Her Unwanted Mate On The Throne
Chapter 22

Chapter 22 I'm sure it"11 be one big bore

Heth's frin Hitlened this on SUKESELHI, but Dans only and at han An if she had lost 1 mil. “We can't15 Prince Martin for help. Beth! What are you thinking? There was no WHY Frince Martin would beable to help her, let alone care there she ended up. He had more impotant things to worry aboutthan maid who was being mistreated. He was the clown prince. after all Dang bet she never evenCroesed his mind since she'd left the library. Why would she?

“I siw Prince Martin in the library the other day.” Erth lawrred her voice and neared Doris with aquick glance 6ver her shoulder to make surC no one was listening. “He looked as if he were hopingsomeone might show up, and I think he Wis hoping it was you.” u

Doris furrowed her brows at her friend and would have laughed if her ribs didn't hurt. Beth did loveher gossip, but this was ridiculous. “Perhaps he was waiting

for his Incly to join himBeth. Don't be

“In the library! Te Meyer her R amet the Life with Prince Martin” Beth id. “I don't kno, L . Furhaps hemi YOUT company and i haping you would retum H that's then he would be more than happy tohelp you relocate from Melady!

Dis didn't want to break her friend's hopefulness but she new Prince Mantle wasn't standing ruundwaiting lar H to show up at the library. He was kind to her in the past, but he was

kind man to everyone he'd met.

Daris ke how much Prince Martin enjoyed the library, it wasn't odd to hear he'd been there lookinglost when she was sure it was most likely because he couldn't replace the night book he wanted toTrad. Dons herself had calipht that it look on his face many times before. She briefly wondered if hewas soll writing small notes in that sime copy of Moon Fusing he loved

Doris offered a small sinile. “I don't think he was hoping for me, Beth. Why would he waste his timehoping a maid would

D

E by En Vise Him

ver the chest. I think he mi You there to talk to the very C

hrin

“He is a kind an, Feth. That is all He's Het going to help me with Melody.” Will you at least considerin him?” Ecth pleaded. Honela out a small sghi.

"Yes, I'll consider it.” llons knew she wouldn't change her mind about the suliject, but Heth wantedsame sort af hope to hold anto. She was prateful for her friend that cred so much, but it wasn't assimple as she thought it was.

Doris moved to get up, but Beth hade her lay back again.

"Oh no you don't, you still need to rest. Don't worry. I won't go anywhere.” Beth Send herself byDoris's bed and opened a small book “I brought something to Tead to you, I know how much youlove stories and I thought this fairytale miglit help you feel a little better.”

Beth stayed with Doris for hours, never once hinting that she wanted to leave. It

arength to make it lick to

en

Shund und dressi. Em thn. Buth Lid tu Ovine Hr Eu Sep for at the few hours before h en attemptedto leave, buat Daris was tired of lying for so long

"Are you sure you don't want to walk you back to your Nam” Both asked in they passed her room-Laris's old TOHTL.

“I'm positive, there's no need for you to eu back and forth, I'll make it then just Fine.” Dons offered asmile and squeezed her friend's hand lightly before she turned away

Each step was its own small any. She felt the pain shoot up fron her feet and vibrate through herbody right to the areas Melody kicked her the hardest. The doctor wanted her to test more, andDoris wished she was allowed to fall into bed and sleep far days until it all went away. The only thingthat stopped her from doing so was the thought of Melady forcing her from her Test just to shineher shoes or some other useless task. There was no point in hoping Melody would leave her be untilshe fully recovered, it

Doris mowy Eloy down the impied hall, at least no ath eke was around to

corner, she bumpad nght into hvid and swalloud her thoughs, His sulty halin and charme smile wereon full display when she looked up at him. He reached out to steady her and his touch shot a lick ofpain right through her. His sinile faded when he saw her wince and looked down to see herbandaged hand.

*Did you bum your hand again;” He Teached for her arm, Doris pulled it out of his grasp before he isthe rest of her marks. At least he hadn't seemed to hear the gossip about her het. She didn't exactlyfeel like telling anyone about it either. Did that mean only the maids spread gossip? Or did Davidjust not pay attention to iny of it as it swirled around him?

“Yes,” Doris lied quickly. “I was making tea and some of the water splashed over.”

David shook his head with a ghost of a smile on his lips. He reached into his pocket and pulled outthe small tube of

cinem-IL. T

el you what. Why don't

HVE a habit od h

iny YCHITRATE. THE

“Oh! I couldn't —- Doris Flushed, he must think she was a clumsy.

innist, my budy.” Heueuhet a cheeky

she ilinist rolled HET PYES at him calling her lady. A loglist boy. What if 1 Na lady had had him bythat Another thing that would them both in trouble.

Doris glanced over her shoulder and su The hallways were still empty around thern. Slowly. sheturned back to him and bowed her head a little. “Well, I Appreciate this, thank you.” She smiled alittle as she slipped it into her pocket to put on later. She wasn't sure it would help with the type ofinjury she had, but it was worth a try. He truly was a kind boy, even if he also happened to be a bitreckless.

“Don’t mention it, truly.” David smiled and brushed a bit of hair from his light eyes. “I was hoping Iwould run into you. actually.”

"Oh really? And whir'e that? Were WM

mpir I had another suwuy cuke?”

117 rathed thebkor his head and Fogd a milu, he looked a citle hervous “No, but I Touldn’t burn anydessert away if you did happen to have any.” Hin blew nut laugh and cleared his throat .I was justwondering if you were going to attending Liana Queen's birthday party! Since your lady is hosting itI just was curious if you'd be worn it.”

Dans almost flinched at Melody’s name. She looked down at herself and but her Hip “No, I won't beworking the party. My hand is tuo injured to be any good for it.”

Deris looked up to see the tension in David deflate, he grinted at her normally again. “Oh, it's ashame but I'in glad yau're putting yourself first Over 1 silly party.”

Doris almost snorted at his comment, but it wouldn't have been appropriate. It wasn't her choice tohave been so injured, she doubted Melody would want Doris showing her bruised self anywherenear the party. A bigger part of Doris was glad to have the excuse. It meant she wouldn't have to bearound Melody or

in walking ha-kulud down the hall.

luck no me duen-, HE “ll be you later... Perhaps nei tint with the ball David Winked bare turned undDoris luglid little la herself as shi watched him eve. It is a wonder how fe of all

w e had been klated to Pront Homebody 5 Cold Pince Winiar, but she was happy to kee such a kindface at the Palace.

Dans started towards her from ONE

Lain, but stopped in her tracks.

Why did he seen so happy she wasn't going to be there?