“Make time. You can’t spend every second avoiding having a life.”
“It’s not that simple. If you haven’t noticed, I am drowning in an abundance of life right now. I have a lot going on and no idea how it will all end. I don’t want a boyfriend or any of the drama that comes with them.”
“That’s when you usually find one. Not all guys are total jerks like Xavier.”
This is the most I’ve talked about him since he broke up with me. I spent my time being upset about it like any normal girl would then make the choice not to let relationships or boys take any sort of priority in my life. Quinn is the first guy to ever make me forget about Xavier, normally what he did is all I can think about when a guy approaches me, and I shut the whole thing down.
“A guy would have to put up with a lot to date me, including rarely seeing me. That doesn’t say successful relationship to me.”
“If he’s willing to, then you know he would be worth it. Any guy willing to face a king is worth giving a chance to.”
“This is pointless. I don’t even know if I’m allowed to date.” I cross my arms, huffing in my chair like a five-year-old. I’m tired of talking about this and I know she won’t let it go.
“I’m sure you are. Your dad dated your mom.”
“Totally different, he was looking for a wife. I’m not on the search for forever right now. This was just one night. That was it. I’m not going back, and I’ll never see him again. Now will you drop this, please?” I pick up my pastry and shove a more than ladylike bite into my mouth hoping to keep her from asking more questions.
“Fine, but one last thing.” I look at her, but she doesn’t back down, so I motion for her to go on. “Princess or not, you will have to date again eventually. Fall in love, have a family. You can’t let one bad relationship define every other one.”
I don’t know that princesses get the luxury of falling in love, but I don’t want to argue about this anymore. I have scarier things to worry about. Royalty lessons and quality time to get to know my father.
I’m excited to spend time with my father, really. It’s just so awkward sometimes. We never seem to know what to talk about, and when we do talk, I manage to say something offensive. Today, he made time to come to my royalty lessons and have lunch he just needs to finish this last phone meeting, and I’m patiently waiting, not pacing, outside his office.
“Adella? Is that you?”
That voice. It can’t be. I glance up and find myself looking into those unforgettable green eyes. “Quinn.”
What is he doing here and looking like that? He looks incredible in that blue suit and has had a shave. He looks much closer to twenty this morning and is obnoxiously handsome. He’s a distraction I don’t need and a problem I don’t want. What if he causes issues about last night?
“It’s a pleasant surprise to see you so soon. Is your father in with the king?”
“Umm…”
A maid steps between us. “Your Grace, pardon me. You must address the princess as such,” she says with a curtsey.
Your Grace? Who is this guy?
“No, it’s alright,” I assure her. Thankfully she scurries off. I’d rather not have an audience for this conversation. They appear out of thin air. Likely hiding in the draperies, ready to pounce or gather a new bit of gossip. I can’t imagine how this looks.
“Princess?” He looks me up and down and for once I’m glad I have Clara to dress me. Today, I look the part in a nice pencil dress and nothing like the fun seeking tart from last night showing far too much skin.
“Princess Adellaide, Your Grace.” I stand a little taller. I won’t let him shame me about this. He wasn’t too interested in sharing his true identity either.
“The rumors are true. Well this is a little shocking.” He runs a hand through his hair, not messing it up a bit.
“It seems I’m not the only one with some secrets.” I fold my arms and glare at him.
“To be fair, you never asked if I was a duke.” He steps closer to me, shrinking our reasonable ten-foot gap to less than a foot.
“You never asked if I was a princess.” I step back, reclaiming a little distance. Dukes may get a free pass to go wherever they want and flirt with whomever they please. I’m pretty sure princesses do not.
“True enough.” He leans against the wall like this is the most comfortable conversation in the world. “Care to start over again?”
“You already had a second chance last night. No more do overs.” I stand a little taller hoping he doesn’t see how flustered he makes me. “What are you doing here?”
“I’m visiting my Uncle.”
“Who’s your uncle?”
He smiles his trademark lopsided grin, and I try to focus on anything but the way it makes my stomach flip. The door to the office opens and my father steps out between us, he follows my gaze turning around.
“Quinn, my boy. It’s wonderful to see you.”
Quinn pushes off the wall and bows deeply. “Your Majesty.”
“Oh, stop that. I see you’ve met my Adellaide.”
“I have. She’s positively intriguing.” He gives me a wink when my father turns back to me.
I plaster on the biggest smile I can manage.
“Adella, this is Quinn, Duke of Herington. Quinn, will you be visiting long?”
Herington? He’s the one Cordelia told me about. He’s going to be here. In the castle? What have I gotten myself into?
“I hadn’t decided how long my stay will be yet.”
“Not to worry. Stay as long as you like. You’re always welcome. Recent events don’t change that. I’m sorry I didn’t know you were arriving today. Adella and I have quite a full schedule this afternoon. Will we see you for dinner?”
“Dinner will be wonderful. I look forward to getting to know the princess. Please, don’t let me keep you.” He gives us a slight bow and thankfully goes the opposite way.
Chewing all the lipstick from my lower lip, I work on asking the question I’m terrified to get the answer to.
“He isn’t related to us, is he?” I blurt. Oh god. I’ll be sick. This can’t be happening.
“Who, Quinn? He’s the nephew of my late wife, so no blood relation.” He glances my way as we walk. “The boy caught your attention already? I’ve heard he’s quite the charmer. I love him dearly, but I’m not sure he’s the right match for you, unless of course he’s changed.”
My shoulders relax. Thank goodness. I know royals have a past of marrying within the family but where I come from kissing your cousin isn’t a good thing. Quinn had to know what I would think with all that uncle talk.
“I have enough to worry about without adding boys into it. I was just curious.”
“It’s okay to want a personal life, Adella. You will have suitors soon enough and should entertain the thought that one could make you happy.”
Wow, so we’re going to have this conversation just like this, no big deal. “I’m not looking for suitors. Maybe one day, but not today.”
He chuckles and thanks the guard who opens the door to the terrace for us. “Definitely not today. Today your only worry is being a daughter. Mine is being a father. Everything else can wait.”
“What about my lessons?” It’s only an hour a day, but it could be five hours and I wouldn’t know the difference. Learning a lifetime of princess lessons is exhausting.
“You’ve been working so hard, I thought you deserved a break.” He gestures toward the clear blue sky. “The weather is enjoyable today, perhaps we could enjoy lunch on the terrace. Then we can spend the day doing whatever you want.”
“Really? Whatever I want? Even if it doesn’t follow royalty protocol?” I clasp my hands together and smile. This is just what we need some easy and natural father daughter time.
“Well, nothing too outrageous and I’m not very fond of running.”
“No running, got it.”
Chapter Five
“Look at this one.” Seneca laughs
as we slowly make our way to the docks, reading trashy gossip magazines and sharing one last cannoli before she leaves. I never thought that I would be reading about myself one day.
I trade her the cannoli for the magazine and look at the picture. It’s of us last week at the Margherita Gigante Festival. “Are you going to miss this?” I nod at the picture.
“It’s fun, but I’m going to miss you a lot more.”
“I’m going to miss you so much. Thank you for coming with me.” It’s going to be hard now that my only friend is going back to her life, four thousand miles away.
“Are you kidding. I would stay forever if I could. But alas, I must return to my life as a peasant and finish school.” Seneca lays a hand on her forehead and clutches her chest.
“If school doesn’t go well you could always give acting a try. You know you can come back anytime.”
“Of course. Are you sure you’ll be okay? I can change my schedule and stay longer. Take the summer off.”
I would love to keep her here with me, but I can’t be selfish. This isn’t her problem. “Don’t you dare. Just because my life has been turned upside down is no reason for yours, too.”
“I’ll come visit as soon as I can. Call me, write me, everyday! I want to know everything.”
“What everything, you’ve seen it all.” I lean against the railing looking out at the clear blue water, letting the salty breeze blow against my face.
“I want to know how things progress with Lord Hottie.” She leans next to me, and I groan.
“Don’t call him that.” He heard Seneca call him that day before yesterday and the smirk he sent me from across the room made me want to melt into the floor. He doesn’t need encouragement.
“What? He is. This is perfect. He knows you’re a princess and he’s staying at the castle. You can be together with no problems. There’s no reason you can’t sneak off whenever you want and-”
“Do not finish that sentence.” I point my finger at her. “This is real life not one of your bodice ripper novels.”
“Why can’t it be both? I’m sure he could rip your bodice, if you let him. He looks more than capable.” She waggles her eyebrows at me, and the heat blooms across my face and chest.
“Stop. I’m not going to have a secret relationship with some duke. I’ll leave that to you.” Quinn invited Nico to the castle and he and Sen really had some sparks, and by sparks, I mean a raging inferno that could engulf anyone in the same room.
“My hottie isnt a duke yet, beside we’re talking about you. It doesn’t have to be a secret, I’m sure your dad will approve.”
“Enough, you can’t stop bringing this up and you act as if he is just waiting for me to date him. He’s not. He’s not even the dating type.” He’s the leave you on the floor broken, eating ice-cream out of the tub when he’s done with you type. I don’t have time for the emotional breakdown that being with him promises, no matter how good it may be at the time.
The boat horn blasts from the dock and several people finish up their goodbyes hurrying onboard.
Wendell steps toward us with Seneca’s bag from the car handing it to the porter. “Miss Seneca, time to go. It has been a pleasure.”
“I’m going to miss you too, Wendell.” She throws her arms around him, momentarily tipping his balance. He stands rigid and looks at me. I make a circle motion with my arms, indicating he should hug her back.
He pats her awkwardly on her back. “It will most definitely be quieter without you, Miss Seneca.”
She steps back from Wendell looking at me. “Will I get in trouble if I hug the Princess?”
“Get over here.” We hug until the horn blasts again. “Call me when you get home.”
“I will.” She nods as the tears start to fill her eyes.
“Don’t do that, or I will, too.”
She wipes under her eyes and plasters a big smile on her face.
“Okay. Talk soon.” She darts up the ramp to board the boat and turns and waves as it pulls away from the dock.
Once back at the castle Wendell leads me to my father’s office. He knocks twice and opens the door. “Your majesty. Your daughter is here.” Wendell bows and steps to the side so I can walk into the room before he shuts the door on his way out.
“Wonderful. Please come in.” He shuffles some papers around on his desk before looking up at me. “Did you see your friend off?”
“Yes. She made it on the boat with no problems.”
“I’m sorry she had to go. Perhaps she can visit again soon.” He continues sorting through papers on the desk.
I walk along the wall looking at the books and other things on the shelves before stopping at the window. Christmas would be the next time she could get away. No way she can skip out on her family to come see me. I’ve gone from seeing my best friend every day to maybe twice a year.
“She has classes. It may be a while before she has the time.”
“I understand. Be sure she knows she’s welcome anytime.”
“She will be happy to hear that, and I appreciate it, too.” I turn away from the window to face him. “Was that all you wanted from me?”
“I would like for you to sit in on a meeting with me today. The Duke of Gedge has requested an audience and has expressed interest in meeting you.”
“I think I’ve had my fill of dukes.”
Quinn is everywhere in the castle, and when I don’t see him, I’m thinking about him. I thought his flirtation would be short lived and after a few days he would be gone. Now, two weeks later, he’s extending his stay through the summer. At first, I could tolerate it, and maybe even enjoyed it, but now he’s a constant interruption. It’s exhausting fighting with myself. I know I shouldn’t be attracted to him. I’ll just get hurt if I let myself get too attached. The trail of love-sick maids who seem to appear wherever he is, reminds me who he is. The playboy duke. One of the most eligible bachelors of Messalina with no intentions of giving up his bachelor status. I just can’t seem to stop myself from gravitating his way.
“Is this about Quinn? He was always a bit of a handful as a child, but he’s a good young man.”
“He’s fine.” The sigh that escapes when I sit on the sofa is loud, and I wish my father hadn’t heard it.
His eyebrows raise, he takes off his glasses setting them on the desk, giving me his full attention.
“He isn’t giving you any problems, is he?”
“Oh, no nothing like that. I’m just worn out. How do you do it?” I turn on the sofa to face him more. My father goes with Seneca on the list of people don’t want to talk about Quinn with.
“It has been busier than normal lately, but it’s largely due to you. It will quiet down in time. Some of it is intrigue, but many of them have come because they have heard just how remarkable and wonderful you are.”
“I’ve met them all! Everyone who has asked, I’ve met. I smile. I listen. I still only understand about half of what they talk about.” I slump back in a very unladylike fashion, but I don’t care. As if finding out I’m the princess suddenly makes me up to date on all things Messalinian. And those pushy nobles. If one more duke tries to marry his son off to me, I just might scream.
“I know. You’ve really proven how adaptable and capable you are.” He clasps his hand together and rests them in his lap. “I had no desire to learn about politics and procedures, but I had no choice and was prepared for it ever since I could write. You’ve done it all in only a month, and you’re doing wonderfully.”
“I’m not and I’m tired of being told I am. I’m doing a terrible job. I don’t need anyone lying to save my feelings.” I stand and start pacing in front of his desk. My father watches me intently. On top of everything, I don’t even know if I want to take the throne. Am I doing all of this for nothing? I wasn’t raised for this like you. I wasn’t groomed from the time I could walk to lead a country. I hear the remarks and see the looks. You may see all the people who approve, but I see the ones who don’t. No one
wants to tell the king they don’t trust his daughter can lead them. They don’t think I can do this anymore than I do.”
“Don’t say that. No one wants you to fail. Believe me, we trust that you can be queen one day.”
“I don’t know if I can do that. Be a queen, lead a country. Make decisions for thousands. It’s not the same as pretending to be a princess. I know I promised to give you the summer, but I don’t know that I can.” Sitting in the chair that faces him I’m worried about what I will see when I meet his eyes. I love it here, and I really don’t want to leave, but I’m not sure what other choice I have.
“I won’t force you into being queen. I want to know you as my daughter. Please don’t leave yet. We’re just getting to know each other. I let simple training spiral out of control and put too much on you. I wasn’t being fair, I’m sorry.”
“I just can’t take the pressure. Maybe if I had been raised for this life, but I wasn’t. No.” I hold my hand up stopping him and he closes his mouth. “I don’t blame you or mom. Not anymore.”
“I wanted to be in your life Adella. I still do. Whatever it takes, these are my people but so are you. You’re the most important one of all. All my decisions, good and bad, were made with you in mind.”
“It doesn’t change the fact that I am an ordinary girl. I’m not made for extraordinary things like ruling a kingdom.”
He shifts his gaze to the window, and we fall silent for a moment. I want him in my life, too. At least now that I know about him, we can talk and I can come visit. We can have some attempt at the relationship we were robbed of.
He stands from his chair suddenly and slaps his desk. “I’ll remarry. Have another child.”
I jump, startled by his outburst and look at him. “What?”
“I did it once as a duty to my country. I can do it again as duty to my daughter.” He nods his head as if he’s just come up with the most brilliant plan.
“You can’t just marry someone. Just to have a baby? That’s absurd, I won’t let you do that.”
A Royal Surprise Page 5
