48. King Lawrence
King Lawrence
I had paced for hours. I almost had given up. It was late. Too late, which had me lunging for my phone when it started ringing. I hit the button, bringing it to my ear.
“Sultan?”
A pause. “No, it’s Penelope.”
My breath caught, coming out ragged.
“You’re alive.”
“I am.”
“Did… you pass the trials?”
A long pause.
“I did, which is why I’m calling. You were kind to reinstate my family’s title… but… I’m going to have to relinquish it.”
My lips parted, and my brow lifted in stunned disbelief.
“What?”
“I don’t want to be the Duchess of Rosemoor. I can’t accept the title.”
Back and forth my head shook, and words were nearly impossible to grasp. Nothing made sense in my mind. Not be a Duchess? Relinquish her title?
Silence filled the line.
Our conversations came back. Her expressions. Confusion and disbelief disappeared as something worse sunk in. Understanding. But it was one I didn’t want to face. My mind scrambled to try to cover up what I knew deep within.
“Is it me? Because I want you as my queen?”
Hesitation. “That does play a part of it.” She paused. “You don’t listen to me. You don’t respect my wishes. You use my title to manipulate me. But honestly… it’s deeper than that. You probably wouldn’t even understand if I did tell you.”
I paced my room, feeling my lids narrow even more.
“You’re right. I wouldn’t because I can’t think of a single reason that could convince me to bring such dishonor on my bloodline. You do realize that’s what you’re doing, right? But not just yours… how does that look on me? How does it look with you choosing him over me?”
Silence.
“I don’t want to be the Duchess. You don’t understand my reasons for relinquishing my title, and I can’t make you understand them. What I can do is say that I’m sorry and have a nice life, Your Majesty. I’m afraid I won’t be seeing you again for a long while. Take care.”
“Don’t you hang up on me,” I exploded. “It’s him. He’s making you do this.”
A pause. “Vaughn would never force me to give up my title. It was my decision. I have other priorities I need to focus on.”
“Like what? The Order?”
“Actually, yes.”
“For what? To be Vaughn’s little pet, trapped in his cage until he comes back on breaks to set you free?”
A small laugh left her. It had me shifting through the uncertainty it caused.
“Vaughn doesn’t keep me in a cage, and he certainly doesn’t treat me like a pet. He doesn’t even run The Order anymore, Your Majesty… I do.”
She paused, and my breath caught as she continued.
“So… as you can see, I don’t have time to put my focus on Rosemoor, manage multiple estates, and dazzle society.
The Order needs me now, and I plan to give myself to this life completely.
If you ever respected me, please honor my decision.
” Another pause. “And please tell George if he comes near another of my entrances, I will have him pulled in, and I will introduce him to the most excruciating death imaginable. Take care, Lawrence.”
The line went dead, and I didn’t move. I didn’t breathe.
How did she know about George? How did she even know his name?
The questions disappeared just as fast as reality forced its way in.
She gave up everything… to be with him.
She chose The Order.
Him. …Not me.
My hand tightened on my phone, and I squeezed with everything I had. I lifted it, hitting the number and bringing the phone to my ear. It was answered almost immediately.
“We’re done waiting. At the first opportunity… take her.”