The Prince's Choice ✔

Chapter Thirty Two • Heartwarming laughter

-Jade-

The next day Jade didn't eat her breakfast in her chamber. Now that William had returned, she felt safe to leave her chamber and eat in the dining hall again. Elizabeth escorted her and was almost bursting with impatience. There was something on her mind and she seemed very eager to share it with Jade. It just didn't come out.

"What is the matter, Elizabeth?" Jade finally asked as they descended the stairs that would take them to the great hall. Her curiosity had defeated her sense to let Elizabeth be.

"I really shouldn't talk to you... about what it is I mean." Elizabeth said and shook her head. "It is none of my concern and it might have just been gossip. It's most likely just gossip..." She mumbled to herself.

"Elizabeth..." Jade sighed, the right corner of her mouth elevating somewhat. Her governess shot her a look that admitted defeat.

"The girls in the staff... they whisper and gossip something terribly." She began and her eyebrows furrowed.

Yes, perhaps... but you believe it this time... Jade thought while she studied her company. Otherwise, she wouldn't have brought it up in the first place.

"You could just tell me? I am almost certain that it has something to do with me..." She said and pouted her lips. "Since it is gossip, it must be about me."

Elizabeth threw a glance at Jade while they walked and seemed to consider it. As they kept descending the stairs she seemed to grow more and more bold and willing to tell her about it.

Poor woman, just ask.

Elizabeth kept her questions or whatever was on her mind to herself,  until they had nearly reached the dining hall. They were walking through the last corridor when she finally spoke.

"One of the girls told me that the prince came to your chamber yesterday, while she was there..." Elizabeth finally spilled what she had been keeping inside of her. Jade suppressed a mischievous smile when the memory flashed before her eyes. "... and she also told me that he didn't leave... for quite some time."

My lord, you really can't do anything without it spreading like wildfire in this damned castle. Jade thought and mentally rolled her eyes. A real one would have alerted Elizabeth.

"That is... true." Jade admitted in a low voice, in case any of the keepers of the castle-gossip was around.

Elizabeth gasped quietly and stopped in her steps to Jade's surprise. They were now just a couple of meters from the door that led into the dining hall.

"Good heavens, child! Don't you know what could happen? Please tell me that you know what could happen?" Jade frowned, puzzled by Elizabeth's question. Elizabeth leaned in to her but kept a watchful eye out for anyone that could hear her before she continued. "Don't you know that you can become with child?" The last words were but a mere whisper.

With child? Jade thought and felt her whole face express confusion. Then it came crashing down on her. Oh my- She thought we-

Jade placed a hand over her mouth to keep herself from bursting into laughter, right in the poor woman's face. Elizabeth saw the amusement in Jade's eyes and seemed both upset and relaxed when she realized that her concern was for nothing.

"My Gods, Elizabeth!" Jade laughed quietly and squeezed the woman's hands tightly in hers. "Did you really think that we did... that?"

"What? Made little baby bastards? Yes! Yes, I did, you stupid girl!" Elizabeth exclaimed quietly with narrowed eyes. She didn't seem so amused that Jade was laughing at her. But most of all she seemed very relieved. Her eyes glistened with a little hint of amusement as well. "I also heard about what happened in the library so don't tell me that the two of you are simply holding hands!" she continued. Her words caused Jade to laugh almost hysterically. "So don't act like nothing happens as soon as the two of you are alone!" Elizabeth snapped while shaking her head.