Page 3 of Undeclared Heir

“We’ll adjourn to the library to discuss… literature,” she announces, leading me out of the room. “Did that work?”

“Did what work?”

Anna guides me to a small library down the hall from the parlour. The moment the door shuts, I break the silence. “If this arrangement is to work, Miss Anna, emotions must be tabled. In no way are you to feel anything but tolerance towards me.”

Her fingertips brush each book as she walks away from me. “So many classics. Why is there no smut in this library?”

“Pardon?” I’m unsure what smut is. She’s quite a peculiar woman, too intriguing to ignore.

She corrects, “Why are there no love stories in this library?”

“How should I know?” I laugh, and she looks over her shoulder at me. “It’s your home.”

“Right, well, if I’m to live in this… establishment? Shit. Which book am I in? I swear, I thought I was in…” Anna gasps, then whispers my name as a question. Eyes wide and mouth agape, she asks, “Are we going to fuck in the library?”

Absolutely.

“What?” I laugh, though this is no laughing matter. This woman’s language isn’t fitting for a chambermaid, much less a princess or queen. This was a mistake. “I’m sorry. I have pressing matters to attend to. I must leave with haste.” My cock does not want to leave with haste.

“Bullshit! You’re supposed to fuck Miss—” The door opens, and we both turn to see who is encroaching on our conversation.

“Your Royal Highness, pardon me for intruding, sir. Miss Eliza is presentable for your arrival.” The woman curtsies and leaves as quickly as she came in.

“Miss Eliza in the library,” Anna finishes. “You have to go and see her, it’s your destiny.”

I remain immovable, despite the declaration. Miss Anna, while unconventional, has a magnetic pull to her that I can’t ignore, regardless of the ridiculous and outlandish statements she has made since I met her. It’s as if my soul is keeping me here. I take a step towards her. “Destiny for whom?”

“For you… Your Royal Highness. In this elaborate plan you’ve construed, you have to marry Eliza. If you don’t, the entire book could?—”

A rumbling shakes the house, and books fall from the shelf, narrowly missing Anna. I rush to her aid, protecting her from anything that might harm her from the sorcery. After a minute, the house is silent, and she uncoils herself from my grasp.

“As I was saying, Prince James, the entire book could be in jeopardy.”

Anna

Irush out of the library and back into the parlour.

What the actual hell was that?

Fuck, he’s hot. Too many clothes... but hot.

The story I know and adore with every fibre of my being is at risk. If James doesn’t meet Eliza, they won’t have a marriage of convenience, and thus, not fall in love and live happily ever after. As much as I’m enjoying this dream I can’t seem to wake up from, I must ensure the integrity of the story is maintained.

“Miss Anna,” James calls after me. “Wait!”

Fuck.

I turn and smile brightly, about to open the door to find my… family? They aren’t mine, but it’s the best I’ve got until whatever high I’m on wears off. When he reaches me, I reply sweetly, “Yes, Prince James?”

“I’m still unable to follow what you proposed in the library. Why must I marry another woman and not you?”

I step away from the door to my freedom and towards him. “Miss Eliza is your true love. You’ll take her as your wife, you’ll quarrel… in the best of places. Most of the time leading to”—I whisper—“making love.” Bile rises in my throat at the suggestion, but I should mind my language around him, even if this is fake. James coughs at the suggestion, though I suspect he’s considering it with me and not Eliza. I raise my voice, carrying on, “You’re meant to be with Eliza. You’ll fall in love with her, and she’ll submit to you in a way I could never. And several children later, you’ll live in marital bliss. You can’t mess with that author’s timeline, James.” I shudder a breath. On the exhale, my voice comes out as a whisper, “Or I might never get home.”

This isn’t just some kind of fucked-up joke or prank; there was a near earthquake in the library. What if the impossible was possible? What if I’m living in a book? There wasn’t one in the book but it should’ve woke me. As ludicrous as it sounds, I’ve done all the tricks to wake myself from this dream. Though, if medication is at play, perhaps I should enjoy myself? There’s nothing wrong with enjoying the medicinal cocktail I’m on. The author wouldn’t mind, right?

No, this story must be preserved.

James eyes me suspiciously. “Miss Anna, you are home…”

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