One Look

Chapter 23

The morning after the ball I walked around the palace hallways. Last night had been one of the most eventful nights in the palace, and the Queen had cancelled all activities today. Which meant the other debutantes would not be in the palace until dinner time. The announcement Nathaniel had made last night had caused my head to spin. When Nathaniel chose his four girls would that mean I would not be able to stay at the palace anymore.

I looked up and suddenly realised there was a guard in front of me with a grim expression on his face.

"You are not allowed to enter his royal highnesses bedchambers", he remarked, and I nodded my head.

"Would you please ask if he will join me for a walk?" I asked and he grunted in response. I took a few steps back when the guard knocked on his door before entering. A few moments later the guard exited followed by a dishevelled Oscar.

"Morning", I smiled as he flattened down his hair. Before the door shut, I could hear a giggle come from his room. My eyes widened at him and he gave me a guilty smile.

"Let's walk", he said, as I reached over and straightened his shirt. He linked his arm in mine as we walked, and the silence enveloped us for a few moments until I couldn't bare it anymore.

"Who was in your bed?"

"Do not worry it wasn't Amelia or Bethany, their names will not be tarnished", he grinned, and I smacked his shoulder. He glanced at me and frowned when he seen my stern expression. "I have needs".

I shook my head in disgust and walked ahead of him. He walked quicker to keep up with me.

"Eloise", he huffed and grabbed my hand. "Stop storming away and let us speak".

"How can you possibly be promising the world to two girls and then sleeping with a third. What about that girl's name? She'll be ruined, she'll probably never find a husband now". I crossed my arms over my chest and glared at him.

"She didn't have her virtue when I met her, and she's already engaged to be married to a wealthy man in the east", Oscar shrugged, and my mouth fell open.

"You disgust me", I hissed, and he sighed.

"Eloise, this does not affect you in anyway", he sighed and placed his hands on my shoulder.

"What about Nate? Does he have girls stay with him?"

Oscar winked at me. "I'm sure if you want to share a bed with Nathaniel, you could just ask him", he chuckled. Before I could even think my hand hit the side of his face. 

"You are a pig", I huffed. My insults doing nothing to wipe the stupid grin of his face.

"It's not that big of a deal. A lot of people have well you know what outside of marriage", he laughed.

"Yeah for a man that is nothing, but to a lady that could cost her her future".

"If it makes you feel any better, Nate does not bed other women regularly", he whispered. I pursed my lips and stormed off. "I'll ask him to save you a spot tonight".

I turned around, my cheeks on fire. "Why are you acting like this?" I yelled.

"Maybe because you keep putting your nose into my business", he shouted back. I rolled my eyes and moved towards him again.

"Well how about I tell Bethany and Amelia all about the company you keep at night", I smirked. He frowned at my words before he looked over my shoulder and smiled.

"Ah Charles, lovely morning". I turned around and locked eyes with the man who had conned me. I stormed away from the two of them, sick of men and their stupid lies. "She's just mad because she found another woman in my bed". I heard Oscar tell him before I rounded a corner.