Chapter 17

#Chapter 17 Good day, Prince William Doris studied his features, there was definitely something familiar about him. He was dressed in a dark suit that looked similar to the ones guards wore, but he was quite young still. Something about the way he moved made her think he was a bit of a reckless boy, a little far off from the proper way men moved around the Palace. For some reason, it made her smile a little.

“Are you Prince William’s Beta? A new guard for the palace?” Doris asked.

He looked at her with his head tilted slightly, a big smile crawled up his lips. “Yes, that’s right. And who are you? I haven’t seen you around here.”

“I’m lady Melody’s maid.” Doris stood and brushed off her skirts before she turned to leave.

“Wait,” he said and lightly touched her arm. Doris turned to look up at him. “Let me have a look at your burn.” He gently took her wrist in his grasp and stepped closer.

Doris’s lips parted in shock. He was reckless indeed, despite his warm intentions what he was doing would land them both in trouble if anyone saw them. She’d never had a guard reach out and touch her like this before.

“I know you’re new here but you have to know that we must follow the rules in the palace!” Doris whispered and raised her hand for him to see. “You’re not allowed to touch the maids around the palace, so this can’t happen again. They might think you’re flirting with me or something and we’d both get in trouble!”

The young man smiled but didn’t let go of her hand. “Okay, I hear you.”

Doris went to pull her arm free but he kept his grip firm in the area that wouldn’t hurt her. He pulled out a small tube of ointment from his pocket and spread it gently across her burn with his middle finger.

“There you go, now it won’t leave a scar.” He grinned and let go of her hand before he lifted his own.

“See my hand? I was injured by a bomb last week but now it’s all good thanks to that stuff.”

Doris rested her hand on her chest in shock. A bomb? He must have gone through so much to be chosen as Prince William’s guard. Only the best of the best were ever recruited into the palace. Did they put this young man through some sort of dangerous test to see if he was good enough for the palace?

“Thank you so much,” Doris breathed with a small smile. Already the ointment was cooling the pain from her burn. She relaxed her shoulders at the feeling.

“It was no big deal.” He scratched the back of his head and gave her another charming grin. “May I have your name?”

“Doris.”

“Doris…” He said her name as if he were trying to burn it into his mind. “I love it.”

Doris couldn’t help but flush under his gaze. He had an easy smile that anyone would warm up to. His light eyes shined brighter than the stars in the dark sky above them. He was sure to be popular among the younger maids in the palace. She was just happy to see another friendly face around, there weren’t many of those at the Golden Palace. It was rare to find someone kind enough to offer their help if you weren’t royal.

“And yours?” Doris asked.

“Mine?”

“Yes, what’s your name?” Doris asked with a laugh.

“Oh, it’s Da—David.”

“Well, it’s lovely to meet you David.”

Days had passed almost peacefully since that night. Every time Prince William came to visit Melody, Doris always found an excuse to leave. Melody was too much in a good mood from all of his attention to even notice she was gone. That was all she was thankful for.

Doris finally found a small slot of time to visit her best friend again, so she made Beth’s favorite dessert.

Doris carefully wrapped the strawberry cake and made her way towards her old room with a heavy heart, she missed sharing a room with someone that cared about her.

Her steps were almost automatic down the halls. As she rounded a corner, someone jumped out at her.

“Doris! We meet again,” David reached out to steady her when she almost dropped the cake.

“Oh, David! How are you?” Doris breathed.

“Quite fine, thank you. How’s your hand?” He asked.

“All good now thanks to you.” Doris lifted her hand to show him, but his eyes were only on the cake box.

David licked his lips and Doris couldn’t help but smile. “Do you want some?”

He gave her a crooked smile and scratched the back of his head.

“Here, take it. I have more in the kitchen.”

David didn’t hesitate, he opened the box and took out a piece for himself. Doris watched as he took a large bite and grinned at her through all the icing. “I’m starving. I’ve been at camp all morning and haven’t had the chance to eat anything.”

Doris laughed a little as frosting coated his lips. He ate like a little boy. It would be so wonderful to have a little brother like him, she thought suddenly to herself with a small smile. She never had the privilege of having a younger sibling, but it was something she always longed for. Especially when she’d met people like David.

She took out a handkerchief from her apron and stepped forward to wipe the frosting from his mouth. “It’s all yours, take it easy!” She laughed.

David blushed under her touch. “It’s the best cake I think I’ve ever had.”

“Really?” Doris grinned.

“Really.”

“Well, next time you want dessert you’ll have to come find me. I have tons of recipes you might like.”

Doris smiled kindly.

“You look so beautiful when you smile.” He said suddenly. Doris lightly hit him with the handkerchief.

“Don’t make fun of me!”

“I’m not!” He said quickly. “Everyone in the kingdom said that Lady Grace was the most beautiful. And of course Lady Melody is gorgeous as well—but I think you are prettier than both of them when you smile.”

Doris shook her head at the reckless boy. It was a wonder how he could ever think to compare a maid like Doris to Lady Grace and Lady Melody. She rolled her eyes at him.

“You’re quite the sweet talker, aren’t you? I’ll make another cake for you tomorrow, is that what you want? Now shush and eat.”

David furrowed his brows at her and shook his head. He opened his mouth to explain himself, but was cut off by loud voices down the hall. “Prince Daniel!” They shouted.

“Have you found the prince yet?”

“No—“

“Go on then! The Alpha King asked to see him.”

Doris glanced towards the voices, confused. “Prince Daniel? Why would they search for him here?”

“Maybe he came to visit Prince William, I should go help them look.” David said quickly.

Doris grabbed his arm before he turned. “Wait! Don’t go with this mess,” She teased as she wiped the rest of the cake off his face.

He grinned down at her and turned to leave, throwing a quick wave over his shoulder before he was out of sight.

He was such a cutie, Doris couldn’t help but smile as she watched him leave. She slowly wiped the frosting from her own fingers and turned to head back towards the kitchen. At least she made more cake, surely Beth wouldn’t mind if she shared it with someone as kind as David—

Her smile froze when she saw someone across the hall watching her. The last person she ever wanted to see. Doris lowered her gaze and curtsied. “Good day, Prince William.”