Chapter 57
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Inside the side hall sat two young women. One wore a simple white dress, elegant and composed. The other was dressed in pale green, with a spirited and confident air.
As soon as the woman in green saw Deborah enter, she stood up with a bright smile. “I’m Kaitlin Hodges from the Raleigh’s estate. It’s an honor to meet you, Princess Deborah.”
The woman in white also rose and offered a graceful nod. “I’m Karla Hooper, the third daughter of the Grand Chancellor’s estate. A pleasure to meet you, Princess Deborah.”
So it wasn’t just Luisa who’d come calling tonight.
Deborah recognized them both–Emily had pointed them out to her before, and she’d even seen their portraits.
“Apologies for earlier…” Deborah said with a sheepish smile. “I was just trying to rile up Lady Luisa a bit. I’ve got nothing against either of you- honestly.”
She thought, ‘How am I supposed to know that Luisa isn’t the only one coming to Damian’s residence at midnight?‘
Kaitlin chuckled. “No offense taken. That girl from the Duke’s estate is a handful. You weren’t wrong to put her in her place. Next time I visit His Highness, I’ll come during daylight hours.”
There was something refreshingly direct about her. Deborah found herself liking her.
Karla added gently, “You were right. Next time, I’ll make sure to choose a more appropriate time.”
Deborah had half a mind to explain further, but in the end, what was the point? The matter of Damian’s future wife wasn’t something she intended to get involved in.
She turned to Damian. “Since you still have guests, I should probably—”
“Didn’t you just say that any woman who isn’t part of the Damian’s estate would stir up gossip if she stayed past midnight?”
Damian let out a cold snort. “Since neither of you are part of my household, kindly take your leave.”
Deborah stared at him, exasperated. She wondered, ‘Is he trying to make enemies on my behalf?‘
Kaitlin gave a polite salute. “Then I’ll take my leave. I’ll come visit another day.” She said it with the ease and confidence of a soldier–almost like a
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As she passed by Deborah, she gave her a quick grin. “The enemy of my enemy is my friend. I’ll come hang out with you sometime.”
Clearly, the “enemy” in question was Luisa.
Karla bowed slightly to Darian. “Your Highness, I’ll take my leave as well.”
He responded with a nonchalant grunt.
At the door, she turned to Deborah and smiled warmly. “Princess Deborah, you’re truly stunning. No wonder His Highness is so taken with you.”
Deborah didn’t know how to respond–she could only smile awkwardly.
Karla gave her a graceful curtsy and followed Kaitlin out.
Once the other women had left, Deborah walked over to Damian.
Before she could speak, his voice cut in coldly. “You just said yourself it’s improper for a woman to come calling at this hour. So what are you doing here?”
“You’re right, Your Highness. I wouldn’t have come if it weren’t urgent.”
Her tone was calm, sincere–completely devoid of emotion.
Damian’s expression darkened. “So?”
“I’m going to bed. Are you planning to stay and help me undress, or are you leaving?”
Deborah exhaled slowly. She thought, ‘Is he still upset about that discussion I’ve had with Emily about his potential consorts? Whatever it is, he is
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Chapter 57
being unusually difficult tonight!’
“Your Highness, could I just have a little of your time? Just long enough to finish a cup of coffee…”
With a sharp clack, Damian slammed his coffee cup down and walked out of the hall.
Deborah hurried after him. “Your Highness, my brother would never desert the army. There’s got to be some kind of misunderstanding! Your Highness-”
He stepped into his bedchamber. The door remained open, but Deborah hesitated at the threshold.
“Please… could you speak to His Majesty on our behalf? Ask him to give the general’s estate one more month. I promise I’ll bring my brother back myself, and he’ll explain everything to the king.”
No response.
She stood at the doorway, uneasy, unsure if she should enter.
After a moment, she called again, “Your Highness…”
A cold voice came from inside the room. “I don’t like shouting across rooms. If you’ve got something to say–get in here and say it.”
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