Surrogate for the Alpha Prince in a Coma novel Chapter 87

Chapter 87

Lillian’s POV

+15 Bonus

Whether Beta reported my words back to Grayson or kept them to himself, I didn’t know. Regardless, Grayson’s coldness continued, even into our court appearances. I pushed his wheelchair but otherwise, we did not speak or touch. He made no motion to reach for me and neither did I reach for him.

I was fine with it. In fact, I preferred it, despite what the ache in my chest was hinting at. It wasn’t a big deal to me

The court, however, watched us like we were some kind of theater troupe, there to entertain them. Whispers followed in our wake, and spread all around us. Those same people started putting some distance between us.

After one of the court session, Beta wheeled Grayson away to speak with a few noblemen. I hadn’t been invited or even looked at so I stayed where I was. Typically, some of the ladies of the court would approach me by now, but no one did today.

Without Grayson nearby, the whispers grew louder. I tried to ignore them by focusing on other conversations, day to day things between the ladies. I didn’t need to hear how they suspected Grayson was falling out of love with me already. I knew the truth, he was never in love with me to start.

Nearby, I heard some familiar ladies talking.

“Are

you coming to the brunch today? Everyone’s going to be there.”

“You couldn’t keep me away.”

Odd. I hadn’t received any invitation for a brunch today. Actually, I’d noticed, since the attempt on my life, and the confrontation with Ophelia in front of Josephine, I hadn’t received many invitations at all.

But that had to be an oversight, surely. Even if Grayson was being distant to me now, I was still Luna Princess. I would still be invited places, wouldn’t I?

“Excuse me,” I said, approaching the pair.

The both paled, seeing me, and their conversation dried up at once.

I pressed on, perhaps foolishly. “I haven’t received an invitation to that brunch yet.”

“Oh,” said one of the women, looking at the other.

The other was bolder. “You wouldn’t.”

“No?” I asked.

The first lowered her voice. “There isn’t any brunch.”

“But I just heard you talking…”

“You heard her now, then, didn’t you?” asked the second. “There’s isn’t a brunch. You believe us, don’t you?”

I didn’t know what to say. I’d definitely heard them talking about a brunch, one I knew I hadn’t been invited too. Now they were denying it.

I didn’t need to hear more. I should have known from the start what this meant instead of pressing. Now, I carried both the shame of being purposefully excluded as well as the embarrassment of being labeled a fool for not immediately realizing that was the case.

1/3

Chapter 87

+15 Bgnus

The girls used my moment’s pause to separate themselves from me. When they were a distance away, them snickering.

I heard

It took all of my strength to keep my chin up, maintaining the illusion of pride, even as my true pride was cracked, nearly shattered.

I was alone then, but only for a minute.

“Luna Princess Lillian,” said the Queen. She approached me with a regal flow, her skirts not moving as she walked, making it appear almost as if she was floating. A few ladies walked with her, looking at her with interest, seeming to hang on her every word and action.

As she approached me, I gave a small, respectful bow. “Your Highness.”

“I need to speak to you at once,” the Queen said. “In regards to one of your required duties as Luna Princess.”

“Yes?”

“With the prince in the state he was in, no one expected more from you than to see to his care,” she said. “But now that he is awake, he no longer needs you looming over him. It is time for you to see to these other duties.”

“What are these duties, Your Highness?”

“There are many, but you will learn them in time. For now, it is time for you to organize an event. Your own. To full establish your image as Luna Princess,” the Queen said.

The women around her spoke at once, all of them saying how good of an idea that was, and how was the Queen was to think of it. The Queen lifted her hand and they fell silent as commanded.

“Do this well, Lillian, because this event is not without consequence. Every marriage has troubles, but you are not in every marriage. Yours is to the future leader of this kingdom. Your relationship is held in constant scrutiny. You are always being judged. If you cannot prove yourself, you will be removed.”

Shocked, I just looked at her.

She spoke again, “If your event fails, if you prove yourself to be unworthy of the title you hold, or if you fail to garner support of the people and the court, you could be stripped of your position. Not just your title, but also your role as the Prince’s fated mate. You will be cast from the palace, scorned and shamed.”

I looked around for Grayson and saw him with his back to me, paying me no attention.

“Do you understand?”

I lowered my head. “Yes.”

I cared little for the Luna Princess title, but I had many reasons to want to hold onto it. Not the least of which was my brother fighting for his life in the medical wing. When I was excused from my conversation with the Queen, I went there to see him.

I sat beside his bed and held his hand. He was growing colder and colder all the time, and my heart was heavy with worry and fear.

One of the nurses came in then, to check and record Ronan’s vitals.

“Has anyone found any cure?” I asked. “Any treatments?” I knew the healers had been assigned to search. I’d already been promised they were doing all they could.

The nurse pressed her lips hard together. She finished writing down what she needed on her clipboard, then

2/3

Chapter 67

+15 Bohus

glanced at the door. No one was there, so she came to me. Her voice low, she said, “Are you familiar with the Gamma and his family?”

“Yes.” I’ve seen them at the court events, and I’ve sat in the room with the wife and oldest daughter before, during teas and brunches. They mostly kept to themselves, ignoring all but the highest ranking members of the

court.

“That family works with poisons,” she said. “They made their fortune as apothecaries. The healers have tried reaching out and have been ignored. If there’s anything you could do, Luna Princess…”

“I understand,” I said. “Thank you.”

The nurse nodded, then scuttled away.

I leaned back in my chair, my mind reeling.

The Gamma family did not deign to talk to those beneath them. Even as Luna Princess, I had not earned more than a basic introduction. With as close to disgrace as I presently was, they wouldn’t willingly speak to me, especially if what I needed was a favor.

If I wanted to be in their good graces, I needed influence. And to have influence, that meant I needed to keep my Luna Princess role and thrive with it.

That meant, to save Ronan’s life, I had to run a successful event.

Comments

U

Support