Chapitre 20: The Queen

The first warm rays of the morning sun graced my face. I squinted and took a deep breath. Then, I slowly opened my eyes.

The other side of the bed was empty. He was gone. Again. Just like the day after my first night. Ian always left without a sign. No 'good morning' greetings, no kiss goodbye.

I felt sad and lost, and his smell lingered on the other side of the bed. I moved to where Ian slept last night and pressed my face against the silk sheets. A faint smell of grass filled my nose, and I imagined touching Ian's cheek and kissing his lips.

Oh, what was wrong with me? Why was I so attached to him? I felt as if my heart and body had left with him.

A voice outside the door interrupted my thoughts.

"Miss Annie, are you up?" A servant's cautious voice sounded outside the door.

"Oh, yes! I'm getting up!" I sat up and answered the person outside the door.

"So, can we come in and help you wash up now?" the servant asked again.