Seven | h.s

iv

Magdalena stretched her arms and legs beneath the quilts atop her bed. She rubbed her eyes groggily and sighed into her pillow, not wanting to face another day of socializing with people she barely knew. In her half-asleep state, she wondered what it would be like to not be royal, to not have the responsibility of marrying for political gain.

"Good morning, your Highness," Beth said as she poured fresh water into the small basin for the Princess's hands and face.

Magdalena was reeled back to reality by her friend's voice. "Good morning, Beth," she replied, pushing herself into an upright position. "Are you feeling better today?"

Beth sank her teeth into her lower lip, unsure of whether or not she should break the news of her impending departure. "Yes, thank you."

"Good. I don't know what I'd do without you."

Beth, with her back facing the Princess, squeezed her eyes shut to prevent any tears from accumulating. Once she was composed, she walked over to the wardrobe and began to rummage through the dresses. "Do you have a preference?"

Magdalena opened her mouth to answer, but the sight of a piece of folded parchment being slid underneath the door caught both of the ladies' attentions. She furrowed her brows, watching as Beth walked over to the door, picked up the paper, and examined it. Not finding anything striking about the letter's exterior, she walked to the bedside of the Princess and handed the letter to her. Magdalena smiled as she read the cursive English words that were written on the paper and looked up at Beth with shimmering eyes. "Something simple."

———

Sofia rolled off of Felipe, landing on her back next to him and placing her hand over her bare chest, feeling the rapid pounding of her heart. Felipe let his eyes flutter shut, coming down from the high of his climax and catching his breath. After a moment, he sat up and sauntered across the room, filling a goblet to the rim with wine. He downed the liquid, wiping his upper lip with the back of his hand, and poured another. He took his time with this one, sipping it as he stared at Sofia, admiring the curves of her naked body.

She smiled, catching his gaze. "You are pleased?"

He swallowed a gulp of wine. "Always am."

"But, there is something on your mind," she said.

He set down the now-empty goblet and nodded loosely. "You were not present at the gathering last night."

Sofia averted her gaze out of embarrassment. "I was preoccupied."

"With what? Or, should I say who?"

"What does it matter, Felipe?" Sofia snapped, sitting upright. "You care not for anything but the pleasure my body brings you."

"That isn't true," he replied. "We've known each other for a long time, Sofia. I want the best for your future, but I cannot find you a suitable husband if you do not show your face in court."

"I do not want a husband."

Felipe scoffed. "What do you see in your future, then? When I am wed, things will have to change between us. I will have a wife to bed. I won't have a need for you."

"You are not the only man I bed, Felipe. Just as I am not the only woman you bed. We are each other's priority, but I have other men who will take me over their wives in a heartbeat. If you say you do not need me, then I will move on."

"Your future was so bright," he said in a whisper. "Why did you waste it away for such a life?"

Sofia was enraged. In a flurry, she stood to her feet and gathered her clothing from the floor. "I suppose I'm just lazy." With those words, she left the privy chamber of the King and slammed the door behind her.