Escaping Her Curse—Completed

Chapter Twenty

Jessie tossed the papers back onto her work station and rolled her eyes while shaking her head in frustration. She then let her mind wander as her eyes followed the papers flutter into a disorganized mess on her desk. Nothing was making sense. How could these be the results, again? She had asked for completely different tests to be conducted. This only furthered her suspicions about Lady Christine’s “illness”.

It had been months since she’d taken residence in the palace. Everytime she was seemingly getting better, she’d have another episode that could stir the palace into a tizzy and bring the attention back onto her. It just didn’t make sense.

On her own time, Jessie had begun researching different poisons and their effects on the body. She had sensed that something was off, and the longer that she stayed in the palace, the more adamant the king became about choosing her for Oliver’s bride. Though Jessie knew that she never stood a chance at becoming queen, and it honestly wasn’t even an option, she hated the idea of Oliver being tied to that woman. Lady Christine had been invited to each of the other tea parties hosted by Oliver in order to find his queen. Each time, Lady Christine had presented herself to be non-confrontational and humble; however, there was something gnawing at Jessie’s insides, screaming that something about that woman wasn’t right.

King Tyson had given his son a year to choose a bride. It had already been seven months. Jessie felt like she was running out of time. Every time she found a new poison variant or possible answer, the test results from the magic lab showed that it was non-conclusive. By now, the team in the lab knew her well.

She was finally starting to feel like she belonged as Jessie, assistant to the prince, and it was a wonderful feeling, though one she knew she shouldn’t get too attached to. Anything was possible in the palace.

“What's wrong?” Oliver asked, coming into the room and seeing her upset.

“N-nothing to bother you with,” she replied quickly, covering up the pages.

Oliver raised an eyebrow at her. It was in times like these that she truly saw just how close they had become. They could read each other easily and anticipate the other’s mood, thoughts, and needs. For instance, it was nearing late afternoon, and it was around this time that Oliver became peckish. She had already placed a snack on his desk and his favorite tea paired with it.

“You know I don’t believe you,” he said skeptically in between bites.

Jessie shrugged. “Doesn’t matter if you believe me or not. You don’t need this on your plate. You already have so much going on.”

“Won’t you tell me anyway?”

“No.”

“What if I beg?”

Now it was Jessie’s turn to raise an eyebrow at him. “You? Beg?”

“Yeah. Maybe I will.”

Turning in her seat, she faced him with a smug smile and crossed her arms over her chest. “Please. I’d love to see this. Go ahead.”

Oliver finished snacking and walked over to her. He bent down, using the desk to prop up his arms and upper body until they were mere inches apart.

“Please, Jessie. Won’t you tell me what’s bothering you and causing your pretty little forehead to wrinkle in frustration?”

“That’s not fair,” Jessie breathed, lost in his eyes.

“I’m dying to know what’s going on inside that head of yours.”

He was so close. So very close. Her feelings surged up within her, and she fought the urge to lean forward ever so slightly. She could read the temptation in his eyes.

“Jessie, I want you–”

The door opened, swinging wildly and loudly pounding into the wall before it’s momentum sent it back around.

“What am I interrupting?” King Tyson’s voice boomed. “Is this how the prince conducts himself?

Oliver straightened immediately, and Jessie felt her face flush. Panic encompassed her entire body, and she stared at Oliver’s back as he turned to deal with his father.

“Nothing untoward has ever happened in this office, Father, and I do not appreciate the assumption otherwise.”

“Well, how can I know? I catch you behind a closed door preying on an employee. Had it been anyone else, rumors could have sprung up. Perhaps I should just make the decision for you now about who you’ll marry, so that I can be put at ease. I’m constantly worrying about whether you’ll mess this up too.”

“Father,” Oliver spoke, his body tense.

“Try me, son. I’m tired of waiting. And I’m tired of watching whatever this is,” he said, gesturing to Jessie.

“What is that supposed to mean?”

Tyson’s face grew red at his son’s defiance. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you had feelings for the help. My son, with a former maid. In what world would that ever happen?”

“So what? So what if I am in love with her, huh? What would it matter to you? You’d never let it happen anyway. So why do you care? You sleep with any female who moves! You cheated on mom constantly. SO WHY DO YOU CARE?” he roared back in anger.

The king drew quiet, though he was seething with rage. He turned to look at Jessie, who’s mouth had fallen open at the confession.

“You have one month left to work here, do you understand me?” Tyson said to her in an oddly calm tone.

“What?” she asked in confusion.

“I wasn’t going to tell you just yet, but I think it’s the best decision after what my son just said. I went through the process of becoming your legal guardian, since you have no living family. I officially made you a ward of the palace.”

Jessie’s heart started to race.

“You are of marrying age, and there has been…some interest in pursuing you from several noblemen. Because of your new status ordained by me, you can now move up in station, which is something almost unheard of for your background. I have already chosen a husband for you. You will be married at the end of the month.”

The room filled with such silence that it became deafening.

“Everything is already being taken care of. You’ll need to get your measurements tomorrow. I’ll have that set up.”

Jessie watched as the king turned to leave.

“Oh, and Jessie?”

“Y–yes?”

“You’re welcome.”

“Wh–who am, uh, who will I be marrying?” she got up the courage to ask.

“Baron Lance Carter.”

Tyson closed the door loudly, and left the two of them to process his words alone. Jessie attempted to stand, but fell back into her chair. She felt cold and numb. This couldn’t be happening. There was no way. Baron Carter had always treated her with contempt and hostility. He vocally abhorred her presence in every single meeting she attended with him there. He had never shown interest, let alone wanting to marry her. How could this be?

“I’ll fix this. Somehow. I’ll fix this,” Oliver said, facing her once more and walking around the desk. “I shouldn’t have yelled at him. He’ll cool off. He’ll take it back.”

“Your Highness, please,” Jessie said weakly, reaching a hand out to him.

Though, after a moment, she second-guessed herself and started to draw it back, but Oliver grabbed onto it and placed it over his heart as he bent down in front of her.

“I meant it. Every word. I wouldn’t take it back for anything. I mean, Jessie. I’ve fallen for you. I should have told you forever ago, but I just thought I’d have more time to figure out the queen situation. I won’t let him do it.”

She shook her head and tried to take her hand back. “My lord–”

“Please, just say Oliver. Let me hear my name come out of your beautiful lips in your sweet voice,” he pleaded.

“I–I can’t. You know I can’t.”

“Please, Jessie. Please. Just once more. Then I won’t ask again.”

“Do you promise?”

“Yes.”

Taking a breath to steady her own nerves, Jessie then said, “Oliver.”

She watched as his eyes fluttered shut and his lips curved into the most dashing smile. Moments later, he was caressing her cheek and then she felt his lips crash into hers, kissing her with such a strong need that she gave in immediately. She let him kiss her, and she kissed him back, as she had fantasized about doing so many times before.

His lips were soft and greedy. And when her mouth opened slightly, his tongue instantly invaded her mouth, exploring and kissing deeper. She didn’t have any breath. She felt his hands on her neck and waist, gently pulling her into him.

She was in heaven. And then she was not.

Jessie pushed him away, gasping and doing her best to catch her breath.

“No,” she said weakly, already regretting her decision and missing his lips on hers. “I can’t. We shouldn’t.”

“But you feel it too, don’t you? You feel our chemistry and attraction? You want me like I want you, and if our circumstances were different–”

“They’re not different,” she cut him off quickly. “You’re the prince. I’m your assistant. We can be nothing more. I won’t be your fling. I won’t be your mistress.”

“I don’t want you to be my fling or mistress, Jessie. I want you as my wife.”

She looked at him and saw the yearning in his eyes. She saw how he gazed at her, how he wanted her, and how he’d gladly give everything up for her.

Jessie only shook her head. “I can’t ask that of you. I don’t deserve you. This country needs you desperately. You are the change Eteshia craves. Your father has ruled without sight for far too long. Your Highness, you cannot leave your position for me. I won’t allow it. I’d never forgive you or myself.”

Oliver’s heart shattered at her words, though true. No matter how badly he wanted her and how he’d give up his kingdom for her, he knew that he shouldn’t do it. Not at this moment, and not like this.

“Wait for me. I’ll think of something.”

She shrugged at him. “What can you do? What can any of us do? As long as King Tyson draws breath, I will do his bidding as a ward. You know the rules better than anyone.”

“Please. Just try to wait.”

Jessie sighed and untangled herself from him. “You have until my wedding day, I guess.”

Oliver watched her walk out of the office.