Remember When

Chapter 6

I'm not sure what I was thinking. 

After speaking with the guard stationed outside of his door, and knocking several times, there came no answer.

I was just about to give up and go back to bed when the door creaked open, a disheveled Prince William standing in its wake.

His curly hair was falling into his eyes, and he squinted at me as if his vision was still adjusting to the darkness that clouded us.

"I'm very sorry to have woken you, your highness," I curtseyed, "but I needed a chance to speak with you alone."

The Prince smirked, his eyes dropping to my white night gown. Suddenly, I felt very exposed as I wrapped my arms around myself. 

I had broken decorum. It was absolutely forbidden to seek out a man in the middle of the night, let alone royalty, let alone a Prince. 

But decorum be damned. I could not go to High Garden this morning and risk my mother getting into harm's way at the expense of Sir Mason. 

After the Prince had gone to bed yesterday evening, Sir Mason had gotten into a fit of rage. He immediately grabbed my arm, yanking me into the nearest room, interrogating me and asking me why the Prince had chosen me as a chaperone. I told him I did not have the slightest idea. He continued to curse at himself for allowing me and Nicholas to serve as chaperones to the lake, while Mrs. Mason stood in the corner of the room, unfazed. 

Then, he suddenly became still, an idea formulating in his mind. I could sense the wickedness behind his eyes as he looked at me, laughing manically. 

"Where's your mother?" He asked sadistically, not giving me room to answer as he suddenly left through the doorway.

I began to follow him, not liking where this was going one bit.

"It would serve you well to stay put," Mrs. Mason chimed in, picking at the lace on her white glove.

In that moment, I could feel the sweat beading down my neck, my heart beating rapidly in my chest. I knew Sir Mason was angry, but I had absolutely no idea what he planned to do about it. 

As if granting me the answer, he stalked back into the room, my mother in tow. 

I knew the look of terror in her eyes would continue to haunt me for the rest of my life if I didn't do something about it. If I didn't save her.

Sir Mason turned toward my mother.

"Your offspring was just invited to High Garden by the youngest Prince," he spat. My mother's eyes widened as she glanced at me.

"As I'm sure you know, I have no choice but to oblige royalty," he looked between me and my mother now.

"But," he emphasized the 't', "I will have no choice but to bestow upon you twice the amount of chores now that she will be away."

I gasped in horror.

"She can't! She already has enough-"

"And if I hear from Constance that you so much as look in the Prince's direction, or anyone of noble rank, for that matter, I will be forced to inflict punishment on your mother. Seeing as it may that you won't be here, of course," he grinned lecherously.

I grabbed my mother's hand, running from the room and back to our chamber. 

As soon as I slammed the door shut, tears flew seamlessly from my eyes. 

"I can't go, Mama. What should I do? I never intended for this to happen. He just chose me" I begged for her advice, for her forgiveness, as she held me on the bed.