Chapter 3

That night, I lay face down on my bed while Freya, my maid, carefully applied ointment to my back.

Freya said, "My Lady, you should've let Jane's whip land on Giana. Fletcher dotes on his wife. If Giana got hurt, he won't let it slide.

"She embarrassed you on your wedding day. Why did you still cover for her?"

Glancing at Edward's silhouette on the windowsill, I gave a wry smile. "Silly girl. I didn't take that whip for Jane. I did it for Edward.

"He's the crown prince, but the court is full of calculating people. He must be struggling. I can't share his burdens, but I can at least help him avoid trouble when I can.

"Fletcher commands forty thousand troops. If Jane's reckless behavior makes him switch sides to Henry's camp, Edward will have one more headache to deal with.

"Didn't you see the shadows under his eyes have gotten darker since he returned to the capital? Taking a whipping is nothing compared to what he's going through."

The curtain swayed, and I felt the hand press harder as it applied the ointment to my back. I pretended not to know who it was. "Freya, be gentle. It still hurts a bit."

Edward sighed, "You were acting like nothing happened at the flower party. I thought you weren't in pain."

I acted like I just saw him, tried to get up and greet him, but accidentally exposed more skin in my fluster.

My skin had been nourished with milk baths since I was little. It was smooth, and it looked like a single touch would bruise it.

Feeling Edward's heavy breathing, I made a curtsey, acting like I was still weak. "Sorry. I didn't realize you were here, Your Highness."

Edward gently helped me up, wearing a mischievous grin. "I still like it better when you call me hubby."

A blush spread across my neck and cheeks, and I shyly avoided Edward's gaze. "You're always teasing me."

The scent of sandalwood filled the air as Edward's deep voice murmured in my ear, "I can be even more wicked."

His warm breath tickled my ear, sending shivers through me.

When I woke up the next morning, Freya was grinning. "When Jane found out His Highness spent the night here, she smashed a vase over his head. His Highness didn't make it to court today."

I widened my eyes, suddenly realizing just how reckless Jane could be.

For the next several days, Jane kept me in her room day and night, all in the name of "setting rules."

I had to serve her meals and help her wash up. When Edward came to her room to rest, she complained the candles weren't bright enough, so she made me stand near their bed, holding candles.

Edward wanted to say something, but when he met Jane's eyes brimming with tears, he silently drew the curtains close.

The sounds of their intimacy drifted through the curtains.

Hot wax dripped onto my delicate skin, and my hands were covered in blisters.

Early the next morning, Edward carefully slipped out from behind the curtains and whispered, "Keep your voice down. Jane is tired. Don't wake her."

When he saw how worn out I looked, it hit him that I'd spent the whole night standing next to their bed.

"Bring me some coffee," he said.

I kept my eyes lowered as I served him, and as I handed him the cup, he caught sight of the blisters covering my hands.

A flicker of sympathy flashed in his eyes, and he sighed, "Jane's got a fiery temper. You're sensible. Try to bear with her a little more."

I managed a bittersweet, compromising smile. "I won't put you in a tough spot, Your Highness."