The Princess and the Thief by Layla Reed

The Princess and the Thief by Layla Reed

Author:Layla Reed [Reed, Layla]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-01-18T00:00:00+00:00


Chapter 16

Athena’s throat closed as she looked at Maude with eyes full of guilt, fear, and regret. “My father was here? What did he want?”

Maude’s unnerving stare made Athena squirm. Her judgement was written all over her face. Finally, she shook her head and brought her hands to her cheeks. “What has gotten into you? You went to see that boy, didn’t you?”

Athena’s silence spoke volumes.

“This is worse than I thought.” She stepped closer and put her hands on Athena’s shoulders and shook her. “You cannot see him anymore. What if someone saw you?”

Athena broke free from her grip and walked past her. She took off her coat and slipped off her shoes. Standing in her nightgown, she turned back and looked at Maude helplessly. “I couldn’t help it. I had to see him. Does my father know?”

Maude looked uncertain. “I’m not sure. I overheard him telling William that he was going to speak with you to make sure you understood the arrangement. So, I quickly came to warn you.” She paced around the bed, her hand pressed to her forehead. “Imagine my surprise when I got here, and you were nowhere to be found. I quickly jumped in your bed and covered my face with the covers.”

Athena sucked in her breath. “What did he do?”

“He came in and sat at the end of the bed. Finally, when I didn’t move, he said that this is what was best for everyone, and after next week, all the commotion will die down, and life will go back to normal.”

Normal. Heat crept up Athena’s cheeks. Her hands balled into fists. Nothing about this was ‘normal.’ She headed toward the door.

“Oh, no you don’t, Your Highness,” Maude said, jumping in front of the door. “You turn right back around this minute and listen to what I have to say.”

“What did he say about Cain?”

Maude’s face turned to pity as she guided her to bed. She waited until Athena sat at the edge before she spoke. “He said that this was the best outcome for everyone, and that one day, you’d thank him for it. Your father acknowledged that even though this seems hard now, in time, you’ll see what a huge sacrifice he made for you. He was able to convince the King and Queen of Rockford that you were unwillingly attacked and would never have had an encounter with a thief.”

“Did you say anything to him?” Of course, she wouldn’t. Maude didn’t realize how far their relationship went. She didn’t know how much they loved each other. Which also meant she didn’t care that Cain was going to die.

“I didn’t dare say a word, Your Highness. I didn’t want to reveal myself. When I didn’t say anything at all, he patted my foot and eventually left. Unless he saw you come in, I don’t think he realized it was me.”

Athena didn’t know whether to be angry or relieved. She should have waited to find Cain. Had she done so, she could have given her father a piece of her mind.



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