At first, I thought she wasn’t going to pick up. Which would only make me more suspicious of her… What other reason could she have for not answering me?
Right before it was about to go to voicemail, she answered.
“Hey, hun, what’s up?” she answered in a perky tone. For a moment, I thought maybe I was being paranoid. She sounded pretty normal… Should I even accuse her of this?
I needed to. I needed to know. If it wasn’t her, she would still understand why I had to ask.
“Hey, Millie. I was just calling because I wanted to talk to you about the other day. You know how you kind of figured things out about me and Edward?”
“Uh, yeah, I do. Why?”
“I was just wondering; did you tell anybody about that?”
“No, of course not.” She tried to sound steady, but her voice cracked, and I knew instantly… She was lying to me.
Dammit.
“Don’t lie to me, Millie. I only admitted to you this week that Edward and I had a tryst. You find out about us and days later, all this comes to light? Why? Why would you do this?”
She sighed dramatically before she replied, “I … I’m so sorry, Maggie. I wasn’t going to do it, but then… Some things came up, and I really needed the money. I’d suspected you and Edward were messing around for weeks, I am the maid after all. I see and hear everything that happens within the walls of the palace.” She tsked as if this bored her.
“You betrayed my trust!” I scolded.
“I wasn’t entirely certain until you confessed to me. Suddenly, I had a way to work through the financial struggles, and all my worries melted away. I hated to betray your confidence, but we’re both from the same side of the track, Maggie. You’d have done the same if you were in my shoes. I didn’t expect it would be a huge deal for you. You and Edward aren’t even serious.”
“Excuse me? It was an extremely big deal, Millie! I got fired today.”
“You … what?” She seemed genuinely shocked. “Why?”
“Why do you think? It would reflect badly on the royal family for me to work for them after this scandal. I am without a job with an ailing father to care for, bills I can’t possibly pay without income. You did that, Millie. You betrayed my trust, and what’s worse—you admittedly did so. I considered you a friend, Millie. I’m so hurt that you would throw our friendship away without care.”
“I’m so, so sorry, Maggie. I didn’t think that you would get fired. I thought since the only source was what I told them, they’d make up some gossipy article that didn’t confirm anything and people would brush it off. I didn’t know they were going to find the pictures. I didn’t think it was going to be so concrete.”
“Well, it was. My life is drastically different because of it.”
“Maggie, I can’t apologize to you enough. I’m so very sorry that you lost your job. I was just desperate and did a horrible thing, but I don’t regret making the choice I had to make to benefit my needs. Surely you can understand that?”
Actually, I could understand that. I’d been pretty desperate in the situation with my father.
I didn’t want to give Millie any sympathy right now. She was trying to justify her actions, which I completely disagreed with. Maybe if I wasn’t just fired, I’d be able to respond with a more clarity, but right now, I simply couldn’t do it.
“Goodbye, Millie,” I said before hanging up.
“No, wait! Maggie, wait!”
It was too late. I’d shut the phone down. I didn’t want to hear anything more from her.
I tried to hold it together in the coffee shop, but it was easier said than done. I was distraught.
I wondered if Edward knew about any of this yet. We definitely wouldn’t be meeting up later after my shift…
That was when it hit me. I’d never be going back to the palace ever again. I could feel tears welling up in my eyes, and I rushed out of the coffee shop and started my walk home.
My very slow walk home. Because I wasn’t looking forward to explaining this to my father.
Though at least I could finally tell him about the hospital bills being paid off by Edward. I’d been delaying because I didn’t know how to explain Edward’s generosity. Well, there was no hiding the reason now, so he might as well know.
Maybe that bit of information would soften the blow.
18
Edward
Maggie hadn’t answered any of my calls. I didn’t bother trying to call once I got off the plane because I knew she’d be working with Abigail and Drew. I didn’t want to bother her. I’d see her soon enough at the end of her shift.
I went to the tutoring room and waited outside the door, feeling a little nauseated as I considered what I’d say to her. Each minute ticked by so slowly.
When the final minute ticked by and the teachers began to file out of the room, I thought I might actually throw up.
Except, she never came out of the room. All the other educators did, and they shot me disapproving glances along the way, but Maggie wasn’t there.
I was so confused. Did she not come into work today? Was the news that bad to her?
I stepped into the room, rather lost in thought, but when I heard the chair scrape the marble floor, I looked up and immediately knew what had happened.
“Where’s Maggie?” I asked immediately.
Ms. Mitchell sighed. “I had to let her go, Edward.”
“Let her go? Why? She didn’t do anything wrong!” I argued, although I knew this would be a consequence.
This was horrible news. She didn’t deserve to be fired. She was great with the kids. They loved her. She loved this job.
She must be absolutely livid with me if my spontaneous behavior got her fired.
“Of course she did something wrong. She wasn’t supposed to date you.”
“But it was all me!” I argued. “I pursued her! I went after her. You can’t fire her for that.”
“That’s very honorable for you to try to take the blame,” Ms., Mitchell said, “but she made it very clear to me that she took as much interest in you as you took in her. You are both equally to blame.”
“If we’re equally to blame, we should have equal consequences. I don’t have any consequences!” I said angrily.
“Oh, Edward,” she said in frustration. “If you think you have no consequences, you are not paying attention to the media. You have a great many consequences, and I fear they are more serious than her being fired. Have you seen what they’re saying about you? You come off as a predator.”
“I don’t care about that.” I slapped the desk with my hand. “I care about Maggie. I care that what I’ve done has hurt her.”
“It’s what you both have done,” Ms. Mitchell reminded me. “I cannot help you, Edward. I will be the first to admit I am quite fond of Maggie. She was always a great tutor, but the queen insists she cannot continue to work here, and frankly, I agree with her.”
“That’s absurd, Ms. Mitchell, and you know it,” I groaned. “All my life it’s been preached of the importance of finding my soul mate, a princess who would one day accept the throne as queen. Now that I’m confident I’ve found that in Maggie, you strip her from my life?”
Ms. Mitchell looked at me curiously. “You actually care for this girl, don’t you?” she asked.
“Yes, of course I do. Is it not obvious?” I threw my arms out wide, the frustration for the situation, my heart on my sleeve, both on full display.
“It’s just that I’ve never seen you so up in arms over any woman before. It’s quite a shock.”
“Well, I’m smitten. I really am. Head over heels in love with her. What more can I say?”
She paused, seeming to think for a moment.
“You know, the queen probably would not appreciate me giving you this advice, but…” she began hesitantly.
“What? What is it? Please, Ms. Mitchell, I'm at your mercy,” I pleaded.
“If you truly care for this girl, if you want to miti
gate her pain, I would seek her out. You cannot give her the job back, but I do not believe the job will be the most important thing to her right now.”
I was shocked that Ms. Mitchell was actually encouraging me to pursue Maggie.
“Really? You think I should go to her?”
“I absolutely do.”
I smiled despite the awful situation.
“Edward, never before have I seen you head-over-heels for a woman. This kind of affection, it’s rare. Take it from an old woman. You have to chase that feeling once it comes over you. So, go chase her while you still can.”
I nodded. “Thank you, Ms. Mitchell.”
“You’re absolutely welcome.”
I tried calling Maggie as soon as I left the palace to let her know I was coming over right away. She didn’t answer, but I didn’t care. I was going to go whether she answered or not. I absolutely had to talk to her.
I had my driver rush over. He wouldn’t speed for me, despite my best begging for him to do so, and every minute dragged on. Once her flat came into view, I was ready to jump out of the car.
I ran across the grass and up to her door. I knocked on it impatiently, praying that she was here. She had to be, right? Where else would she be? She spent much of her time with her father.
The door opened, and my heart pounded in my chest as I hoped to see her face. I didn’t see her face. I saw a man’s face.
“Hello?” he said as he opened the door.
“Hello, you must be Maggie’s father,” I said quickly, a little out of breath from running to the door.
“Yes. And you are…? Wait.” He paused, and his eyes widened. “You’re … the prince?”
“I am.” I smiled politely.
“Oh my. Come in! Come in!” he said, and he took me by the arm. “I can’t believe the Prince of England is at my door. Please, make yourself at home. It’s not much, but I hope it’s comfortable.”
I looked around the flat. It was simple but tastefully decorated. “I think it’s quite nice actually,” I said politely.
This seemed to flatter him. “Ah, well, I take it you’re looking for Maggie, right? She’s just in her room. Let me go fetch her.”
“Thank you very much,” I told him.
He was bald and frail, but he seemed to be getting around alright. Maggie had described him as needing a lot of help, so I could only hope his mobility was a sign that his health was improving.
I sat on their couch as I waited. It was quaint, and I actually quite liked it. Having always grown up in extravagance, I wasn’t used to this.
It reminded me of the shows I used to watch as a child, sitcoms with entirely normal families. I used to be so jealous growing up, so desperate for an average house in a normal neighborhood. Most people would likely think that ridiculous, but luxury stops feeling luxurious when you’re constantly surrounded by it. At least, that was how it worked for me.
I heard footsteps coming from down the hall, and I straightened up on the couch.
Out came Maggie. Her eyes were red and puffy, she’d definitely been crying. It broke my heart to see her this way.
“Maggie, I am truly sorry.”
“For what?” she asked.
This seemed like a weird question considering our circumstance.
“For everything that’s happened, of course.”
“You mean with me being outed as your lover and fired?” she questioned.
“Yes,” I answered nervously.
“That’s not what you should be sorry for.”
She sat on an armchair across the way from me and stared on blankly.
“Uh ... then I really haven’t a clue what I should be sorry for.”
“I know about the hospital bill,” she answered seriously.
Wait; that was what she was mad about? I thought she’d be thrilled!
“Did I do something wrong?”
“I’m not a charity case, Edward. I can fend for myself. That was a really big gesture you made, and I don’t think you considered how it was going to make me feel.”
“I don’t think you’re a charity case at all! Maggie, I didn’t do it to provide you charity.”
“So why did you do it? Because to me it feels like maybe it was some kind of bribe. Like you wanted to thank me for all the sex or—"
“Woah, woah, woah! Let’s slow down here. I absolutely wasn’t trying to manipulate you. I didn't pay off the hospital bills in trade for sex. Maggie, I did it because I am in love with you, and the thought of you struggling with hospital bills while also taking care of your father was breaking my heart. You were already doing so much, and I didn’t think you deserved to have anything else on your plate, especially when I could’ve taken care of it easily.”
She was quiet as she processed this, so I continued.
“Look, I can see why you were upset. Yes, I should have asked. I definitely shouldn’t have done it without your consent first. I didn’t think it through. I honestly thought you’d be relieved to have one less thing to worry about. In my slight defense, I was concussed at the time.”
“Really? You decided when you had the concussion?”
“Actually, that is why I got concussed in the first place. While playing polo, I couldn't get you out of my mind. I’d battled with myself about if this was real—if you were the one. No other woman sparks emotion in me like you do.” She swiped away at a tear and struggled to find her breath. “I decided the very moment I was whopped upside the head, effectively resulting in the concussion. Even as I lay in the grass, dizzy and barely coming to, I couldn’t get you out of my head. I decided right then to pay the hospital bills, and I called my lawyer the next day.”
“But why?” she asked, puzzled.
“I ... I don’t think I understand the question. Isn’t it obvious?”
“No, it’s not obvious to me at all. It’s the exact opposite of obvious. Why would you care so much about what I’m going through? Why would the woman you’re sleeping with be that important to you? We were nothing more but a fling. Friends with benefits.”
“Is that all you think you are?! The woman I’m sleeping with?!” I was appalled.
“Aren’t I?”
“Maggie, you are so much more than that to me. I am in love with you. Simply put. I can’t even explain how much. You’ve become a best friend to me.”
Finally, for the first time today, a small smile formed on her face.
She quickly forced it away.
“You’re in love with me?” She seemed stunned beyond belief.
I grabbed her cheeks and kissed her breathless. “Yes, woman. You’re maddening.”
“Maybe I overreacted about the hospital bill. I do forgive you for that, and I do appreciate it... But—"
“You don’t forgive me for word getting out about us?” I finished for her.
“What? No. That wasn’t what I was going to say at all. In fact, I’m pretty sure it wasn’t your fault.”
I raised an eyebrow. “How can that be? I was the one who was careless. You were constantly saying we should be more discrete.”
“Yes, well, all that aside, I’m still the reason word of our situation got out.”
“How could you possibly know that?”
“Well, uh, I may have been really mad at you when I found out about the hospital bill, so I vented to Millie about it, and I accidentally said too much. I never explicitly said we had done anything together, but she figured it out.”
“You’re sure she was the one to leak it?”
“Yep, I called her afterward, and she confirmed it.”
I could feel my face flush with anger.
“How dare she?! I’m going to have her fired promptly. And to think, she acted like your friend!”
“No, no, please don’t do that,” Maggie instantly begged.
I couldn’t understand why.
“You just said that she outed us?”
“I know. On the phone, she sounded pretty desperate and apologetic, alth
ough she attempted to justify her actions as if that made everything better. She did it because she was stressed about money and, well, I can definitely understand that. If you fire her, she will only be more stressed.”
I never ceased to be amazed by Maggie’s compassion. She was truly an amazing being.
“That’s incredibly kind of you.”
She shrugged. “I just don’t see why anyone should experience any more pain because of what has happened. What’s done is done. I just want to move forward.”
“Okay, so, if you’re not mad at me about the hospital bill and you’re not mad at Millie… What are you mad at?” I asked.
“I’m not at all.”
“But there was a but. You said you forgave me ‘but?’”
“Right. I forgive you, but we can’t be together.”
“What?! But why?”
“Because as fun as this fling is between us, Edward, I’m not the kind of girl who can have a fling and not get attached. I wanted to end things a long time ago for that reason, but I couldn’t pluck up the courage to do it. Well, now I’m doing it. I can’t keep sleeping with you without wanting something more.”
“So then… Why can’t we have something more? I just told you I love you, Maggie. Why are you complicating things?” I asked. That was what I wanted after all.
“You know why, Edward. We could never be together in this world. Who am I? I’m a total nobody. I’m not the kind of woman you can date. You need to date someone higher up in society. Someone who can live up to being a princess.”
“You absolutely live up to being a princess, Maggie.”
She blushed. “Edward, you know what I mean. I’m not the woman for you long term. You could never marry someone like me. It wouldn’t be right. So let’s end this before it hurts too much.”
“No, Maggie. You deserve to see your worth, and you’re worth it all to me,” I argued.
“Edward…”
“Maggie, I am not going to let you go. I can’t. I don’t care if people don’t think you’re the kind of woman who should become princess. I don’t care what anyone thinks because the only opinion that matters to me is yours. I want to be true to myself. I don’t want to be what people expect me to be. Being true to myself means being with you.”
Royally Loved: The Royal Romances Books 1-5 Page 13