Page 7 of Lost Starlight
“See you tomorrow,” he said with a rather overly gleeful smile.
I turned, and, with a bit of righteous anger, left the room with a few stomps. He was making it rather difficult for me. I cleared my throat and walked gracefully from the library, down the hallways, and out of the castle door. I entered the royal carriage. There, I relaxed for only a moment before seeing the prince waving from the courtyard, his chest risingand falling.
Did he run out, just to wave goodbye to me? What is he about?
“See you tomorrow, Gwen!” he called. “I mean, Lady Darling!”
I closed the curtain, and my cheeks heated.
What is he doing? How embarrassing!
Chapter Three
Peter
Two Years and Eleven Months Before Present Day
“Who, in all the kingdoms, was that?” William asked, standing beside me as I continued to wave at the carriage, which was taking Lady Darling home.
My chest rose and fell with my heavy breathing from chasing after her. I was a bit irritated that she had refused to call me “Peter,” but I was certain I could eventually wear her down. I liked my storyteller very much.
“Also, your mother is asking for you to meet her for lunch,” William added.
I turned to see my best friend’s light brown hair falling into his brown eyes, steadily questioning me. He should have no need to ask such a thing. Ialways had a storyteller reading to me. My last one was not as pretty—an old woman, actually–who I believed for years to be the best storyteller. Shewasrather good, and I was saddened to learn that she had become ill and could no longer read to me. But Gwendolyn Darling was, indeed, even more talented. That was all it was that made me incredibly excited every single morning to go into the study and wait for her arrival. No matter what anyone said, I simply enjoyed the way she told the stories, nothing more.
“Okay, I will send word that we shall meet for dinner. Andthatis my storyteller. Why do you ask?” I questioned, looking from Gwen’s carriage over to William. It had been a month, and had he and I really never conversed about her? He had been busy with his father, training to be the next in line for his family’s duchy.
“When you mentioned your new storyteller, you didn’t give a name or speak of her being so young and pretty,” he said in a reverent whisper.
I looked back at the carriage.
“She is pretty, especially when I make her a little embarrassed,” I said, chuckling.
“You should be kind to her.” William paused, looking from the carriage to me. “But—wait,” He paused, his hand under his chin and his eyes going wide. “Is she aDarling? Lord Darling never seems to leave his manor. I have not seen or heard much about their daughter, but she looks like her mother. Her mother is still considered a greatbeauty,” William said as I turned and started walking back to the castle. William followed after me.
I did not care as much about titles and prestige as some did. William, to his credit, usually did not care much, either, and he was the son of a Duke. He battled his own issues with his father and was very understanding of people who wished to be more than what their station required.
“Yes, she’s their only daughter. Gwendolyn is her given name, although I am not allowed to use it,” I muttered. “But I have no desire for–”
“Yes, a very good family. She could be a good match for you.”
“No, stop it,” I cut him off. “You sound like a courtier. You know I have no intention of marrying anytime soon. I only have hope for a relationship, someday, once my curse is broken. I would never let any woman suffer through this burning desire I have to constantly leave. I cannot and will not have feelings for her other than friendship.”
“Yes, yes, but the kingdom needs to know they have a future.”
“My brother is the crown prince—”
“Yes, and he is not here, meaningyoustand for our kingdom.”
“You know, William, you really have a way of making a good day rather awful,” I said, shoving him in the shoulder. I didn’t want to be reminded of how my brother had abandoned his duty, leaving me as the heir.
He shoved me back with a gleeful smile.
“Some people enjoy discussing their futures,” William said with a smile.
“Not me. Now, if you don’t mind, I think I will sail for a bit.”
“Sure, but you said you’d look at my new fruit recipe.”
