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.

is all hoarse and scratchy.” Beth grabbed another towel to soak up the

from her skin. Her throat hurt, she could barely 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 anything better, it only left her empty and

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

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 just had a lot to clean after the party, it was quite the

Mr. Carson came

almost squeaked. “Why would

Anyway, dress yourself and don’t be late.” Beth picked up the wet towels and carried them from the bathroom, leaving Doris alone with her horrible

it because of last night? Had he seen her and pretended he didn’t? Doris picked at

something Doris had been 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.

couldn’t help but feel as if her chance at freedom had just been shattered to a million pieces. All the nights she dreamed of a land far from the Golden Palace slipped from her mind as if the dream were already taken from her. How could she ever be foolish enough to think she could one day be free? Why 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

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

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

Beth whispered as she grabbed ahold 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

around her while they waited. No one else looked nervous or scared like she was. Many had their heads bent 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

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