#Chapter 38 Duty's Call

Charles I left that night, regretting my restraint as George drove me back the long, winding roads to the Palace. Leaving Grace’s pack house was a bittersweet moment. My usual happiness about returning home was stifled. I wanted to be at the Mooncrest Pack House with Grace, Cecil, and Richard. How was it that there was nothing that required my attention when I wanted it, but now, there were things that needed me when I didn’t? “Heavy lies the head that wears the crown,” I grumbled. George laughed. “We’ll do our best to get you back to courting.” I smirked. “Have you met Eason yet?” “I really don’t want you trying to matchmake me.” I shrugged. “He’s your type.” He laughed, but he didn’t disagree. When I got back to the Palace, the scent of its familiar stone floors and walls wrapped around me, but I couldn’t enjoy it. Sometimes I felt triumph in these halls, but more often than not, the silence was a painful reminder of the life I was supposed to be living, the friends I