14. Chapter 14

JULIETTE

A soft knock rises me from my sleep the next morning and I push up onto my elbows, groggily looking around to survey my surroundings. I don't know when I fell asleep or when I crawled onto my bed, tangled in my sheets as I waited for news of Ophelia. Neither my father nor Queen Helvania has come to gloat which both worries and excites me. Did she lose and they are merely waiting to reveal that during the gala? Or is she still fighting for her life and there is nothing yet to report?

The soft knock comes again and then the door lock is undone, a familiar voice hitting my ears through the wood. "Juliette? You awake?" I shoot out of bed and smooth down my dress, mentally scolding myself for not being prepared.

Maids will be in and out of my room all day preparing for the gala and seeing me in this state will only perpetuate information that my father will later scold me for. I finger-comb my hair, whining when it does nothing to help my appearance.

"Yes! Yes, wait, hold on, argh." I stumble over my shoes I discarded last night and swing open my door, greeted by Duchess Evie. I've only met her a handful of times but her personality is just as free and wild as Her Majesty, Seraphina. "Hi," I say lamely.

Duchess Evie grins but it doesn't quite reach her eyes. "The gala is in a few hours." It comes as almost a warning but I know as much. The gala is usually an evening affair but with the royal heir being so young, Queen Daniela and Her Majesty, Seraphina wanted to be able to fully enjoy the event. As such, the gala is set to unfold just after lunch.

I frown and look around her, wondering why she has come into my room. Queen Daniela would make more sense than Duchess Evie. "Is something wrong? Where is my father? Is Ophelia-" I wring my hands in front of me, Kusovanian guards on either side of my door. I don't recognize them and while they are placed here by my father, Duchess Evie"s command seems to have given her access to my room.

"Juliette, take a deep breath. I came because of all the rumors swirling around the castle right now. King William is furious, trying to make a bigger deal about one of our soldiers in your bed than it should be." My face turns crimson and I bow my head. Duchess Evie makes it seem so… forbidden. But it is, isn't it? "I'm not shaming you but your father certainly is trying to. Queen Helvania has been laughing that she will finally acquire a kingdom."

"Wait, what?"

"Not to the main outlets but among her maids, however, maids talk and they share a lot of information when given the right incentive. She won't be your wife, Juliette." Duchess Evie steps forward, leaning closer and lowering her voice. "Ophelia is alive."

My eyes widen and a gasp falls from my lips before I clamp my lips together. I reach forward, Duchess Evie offering her hands for me to hold onto. "She's alive? Where is she? Why is she not here? I want"-

"Shhhh, Juliette. Deep breaths. I only have a few minutes. I came under the guise of preparing you for the gala. Your maids will be here soon. Juliette, listen to me, no news is good news but I need you to follow through. Get dressed. Have your hair down. Hold your head high and march into that gala knowing that your woman fought hard and proud."

Tears stream down my cheeks from a mixture of relief and fear that Ophelia made it but that she's succumbed to whatever wounds she most definitely incurred. "But why isn't she here?"

Duchess Evie squeezes my hands. "Patience."

"She's hurt, isn't she? Has she said anything-" I spiral into a multitude of questions as Duchess Evie pulls me into her chest, kissing the top of my head.

"Your soldier scored the highest in her training. She's also got a heart of gold from what I hear. She will pull through with everyone helping her at her side. You can only help by showing up at the gala, ready for whatever happens. I will promise you this one thing. I have spoken to Queen Daniela and Ophelia will be given a queen's burial if that's what it comes to. After tonight, she will be a queen either way. "

"Thank you," I whisper against her chest. When she leaves, I hold my chin up, greeting the maids that filter through the doorway to ready me for the gala. I have to be ready—whether my father gives me to Queen Helvania or I'm blessed with Ophelia's presence.

My soldier is alive.

She fought hard and she made it.

"Princess, are you ready?"

I blow out a deep breath and nod. "Yes."