Page 7 of Mated to the Crown
I spin around to face him. He has a white button up on and is rolling up the cuffs of his sleeves. My head spins at the image.
“What? Why did —” I go to say.
He smiles at me and I lose all train of thought. What can I even think about this situation? Why is he so interested in me?
MALIK
I watch as she leaves my grandmother’s room, a flood of emotions filling me. I had worried that I would turn out like my father, forced into a political marriage and here was my answer. But is it an answer? She is not of a Royal line. There is no way that the family would approve of this situation. If we were blessed by the Goddess though, they wouldn’t have a choice.
My head begins to ache again and I look back at my grandmother. She didn’t do anything to her and I know it deep in my gut.
“I’m sorry for not being here. I am glad you are no longer in pain.” I place my hand gently on her shoulder before stepping out of the room and looking for Morgan. I find him quickly and pull him to the side, telling him I visited her and she had passed, conveniently leaving out the whole part about finding my mate. I still don’t even know her name.
Who would know her?
Jeffries. He knows everybody.
Morgan will start the preparations and notifications for Charlotte and I will find Jeffries. It is a shit plan, we have hundreds of servants, but if I can find her name maybe I can find more about her.
Morgan disappears and I walk the other way, seeking out Jeffries. I pass through the familiar halls, suddenly feeling no familiarity to them.
Is the Goddess punishing me? Is she trying to break up my family? Is she teaching me a lesson?
I have less responsibilities than my cousins do. Maybe I should see a mage myself to get some answers, one on the payroll, so they won’t squeal to anyone.
I walk down the hallways on auto pilot, my mind racing like a speeding train trying to decipher and process everything. She is my mate. It is the first time anyone is mated out of a Royal lineage, something that will inevitably be brought up multiple times. There are fewer Royal families nowadays anyway and we have been resorting to lesser status to marry off. The whole thing is a crapshoot and secretly I am relieved to be breaking away from it.
She is my mate. I have no other choice. If my family doesn’t agree, we will flee somewhere else. That’s it. My mind is made up, but can I make up her mind? I turn a final corner and see Jeffries busying himself with his notebook, quickly jotting things down.
“Jeffries, just the man I wanted to see.” I smile and stride toward him. He stands and gives a little bow.
“Your Highness. How may I help you?” Jefferies has been in the family forever. He is a tall, lanky fellow with graying hair but a quick attitude to him and a no bullshit philosophy. He is dressed similarly to Morgan, black suit with shiny black shoes.
“I need your help figuring out a servant.” I smile.
“Of course, Sir.” He pulls out his notebook, flipping through the pages. “Where do they work?”
“Not sure, to tell the truth. Would a description suffice?” I rub the back of my head, not entirely sure. He snaps his notebook closed and gives me a nod. “Brown hair, light brown. Blue eyes but pale. She is fuller. She was in a plain white dress with a brown apron.”
“Ah yes, either Lyra or Celeste it sounds like. Curly hair?” I shake my head no and he smiles. “Celeste then, Sir. She works in the lower levels, and has a myriad of odd jobs. She reports to Stella.”
“Thank you, I appreciate it. If you find her can you let her know I am looking for her? I have something to discuss with her. She has been visiting Charlotte and I want to speak with her about it.” Jeffries stiffens.
“Of course. Is there something wrong?” He always takes everything personal but I smile and shake my head no.
“No, not at all. Just want to commend her on spending such quality time with Charlotte.” I pat Jeffries on the shoulder and he nods again before heading back to his notebook.Celeste, my Princess.
I find my way back to my grandmother’s room which is now filled with people. Two doctors from the morgue are there, my parents, uncle and aunt, Morgan and a few of the head staff for the servants. It is busy and I step back, motioning for Morgan to come to me. He pushes through the crowd and we step onto the balcony, the cool air whipping around us as the breeze picks up.
“Passed naturally. No cause for concern. I told everyone you found her and they will be preparing to take her and get her ready for the funeral. It will be in two weeks unless Queen Isla decides differently.” I nod, this is good. It will keep everyone away from me for a while so I can find Celeste.
“And you?” I ask, looking at him.
My grandmother had hired him personally and they had a platonic friendship, but I can see the hurt in his eyes.
“It is sad. I will grieve in my own time. Go take a break and I will make sure to keep you updated with this.” He speaks quietly.
“Thank you, Morgan.” I’m not sure where to go but the day just got fucked, in more ways than one. Without knowing what to do I just head to the garden. It’s moments like this I wish my family was closer. I wish we could talk about things without stabbing each other in the back, but that isn’t my life.
