When Petals Meet The Blade (Priscilla and Waldo) novel Chapter 23

Chapter 23

“Jessical” Waldo’s expression darkened, and his voice became sharp with irritation. “Do you have any idea how much power Prince Leon has built up in the Northern Border over the years?

“He’s endured so much, and now that he’s back, you really think he’ll just forget the grudge over his disfigurement? And at a time like this, you’re still acting this way?”

Jessica looked at him, her mind swirling. She wondered, ‘Does he truly believe that no matter what I say or do, it is always unreasonable in his eyes? If that’s the case, what is there left for us to talk about?‘

“Your Highness, I’m tired today and can’t entertain you. Please, go back.” She picked up the wooden box and turned to leave.

Waldo’s expression soured. With a swift step, he blocked her path. “At a time like this, with such a great enemy before us, you still choose to speak to me like this?”

“If you see Prince Leon as an enemy, then that’s your own problem, not mine. I’m just a weak woman–hardly worthy of being his enemy.”

She thought, ‘So why should I be involved in their struggle?‘

“You’re the one who sent Prince Leon to the Northern Border years ago, setting him up for that battle. He lost his face because of that. A hatred like that- do you really think he can just forget?”

He thought, ‘Isn’t she always the careful, calculating one? Why is she being so naive now?‘

“Now he’s come to see you, and you think it’s for anything other than revenge? Do you really believe he just wants to have a casual chat with you?”

“I told you, Prince Leon came to propose marriage, not for coffee,” Jessica replied, growing more exasperated. She was beginning to feel like they were speaking completely different languages. She wondered, ‘Why have I never noticed this before?‘

Waldo’s impatience flared. “There are no other young women in the Yates family. Who would he want to marry? Jessica, stop playing games.”

Jessica blinked, her eyes wide with surprise. “In Your Highness’s eyes, am I not even a woman?”

“You’ve been by my side for years. Who doesn’t know that you belong to me? In all of Novigrad, who would want to marry you?”

His words weren’t meant as an insult, but he was genuinely tired and didn’t want to keep going back and forth with her.

Jessica’s pretentiousness and melodrama quickly drained any sympathy he’d felt for her moments earlier.

Monica, unable to keep quiet, spoke up. “Your Highness, Prince Leon… he-”

“Monica, go check on the herbs I dried. Make sure they’re stored properly,” Jessica interrupted. She was afraid Waldo would kick Monica again.

Monica muttered under her breath but reluctantly responded, “Yes.”

With one final glare at Waldo, she turned and left without even bothering to bow.

Waldo clenched his jaw and snorted. “The servants in this household

I don‘

even know basic manners anymore! What kind of master are you?”

Jessica couldn’t help but smile. “Isn’t His Highness always fond of people who don’t follow the rules? Monica’s just giving you what you like. Why are you so upset?”

Waldo’s face flushed with frustration. He was getting more and more irritated.

Jessica had never spoken to him like this before. The sarcasm in her voice was a side of her he hadn’t seen before. She really had changed.

But despite his irritation, he hadn’t forgotten why he came today.

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Chapter 23

Enough,” he said, trying to calm himself. “I won’t make an issue of her rudeness, but Jessica, now that Prince Leon is back, you can’t possibly noch what his intentions are. At a time like this, shouldn’t we stop fighting each other and focus on the bigger threat?”

Jessica lowered her gaze, staring at the wooden box in her hands. “To be honest, I really don’t know what his intentions are!