69 Chapter Sixty-Nine: Save me or die

Tuesday, March 24, 20XX

The next morning Clair woke up on a soft bed. She sat up and noticed she was all alone, in the bed and the entire room.

"This is the third time this month."

"I know right, but it's the first time he actually sends us to attend a lover."

Hearing the whispers from outside the door, Clair frowned.

Third time this month? Lover?

There could various meanings to those words.

For example, she's the third lover this month.

Or it's the third time this month their Crown Prince sleeps in this part of the palace, instead of his own chambers.

Anyway, she would say nothing, for now, it's better not to create misunderstandings on her own. Though, the idea that she might be one of many women who had come here and slept on his bed was irritating.

The maids knocked on the door.

Clair fidgeted with her fingers.

What should she say?

Remembering the royalty-related k-drama she watched a month ago she tilted her head and said, "Come in...?"

It wasn't her most confident voice but it did the job.

They had the signature sun-kissed skin and hazel eyes of Seis. Such features were common in the town, just below the palace and the surrounding cities.

Green, hazel, and blue eyes, brown hair, and black hair are the usual features, so seeing the red-headed woman in their prince's bed shocked the maids.

'Red-heads equals uncommon equals more unnecessary attention.' Clair noted.

'Should have picked blonde.' She added to her thoughts, but she couldn't dye her hair. It was like completely cutting off her memories of her dead father, mother, and brother.

Anyway, she knew they were maids as soon as she saw their outfits.

One of them had a black button-up dress and the other a white button-up shirt with black pants. They looked extremely clean and professional, which surprised Clair, noting how they were freely talking about James's business.

The first maid elbowed the other, and they cleared their throats.

"Good morning Miss….. uh... we will help you dress up."

Clair had a blank expression on her face.

"Good morning...you two are?"

"Uh... Esmeralda and this is my twin-"

"Mary." The other girl responded, her expression difficult for Clair to read.

Esmeralda on the other hand scratched her neck awkwardly.

She probably guessed that Clair heard their little conversation...

"*Ahem* We will help you bathe first and we hope the dress we prepared suits your taste." Mary bowed, emphasizing the nicely folded dress on her arms.

"Thank you, you can leave the dress here. I'll dress up myself." Clair then got out of bed, shocking the maids even more.

What?

Was it not appropriate?

Clair then realized she was still wearing James's shirt.

'Oh sh*t they must think it's extremely rude towards him.'

She laughed, nervously.

"Lady Yves!"

Clair froze in her spot when she heard Lady Weld appear behind the maids.

She patted their shoulders and warned, "Girls?"

Esmeralda and Mary awkwardly walked towards the bathroom and seemed to prepare to dress her up despite her earlier rejection.

.....

"What's happening?"

"I don't know, have you heard of any Lady Yves before?" They whispered as they walked into the bathroom to set up the bathtub.

....

Clair simply wanted to dig a hole for herself and hide in it. This was too awkward and embarrassing. She was not at all used to this treatment.

Did she teleport into one of those tv-shows or something? The idea of having another woman washing her made her feel awkward, and she rejected the idea as soon as it presented itself.

This the 21st century! Rich or not, people have hands! They can shower themselves!

Maybe they didn't think like her because Clair was used to taking care of herself for so long. Years, since she was ten she had to do everything an adult should do for their children. Mr.Yves would be the only parent figure she's ever known.

And here he goes! Throwing her into marriage.

She couldn't help but feel a little hurt, but how could she complain? He had done nothing but show her love and kindness. She had to return the favor someway, and she would protect the Yves family at all costs.

"How was your stay?" Lady Weld smiled warmly, pretending not to notice her attire.

"It was very comfortable."

"I see, did the maids made you feel otherwise?" She asked.

Seeing the seriousness in her eyes, Clair felt bad. "No, not at all, I'm simply used to dressing myself up." She answered.

"Oh! Esmeralda, Mary set up everything and take your leave!" She ordered.

"See? No worries, you can feel more at ease now. I will be outside to escort you for breakfast." Lady Weld told her and turned around, not waiting for Clair to refuse.

The maids followed her, and the door closed.

"..."

'James, I'm going to murder you.' That was her first thought, noticing how the maids were looking at her.

They were supposed to stay the night and leave right away! Why did he suddenly disappear and place her in this difficult situation?

She picked up the dress and locked herself in the bathroom.

Finally realizing she has a phone, she started looking around the room for it, but she found nothing. Even her previous clothes were gone.

The crease between her brows deepened. The only technology she found was the tv and nothing else.

There wasn't even a sign of the man.

And now the maids think she's his lover—to be precise the third one this month.

What the hell?

With a deep sigh, she took a warm bath. She washed as quickly as she could despite the urge to stay in the bathtub all morning.

She did not know what time it was, but she felt the need to hurry.

Since she had tied her hair in a bun to prevent water from reaching it, all she did was comb it straight and dry her body.

When she was done, she put on the light blue, thin strap dress. Her shoeless feet felt cold on the ground and she did not know what to do next.

….

"Lady Weld, who is she?" Mary asked as they waited outside the door.

"Listen closely ladies, this young woman will be your queen someday." Lady Weld smirked, hitting her cane on the ground with a thud.

Mary and Esmeralda's eyes widened.

Lady Weld smiled proudly. Things were getting exciting.

The first thing he did this morning was knock on their door, James had woken up to greet her and she had told him there was something urgent in the maid palace.

It was half a lie, but anyway, after he dressed up, he left Clair a note telling her he would be back soon and take her home.

She had taken the note and her clothes and her phone. Moreover, she needed to run them through security. It was not allowed for anybody to bring items from outside the palace without a check-up first, but James of course had to break every rule as he pleased.

Anyway, after that when James was rushing back, she had informed him to wait for Clair for breakfast since she had decided to stay.

Suspicious, but trusting Lady Weld's words, James did as she said and was currently waiting in the dining hall, in the main quarters where the royal family eats when they are all present.

This was the first woman James had properly approached and Clair was the only lady that actually accepted him! How could he let this young woman leave?

If she did not hold on to her, she might leave the crown prince for his indifferent attitude. She needed to be cautious.

As the best nanny in the world, she needed to look out for her non-blood related son!

'Yes, I'm confident in that. No ordinary nanny can handle this man!' She thought.

"What's taking so long, did you leave her the jewelry and shoes as I asked?" She furrowed her eyebrows, asking the two maids beside her.

"Oh!" Esmeralda apologized and knocked on the door with a shoebox in her hands and a jewelry box.

When the door opened, she opened her mouth, but no words came out.

She was completely stunned.

Beautiful!

Realizing her rudeness to their future queen, she bowed her head. "Lady Yves, I forgot to hand this to you." She said and offered her the box.

"Oh…. thank you." Clair took it, still uncomfortable, and closed the door.

She leaned on it and took deep breaths in.

'James come save me or I'll murder your ass.'

The environment was way too distinct, and it was hard for Clair to even process anything.

Sighing, she opened the show box and retrieved a pair of nude ankle strap heels.

The jewelry box contained some simple and elegant sets of earrings and necklaces.

She put them all on and groaned.

They were having breakfast, right? Why all the dressing up?

Thinking back to the most recent drama she watched her eyes widened.

Would this happen every morning?! What about breakfast in bed? What about eating and watching tv series?

Suddenly her current life looked amazing and the royal one was a big no-no.

As if she didn't have enough against royalty, fate was putting her in such difficult situations.

Back home she could wake up with a bird next, PJs, and sit down and have breakfast with her family without a bother. Here, that would be practically impossible.