The Princess's Servant

56. The Confession

Holden watched as Sybil emerged from the bramble. He'd had every intention of marching on up to her and telling her who he truly was and why he was truly there. But all his plans melted when he saw her eyes.

Their eyes did not meet. They didn't have to. Holden observed her pointed, eagle-like gaze and instantly realized that this was not the time nor place. His cheeks blushing, he pretended not to see her and did his best to act confused when she announced to everyone that they were getting back on the road.

Holden swallowed his fear. He approached the carriage as she did and stopped dead as she cut him a glare.

The prince felt his heart plummet. "Is something the matter, Princess?" He asked. What could have happened in the few minutes they were gone? Could Sebastian have told her? No, that wasn't possible. Was it? There was no way that she could know that—

The princess flashed him a glare like Holden had never seen. She climbed into the carriage without a word.

He stood frozen outside the carriage for a long time. He could ride upfront with Sebastian, perhaps, or his brother's soldiers. But that would only anger her more, her knew. With incredible reluctance, he climbed in after.

Sybil sat still, staring out the carriage window. She didn't acknowledge him in the slightest as he entered, and he felt as though he were a gust of wind, or a ghost. Holden sat on the velveted bench and rocked with the pull of the cart.

The caravan moved forward.

Holden bowed his head and cleared his throat. "Sybil," he started. His quietest voice sounded so loud in that small car. "I..."

"You've been dishonest with me. Haven't you?"

Holden's whole body froze. He could feel his rapid pulse and shallow breath. He let out a sigh as he looked out of his own window. His fingers gripped tight his seat.

"Well?"

The prince bowed his head further. "I..."

Sybil waited.

"I..." He felt his eyes begin to water. Why was this so difficult? He could just say it. He could say it right now, and there'd be no more secrets between them. Holden drew in breath.

"Are you the prince's lover?" She asked, her gaze moving to the prince. "Or perhaps you sent word of your kidnapping to him so he would lose his affection for me?"

"No," Holden wiped his tears with his finger. "No. It's none of that."

"Then what?"

He felt his body electrify and sensed something glass in his pocket. "I... I can explain it all," he said. "Just..." The prince forcibly ungripped his hand from the hard wood bench. He reached his fingers into his pocket and pulled out the little brown vial.

The princess stared at him. "What is that?"

"It's for you," he said. "Take this and I'll explain everything."

The Princess's eyebrows raised as he stuck out the vial in front of her. "I don't trust you," she said.

"And I don't trust you!" Holden's voice cracked over his emotions and the princess gave him a weird glance. He ducked his head a little and cleared his throat. "Which is I need you to take this vial so you won't kill me when I tell you."

Sybil's eyes lit up with a fury, but it died as soon as it was born. Holden could sense that she wanted to do something to him — something terrible — but he wondered if she felt like now wasn't the time. She narrowed her eyes at him further.

And then! In one swift motion! She plucked the bottle from his grasp and downed the entire thing! She slammed the empty vial down on the bench and stared Holden dead in the eyes.

"Now tell me," she said.

Holden's eyes went wide. Really wide.

Sybil's brow furrowed. "What?" She asked. And her entire world went woozy, and then dark.

*****

"What the fuck did you do to her?!"

"What did I do?! You're the one who gave me this shit!" Holden held out the empty vial.

"Gimme that." Sebastian snatched it from him. He held it to the sky and turned it upside down. Nothing came out. He faced Holden. "She was only supposed to take a couple drops, you idiot! How the hell is this empty?!"

"It's not my fault! I didn't have time to tell her! She just kind of—" Holden mimicked Sybil's last movement before passing out. "Like that! And then she was out like two seconds later!"

"You absolute idiot..." Sebastian rubbed his face with his palm.

Holden furrowed his brow. "Is— Is she going to be okay?" He asked. "I mean... She'll wake up eventually, won't she?"

Sebastian looked up at him through his fingers. "Hope for your sake that she does. Because if she doesn't... Your brother..." The servant shook his head.

The prince's eyes widened with fear. "What are the odds that she wakes up, Sebastian?"

His brother's servant just looked at him.

"Sebastian...?" Holden dropped his shoulders and bowed his head.

The Lailoyan exhaled a deep sigh and crossed his arms. "I don't know, 'Wardian.' I've never seen someone take a shot of Night's Kiss before! Have you?"

Holden stared at the sleeping Sybil and felt his heart sink low, lower.

"Come on," Sebastian sighed. "Let's get back on the road."

Holden said nothing as he stared at her. Her limbs were limp and her lips were parted. Her breast rose slowly, softly — maybe too softly, Holden thought. He felt a pit form in his stomach.

The Lailoyan stepped out of the cart, but the prince did not move.

"Forward!" He heard Sebastian cry.

And the carriage trekked onward and onward, but Holden felt as though he — and Sybil — had been left far behind.

A/N: THANKS SO MUCH FOR READING!!

Please remember to vote 😘