Chapter 161

Chapter 161 Freedom, at what cost “I didn’t expect to see you in that form.” Beth said gently as she pulled Doris’s hair away from her face.

Doris studied her friend in the mirror and wondered if it was fear she felt.

“I’m sorry to have startled you, I would have shifted back before I reached here but I didn’t have any clothes.” Doris admitted with a light blush. It was her least favorite thing about being a wolf-having to rip every outfit she wore. It wasn’t like the books where the clothes shifted back with her body without a tear.

Beth waved away her words. “I’d much rather you come back here rather than run through the palace naked and bruised. Don’t apologize to me for something you can’t control.”

Doris offered a small smile as her friend braided her long hair.(This novel will be daily updtaed at www.noveljar.com) It was the first time in a few days that she didn’t feel as if she was about to throw up all over the place. She felt. fine. A little heavy headed, but fine for the time being.

“So, if I may ask, where are you all off to today?” Beth asked lightly. She glanced behind her shoulder as if she worried someone would be behind them listening.

“William wanted me to join him as he speaks to his brother about kingdom matters.” Doris hesitated. “It shouldn’t take long. Perhaps we can have dinner tonight.”

“I thought you hated politics!” Beth gasped. Doris rolled her eyes.

“I do, I just. He asked me to be there so I’m going.” Doris lifted her chin slightly. Beth raised her brows.

“You certainly have changed quite a bit since you left for the north.” Beth said as she went to grab Doris’s dress. It was a lovely sea foam day dress that reached her ankles.

“I think anyone that went through what I did would change at least a little.” Doris stood and went to change before Beth could respond. She didn’t want to hear if her friend thought the change was good or bad.

When she came out, Beth smiled widely. “You were meant to be a princess! I always told you SO!”

“Beth, you are more of a princess than I will ever be.” Doris laughed. Beth scrunched up her nose as if she was offended. “Me? Absolutely not! At least not at this palace.”

A knock interrupted their laughter. Beth hurried and answered the door before another round of aggressive knocking started.

“Oh, Prince William! Come in,” Beth bowed. Doris dismissed her with a smile and wave before William closed the door. His eyes swept over her frame quickly before his eyes locked on hers. “I think you should go in first to talk to him.”

Doris stilled. Clearly she had misheard him. “I’m sorry? Why would I go in first?”

“He’s in love with you. If you go in to soften his mood, he might be more willing to give up the crown.”

“So you want me to flirt with him? Or what?”

William’s eyes darkened. “Of course not. I just want you to warm him up for what’s to come.”

“I don’t know if this is a good idea. I’ve rejected him already twice now-he might not be so willing if I do it again.” Doris picked at her nails nervously. Enzo entered the room without a knock and startled her.

“Nonsense, your beauty will make anyone in a good mood.”(This novel will be daily updtaed at www.noveljar.com) Enzo grinned at Doris and ignored the glare William had set on him. He was dashing in an emerald green suit that fit close to his form, she wondered if the palace had made it for him. Doris rolled her eyes. “I’ll go in first to talk with him, but what am I supposed to even say?”

“Anything to make him calm and ready for the conversation.” William said. “We haven’t really talked much in years. He won’t take my presence well if I went in first.” “Alright. I will try to-calm him.” Doris sighed.

Enzo clapped his hands. “Perfect, let’s go.”

Doris led the way to the library with the two men trailing a bit behind her as if they weren’t even together.

Sweat formed on her brow, it was hard for her to even concentrate on what she was about to do. She knew Martin didn’t want to see her, he barely looked at her when they went to the play. Part of her didn’t even think he would be inside the library anymore after what she said to him.

Sooner than she would have liked, they arrived at the library. She glanced back at them once before she pushed open the doors and left them slightly open for them to listen through-but not be seen.

Martin had his head bent over a thick book in his favorite chair where he always was. He glanced up at her when he heard her small steps approaching him almost hesitantly.

“Doris. I didn’t expect to see you here.” Martin stood.

“I still love the library, it’s one of my favorite places.” Doris smiled up at him. It seemed to defrost his harsh side just a bit. “What are you reading today?”

“Oh,” He lifted the red book. “Just another collection of poems I found. I quite like this one. Did you ever read the one I had gifted you?”

Doris felt her cheeks redden. She was fifty percent sure that William had discarded the book pretty early on in their journey-but she could never tell him that. “Oh! Yes, yes. I loved it. Thank you again for gifting me such a lovely book.”

“A lovely book for a lovely lady.” Martin said quietly. Doris picked at her nails when she didn’t know what else to do.

“I’m glad to see that you still love to read poems.” Doris said quickly. She smiled widely and glanced around at the shelves.

“Are you alright?” He asked. Doris quickly tamed her fake smile into something more normal.

“Oh, yes! I just wanted to come by to make sure you were alright after what happened yesterday.”

Martin set down his book. “I should be asking you that(This novel will be daily updtaed at www.noveljar.com). I’m sorry you had to be there when that happened.” Martin glanced at the door and took a small step towards her. “That isn’t the life I wanted for you.”

Doris furrowed her brows. “I don’t think it’s the sort of life anyone sees for themselves.”

“I know that, I just mean—” Martin cleared his throat. “A life here is dangerous. I always wanted you safe from the moment I met you.”

“Oh, well “I realized yesterday that here would never be safe for you-and I don’t think it would be for me either.”

“What are you saying?” Doris whispered.

“I’m saying-I know how much you want to be free Doris. I know that this isn’t the life you want and you must know that too if you sought me out again.” “I just came here to be friendly”

“I think I figured it all out.” Martin gripped her hands in his own. She was too flustered to respond. “If we left the palace together, we could both be free-“ 1 “I’m glad to hear you want to be free from the palace, brother.” William said as he pushed the doors open widely. His voice boomed around them and made Martin take a step back from her. 2 “Are you always standing outside of the hallways waiting to make your grand entrance?” Martin spat.

“Just the ones where my lady goes.” William stepped forward almost as if he tried to stand between them. Doris quietly moved back.

Martin’s face had no trace of any vulnerability that it did when he was talking with Doris. (This novel will be daily updtaed at www.noveljar.com)It was as if a wall had slammed up and locked out any sense of emotion that she had brought out in him. She knew this wouldn’t have worked.

“A shame that you don’t let your lady have private moments.”

“I do when she’s with people that don’t offer to run away with her.” William lifted his chin slightly as if he was challenging his brother. Doris wanted to stomp on his foot-he was unraveling everything right in front of them. Instead of preparing Martin for the news, he was now antagonizing him.

“Ah, that’s not true. I’ve asked her to run away with me at least a dozen times.” Enzo said with a grin as he strolled in the room. He held out his hand to Martin as if they were old friends. “How’re you doing, mate?” 2 Martin looked down at his hand as if it was infected before he decided to play nice and shake it. “Enzo, is it?”

“That’s right!” Enzo smiled and leaned back against one of the desks.

Martin looked between the three of them. “What is this?”

“I’m glad you finally asked.” William said. “I came to help you be free of this palace.”