Chapter 73
Lily's POV
The clink of the last plate hitting the rack echoed like a small victory. My fingers were wrinkled from the water, my arms sore from the scrubbing, but I felt… good.
Washing dishes had always been my least favorite task, but today, it felt like my mind needed something repetitive, something I didn't have to think too hard about.
After wiping my hands dry, I tied my apron tighter and moved to the counter, placing a fresh batch of onions in front of me. Dinner had to be ready by seven, and I was already behind schedule.
I picked up the knife, slicing through the first onion, the crisp sound echoing softly.
But my mind, a traitorous little thing, slid back to earlier.
Joe.
The way he stood up for me… so instinctively and so fiercely. His voice had carried through the entire palace like a shield over my name. Over me!.
He hadn't hesitated.
He hadn't flinched when Jane tried to cover it all with her usual venom-laced sweetness.
