Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 42883 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 214(@200wpm)___ 172(@250wpm)___ 143(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 42883 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 214(@200wpm)___ 172(@250wpm)___ 143(@300wpm)
My fingers scribble as my brow furrows in concentration. I don’t know how long I’ll be gone, but I’m hoping Kitty will be waiting for me when I get back. I believe the bond we share is strong enough to hold us together, even if we’re miles away from each other. I’ll miss her every second that we’re apart, and I’ll count the days until we can be together again. There, it’s done. I’m sure the missive is a mess of run-on sentences and grammar errors, but it’s from the heart. Then, I fold the letter and place it into an envelope before sealing it and writing her name on the front. I hope that after Kitty reads it, she’ll decide I’m worth the wait.
CHAPTER 12
Kitty
A tear rolls down my cheek as I peruse the missive in my hands. I’ve already read it three times, hoping the words will change, but it still says the same thing. Eric’s leaving. How can this be? Our romance is still so fresh, so new. This isn’t fair. I can’t go months without seeing him; I won’t be able to take it.
I wipe my tears away as I let out a muffled sob. Then I fold the letter and stuff it into my pocket. I quickly get on my feet and march down the palace hall. I need to see him right now; it can’t wait another second. It’s still early in the morning, so he’s probably in his bed sleeping. I’m not scheduled to clean the private quarters for another hour, but I have to speak to him face to face.
I walk over to the elevator and press the button insistently. I tap my foot anxiously as I wait for it to get to the first floor, and finally, it dings and the doors open. Then, I run onto the elevator and press the button for the top floor. The doors close as a tear streams down my face. I wipe it away, trying not to fall apart because this is not the time.
When the elevator opens, I walk right to his suite and knock on the door. I listen closely, but there’s no answer, so I use my housekeeping key to let myself in. The door slams shut behind me as I look around the living area.
“Eric,” I call out as I roam his private chambers searching for him. “Where are you?” There’s no answer.
I run to the bedroom, expecting to find him sleeping, but his bed is empty. I check around his room, flinging open closets and opening dresser drawers. Most of his things are gone. No! He can’t be gone already! So soon? Yet I didn’t even get to say goodbye. I run out of his bedroom, and through the living area back into the hallway. Then, I race to the elevator and press the button over and over again. The doors open, and I fly into the small space like a bat out of hell. I take it all the way down to the first floor, hoping he’s in the dining room eating breakfast. I burst through the double doors, but he isn’t here either. I feel so helpless; I don’t know what to do.
A nervous pageboy walks past the dining room carrying a stack of mail. “Wait, please!” I call out, waving my arms to get his attention. It’s the same one as before, and he halts, stopping in his tracks.
“Yes?” he asks. I look around to make sure no one is within earshot of our conversation.
“Please tell me you know where the Prince is,” I say. He swallows hard.
“Prince Eric is on a flight to France. He’ll be gone for the next three months,” the boy says. It feels like my heart just shattered into a million pieces. I quickly turn away as a tear trickles down my cheek.
“I’m sorry,” the boy says in a sympathetic tone before reaching into his pocket for a handkerchief. “Here you go, ma’am.” I wipe away my tears and force myself to stop crying. I can’t fall apart like this at work; I’ve got to pull it together.
“Thank you,” I reply as I hand the handkerchief back.
“You’re welcome. He’ll be back in no time,” the young boy assures me diffidently.
“You’re right,” I say, forcing a smile. “And now, I’ve got to get back to work. Thank you again.” With that, I lift my head up high as I walk back down the hall to the throne room.
Still, the shock makes me numb. I wish we could’ve had some time together before Eric left, but everything just happened so fast. I try my best to keep it together as I make my way down the hallway. I wish I could just curl into a ball and cry my eyes out, but there’s work to be done, and I can’t sit around like a heartsick fool.