Page 92 of Fit for a King

“Indefinitely.”

Baxter’s eyes held mine, and while there was no surprise in them, I thought I saw a flicker of disappointment before he blinked it away. “I see.”

“I’ll provide whatever notice is required, of course, but I think it would be best if I were released as soon as possible.”

“Best,” he repeated. “For whom?”

I swallowed and clasped my fingers together a little tighter. For whom? For me. For Nicholas. For his future husband and the entire palace.

I didn’t say any of that, though. “I don’t think I can be useful here anymore.”

“That’s not true.”

“It feels true.”

He glanced down at the file in his hand and shut it before taking off his glasses. “Does His Majesty know?”

“No, sir.”

“Then I would strongly advise⁠—”

“Please don’t.” My voice cracked, and I hated it. “Please don’t tell me what I owe him. I know what I owe the palace. I know what I owe my position. But I can’t—I can’t stay.”

Baxter was silent for a long moment, and I wasn’t sure if he’d actually let me go or not. But then he nodded. “I’ll arrange a car this morning.”

I should’ve felt relief at that, but my stomach sank, though it had needed to be done.

“Thank you, sir,” I said, and turned to leave.

He stood up from his chair, halting my steps. “You have served this house well.”

His words hit me harder than expected, and for one awful second I thought I might cry in Baxter’s office.

But I nodded and managed, “Thank you,” before walking out in a daze. I went to pick up the bag I’d left in the hall, but Violet was standing there, holding it in her hands.

Her eyes were watery, but she didn’t tell me not to go, and I appreciated that more than I could say.

“You have everything?” she asked.

“No.” I shook my head. “But everything I can take.”

Her face crumpled as she dropped my bag and then gave me a tight hug. “I’m so sorry.”

“You didn’t do this.”

“I know. I’m still sorry.”

She held on to me until Mrs. Stuart called for her. Then I picked up my bag and walked outside to wait for the car.

I felt numb as I stood there, the sun too bright for a day that felt so sad. It should’ve been cold and raining, not beautiful, like there was nothing but good to look forward to.

Before long, an unmarked black car pulled up in front of me. As the driver rounded the hood to get my bag, I took in a shaky breath.

He opened the back door for me and then placed my bag in the trunk, and I stood there for a long moment, staring back at the palace to memorize it even though I needed to forget. But I didn’t look up to Nicholas’s windows, too scared to see a glimpse of the man I was running from.

I was about to step inside when a guard came up to the car.

“Mr. Bennett.”