Jeniva stood in the center of the grand chamber. The servant who had escorted her had vanished, leaving her alone in a room that felt too large and far too quiet. On the coffee table, a stack of disorganized papers hinted at a prince who was drowning in work.
"Why are you here?"
The sudden cold voice made Jeniva jump, her heart hamring against her ribs as Dominick brushed past her. He moved with a restless speed after what transpired between him and Juniper earlier in the morning.
"Didn’t His Highness request for ?" Jeniva asked, her voice small as she followed him. "The file. You requested the reporting officer to bring it personally. My senior, Sentinel Cooper, told it was my duty to deliver it since I was on the field."
Dominick didn’t look at her. He snatched the file from her hands, his fingers brushing hers for a fraction of a second, feeling again the sa electric feeling he wasn’t supposed to.
"I didn’t ask them to send you," he stated. "I expected the one who commanded you to report to . I have no ti for the perspectives of subordinates."
Jeniva bit the inside of her cheek, the sting of his dismissal fueling a spark of hidden irritation. She remained quiet, standing at attention as Dominick flipped the file open.
"You can go," Dominick muttered, his eyes never leaving the docunts. His dismissal was cold. It was a clear signal that her presence was no longer required, or desired.
Jeniva bowed her head. She spun on her boots, ready to make a swift exit, when Evan stepped into the chamber.
"Oh, Jeniva!" His face lit up with a genuine warmth. He greeted the Alpha Prince quickly with a respectful nod before turning his full attention back to her. "It’s good that you’re here."
Jeniva managed a small, grateful smile, returning the greeting.
"I have an important ssage for you," Evan continued, his tone turning professional. "For the upcoming mission in Gridlock, you’re supposed to go with us."
Dominick’s head snapped up, his brow furrowing in a deep frown. "Evan, what is going on? Why would a junior officer be assigned? I specifically asked them to send soone capable," he questioned, his voice laced with confusion and irritation.
"Your Highness, I apologize for not explaining it right away," Evan replied calmly. He reached into the inner pocket of his coat and pulled out a white envelope embossed with the official seal of the Sentinel Corps.
"The Head Sentinel personally recomnded her na for the strike team. He believes her field experience can help us in much better way."
Dominick stared at the envelope and took it from him.
"His Highness has a problem with just because I asked to be by his side to work for him," Jeniva remarked with a daring edge. She had a mountain of words she wanted to throw at Dominick, critiques of his coldness and his arrogance, but his royal status acted like a muzzle, which was even more frustrating.
Dominick glanced at her, but he didn’t bother opening the envelope yet.
"We are supposed to leave in the evening," Dominick said, the sudden pivot catching Jeniva completely off guard. "You’re dismissed. Go pack your gear."
Jeniva’s brows knitted together in genuine bewildernt. One mont he was questioning her presence, and the next, he was confirming her place on the mission. She offered a stiff, formal bow and walked out of the chamber.
As the doors closed behind her, Evan turned to Dominick, crossing his arms. "What was that, Your Highness? Why do you keep making her feel low? This isn’t the Dominick I know."
"Umm... She’s super clingy. Maybe that’s why," Dominick answered. He lowered himself into the sofa, looking at the white envelope. "Well, now she will be accompanying us. I want to believe the Head Sentinel; he’s far too experienced to recomnd soone based on a whim. If he says she’s an asset, I’ll treat her as one, even if she is a nuisance."
Evan humd, not entirely convinced by Dominick’s "clingy" excuse.
"I don’t think Jeniva is a nuisance. I would say she’s more excited about the missions she is handed," Evan stated, lowering his arms to his sides. He knew Jeniva’s enthusiasm stemd from a genuine desire to prove herself, but Dominick was currently viewing everything through a lens of cynicism.
"That’s what I find irritating," Dominick replied, his voice flat as he finally tore open the envelope. He pulled out the neatly folded paper and scanned the contents. His eyes narrowed as he read the Head Sentinel’s personal note.
"I’ll co to pick you up in the evening," Evan said, offering a slight bow of his head before retreating, leaving Dominick alone in the sprawling silence of the chamber.
Dominick stared at the paper for a long mont before folding it back into the envelope. He reached out and pressed a silver bell on the table. Almost instantly, a servant walked in and bowed.
"Pack my luggage. I’m leaving for Gridlock in the evening," he ordered, leaning back on the sofa and closing his eyes.
A few monts later, a low voice pulled Dominick back from the precipice of sleep. He opened his eyes to find Lester standing before him, holding a black folder.
"The lawyer has finalized the alimony agreents for Miss Juniper, Your Highness," Lester explained softly. "He requests that you review the terms one final ti before they are presented for signing."
Lester stepped closer, placing the file on the low table before Dominick took it.
Dominick sat up, rubbing the bridge of his nose before flipping the cover open. He had been generous, but he wanted no lingering debts between them. Along with a sprawling estate and a significant parcel of fertile land, the liquid assets allocated were substantial enough to ensure Juniper would never have to rely on anyone for the rest of her life.
It was a golden cage turned into a bridge for her future.
"The terms are fair," Dominick murmured, more to himself than to Lester. "But I won’t have it said that I forced her hand." He looked up. "Take this to her. Get them checked with Juniper personally before I put my pen to the paper. If there is sothing more she feels she is owed, let her add it."
"Understood, Your Highness," Lester replied. He retrieved the file, offered a deep, respectful bow, and retreated from the room.
"I hope she doesn’t bother after this. It’s painful to even watch how my marriage failed," Dominick murmured with a somber gaze.
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