Meeting him

Though Jess was content with how she had lived so far, she could not help but want a better life different from the one her parents had.

After seeing how Loren treated the maids who worked with her like a piece of dirt not worth a speck of her gold and jewelry, she now understood Mia’s desire to get married to a man from a wealthy and noble family.

Jess thought physicians were supposed to be kind and empathetic, caring for the patients with kindness and understanding. Loren was the complete opposite of what her teacher taught her about what a physician represented.

Loren had warned the other staff and helpers not to associate with Jess telling them she was a whore picked up from a local diner and that she was here to entertain men of high society with her body.

She turned the heart of the maids and other staff within the estate against her as they whispered behind her back and turned the other direction when they saw her coming.

She was shunned and banned from eating at the same table with the rest of the staff, but Jess did not mind.

Mama, Papa, how are you doing? I miss you so much and cannot wait to visit home when I am allowed to have a break. Everything is fine with me, and I am treated well by the entire staff, who took me in as their own. Jess would write in her journal every night before going to bed.

Writing to her parents gave her a sense of closeness to them, even though they were far away. It helped relieve the tightness in her chest that suffocated her all day.

The rumor of Jess seducing the director had spread like wildfire among the servants, helpers, physicians, and patients, and Jess was worried that the rumor would soon reach her village.

She was not worried about what other people thought of her as she was used to the snide remarks made by the neighbors ever since she could differentiate between black and white.

She had grown a thick skin around such remarks. She was thankful for the early training as it had helped her over the years, but she was worried that James might catch wind of the rumor and misunderstand her.

She had been so busy preparing for the ceremonial opening of the Royal Hospital in the kingdom of Idu with Christine that she had not had the time to send the letters she had written to her family to keep them informed of her wellbeing.

Jess found it hard to leave the Royal Hospital without a gate pass from either Walker Lane or Loren. Walker Lane had not returned from her daughter’s house, and Loren refused to give her the gate pass.

You are not allowed to leave this manor without my permission as you are here to work and keep the hospital tidy and not to pollute the city with your whorish ways. Loren said condescendingly, refusing to grant Jess her request.

Jess was anxious as the crown prince would return from his trip in five days, just in time for the ceremonial opening of the Royal Hospital. She needed to see James before the crown prince returned and explain the dire situation to him.

They could have a small ceremony with only their family members present, and he could continue chasing his military dream while she would wait for him until he was ready to start a family.

She did not mind waiting for him to return in a year or two, so long they were married, she would wait. Having his name was the security she needed to protect herself from the lustful eyes of the crown prince and Mr. Edmund.

She hoped that once she got married to James, life would be easier for her as she would have escaped the fate of being kidnapped and forced to become her kidnapper’s wife. She also hoped that Mr. Edmund would let go of his infatuation and stop tormenting her family.

Christine, are you okay? Jess asked, concerned when she saw her limping, but Christine waved her hand to dismiss it as nothing.

It’s nothing that rest and sleep cannot fix. Christine said, laughing softly.

Her face contoured in pain with every step she took. Christine would walk a distance and stop to catch her breath before continuing.

The toil of the past few days must have caught up with her as she had been running around to ensure that everything was in order before the ceremonial opening that would be taking place in the castle.

Jess was looking forward to the event as she would have the opportunity to see what the castle looked like.

She only wished for Mia and her parents to accompany her to the event as the castle between the border of East Caswell and Black Wood Pine could not be compared to the castle in the capital, based on what Christine told her.

Christine, seeing Jess looking concerned and not convinced by what she earlier stated, said-

I sprained my ankle while supervising the maids cleaning the rooms yesterday. It’s just a sprain and will go away in no time, as I have applied ointment and balm to it, Christine assured her.

Why don’t you rest today? You can go to the market tomorrow and purchase the things you need. Jess suggested, still not convinced.

No, there is no time for that. Princess Melissa sent a maid to deliver a letter yesterday informing us to prepare for a lavish party in honor of the royal families from across the various kingdoms that would be attending the ceremonial opening of the Royal Hospital. Christine explained.

I will help you get the items you need in the market while you rest. Jess offered.

Jess thought it was an opportunity to visit James at the military training center without going through Loren. It was an opportunity she could not miss, and from what she gathered, the military training center was a trekkable distance from the market.

She hoped Christine would consider her offer as she would use this opportunity to kill two birds with one stone.

Christine was unsure about Jess going to the market, as she might not know her way around the capital.

Rose Bethmot was coming, and she was hard to please. Rose was very particular about certain things and would throw a fit if it was not to her taste or liking.

Christine tried standing up, but her legs wobbled, and she immediately leaned on Jess, who was standing beside her to support her weight. The more she tried walking, the more the pain in her legs became unbearable.

Jess managed to persuade Christine to rest while she went to the market with two helpers from the kitchen to get the things they would need for the party in honor of the occasion.

Brock was looking outside through the small window of the carriage as it made its way to the Hospital Estate when he saw Jess in the market. He had memorized her face and could recognize her even in the dark.

Her beautiful blue irises eyes shone as bright as a sapphire, her skin a gorgeous pale skin color but not too pale, her eyes in the shape of an almond, and dimples showed up at the corner of her mouth whenever she smiled. Brown-golden hair fell onto her delicate shoulders.

Stop, he said, and the coachman stopped, not understanding why he had to stop so suddenly.

Fredrick looked at Brock and followed his line of sight to see him looking at a girl with golden-brown hair. He watched Brock remove the fur coat draped around his neck to keep him warm and toss it aside.

Fredrick was surprised to see Brock so excited for a long time; his cold demeanor gave way to a sudden glow of warmth. His excitement was contagious. Fredrick was glad his friend had finally found love, even though it would be short-lived.

Brock discarded his coat and combed his hair back; he disguised himself by putting on a mustache around his face to conceal his identity.

Fredrick could hardly recognize him in this outfit as he looked like a palace courtier, while his fake mustache made it easy for him to blend in with the crowd.

You go on ahead of me; I will be joining you later. Brock said.

Brock, it is not safe to be out in public without your bodyguards; if the king finds out about it, he will have me hanged. Fredrick protested.

I am not a child who cannot protect himself, and who will report the matter to the palace of my being in the market instead of the Royal Hospital? Brock quizzed; his eyes narrowed to look at Fredrick.

Jess was reading through the list of things to buy and did not pay close attention to where she was going until she bumped into a hard chest that made her jump out of fright.