11:45
Chapter 1
And so, just like that, Napier was gone.
That night, I lay in bed, staring at the bright moon, unable to sleep. Restless, I felt a piece of paper under my
pillow.
It was Napier’s indenture contract, the characters on it like little worms.
I had to return it to him.
So, before the sun was up the next morning, I clutched the contract and headed out the door.
3
The inn where Napier was staying was a long walk away. I didn’t dare rest for a moment on the road.
I managed to arrive just before the roosters began to crow.
The inn was strictly managed; a commoner like me couldn’t just walk in. I had to ask the old man at the gate
to announce me.
I waited outside, nearly dozing off, before Napier finally emerged with Princess Annabelle, moving at a leisu-
rely pace.
His brow furrowed when he saw me.
“What are you doing here again?” Princess Annabelle demanded.
I glanced at Napier, feeling awkward and out of place. He had changed into fine clothes that matched the princess’s, a world away from the man who pushed a mill in my yard. Standing before him, I suddenly found
it hard to breathe.
It was in that moment that I finally understood what he meant by “suitable.”
He and Princess Annabelle looked right together, far more so than he and I ever could.
After a long pause, I finally managed to stammer, “I… I came to see when you were leaving.”
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Princess Annabelle rolled her eyes. “When we leave is none of your business, you little opportunist.”
I didn’t know when I had become an opportunist.
Napier cut her off. “We are leaving shortly,” he said, his tone flat.
Hearing that, a wave of disappointment washed over me.
Napier noticed. He spoke one last time, his voice firm with rejection. “I told you a long time ago that I would
not be your husband. Go home. Do not follow me again.”
>
I had heard those words from him countless times before, but they had never sounded so harsh.
Heartbroken, I felt the indenture contract in my sleeve.
A/9
11:45
11:45
Chapter 1
As Napier was about to board the carriage, I called out, “Wait. Just a moment.”
