Chapter 5
Chloe started coming and going from the Prince Mansion all the time.
Every time she showed up, she'd swing by my place first, grab my hand, and chat with me like we were real sisters. Then she'd go visit William.
Sometimes she'd stay for a meal. Other times, she'd exchange a few words before heading out.
People in the Prince Mansion started gossiping.
"Miss Moore's been coming around a lot lately."
"Yeah, I heard Prince William's always all smiles after she visits."
"Oh, you guys, have you noticed..."
"Do you have a death wish?"
Every day, these whispers made their way to me.
Hannah was fuming, itching to throw out every gossiping maid in the mansion. I held her back, telling her to leave them be.
"Lady Yvette!" Hannah stamped her foot, frustrated. "Aren't you worried at all? Miss Moore is obviously—"
"Obviously what?" I asked.
"She's—" Hannah couldn't bring herself to finish the sentence.
I cut in for her. "Is she here to snatch William away?"
Hannah's face flushed, and she lowered her head.
I smiled and said, "If William belongs to her, nobody can take him away. If he doesn't, she won't be able to win him over no matter what."
Hannah looked at me, not quite getting it.
I closed my eyes and said nothing more.
*****
Every time Chloe visited, I made sure to watch her carefully.
Her tone, the way she looked at William, her every move, there was something about her I couldn't quite put my finger on.
It was like she was showing off or staking her claim, or maybe she was testing me.
"Yvonne, your room feels kind of gloomy. Want me to get someone to open up a few more windows?" Chloe glanced around, speaking softly. "Sunlight's good for recovery, you know."
"No need," I replied.
"Yvonne, your clothes look a little old. Would you like me to arrange for some new dresses? I know a seamstress who's really talented," Chloe offered.
"No need," I answered.
"Yvonne, aren't you bored staying cooped up in here all day? Want me to go for a walk with you?" Chloe asked.
"No, that's alright," I replied.
Chloe looked at me, and for a moment, there was a flicker of annoyance in her eyes.
It was gone in an instant.
Then she switched right back to her gentle, caring self and sighed. "Yvonne, are you still upset with me? Are you blaming me for not coming back to see you sooner?"
"No," I replied.
"Then why are you acting so distant?" Chloe's eyes welled up with tears. "I know you've been through so much, and it hurts me as much. If I could, I'd take all your pain on myself—"
"Chloe," I cut her off, my voice steady. "Would you really suffer this for me?"
Chloe froze.
I stared at her, speaking each word clearly. "My face was ruined when William forced it into the burning coals. Would you really endure that for me, Chloe?"
Her expression shifted instantly.
All that gentle, caring sympathy vanished in a heartbeat.
Instead, something I couldn't even put into words took over, shock, fear, and a hint of satisfaction.
"What are you saying?" Chloe's voice shook. "Yvonne, are you confused? Prince William would never do something like that."
"He didn't," I replied. "I was talking nonsense."
Chloe looked at me, her gaze flickering.
After a moment, she managed a strained smile. "Yvonne, you nearly gave me a heart attack. You can't say things like that. If people hear, it wouldn't look good for Prince William."
"I know," I said. "That's why I said I was talking nonsense."
Chloe stood up, smoothed out her dress, and slipped right back into her gentle, caring facade.
Chloe said, "Get some rest, okay? I'll come see you again soon." Then she left.
As I watched her leave, a sudden realization washed over me. She knew everything William did. It was their plan all along.
"Chloe needed a shadow, someone who'd never be compared to her again." That was what William said.
But who came up with that need in the first place?
Who made him believe I was a threat to Chloe by being here?
Who made him think my face had to be ruined?
It was Chloe.