Juniper lowered the cardboard box to the dusty floor, her movements freezing as the flickering television screen caught her eye. The news anchor was announcing a health update of the prince. Dominick had recovered fully and had returned to the palace last night.
She was relieved to hear the news, but it was quickly followed by a heaviness. She was grateful he was alive and well, but the reality stung her. She couldn't even send a message, let alone see him. To him, she was a shadow he wished to forget; he despised her very presence.
She turned back to her work, stacking jam bottles onto the shelf to drown out her thoughts.
"You've been working for over twelve hours, Juniper. That's enough," he said in unusually soft voice. He held out a thick envelope. "You should go home and take some rest. This is your payment for the month."
"Thank you," Juniper said, forcing a small, weary smile as she took the envelope.
