A Royal Deception

Chapter 3

Damein pov

What should have been five minutes drive to the palace had already been fifteen. I silently cursed every bumps on the road, every clash of thunder, and every wind that sent the limo sliding sideways. Rain fell in heavy drops, battering the car’s roof and windshield. I knew that it was impossible for William to drive faster, but that knowledge did nothing to curb my frustration at the limo’s snail like pace up the mountain.

At least inside the car is warm and comfortable. I thought as I studied the lady laying on the soft leather seat beside me. I pressed the handkerchief on her forehead, frowning at the stark contrast of bright red color on the white cloth. God knows I have seen a fair share of blood in the past two years, but this was different. The lady seem so delicate, so fragile.

I examined the gash on her forehead more closely and felt certain that it wasn’t too deep. She had stopped shivering after I have covered her with blanket, had even attempted to sit up twice, claiming that she was fine, both time I lay her back down on the seat. She wasn’t fine for God sake, she’d been hit by a car, my car.

Where did she come from? And the biggest question still, who is she?

The fact that she haven’t answered any of my questions disturbed me, but she has taken a nasty fall and a blow to the head. It was understandable that she a little confused and disoriented at the moment.

There is something vaguely familiar about her though that I can put my finger on, like a fleeting moment from my childhood. It lingered at the edge of my mind, but refused to come closer.

I shake the odd feeling off. Most probably I have never met her at all. Although it was late into the year, it was possible that she was a tourist or maybe a visiting guest from the neighbouring estates. The countryside along the coast of Arendelle was breathtaking. Travellers from all over the world came to view and photograph the scenic cliffs and forests.

But when I think back, I hadn’t noticed a camera, she wasn’t even carrying a purse with her.

A blinding bolt of lightning lit the inside of the car, then thunder crashed. The lady squeezed her eyes shut and huddled beneath the blanket.

“You’re all right now,” I reassured her, though I wasn’t certain. Her skin had paled and her breath was shallow. “We’ll be at the palace in a few minute.”

“Palace?” Her eyes opened, then narrowed in confusion.

“Arendelle palace, that’s where my driver and I were headed when you appeared on the road. Do you remember where you are going?”

“I__” she hesitated, then shook her head. “No”

She started to shiver again. I took both her hands in mine to comfort as much as to warm her cold skin. Her fingers are long and slender, her nails short and neat. Other than the red Ruby ring in her right hand that I had noticed before, she wore no jewelry. No wedding ring or evidence that she had worn one recently, either.

Another bolt of lightning flashed by. The lady closed her eyes and whimpered.

“Sshh” I squeezed her hands, hoped like hell she wasn’t going into shock.

“Your hands,” she said quietly and opened her eyes. “They’re so warm.”

I smiled at her. “Only because yours are so cold.”

A smile flashed across her face, then quickly faded away. “ you have been so kind to me, and I don’t even know your name.”

“Damein.” I checked the wound on her forehead again, and was relieved that the bleeding has eased. “Damein Edward Arendelle”

Her brow furrowed. “Your last name is the same as the palace you mentioned? Are you a member of the royal family?”

Even though I had done my best to stay out of the public eyes my entire life, everyone who lived on this island knew that Damein Arendelle was King Logan Arendelle’s son. Not exactly anyone knows what I looked like, especially since I have been gone for the past two years, but still, the name Damein Arendelle was well known to my country’s general population.

Unless this lady wasn’t from Arendelle, I thought. Or, possibly the blow to her head had wiped out more of her memory than just her own name.

But as William pulled up in front of the infirmary, I hadn’t had time to answer her question, or ask more of my own questions. Wearing a black rain slicker and carrying an umbrella, the doctor hurried down the stairs, then quickly opened the car door.

Questions and answers will have to wait for a while, I know. I scooped the lady into my arms and carried her up the infirmary steps while the doctor Shielded her from the rain with his umbrella. Whatever the beautiful lady’s name might be, and she’d been doing up the mountain road, would have to remain a mystery for now.

Thirty minutes later, I stared at the waiting room clock and frown, what the hell was taking so long? I swore under my breath then turn on my heel and continue pacing. William had gone to report the accident to Queen Maria and Dr. Wilson was still in the examination room.

Checking the clock again, my frown deepened. Surely the doctor is done examining now and have something to report.

For the hundredth times, I recall the sound of her bike colliding with the front of the limo, the expression of shock on her face before her body flew through the air and landed on the ground beside the road.

All the bruises and cuts, the blood.

I clenched my fist at the memory, then turn and headed towards the examination room at the rear end of the hall. Enough is enough, I refuse to wait any longer. Someone has to tell me something.

Now.

I lift my fist to knock on the door but it opened before my hand made contact with it. Nicole Liam, Dr. Wilson personal nurse, stood on the other side. The woman literally fill the doorway.

Damn not Nicole, I thought. I had learn at a young age how to get around most staff in the palace, sometimes with charms, sometimes pulling pranks. But nothing works with Nicole Liam.

“Your royal highness.” Nurse Nicole stepped out of the room and closed the door behind her. At six foot the woman didn’t have to look up to meet Damien’s eyes. “Is there something I can help you with?”

If I ever need my car moved, I though.

I straighten my shoulders. “I would like to speak to Dr. Wilson.”

“I have already told you that Dr. Wilson will speak with you when he’s done with his examination,” Nicole said firmly. “ please have a seat at the waiting room, I’ll call you when the doctor is ready for you.”

She turn around walked away before I could even respond and sit behind the waiting room counter.

I stare at the woman’s back. Dammit I’m the one who’s suppose to be giving the orders around here, but nonetheless I still turn back and head towards the waiting room then sit stiffly on one of the leather chairs.

Nicole sat behind her computer typing, I was considering rushing into the exam room when William came into the office, a cup of steaming coffee in his hand and a worried expression on his face. Nicole glanced at the driver and give him a stiff nod then turned back to her computer.

Good, at least William can help me distract Nicole.

“How is it going.” He ask handing me the cup of coffee in his hand, I shake my head, “ I can’t get pass Nicole, I could use a little diversion.”

William grinned. “My specialty.”

“Nicole my darlin,” William turns over to the woman and lean across the counter. “My wife’s been asking me why you haven’t been attending the knitting circle.”

Nicole eyed him suspiciously. “I’ve never been to a knitting circle before, William. Juliet knows that.”

William scratched his neck and frown. “Maybe it’s the gardening then, or was it__”

The cup in Williams hand tumbled over the edge of the counter and explode across Nicole’s desks, with a bolt Nicole jumped up and grabbed a box of tissue and bolted at the mess. When William came round to help her, I ducked pass them both and headed down the hall.