Seven | h.s

iii

Magdalena averted her eyes as she passed a pale man with wet, blue eyes exiting the palace through the servants' door. She furrowed her brows, not recognizing him, but assumed he was a servant to one of their guests for Christmas, and carried on with her journey back to her chambers, hoping to go unnoticed. Besides, no servant would dare to question her.

She hurried through the corridors, which were more crowded than before, and dropped the hood from her head as she transitioned from the servants' wing to the public one. It wasn't long, however, until someone recognized her dark brown curls from behind.

"Your Royal Highness?"

She paused, recognizing the voice immediately, and turned around. "Lord Cameros."

"Buenos días (Good morning)," he said, bowing slightly. The middle aged man smiled, giving the Princess a feeling of unease. "Where are you off to so early?"

"Just a trip for some fresh morning air," she replied. "I find I am in need of it the most this time of year. I knew not of your arrival to the palace. How long will you be staying?"

"My wife and I arrived late last night. We intend to spend all of Christmastide here, with Victoria. How is my daughter faring with her new duties? Well, I hope?"

"As well as can be for a girl of her age," she replied coolly.

"What is your meaning?" Cameros questioned, his thick brows raised.

"Victoria is young and has not the years of training that my other ladies were given. In truth, if it weren't for my brother, the position would have gone to Lady Clara's sister, who was taught by the best tutors and properly trained in manners."

"Princess, are you calling my daughter unsuitable and ill-mannered?"

"In comparison to the other contenders, yes. But, you needn't worry, my lord. Your daughter has secured her position and, if she is careful, she will keep it." Magdalena gave a fake smile. "Buen día (Good day)." She turned on the heel of her shoe and continued walking down the corridor, heading for her chambers. As she walked, she was consumed by her thoughts, quite aware that she had just made an enemy of Lord Cameros.

———

Felipe kissed the neck of Sofia, who was sitting on his lap, her bare arms draped around his shoulders. They were in the privacy of his presence chamber, seated at his desk covered in documents and empty goblets of wine.

"Your Majesty," Sofia said, her dark, alluring eyes flashing upward to meet his own. "Must you leave? Can we not send everyone away and spend the day in bed?"

Felipe patted her thigh, sighing against her sweetly scented skin. "I am a King, my little dove. I cannot spend the entirety of the day on my back, legs spread, like you. Now, down you go," he said, nudging her off of his lap.

When her feet hit the ground, she stuck out her lower lip, pouting like a child. "I shall be in my chambers when you decide to return for your daily dose of pleasure, my lord." If she were any other woman in Spain, she would have curtsied, but Sofia was not a simple woman. She had been the King's mistress since he was a Prince of the age of sixteen, one year her junior. Instead of following in her mother's footsteps and becoming a governess, she decided to make a life of her affair with the King, which required little effort, as he was a lustful man who was eager to keep her around. With a small smirk to erase the small squabble they had, she whirled around, her hips swaying seductively as she walked out of the room.

Felipe buttoned his half-undone shirt and sauntered across his presence chamber until he reached the door. He pushed it open forcefully, ignoring the two guards which were stationed outside, and continued marching down the corridor until he arrived at his destination.