Forbidden

7| Duty

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Duty

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Chapter 7: Duty (Grace's POV)

I found the card I was looking for. A few months ago, I went shopping with Nina. We stopped by this boutique but didn't buy anything, so the owner ended up giving both of us a card. It was a boutique for formal, ball gowns. I thought I'd go there today. I found it, read the number on the back, grabbed the telephone, and dialed the number, rotating for each digit. I put the phone to my ear and sighed, looking out the window, freezing when I caught Ronan staring up here. 

He glanced at the wall, the same wall the attacker hid against that night, and then he ran over, jumping up and climbing onto the wall. 

"Hello?" 

"What the hell?" I whispered to myself. 

"Excuse me?" 

I blinked, snapping out of my thoughts. "Sorry, hello?" 

"Yes? This is Linda from Bliss, the boutique. How can I help you?" 

"Hi, I'd like to book an appointment for noon, today. Could you please tell me if that's possible?" I kept my eyes on Ronan, my brows furrowing in confusion. 

"Let me check, please, just a moment." 

"Sure." I narrowed my eyes, getting a closer look. What the hell is he doing? He shook his head and hopped back off, dusting himself off. I quickly opened my window, sticking my head out as he walked nearer. I put a hand on the speaking end of the phone and yelled out, "Mr. Stone!" 

He looked up at me, calling out, "What?!" 

"What the hell are you doing?!" 

"Eliminating the problem!" 

"What?" I mumbled to myself. He continued walking back to the guards' rooms and I frowned in confusion, locking up the window. 

"Hello?" 

"Yes?" I asked, hearing the owner's voice again. 

"We have an open slot from noon to one in the afternoon. Would you like me to book it for you?" 

"Yes, please." 

"Name?" 

"Grace Grimaldi," I cleared my throat. 

She was silent for a minute. "Oh dear, your highness, my apologies! I didn't realize it was you I was speaking to. I'm so sorry if I was rude or—" 

"It's okay," I cut her off, my patience wearing thin today. "No problem," I forced a chuckle. "So, can I drop by today then?" 

"Yes, of course. Your appointment has been booked. We look forward to seeing you." 

"Thank you." I hung up the phone, shoving the card back into the drawer. Eliminating the problem. What is that even supposed to mean? I sat in my desk chair, staring at the wall. I tilted my head to the right, to the left, I looked closer, I looked further. What problem? My phone rang, startling me. I answered, "Hello?" 

"Grace, it's Lucas." 

I began fixing the feathered quill and fountain pens that were in a cup. "Morning," I mumbled half-heartedly. 

"I just called to say thank you." 

"At this hour?" I wasn't being sarcastic, but his laugh told me he thought otherwise. "Thank you for what?" I questioned.