The next morning, I stayed in bed.
I could hear them downstairs– Cedric's steady baritone, the prince's clipped orders, Calo's light laughter. I didn't want to see any of them. Not after last night.
I curled deeper under the covers, turning my face to the wall.
Then the door burst open.
"Iris!" Rosa shouted, breathless. "He's back– Sir William is back."
My heart stopped. I threw off the blankets and leaped out of bed, barely sparing a moment to wrap my shawl over my nightdress. The hallway was cold against my bare feet but I didn't care. My legs moved before I could catch up to my thoughts.
I flew down the stairs and flung open the door.
Rain still clung to the morning air, heavy and misting. Outside a carriage had just stopped. William stood beside it, helping a woman down carefully —his hand steady on hers, his eyes gentle.
I felt a pang in my chest.
I stepped out onto the damp porch.
"William?"
He looked up his expression didn't change.
"Lady Iris," he said cooly.
The warmth I expected— the warmth I needed, was nowhere in his voice. Why was I even expecting it? I barely knew him but strangely I wanted him for myself.
He turned away from me without another word, speaking softly to the woman as he helped her towards the tavern.
I swallowed hard approaching him, "Can we talk?"
"About what?" He replied coldly. "You should get ready. Your brother is waiting for you to take you back to the manor."
I blinked. "Back...."
Then I noticed it.
Another carriage. Parked across from the first, beside it Cedric and the prince stood waiting, watching me. Cedric gave me a small nod. The prince was impatiently leaning on the carriage.
The cold returned to my limbs, this time from inside.
I turned back to William, "I am not going anywhere with them."
"Don't be difficult."
I tried to keep my voice level, "Did you tell them where I was?"
"Yes."
My heart broke. I took in a deep breath letting his betrayal sink in. I hated how it hurt. What was I even hoping for? How pathetic.
I folded my arms tightly over my chest, "Then give me a moment to change."
"No need," William said without a glance. "You can go as you are."
Go as I am. In a nightdress, shawl and barefoot. Like some foolish girl running away from a man who no longer wanted to speak to her.
My jaw clenched, "What about Rosa?"
William finally turned, his eyes cold. "That's my business to know."
The words hit like a slap. I stood there stunned, my mouth open for a heartbeat before I closed it again.
"My work here is done it seems," I said my voice shaky. I pinched myself to stop myself from crying. "I am grateful for the times you've saved my life and helping me prove my innocence and bringing Rebekah back home."
I spun around and matched towards the carriage.
The prince stepped forward hand outstretched to help me in.
I slapped it away.
He raised both brows and said nothing.
I climbed in alone, furious.
Furious at William.
Furious at Crown Prince Andrew.
Furious at myself for caring at all.
I sank into the seat, shivering in my nightdress. The air inside was still, too quiet—until the door opened again.
The crown prince stepped in.
He settled into the seat across from me with all the grace and self importance of a man who has never been told 'no' in his life. He gave me a once-over slow and deliberate.
His lips curled.
"You look...." He tilted his head. "Like a runaway ghost bride."
I stared at him.
He snorted, "I might mistake you for a mad woman if I didn't know your temperament."
That was it.
Something inside me snapped. The ache in my chest, the sting of William's words, the chill of betrayal, the weight of expectations— it all boiled over.
"Shut up!" I shouted.
The words echoed harshly in the closed space. "Just shut up. I didn't ask to be dragged out like this— I didn't ask for any of this. I am tired and it's morning. Am not a morning person for fuck sake. So keep your smug little jokes to yourself, Your highness."
For a moment, he didn't react. His expression was unreadable. Then he sat back, one brow slightly raised.
"I could have you punished for that," he said his voice cold. "For shouting at a member of the royal family. Not to mention burning my garden, destroying half a wing of the castle —need I go on."
"Go ahead," I snapped, jaw trembling. "Have me punished. Lock me in the dungeons. Parade me through the streets. I don't care. But don't talk to me."
We stared at each other in silence, the tension crackling more than the storm last night.
The door opened again.
Cedric leaned in, the wind catching the end of his dark cloak. "I'll be riding outside," he said. "Next to the carriage, just in case."
He glanced at me, as if he wanted to say something more.
I didn't give him the chance.
"Don't talk to me, either."
His mouth shut with a soft exhale. A muscle in his jaw tightened, but he nodded.
"Alright."
The door closed again.
The carriage lurched forward.