Surrogate for the Alpha Prince in a Coma novel Chapter 76

Chapter 76

Lillian’s POV

Grayson was better at blocking the words of the naysayers than I was, and the words hurt. I knew I didn’t deserve a prince. I knew he had been kind to me, saving my life and Ronan’s life, and I knew, soon, he would drop me just as the vicious woman had said.

But that didn’t mean she had to say it so cruelly in my presence. I was still a person with feelings, but it seemed I had neither the respect of the people or their sympathy.

Yet, just as those dark feelings were starting to take hold, Grayson lowered his arm from my hold and instead, wrapped it around me, placing his palm flat against my lower back.

The tender touch, something that Grayson didn’t seem to even be paying attention to, was enough to silence the vengeful onlookers. I looked at Grayson, but he kept his gaze straight ahead. Ever so gently, though, I felt his thumb trace comforting circles were it sat at the small of my lower back.

The feeling, however slight, was enough to calm my frazzled nerves, and I leaned into him.

I only wished I knew if it was honest. More likely, it was a show for the court, to keep them from suspecting him, his time in the coma, or his sudden attachment to me. Most likely, nothing about this was real.

That still didn’t stop my wolf from humming in satisfaction, a sound I very nearly allowed to escape my own lips before biting it down.

Grayson and I continued walking, heading into the stands to find our seats beside the King and Queen. Josephine wasn’t here, but that was no secret. She didn’t much care for hunts, finding it wasteful.

We arrived to our seats just in time.

“We are so glad you could attend,” the Queen told us, as the King stood to introduce the hunt.

The crowd cheered during his formal speech and then, with the pop of a gun, the hunters were allowed to venture into the forest to chase their prey.

The rest of us were allowed to mingle.

“Lillian,” the Queen said, “You don’t mind fetching some water for us, do you?”

“She is not a servant,” Grayson said gruffly.

“I only mean to speak to you alone,” the Queen said. “She must understand.”

“That’s not -” Grayson started.

“It’s fine,” I said quickly, not wanting to be the cause of any rift between Jason and his family. I had already done enough damage. “I could use a chance to stretch my legs.”

Grayson looked at me sharply.

I gave him a soft, somewhat shaky smile. “I’ll be right back.”

I knew when I wasn’t wanted, and that was here and now. If the Queen wanted me gone, then I needed to be so.

Quickly, I stood.

“Lillian,” Grayson said.

1/2

Chapter 76

+15 Banus

“It will only take a moment,” the Queen said.

I nodded, accepting her words, and stepped down from the bleachers to seek out a drink tent.

I didn’t make it far before an older man approached him. I recognized the angry gait before I even saw his face.

My father.

“Daughter. We need to talk.”

No, good to see you. No, glad you are harmed. No, sorry that I treated you and your brother so terribly. He didn’t even ask about Ronan.

“I have nothing to say to you,” I said and continued forward.

“I have plenty to say to you.”

“I don’t care.”

He followed me, pressing himself into my space so much that without my even realizing it he seemed to corral me into the tight corner space between two tents where I couldn’t really escape.

“You must allow me to praise you, daughter,” my father said.

I froze, startled. My father had never said a kind word to me, let alone a compliment, unless it was given with sarcasm or couple with an insult. But this had neither of those, and his face appeared genuine.

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