Ophelia POV Since the last time I saw Arthur, we haven't seen each other again. Two weeks have passed in the blink of an eye. Anthony and Jessica have taken extra care of me during these two weeks, and my health has improved a lot. It's another sunny day, dispelling the gloom in my heart.I needed some fresh air so I decided to take a walk—a regular part of my health regime. I found myself intrigued by the serenity of a nearby river. As I came closer, however, I noticed the rushing water was faster than it had first appeared. "What a nice day," I said to myself, sighing, relaxing my wrists over the bridge, linking my fingers. Just as the words left my lips, I heard a desperate voice shout, "Help!" I squinted my eyes only to see a small figure struggling against the rapid current. Her head was barely breaking the surface long enough for her to gulp some air before she was swept under again, her arms flailing. "Please!" I heard a gurgling voice
"Jessica, what's going on?" I asked, giggling."It's a surprise, silly!" She laughed, holding her hands over my eyes. "Now, keep walking forward, yes, don't trip over the uneven marble tiles. Good, good. Now to the left, a bit, okay, perfect!"Continually laughing, I followed her instructions to a T and then we stopped. I wasn't sure which room we were in. It smelled differently than any I'd been before."Okay, ready?" she asked."That depends," I joked. "Is this a good surprise?""Don't worry. You'll love it!"Quickly she pulled her hands away from my eyes. I blinked a few times trying to get used to the bright lights in the room. My heart skipped in excitement. I couldn't believe it!There in front of me was a cello propped up on its endpin. I held my breath in excitement, pressing my palm to my chest. Carefully, I circled around it, admiring the immaculate F holes, and how perfectly constructed the body was in reference to the waist. The strings were taught, new
The next day I went through my usual routine, my mind elsewhere. I walked around the courtyard and visited Jessica for a little while.I wasn't thinking about Arthur and figured that since our appointment had been canceled the night before, it would be a while before he wanted to meet with me again.After dinner, I was hanging out in my room when I heard a knock. That was peculiar."Yes?" I called. Who could it be?"I'm here to help you get ready," one of the maids said. I walked to the door and opened it."H-hi," I stuttered."Hello," the maid said, waving politely. She stepped into my room just like she had the first night. She began to arrange the room, picking up items and setting up candles.Arthur was coming tonight!"Will you always arrive before Arthur and I are going to be... together?" I asked the maid. She smiled and nodded."If I don't show up, it means he won't either.""Good to know," I whispered, mostly to myself.I'd have to keep that in
I awoke with a start. I didn’t remember falling asleep. Glancing at the empty spot beside me, I realized I never heard Arthur leave. He must have been very quiet. I was still rubbing the sleep out of my eyes when there was a knock at the bedroom door. After covering up with a robe, I walked to the door and answered it. It was one of the maids from the night before. "Hello, I'm here to help bathe you," she said."Oh, no thank you," I said to her, smiling. "But I appreciate it." After politely declining her offer, I closed the door and then walked to the bathroom. Pulling my toothbrush out of the cup holder, I began brushing my teeth. As I stared in the mirror, I was suddenly reminded of a boy I had a crush on when I was in middle school. His name escaped me. I could barely recall what he looked like. But none of that mattered. It was how he treated me that stood out in my mind. Margaret's bullying had increased that year and he was there for me. Our friendshi
After the night we spent together, Arthur visited me again which was unusual compared to his former aloofness. Before he left, it wasn't without another surprise. He handed me his personal phone number and a cell phone. I didn't read too much into it. It was doubtful it was for anything other than keeping tabs on me. Although... It was interesting that he was leaving it up to me to call him. Unless of course, he knew my cell number by heart. Over the next few weeks, save my morning workouts, I was in the mansion. It was boring but at least I had my cello to pass the time. The more I played, the more I felt connected to my mother. That was my saving grace. It was a few days after Arthur had given me his number when Beta Anthony came to talk to me in my room. "I have some news," Anthony said with a smile. "Arthur has agreed to let you go out and meet new people.""Really, Beta Anthony?" I asked with my hand on my chest. I was surprised. "Yes. Are you happ
Ignoring Taylor's irritable demeanor, I asked, "Would you like to start the lesson right away or get to know one another? No pressure." I put my hands up and sat on the very edge of the couch.Angrily she spouted, "Do you think chatting with me is enough for you to get paid? You need to earn it, peon!" She squinted her eyes in arrogance.I bet she knew a plentitude of insults. Hopefully, her vocabulary wasn't from her former tutors cursing at her. Instead of responding in friction to her taunt, I paid her a compliment. "It's impressive that you understand the value of time and money." That caught her attention for a moment but then she returned to her dissonance."Whatever," she scoffed.We weren't getting anywhere. Maybe if I was farther away from her, she'd respond. Rising from the couch, I began to walk around the dimly lit room. She had plenty of books and a fireplace similarly to my room at the mansion. As I explored, I found it difficult to navigate. It was
Ophelia POV:Arthur opened the door of the Rolls Royce, and I nodded my thanks as I sank into the opulent white leather interior. I still wasn’t used to the casual luxury that seemed to surround Arthur and his pack. I briefly wondered if I should have dressed up for the occasion, then quickly discarded the thought as absurd. He was only driving me home from a tutoring session with his niece, not escorting me to a ball. Although part of me, unbidden, did wonder what that might feel like. Arthur might be a bit gruff sometimes, but I had to admit, he would definitely make a good, handsome prince. However, handsome princes typically didn't buy women for breeding purposes, so maybe that wasn't necessarily an accurate description of the man seated next to me. "How was Tayor's tutoring session?" he asked, his deep blue eyes gazing intently into mine as he turned the ignition of the car on. "If it's too challenging for you, I'll understand, and arrange for someone else to take c
Ophelia's POV "Getting pregnant may require many attempts," Jessica said gently, squeezing my hand in reassurance. "But that's a normal part of the process. And there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that you and Arthur will produce a healthy heir!" The memories of his touch flooded my mind. The taste of his lips, his masculine scent enveloping me. The idea that he would touch me again made my heart race. But did I also want Arthur? "How many attempts?" I asked, unable to keep the fear and excitement out of my tone. "I mean, you know, how many is normal for this type of situation?" "Well..it depends," Jessica replied hesitantly. "There are always a number of factors at play when a couple decides to have a child. But in this case, I'd say, as many as it takes." I nodded, my head reeling from the possibilities. How many attempts would it take? And how would I feel during those attempts? I was utterly overwhelmed, and I needed to be alone to think. I liked Jessica, bu