A/N: So for all of you who reviewed, thank you very much. I’m not going to be doing shout outs anymore, but I will continue to PM you in response to your questions, comments, and critiques. I hope that’s alright with everyone! So here is the next chapter. I actually had a ton of fun writing this chapter, and I won’t lie, I believe it is one of my favorite chapters I’ve written… but that could be because I’m a hopeless romantic. I hope you enjoy!

Hugs,

Only Hope

Whitney-

“Whitney,” I heard my name being repeated over and over. What was wrong with people? Why wasn’t I allowed to just SLEEP? I was FINALLY warm and comfortable for the first time in what, a year? And this NUMBSKULL had to come along and ruin it all. The person kept saying my name. Without opening my eyes I mumbled, “go away.”

“Whitney!” I knew that voice. My eyes snapped open and I leapt to my feet.

“Your Highness, I mean Your Majesty, I mean…” Words escaped me and I fell to my knees in a deep bow.

“Whitney, that’s enough, you’ve been through quite the ordeal, and I thought we were past the formalities.”

“That was before Your Majesty.”

“Before what? Whitney, who took you? What did they do to you?” He reached out his hand tentatively, running it over my short blonde hair and down to cup my cheek. His palm felt so warm I couldn’t help but lean into it and pray to the Gods he would caress my cheek with his rough thumb. As he kneeled to join me on the ground, I got my wish as his callused thumb brushed along my heavily defined cheekbone. Against my will, my eyes closed and I sighed happily.

“Whitney?” The softness of his voice charmed my eyes open and I looked into his green-hazel eyes.

“Tell me Whitney. I swear to all the Gods I will see whoever did this to you pay.”

I downcast my eyes daring to ask a question I knew I shouldn’t.

“Your Highness,” he lifted his eyebrow at me. “Quentin,” I restarted, “I am just a lowly maid, why do you care so much?”

He sighed deeply, lowering his hand from my face. I lifted my eyes to his and they locked once more.

“Whitney, don’t you know by now?” He tightly grabbed my hands between his. I knew I only stared question marks back at him. He chuckled.

“Whitney, I lo-”

“Your Highness! Your sister wishes to see you at once!”

“Tell her I’ll be there soon Carl,” Quentin ordered, his eyes never leaving mine.

“But Your Majesty! Your sister she’s in la, le, your nephew is coming Your Highness!”

“Blast,” Quentin mumbled under his breath. While he rose to his feet I could feel the formality building around him.

“I trust your accommodations will suit you Mistress Whitney. Carl, please tell the handmaiden that Mistress Whitney will be requiring a bath as well as a new wardrobe.”

“Que-” Carl was the one to raise his eyebrow, this time at my lack of formality… I’d met him as soon as I arrived… What an idiot.

“Your Highness,” why must I always correct myself? “I really must object. Setting aside my recent… inconvenience… I am still just a maid that is here but to serve you and yours.” Like that red-headed wench, I reminded myself sullenly.

All prestige Quentin was trying to muster dropped the second I voiced my protest, and yet his power remained.

“Nonsense Whitney! Until this case is solved, and those who wronged you are brought to justice, you will stray at my personal guest.”

“But Your Majesty I…”

“I will hear no more of this. Yes Carl, I’m coming! No need to piddle in your pants.” Carl flushed a bright red, but seized rocking from foot to foot.

“Carl, I believe I gave you orders! Now get to them!” Carl rushed through the open door. Quentin followed, turning at the frame to look back at me. As he stared I rose, dusting off fake dirt from my skirt, my cheeks tinged pink as I smoothed out the wrinkles in my blouse. I looked up to see Quentin’s eyes still on me.

When he finally spoke a surprising gruffness was to his voice. “We will continue our conversation later,” the maids Carl had sent started bustling in, bowing low to their king as they slipped past him. With that, Quentin turned on his heel and abruptly left, and the last maid closed the door behind her. I just kept staring at the place Quentin had just stood, wondering what part of the conversation he meant to continue. The part where I tell him who my captor was or why he care so much that that person be brought to justice?

Quentin-

Why must her eyelids be so thick and creamy? I hardly heard the question she asked me next and when I had finally processed it, I regretfully dropped my hand from her soft cheek, and sighed in exasperation, how could she not know how in love with her I was? Had always been…

“Whitney, don’t you know by now?” I clasped her small white hand in earnest. And just as I was about to declare my love for the angel kneeling beside me, that IDIOT Carl had to interrupt. Granted, I know the news he brought was important, but… I need Carl to leave so I could tell Whitney our conversation was far from over, so I set him on to some tasks, but the thick-skulled ninny continued to stand there!

Naturally, Whitney protested the use of the room, but I shot that to bits. Finally I had to order Carl away and in my frustration I followed him to the door. Making sure the coast was clear, I turned to address Whitney once again and was frozen in my tracks.

Whitney was standing, brushing dirt from her brown skirt, I know she felt me watching her when a rose color tinted her cheeks. To busy her nimble hands, she smoothed her blouse. The fabric pulled tight against her body and desire slammed into me. My eyes scurried back to her face and I thought about her desire to be proper and how easily she blushed… the force of love I felt for her took my breath away. I prayed to the Gods she wouldn’t hear how my breathing had become ragged.

“We will continue out conversation late,” I told her, I prayed to the Gods again that she didn’t hear how gruff my voice sounded. The maids I had sent for started coming in, and I left, though it killed me to do so without her knowing how in love with her I am and will always be.