Page 36 of Twisted Royals

“No, it’s okay.” I smiled to ease the tension. “I’m just being weird. I’m not used to having former coworkers waiting on me.”

“Well, you never were actually a housekeeper. You were saving up for college too, and like you said, cleaning toilets in Agafonza is better than waiting tables in Hoboken.”

“And what about you, girlfriend? You got into Columbia for med school! I knew you could do it.”

“Thanks.” She unfastened another few toggles. “Speaking of, did you hear back about your fellowship?”

“No, not yet.” I slumped into a chair as she finished the last of the toggles. “I’m guessing they don’t want the princess stuck behind a telescope all day.”

“I mean, you’d need a bodyguard, and… yeah. It sucks, but I can see it.”

“Yeah.” Didn’t mean I wasn’t bummed, but I understood it.

Francine grunted as she lifted the heavy robe and I stood to help her carry it to the fur cooler. With two of us, it wasn’t so much work to get it back on the dress form next to Savva’s.

“Do you want me to bring breakfast to your suite?” She glanced down at my leggings and T-shirt, then added, “I can help you dress for the day if you want.”

“No, thanks. I’m good.” I laid a hand on my stomach, feeling suddenly nauseous at the mention of food. Maybe I was just dehydrated and overheated. “I need a shower anyway. I probably reek after standing in that fur all morning.”

“Well, I wasn’t going to say anything, but…” She waggled her brows and darted out of reach when I laughed and swatted at her. “Seriously, you look pale. Are you sure you don’t need anything?”

“I’m okay. Just tired. I think I’ll take a nap before Eliza finds me with her tablet.”

“Good idea. The wedding is less than a week out, and you don’t want to get sick. I’ll run interference so you can rest.”

“Thanks.”

I trudged back to my room using the servant’s hallway, so I didn’t meet up with Eliza. Although I appreciated her ability to get things done, I really wasn’t feeling well. Hopefully, she was busy with Savva—not that I’d know considering we barely got a chance to speak to each other for more than a few minutes at a time.

In the weeks since our engagement was announced, we’d managed to sneak into each other’s rooms a grand total of twice, and I had one sad kitty between my thighs. Maybe it was just as well. I really was tired.

Heck, I’d barely seen Daddy either. He and Val were canoodling something fierce, which tickled me pink. He’d even missed the big futurity auction in Dallas to take her on a sailing trip around the island.

Thankfully, I managed to reach my suite without anyone seeing me. After locking the door, I went into the bathroom and stripped, then climbed into a tepid shower.

After drying off, I grabbed my deodorant from the medicine cabinet. Scowling, I threw the empty container in the trash and dug under the sink for a fresh one. A bag fell over and spilled to the floor, revealing an unopened box of tampons. The receipt fluttered to the floor, and I blinked at the date.

I always joked I could set my watch by my cycle. I’d never skipped a single period, nor was I prone to PMS, aside from a bit of cramping on occasion. I’d also never had unprotected sex. Not once. I even carried my own condoms to make sure of it.

Except… Savva was pierced. Although he was very careful, it was possible his jewelry could have torn a condom. And now, it was over a month past when my period should have shown up.

“No. Not today, Satan.”

I kept telling myself it was stress that made me skip a cycle. I’d been too busy to remember it. I almost managed to convince myself as I drove the sleek Mercedes Savva had given me to the doctor one of the maids said Val used. All the way up the stairs and into the luxurious office, I chanted over and over, “Please don’t be pregnant.”

“Hello, how can I help you?” the pretty brunette receptionist asked.

“Hi. Um… I’m Damaris Lawton and I think I need a pregnancy test.”

“Oh, we have you scheduled for next week.”

“Excuse me?”

“Yes, my lady. The prince scheduled you for your first prenatal exam next week. If you wish, the doctor could see you now.”

My head swam and I was surprised I didn’t hit the floor. Somehow, I managed to make it to a chair before I collapsed. “I?—”

“My lady.” The receptionist laid a cool hand on my forehead, then helped me up. “I believe you do need to see the doctor now.”

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