The Mad Princess and the Dying Prince novel Chapter 63

Prince Jareth glanced at the two maids.

For some reason, in just two days, their attitude toward him had shifted drastically.

When he first returned to the estate, they had looked at him with nervous anticipation. Matron Cecily had told him of her original plans to place them in his service, so they had likely wanted to leave a good impression.

But now, he felt an inexplicable distance from them. They were calm, composed, and entirely stripped of that former nervousness.

They treated him strictly as an outsider, making it clear their loyalties lay entirely with Lucia.

Azure stepped forward, offering an arm to help him into the carriage.

Watching his master step inside, Azure withdrew his worried gaze.

The Prince had been holding vigil for the old king, but his legs simply couldn't withstand the agonizing hours of standing and kneeling.

"Is there an emergency..." Jareth began, before cutting himself off. "What are you doing!"

He had barely spoken when Lucia reached out, seized him by the collar, and with surprising strength for her slender frame, yanked him forward.

They were mere inches apart, their breaths mingling.

Outside, Azure heard his master's sharply indrawn breath and panicked. "Your Highness, is everything alright?"

Did being manhandled by a woman acting like a rogue count as alright?

Jareth steadied his breathing and answered in a low voice, "I am fine."

"Right." If he was fine, why had he yelled out in shock?

Though thoroughly confused, Azure pulled his hand away from the carriage curtain.

He then caught Bonnie glaring at him with distinct displeasure.

"Celeste, why are you looking at me like that?"

"My name is Bonnie now. My lady renamed me," she declared, puffing out her chest with pride. "And with my lady inside, no harm could possibly come to His Highness."

Inside the carriage, Jareth heard the maid's bold claim.

His gaze darkened as he stared at the woman practically pressed against him.

No harm would come to him?

Were they truly intimate enough for such accusations?

Before the words fully left his mouth, Lucia grabbed his left hand, lifting it between them.

"You touched her with this hand."

"What nonsense are you... hmm?"

Jareth had thought she was being ridiculous, but a sudden memory struck him. He went still, staring down at his left hand.

He had indeed touched a woman with this hand today.

"Consort Dowager Amira was overcome with grief. When she tried to stand after bidding my father farewell, she nearly collapsed. I caught her."

It had been nothing more than a brief grip on her elbow, released in the blink of an eye.

"Consort Dowager Amira?" Lucia pondered for a moment before giving up. "Never heard of her."

Jareth fell silent.

It made sense. A girl raised like cattle in some rural backwater wouldn't know the politics of the royal court.