𝐒𝐄𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐓 𝐓𝐈𝐄𝐒 || 𝐕𝐎𝐋𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐈

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟐𝟐 | 𝐃𝐎𝐖𝐍𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐋

ALTHEA'S POV

Last night was... spectacular. It was my first time with Marcus and it was much different than what I expected it to be. I mean, I loved every minute of it. But wow, looking over at the kings you could easily see that Marcus is the more gentle one yet he can be just as harsh as the other two. Still, not expected.

I had woken up this morning laying on my back with his head laying on my chest. My finger still curled around his hair. After a quick shower, we had laid down and accidentally fell asleep like that. It felt so good to wake up with my soulmate beside me.

Currently, I'm making my way to the kitchen by myself. I've been able to do things on my own these days. With a clear cut lesson plan from both Jane and Alec, I didn't need them to accompany me everywhere.

As I walked down the dimly lit hall to the kitchen, I could hear some whispers. It was far away, and my super hearing could only catch it as if it was whispering. However it was in a language foreign to me, I wouldn't have been able yo understand even if they were closer.

As I rounded a corner it suddenly stopped, as if it was never there. I stepped into the kitchen only to find Jefferson setting the table. He was sweaty, he's always been, but it was slightly more today. Hmm.

I flashed him a warm smile as I began sitting on the table. "Good morning my queen", he greeted. "Morning Jefferson, how's your morning been", I asked.

He shrugged, wiping his face with a napkin. "Good so far, your breakfast will be finished in just a second. Just waiting on the eggs, ma'am". I nodded waving my hand dismissively , "No rush".

He went back to the stove, humming a tune as he did so. Every so often I would hear the sound of clattering. He keeps dropping stuff and muttering under his breath about being an idiot. I looked over curiously, only to be met by his back. In his back pocket there was a black flip phone which was easy to see considering he wore all white clothing. I hummed as I raised my eyebrows.

Since I've been here, not once has he had a phone or called anyone or talked about anybody else. I wasn't even sure he was allowed to make calls, for "security" purposes. I simply dismissed the thought, it wasn't important anyway.

He came over and arranged my food on the table. "Thank you Jefferson", he went to walk away but I stopped him as I glanced over at his phone. I'm not sure why, but I felt an inkling. Something was bothering me about it, and my instincts haven't failed me yet.

"Jefferson", he stopped in his tracks, turning to face me. I began cutting the pieces of my food as I signaled him to come back. "Sit, please". He stared nervously and confused. "My lady?".

"I would like to speak with you. Have you eaten yet?", I asked as I raised an eyebrow. He nodded rapidly, sitting stiffly on the chair. "Great. I just want to speak with you. You've worked here as long as I've lived here, I see you everyday yet I know nothing about you".

"Oh", he stuttered. "Yes, I was wondering. Do you have a family?", I started chewing on a piece of strawberry as I stared awaiting his answer. His eyebrows shot up in surprise, "A f-family?". I sighed at his responses, it was like he'd never had a conversation this long.

"Yes, a family. Children, a wife or parents you live with. Who are you outside these walls, hm?". He looked down at his hands, "I don't have a family madam. No kids and no wife, certainly no parents. I'm too old you see, my parents are long gone", he seemed to laugh it off.