I shrug. “I don’t know. I really love children, I guess. I was always sad being an only child; it was lonely, and I decided I wanted lots of kids when I grew up. But then, stuff happened back home, before I moved back to Emarvia, and I shut those dreams down. Marriage and family and such. Being a nanny…” I sigh.I don’t think I’ve ever voiced all these things out loud, and it physically hurts me to even admit to them. “It gives me the opportunity to be a part of a family, to raise children and teach them and love them and watch them grow, without having to give my heart over to anyone. I didn’t think I could ever have feelings for a man again.”
“You are still a part of my family, whether you continue to work for us or not.” She gives my hand a squeeze. “The children adore you, and even Dietrich has only good things to say about you.”
I sniffle; tears are coming all too easily lately. “Thank you, Lady Maier.”
She chuckles. “I think you can start calling me Rebecca. You outrank me now.”
“She could soon outrank nearly everyone,” Margaret says.
“That’s all very touching,” Juliette drawls as she sweeps into the room. “But King Aldric has just announced a press conference for tomorrow, and I think it is safe to assume what it may be about. He has invited we five women who remain and all the major press outlets.”
Margaret is turned towards Juliette, so I can’t see her face, but I can feel the dislike radiating from her. “One should never assume, Lady Juliette,” she retorts, taking a sip of her wine for dramatic effect. “And eavesdropping is a terrible habit for a potential future princess.”
“Is it truly eavesdropping if the door is wide open,though?” Her sickly-sweet smile may fool others, but after months of dealing with this woman, I know the venom lying beneath.
“Deepest apologies. I thought perhaps our daily gossip session had begun early, that’s all.”
Juliette saunters from the room, sneering as she closes the door, and I suppress a shiver. Trixie’sno weaknesspep talks are working.
“Well, my dearest Aurelia,” Margaret says, pouring the last of the white wine. “It sounds like you have about twenty-four hours to make up your mind. About the inheritanceandthe prince.”
No pressure.
