Page 41 of Enchanted Heir
This didn’t even make sense. “But His Grace has a tester?”
Krew smirked. “Yes. More than one, actually. And they all also sleep well the night they’re on duty. It’s a slow acting tonic so he doesn’t even know. We also fluctuate the amount in addition to what it goes in. So sometimes it is stronger than others. It’s something we’ve been toying with for a while. How far we can push without him knowing.”
They were insane. They were drugging their own father to sleep every night?
I still hadn’t moved back to the dough.
“After my mother died, I got tired of having to witness all my father’s conquests. At least when she was alive, he kept them behind closed doors,” Krew explained coldly.
“He had them even then?” I asked at a whisper. I had suspected as much with what the king said to me, but I was confused how he could do that to someone as lovely as the queen had been.
“Oh yes,” Krew said tensely.
“I apologize for asking,” I said softly. “I didn’t wish to make you think of such things. He’s... not the father you deserved.”
“Likewise, I am too,” he offered quietly, his eyes finding mine. “One of the ways I am just like him, I’m afraid.”
Even in a sound barrier he refused to say Warrick’s name within the castle. And my heart hurt. For the little boy who I adored and the man before me who was trying to keep him safe.
* * *
“We’ve done it!”Maurice exclaimed and planted a kiss on my cheek with no warning.
“We all did it,” I said with a smile.
George was already carting the food out, with little to no time to spare.
That had been a disaster, but for now, a crisis averted.
“I need to head back to the main kitchen to see the status of the oven and how soon it will be fixed,” Maurice added.
“Let me know if there’s any way I can help,” I offered.
Maurice smiled and patted my head. “You saved the day, Tiny. That was enough.”
“I’m not sure how often you’ll see me from here on out,” I whispered.
He again patted my head. “Whatever you need, Tiny. Don’t worry about us.”
Owen, Krew, and I headed back up to Krew’s wing. Krew was needed shortly for a meeting with Keir and his father.
Once back in the safety of his wing, I plopped down on the bed, emotionally exhausted. I had stayed up late with Krew. Now this.
“He doesn’t like the company you keep,” Krew said gently. “I’m afraid he’s going to keep using the kitchen staff to get to you. Ovens are replaceable after all, but a well delivered message was more important to him.” He paused. “My father does have a flair for the dramatic.”
I closed my eyes. “Just say it. Say I can’t bake anymore and get it over with.”
I felt the bed dip as he sat down next to me. “You can’t bake for the masses anymore. But there is a smaller kitchen close to my wing, and as long as Owen or I are with you, you can bake there.”
“So I can bake, just alone?” I asked as I opened my eyes.
He nodded. “I’m afraid so.” After a sigh he added, “If it were anything else, I’d say to hold your head high and do it anyway. But with other people’s livelihoods in jeopardy, with how horribly he already treats the staff as is, we have to err on the side of caution, Jorah.”
“I know,” I choked out.
“I’m sorry,” Krew offered. “Truly.”
He stood and threw on his tailcoat to begin making his way toward the door.
