Yvonne's POV
By the time we finally got back to the palace, it was probably mid-afternoon or something close to it. I wasn't sure. It wasn't like I had a watch or a phone to check, but the way the sun blazed overhead told me enough.
Now, stripped of those stiff, suffocating clothes, I lay on my back, eyes fixed on the ceiling.
Klara stood at the side, her head slightly bowed as if waiting for an order that would never come. She wasn't alone. Several other girls were scattered around the room, their heads lowered, refusing to meet my gaze.
No matter how many times I told them to look at me, they preferred to stare at the floor.
Did their freaking necks not hurt?
Whatever. If that's how they wanted to live, fine.
As for me? I was bored out of my mind.
I had spent the whole journey in that damn carriage, no way was I risking my head by riding a horse again. Not when someone out there wanted me dead.
I wasn't in the mood to dodge another arrow.
Then, out of nowhere, I sat up. The boy.
That little brat.
I hadn't seen him in that icy queen mother's estate. No sign of him at all. And I couldn't exactly ask the king, not that we were talking. Even if I did, that would only put the kid in trouble for sneaking out.
I let out a breath and shrugged. It wasn't like I was here to make friends, especially not with entitled brats.
Then, the door creaked open.
The room stilled.
Every single girl stiffened like they were made of stone.
Teresa stepped in, hands neatly clasped in front of her, her expression unreadable, as always.
"Your Majesty," she said, her voice smooth, practiced. Too practiced. "His Grace has given his decree. The royal consummation will take place tomorrow."
I froze.
Wait. What?
Teresa didn't even pause. She said it as if she were announcing dinner, not telling me I was about to sleep with that cold-hearted bastard.
Before I could even process it, she added, "Since no one may approach His Majesty after the sixth hour, the arrangements will begin early."
I blinked. Arrangements?
What the hell did that mean?
Was there some royal ritual? A guidebook on how to lose your virginity to a king?
Not that I was a virgin, but… I had no idea about this body. Was Annaliese a virgin?
Teresa didn't seem to care that I was about to spiral. "The chamber will be prepared, and you will be bathed and adorned accordingly. It is advised that you rest well tonight."
Rest?
As if I was going to get a wink of sleep after that.
The rest of the conversation became a blur.
I barely heard what was said to the other girls. I just stared at the ceiling, my thoughts spinning.
Okay, sure. Maybe I'd been stupid enough to make that embarrassing joke at dinner about sucking his dick, but I didn't mean it!
I shuddered, a chill running down my spine as an image flashed in my mind.
The head.
In his hands.
I swallowed hard, fighting the urge to gag.
No. No. I couldn't sleep with that man.
At some point, the door closed. I had no idea who left or who stayed.
Instead, I looked down at my chest.
A ridiculous thought hit me. Maybe the real Annaliese was still in here.
"Hey… are you in there?" I muttered, staring at my chest.
Silence.
I didn't even care that there were eyes on me.
Fuck.
"If you're in there, please, please just take over. I don't want to sleep with that guy." I groaned, staring at my chest as if Annaliese's soul would suddenly pop out and say, Sure thing, girl. I got this.
Nothing.
I sighed. "Not that he isn't sexy as fuck, but still. I don't want to."
Silence.
"Ahhh," I growled, running a hand through my hair.
When I looked up, I found Klara watching me, concern etched all over her face.
"Mtcheww," I hissed. I didn't even care that I'd spoken English again. I turned and flopped onto the bed, slamming my face into the mattress.
I wanted to scream.
God, I miss New York.
I used to complain about that city all the time, but right now, I would kill to be back in my tiny apartment with my phone, a pizza, and zero assassination attempts.
Then, thunder cracked through the air.
A sharp bolt of lightning followed, slicing through the sky.
Huh?
I turned toward the window. The sky, which had been blindingly bright just moments ago, was now a deep, angry gray.
And then, just like that, the rain fell.
First a light drizzle. Then a heavy, drumming downpour.
My brows shot up. That was fast.
A cool breeze rushed in, making me shiver.
Two girls stepped forward hesitantly. "My lady…"
But I didn't let them finish.
I sprang off the bed, pushing past them and Klara, who had moved in front of me as if to stop me.
Nope. Not happening.
I threw the doors open and ran.
My heart pounded.
The halls blurred past me as I raced through the palace, nearly colliding with startled servants. I didn't care.
I needed to be outside.
And then, I was.
I burst through the doors and down the steps, the rain hitting me immediately.
I let out a shaky breath, tilting my head up.
Cold droplets kissed my skin.
I stepped further into the courtyard, my feet sinking into the wet earth, my dress clinging to my legs.
I let out a laugh, loud, free, wild.
The storm swallowed my laughter, but I didn't care.
Yes.
I threw my arms out and let the rain drench me, my head falling back, my body spinning in a slow circle.
I could hear them, maids calling out to me, their voices panicked.
I ignored them.
Right from when I was a little girl, I had loved the rain.
It was my escape.
It was the only beating I ever received that, instead of breaking me, healed me.
The rain understood me.
"Your Highness!"
More shouts. More footsteps.
But I just twirled faster, eyes closed, feeling the raindrops crash against my face.
And then…
It stopped.
The sensation vanished.
My eyes snapped open, and I saw an umbrella.
Held above my head.
I turned to see Klara, soaked to the bone, holding it up with both hands. Behind her, the other maids stood, shivering, looking worried sick.
I smirked.
Without a second thought, I grabbed the umbrella and flung it aside.
The rain returned, washing over me again.
I sighed in satisfaction. "Isn't this wonderful?" I murmured, before breaking into a silly dance.
"Your Majesty, please stop," Klara pleaded, dropping to her knees.
The others immediately followed her lead, heads bowed.
"You'll get ill."
But I only tapped my foot, spun around, and jumped.
"Whoo hoo!" I screamed.