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The female guard makes sense now. If she told Castor she was bleeding, he would’ve requested a female member of staff to watch over her this morning.

Phillion doesn’t seem like the sympathetic sort, after all.

“You never need to hide this sort of thing from me, Eden,” I tell her as we leave the shop. Before she can argue, I scoop one arm under her thighs and lift her against my chest.

“Lux!” she yelps.

“No more walking for you today.” I carry her towards the carriage. “I’m taking you straight to your bedchamber to rest.”

Fear flashes over her.

“What is it?” I press. “Is your room not to your liking?” Damn it, I’ll build her an entire new wing of the manor if I have to.

“No, it’s not that.” She glances around nervously. “It’s just I… I’d really rather not be alone.”

“Then I will stay with you.” I was planning on staying with her anyway. I don’t need a reason.

“You don’t have to do that⁠—”

“I want to.” Carefully, I bring her into the carriage and sit down beside her. “Let me take care of you, Eden. I can’t stand the thought of doing nothing while you’re in pain. Let me look after you. I can read you a book or tell you about the other places I’d like to take you, or we can just talk.”

“Talking sounds nice,” she says quietly. “I’d like that. Thank you, Lux.”

The second Phillion takes his place beside the driver, the carriage lurches into motion and I draw Eden against my side. Once she’s comfortable, I place my hand tentatively against her abdomen.

“I heard warmth helps,” I whisper, running my thumb against her bodice.

“Yes,” she says breathily. I don’t miss her slight smile or the way she snuggles closer. “It does.”

8

EDEN

Iam the most wicked princess in the world.

Lux spent the next three days by my side, doting on me, making sure I had anything I needed. He brought me chocolates, huge bouquets of sunflowers, my favourite foods, even his cat was allowed to snuggle in my lap.

Nothing was too much for him. I’m fairly certain if I’d asked him for the sun he would’ve found a very big ladder and brought it down for me, wrapped with a huge yellow bow.

He’s the kindest, sweetest prince a princess could ever dream of.

And somehow he’s ended up with me – the least deserving woman in the realm.

I thought telling him I was having my monthly bleed would disgust him. I thought, just like Father always does whenever we talk about our cycles, he’d suddenly remember a very important matter he has to deal with and end the conversation immediately.

Instead, I’ve spent the last three days being treated like a queen despite there not having been a single drop of blood in the liners Lux purchased for me. Thankfully his servants didn’t argue when I insisted on washing them myself. I doubt they’d snitch, but Lux is too wonderful for me to take any chances.

I really am the worst princess ever.

“Are you sure you’re feeling better now?” Lux asks after the servants take our plates away. I managed to convince him not to carry me to dinner this evening, but he was still reluctant to let me walk. The healer who brought me pain relief told Lux that women during their bleed should rest as much as possible, and he’s been taking that very literally.

Not that I’d ever complain about being carried by a handsome prince. But the guilt is starting to eat me up inside.

“I’m fine, really.” I pat his hand. “For me, the pain is only bad for the first few days, then it’s barely noticeable.” That’s actually not a lie for once. Stars, I hate myself.

Lux nods, seemingly satisfied. “Then let me walk you back to your bedchamber at least.”

“Thank you,” I say, letting him help me out of my seat.