Her Unwanted Mate On The Throne

#Chapter 2 Anyone meet Prince William?

“Doris!”

Doris slipped a little when she went to step out of the bathtub. The bathroom door slammed opened

and she barely had the chance to cover herself before the shouting continued.

“Where on earth have you been all night? Do you even realize how many miles I walked searching for

you—“ Beth held her tongue when she took in the sight of Doris shivering. A small sense of relief

bloomed inside Doris to see her best friend stand before her, the look of anger melted off her

roommates features and formed into concern. “What—why are you bathing now? The water must be

freezing!”

Beth stepped closer, Doris shakily stepped out of the tub entirely and tried to ignore the water that

dripped from her skin as she tied her towel around her. It formed a puddle at her feet, one she would

have to clean later. What a ridiculous thing to worry about after what happened to her last night.

Absently, she touched her long brown hair and made sure it still covered the mark on her neck from

Beth’s view.

“I felt…” Doris hesitated, her voice sounded hollow to her own ears. Numb. “Tainted.”

“Tainted?” Beth’s brows furrowed. “Doris…what happened?”

“I…” Her voice cracked, Doris almost flinched from the sound. She couldn’t possibly tell anyone what

happened yet. The words burned on her tongue as if they were poison, she closed her eyes and tried

to banish the images of the night before from her mind.

“Are you feeling alright? Your voice is all hoarse and scratchy.” Beth grabbed another towel to soak up

the puddle at her feet. “I told you never to take a cold bath, Doris!”

Doris watched her friend clean the water that dripped from her skin. Her throat hurt, she could barely

speak, she knew it was because she’d been up crying all night. She couldn’t have just returned to her

room after what Prince William did, Doris hid herself away and let her emotions take over every ounce

of her. She cried until she choked, until she couldn’t breathe. It didn’t make anything better, it only left

her empty and disconnected from everything around her.

“Why didn’t you come back last night?” Beth continued, seemingly distracted with her own thoughts. “I

was up all night worried about you.”

Doris bit the inside of her cheek to keep from crying again at the thought of Prince William. Her skin still

burned from his hands, she could still feel his lips on her neck and she felt… ruined. On the inside and

outside. Never before had she been touched in such a way, she still felt the shame like a fire inside her

that refused to be put out. “I just had a lot to clean after the party, it was quite the mess.” Doris offered

weakly.

“Well, whatever the reason, I’m here to let you know Mr. Carson came by the servants’ quarters and

requested that everyone to be present.”

“Mr. Carson?” Doris almost squeaked. “Why would he be here?”

“No clue. Most likely to give us more orders. Anyway, dress yourself and don’t be late.” Beth picked up

the wet towels and carried them from the bathroom, leaving Doris alone with her horrible thoughts.

Her mind raced the moment the door closed. Why would Mr. Carson want to see all of them? Was it

because of last night? Had he seen her and pretended he didn’t? Doris picked at her nails

nervously,“What should I do?” She whispered and wrapped her arms around herself.

Freedom was something Doris had been looking forward to since she was 16 years old. The day she

might finally be allowed to leave the Palace was still a faraway dream, but one she held on to. Five long

years were spent quiet yet dedicated to serving the Royal House Arnold as best she could. Five long

years inside the castle—of being told what to do and who to serve. She always made sure to keep her

head down and out of trouble. The more invisible she was, the better. A maid like Doris wasn’t even

allowed outside of the Golden Palace without the Alpha King’s amnesty. She was quite literally a slave

to all those higher up than her.

But after what happened the night before, Doris couldn’t help but feel as if her chance at freedom had

just been shattered to a million pieces. All the nights she dreamed of a land far from the Golden Palace

slipped from her mind as if the dream were already taken from her. How could she ever be foolish

enough to think she could one day be free? Why did she ever allow herself to dream of another life

when being a maid was all she’d ever known? It felt as if she were marching to her own funeral when

she finally left her room to meet Beth. A small part of her wished that she came clean to her friend

about what Prince William did to her. Then, perhaps, she might have one person on her side. Even if

she was punished in front of everyone else.

When Doris arrived to where the servants’ gathered, she could already hear the sounds of a chattering

crowd. Whispers of gossip and quiet wonders of why they were gathered, Doris only hoped she

remained unseen during this meeting as she slipped in through the back door.

In the front of the crowd, Mr. Carson stood with Melody Harford by his side. Doris did her best not to

frown at the sight of her. She was only two years older than Doris, yet charmed her way into the

position as the head of maids. Many of the others liked to claim it was because of her beauty, while

Melody’s friends said it was because she was smart and sociable. Doris begged to differ. Melody

wasn’t exactly the best or kindest maid here.

“What took you so long?” Beth appeared at Doris’ side, it almost made her flinch. “Careful, someone

might notice you’re late.” Beth whispered as she grabbed ahold of her arm and dragged Doris to the

empty spot beside her. Reluctantly, Doris smiled at Beth and tried to blend into the eager crowd. She

was surprised to see everyone else so awake when all she felt was exhausted. Though, she doubted