More guards approached them instantly. They took one look at William and bowed at the waist before they let their group pass through the tall gates. Something about the air smelled so familiar, it made her stomach turn. She wasn't sure if that was a good thing or bad thing yet.
"Your majesty, we didn't expect you back! It's good to see you!" They called as he passed them. Immediately she could see how more fitted and proper they were compared to the guards that had gone through hell with them. They all straightened themselves on their horses as if they realized it too. Perhaps a part of them had changed on the journey just as it had with Doris.
Light dustings of snow coated the cobblestone walkway. William directed all of their horses right to the front of the main steps. Servants hurried up to assist them as he slid off and helped Doris for the last time.
Their eyes lingered on each other for a moment as he set her down. Two beautiful ocean blue waves-they would haunt her every night before she fell asleep. His grip tightened around her waist before he finally let her go. Half of her heart dropped with him and she wished he would have held on for just a bit longer. Perhaps she might have been able to live in the moment forever if he did.
"Prince William. We hadn't gotten word that you returning." Said a voice from the top of the steps. They all turned to see Howard Ford-the last general for the royal army-with his hands clasped in front of him as if he was about to give a speech. "A true delight to see you alive and well."
"Yes, I could say the same." William muttered as he started to climb the steps.
"I'm sorry, sir. But I was told not to allow you inside the palace." Howard said evenly. Those words hit all of them like a blow, but not nearly as hard as it hit William. What the hell was this man talking about?
"Excuse me?" William was in front of the man in a few long strides. He had to crane his neck back just to look William in his eye despite being quite tall himself.
"I was given orders that you're not allowed to step foot inside the Golden Palace. I thought you were aware of this."
"I don't give a shit who gave you those orders. I am a prince to this kingdom and you will treat me as such. I should have you hanged for trying to deny me access!"
William shoved past the man and the rest of the group visibly hesitated. Howard straightened himself and immediately went in through another door. He was wise not to try and stop William any further. It wouldn't end well for him.
Doris hurried her steps to follow him. The back of him alone screamed his rage. His fists were clenched and he was seconds away from spouting fire from his mouth.
"Where is that stupid bitch?" William growled and looked around. Several servants cowered away from him. "Where is the Luna Queen?" He shouted.
"No need to terrify them, my dear. I'm right here." Luna Queen said from the top of the staircase." She looked grand in an elegant navy dress the fit tight to her frame and flowed to the ground. Two guards surrounded her on either side, but she didn't show an ounce of worry when her eyes fell on William.
"You think you can kick me out of my own palace?" William growled. A few guards hesitantly stepped in front of the Luna Queen.
"I thought it would be for the best. Your father is sick, I didn't want you to fall victim next." Luna Queen said with a bit of false concern dripping in her tone.
If she had intended to throw William off, it worked. All at once, he shifted from rage to confusion.
"What the fuck are you talking about? Where is my father?"
"He's in bed resting, of course. He's not allowed visitors at the moment but I'll let him know you came home and..." She peered at the rogues behind them, her face twisted into disgust. "And brought rogues with you. No, I better not tell him that, he might die right there."
"I imagine he'd feel the same if he knew all the things you've been up to, Luna Queen." William said in a dangerous tone. "I demand to see my father right this instant."
Luna Queen lifted her chin. "I told you, he isn't well. He's sleeping at the moment. Perhaps you can try again later when he wakes up."
"Have you kicked out your sons from the palace too? Or was it just me?" William asked bitterly.
"They stay in their own quarters. I see no reason to try and kick them out if they were here through it all."
That seemed to make William snap. He stomped up the stairs towards Luna Queen and was instantly stopped by her guards.
"You think I don't know what you did in the north? You think I'm stupid enough not to realize that you had set me up to walk straight to my death?" William growled.
Luna Queen gasped and had the sense to look taken aback. "William! I've known you since you were a baby, how dare you accuse me of something like this!"
William laughed cynically. "Yeah, you've known me since I was a baby. Everyone knows exactly what you did to my mother out of your jealousy, and now I'm finally up next."
Several gasps sounded around them. Luna Queen narrowed her eyes at William. "I would advise you to watch what you say when we have an audience. I don't take kindly to false narratives."
William stepped back, but didn't break his gaze from her. The tension was thick enough to slice in the room and Doris felt her palms start to sweat.
"If you ever try to keep me from my palace again, I will make sure everyone in this entire kingdom knows about your intentions." William said calmly. He didn't glance back at any of them as he left the room. His anger swept out the life with it and for a moment, all anyone could do was watch him go.
Luna Queen finally turned to look down at them. Her eyes passed over each rogue with a disinterest that was more than a little rude. She skipped over Doris entirely as if she wasn't even there.
When her eyes finally landed on a confident Enzo, a false smile spread across her thin lips. "Lord Enzo, is it? What brings you all the way here to the kingdom? I thought rogues despised the very idea of us royals."
"Ah, I can't say we despise all of them. Just the ones that deserve it." Enzo said with a smile full of glass. Luna Queen's expression flickered for a moment. "I came to pay a visit. Prince William has convinced me what a great kingdom this is. I hope he wasn't overselling it."
Enzo looked her up and down with a distaste that almost was worse than her own. Doris had the ridiculous urge to laugh-but that would get her in trouble. She had to remember herself here, she was no longer in the north where she was free to be who she wanted to be.
Here, she was a maid. She blended into the walls and was expected to do what everyone asked her to do. Dread ran up her skin and tried to sink her to the ground.
"Lovely." Luna Queen sniffed. Her eyes finally landed on Doris and she only wished she could disappear entirely. "You there, I need your-"
"Excuse me." Enzo interrupted immediately. He stepped forward to block Doris from her view. "Prince William assigned Doris to us during our visit. I would prefer you not to shout at her as if she was a dog."
Luna Queen parted her lips, but nothing came out. Doris herself almost gasped at the way he talked to her, but it also thrilled her.
"I should remind you where you are, Lord Enzo. My hospitality only goes so far."
Enzo bowed his head slightly as she left the room. Doris released all of the air inside her once she was finally out of sight.
"You didn't have to do that, Enzo." Doris took his hand. She was-utterly grateful but she didn't want him to get in trouble because of her.
Enzo squeezed her hand and grinned. "I love being a pain in the ass, Doris. You know that. Now, show us to our rooms. I need a bit of beauty sleep."
Doris had a bit of energy left to smile and led him to the area where guests stay. She made sure they had the nicest rooms available before she left them to settle in and headed straight for William's room.