Page 18 of Lost Starlight
“Don’t forget that it’sourwedding, not hers.” Gwen had confided in me in the past, and I had seen firsthand how cruel her mother could be. I spoke with my own mother about the situation, but there was nothing we could do, except remove Gwen from her company forever. After our wedding, I was ready to ban that woman from the castle. I begged Gwen to live at the castle even before the wedding, but she refused, saying it would cause rumors about the two of us.
If we were seen in our current position, which would happen far more often if she lived within my castle walls–I paused my thoughts. It was for the best, but I wanted to protect her from her mother. I would have shamed her mother at court when she behaved poorly, but I did not want to tarnish Gwen’s name—or embarrass her. I was also rarely at court because it was rather boring. Gwen decided it was best to just keep her distance as best she could, and then to avoid her, if possible, after the wedding.She did not need her mother’s verbal abuse in her life—no one needed that.
“Do not let her control it all.”
“I know. I am okay, though. Truly, I do make suggestions here and there, but I just want to be yours, Peter. I am tired of being apart from you. Thanks for coming, even late.”
“Me, too. Soon, Gwen, we shall.”
“Shall I read a bit?” she asked with a cute smile, her bow adorably askew.
“Kissing is a wonderful pastime—” I began, leaning in closer
“I will read a little. You’ll like it,” she said, kissing the tip of my nose.
I would always love whatever story she wanted to share with me. I’d learned long before then, while I enjoyed a good story, it was useless unless there was someone to share it with.
Gwen read as I snuck kisses until the moon rose and the carriage was ready, sadly, to take her away from me.
Chapter Six
Gwendolyn
Ten Months Before Present Day
“You have spent years with that prince, and you would think you would have secured his interest by now!” Mother shouted at me over breakfast.
I flinched and ducked my head.
“Must you get so upset at breakfast? I have barely had my tea,” Father groaned, wiping at his face. Michael, my older brother by four years and John, my younger brother of two years sat on the other side of me, ignoring Mother as they usually did. I would have, too, if all her shouts and disappointments were not directed at me.
“She must secure him!” Mother shouted again, that time setting her teacup down with such grace that one would never have believed her shouts were connected tothose hands. She was so measured with her movements. I wished she were better at measuring her voice.
“Mother, Wendy is too timid,” Michael finally said. I was grateful for him at times like those when his comments helped me.
“Yes, Wendy needs an arranged marriage. I hear that is how things are done in the East,” John added.
“I-I do not think I could–ever–” The idea of an arranged marriage! John was up to his ridiculousness. I glared at him, and he smiled. I saw Michael smack him in the head.
“An arranged marriage?” Father said, and I turned to see him looking at me as he stroked his beard. “I do not like that idea.”
“Maybe it is all the hope we have. Despite my laborious efforts, Gwendolyn remains unweddable!” Mother shouted.
“Again, my dearest wife, please, it is too early in the morning for your shouting,” Father grumbled, massaging his temple.
“I must be off,” I said, standing quickly and curtsying, but then, Michael spoke again, and I paused.
“Have you heard about the missing children from the orphanage? It is such a shame.”
“What? More?” I asked, turning to face him. Prince Peter had told me years earlier when the first few children had been taken. It was not a one-time thing; many children had been taken over the past years. I had not been going tothe orphanage because of my job with the prince, so I had set up another reader for those children. Still, I felt a pain in my chest at the thought of anything happening to them.
“Yeah, about thirty children in total from a few orphanages have gone missing now.”
My heart ached.
What is happening?
“The royal guards best find them. We don’t want them on the street as beggars. Can you imagine?” Mother said, and I ground my teeth at her comment.
