my system. All I did was go down on her. She wanted me just as much, and I obliged. I won’t marry the thief. I have already sent for Adrianna to warm my bed next week.”
The door remains locked this morning. The waitstaff dropped off some breakfast at least. Sylas quickly let her in before leaving just as fast, barely looking at me. The big brute was dressed in all his royal finery. So they must be getting ready for the other ladies to arrive for the courting events.
Games. That is all royalty is, and it doesn’t matter if us little folk get squashed in the process.
Just as I finish the last bite of breakfast, a sudden knock pounds at my door. I can’t exactly answer it, but before I can say as much, an older lady comes in with a basket in tow.
She’s radiant, with a smile so wide it felt like sunshine warming the whole room. Deep laugh lines crinkled around her eyes, the kind that told you joy was a lifelong habit. Her tan skingleams, and her presence feels comforting and magnetic. Like she’d been born knowing how to make people feel at home.
“Well, howdy do, missy! The name is Margaretta, but you can call me Margie. Grayer wanted me to give you this.” She hands me a basket full of items. Before I can even look at what is in the basket, I turn to the lovely lady.
“I am Arabella, but you can call me Ella. How’d you get in? From my understanding, it is only Prince Sylas who has the key?”
“Ha! As if there would be just one key! I’ve known Wallace, who serves as their butler and castle steward, for a long, long time. I wanted to hand-deliver Grayer’s gift and meet the little mystery that has my boys all fussed.”
