Chapter 12: Behind the Curtain

I had about as long as it takes to say a prayer.

I yanked the grey glove off my left hand and rolled it in its silk.

I dropped it into the drawer and pushed the drawer flat.

There was no time to relock it, so I left the hatpin in the keyhole and stuffed the right-hand glove into my bodice.

Then I dived behind the window curtain.

It was green velvet, floor length, and it smelled of dust.

It hid me up to my chin if I held very still.

Outside the door, Greta's voice said, loud and bright, "Your Majesty! Would you care for some bread?"

"Greta, how thoughtful," said the Empress. "Not now, dear."

"It's still warm."

"It smells wonderful. After, I promise."

The door opened.

Two pairs of feet came in. One was boots. One was soft slippers, and the lilac came in with them.

I stopped breathing.

"Oh, Ansel," said Odile, very softly.

"I did not expect you today," said the Duke. He sounded embarrassed. "You should not be in here."

"I came to see how your wife was settling in. Bertram said I would find you here."

"Bertram says too much."

"Show me," she said. "Please. I have wondered for six years what you did with my birthdays."

He said nothing.

Then I heard him cross the room to the shelves.

"Six years," said the Empress, going slowly down the row. "Every birthday."

"It is only paper."

"It's love." She turned a tag over with one finger. "I had no idea."

Behind the curtain I stood frozen, keeping my teeth pressed together.

Keep reading free with an account. Start I Became the Bride of a Grand Duke Who's Obsessed with His First Love from Chapter 1, then sign up free to read the rest of this chapter.