“I’ve never once been allowed donuts at a mealtime,” he said, his accent thickening with his excitement. “This is brilliant.”
“They don’t serve donuts in the castle?” Grandpa asked, examining the tray for himself.
“Never. Not even when I bribed the cooks. Father is completely against breaking traditions.”
August took a bite, pleasure washing over his features as he sighed. I glanced back and forth between the two of them. Were they already in on some kind of joke? Castles and cooks and royal traditions? Who talked like that?
“So tell us, what is Valta like?” Grandpa continued, oblivious to my confusion.
August wiped the corner of his mouth with his napkin and frowned. “There’s nothing much to talk about. The eastern border contains some impressive mountains. We do a lot of skiing and winter tourism because of that. The sea on our south is popular during the summer months. Other than that, it’s completely and utterly dull.”
“Oh, I don’t know about that.” Grandpa smiled at Olive and me. “I’m not sure we would call growing up in a castle dull. What was that like?”
“Like growing up in a museum.” His frown deepened, making him look older than he was. He studied his half-eaten donut, silent memories flashing in his eyes. “It’s not as amazing as one would think. The best parts were definitely the stables. My elder brother and I went riding together quite frequently. He has cultivated an impressive line of stallions and mares since then. I like something with a bit more horsepower under the hood, but I still enjoy a ride now and then.”
I was lost in this conversation. My gaze kept bouncing back and forth between my grandpa and his newest assignment from work. What were they talking about? The only people I knew around here that grew up with horses kept them in barns. Not stables. Maybe it was a European thing.
“Dickie, did you leave something out of the introduction?” Olive smiled sweetly at him, seeming as lost as me. She leaned her elbows on the table and leaned toward him, blinking her eyes heavily.
Grandpa’s eyes grew large, and then he cleared his throat. “Oh, um, yes. I should’ve mentioned earlier, but everything happened so quickly, I guess it must have slipped my mind. August comes to us from Valta through his father’s request. You see, my company, the Valtanese Winery, is owned by the Monarchs of Valta. And August’s father just happens to be the King of Valta.”
Olive squealed her excitement and clapped her hands together. “How delightful!”
“But it’s top-secret,” Grandpa rushed to add. “No one but the family is allowed to know, or it’ll become a security risk. Olive is practically family, so she’s included. But for all intents and purposes, outside of this room, August is here simply as an ordinary exchange student.”
The room swam slightly in front of my eyes. All I could do was focus on Olive’s smiling face as she turned to face August. “If your father is the king, that makes you . . .?”
“A prince?” I eeked out.
Amusement touched the soft curl of his lips. He nodded slightly and then took another bite of his donut. “Augustus, Prince of Valta. Second in line to the throne. But to you all, I’m just August.”
I could feel my world crumbling down around me. Alarms went off in my head. My heart pulsed with panic. Grandpa had said August was here to make international relationships, but there was only one reason to send a prince halfway across the world and hide him in a dinky little town like Sweet Mountain. This prince was trouble. Pure and simple. And we’d just gotten saddled with him.
“Well, it’s nice to meet you, just August,” Olive said with a giggle. She wagged her eyebrows and then helped herself to a tortilla chip. “I have the feeling things are finally going to get interesting around here.”
“I hope that’s a good thing,” he said, clearly looking at me for a reply.
There was no way I was going to answer that. A rock had lodged itself in my throat and was permanently cutting off the blood supply to my brain.
“It’s a wonderful thing,” Grandpa answered, oblivious to my sudden panic attack. He held his glass up high and grinned. “Welcome to our home, August. We may not have a castle or cooks or any traditions for you to break, but I just know this is going to be the best year ever.”
Everyone around me held their glass up and toasted to the news as my heart rate skyrocketed.
I was royally in trouble.
5
August
Getting up for the first day of school wasn’t as hard as picking the right outfit. I needed something that said effortlessly cool, without saying prince-in-disguise.
Obviously, I was already succeeding at this. The look on Tori’s face last night when her Grandpa had spilled the beans on my identity had nearly made me snort with laughter. Someone could’ve fried an egg on her cheeks. I was pretty sure she had just about swooned.
If I’d known she was ignorant of my royal title in the first place, I would’ve filmed the reveal. It would have made an excellent viral video. And I would’ve laughed for hours as I watched it on replay.
Still, this put an extra kink in my plans. Tori was now one of the three secret keepers of my true identity. And what she decided to do with that secret could destroy . . . well, everything. My usual tricks hadn’t worked to woo her onto my side. It was going to take an entirely new battle form to conquer Tori Thorpe and convince her to keep her luscious lips sealed about me.
I was most definitely up to the challenge.
A knock sounded at the door just as I pulled up my jeans. “Come in,” I said, zipping them up.
The door burst open to reveal Tori standing there in tan trousers and a delicate pink jumper with her backpack strapped over her shoulders. A thin black scarf graced her neck, and her hands held tight to a purple folder. She wore a scowl, but the moment her eyes fell on me, she turned as pink as her sweater.
“You’re naked,” she squealed, covering her eyes.
I looked down at my bare chest and laughed. Hardly naked. But if it mortified her, I was happy to play along.
“Tell me, Princess Tori. Which shirt best brings out the color in my eyes?” I held up a blue shirt and a black one.
She peeked between her fingers and then dropped them in disgust when I began to laugh. With a stubborn set of her jaw, her eyes flashed in frustration. “Just go with the blue one. And I’m not a princess. Don’t call me that.”
I set the black t-shirt down and went about pulling the blue one over my head. “Could’ve fooled me. You act like I’ve invaded your kingdom.”
“You have.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “And we’re late. I told you to be ready by 7:50. The bus will be here any minute now, and we can’t be late. I have to drop off my application before first period, and Grandpa already left for work.”
“A school bus? Is that a joke?”
“No.” Her brow arched with devious intent. “Why? Is that a problem, Your Highness?”
So she wanted to scare me off. Was that her plan? It wasn’t going to work. I didn’t break eye contact with her the entire time it took me to pull on my gray jacket. She met my grin with a thin-lipped smile that didn’t fade. Once again, I couldn’t help but think of how much Father would’ve liked her. She could’ve held her own in any court of Valta.
“Not a problem at all, Princess.” I slung my backpack over my right shoulder and walked right past her for the stairs.
Her footsteps followed close behind. “Not a princess.”
“Whatever you say.”
In truth, it probably wasn’t the best way to win her over to my side, but I couldn’t help myself. There was just something about her buttoned-up nature that begged to be teased a bit. Just like her perfectly combed hair cried out to be tousled and freed from its severe part. Still, as we both waved goodbye to Richard and walked down the crumbling steps of the front porch, I took a breath and internally vowed to do better.
“I think we got off on the wrong foot,” I said, turning toward her. “
I’d really like to start over if you don’t mind.”
She kept her gaze glued to the road. “If by ‘starting over,’ you mean you go back to Valta?”
I laughed aloud, drawing her gaze to me. Her cheeks pinkened, and she went back to staring at the road as if willing the bus to arrive faster.
“No, I do not wish to go back to Valta,” I said firmly.
She shifted her footing slightly. “Never?”
“At least, not in the next few months.”
“Why? Are you running away from some scandal? Maybe a scandal involving a ridiculously expensive car and a joy ride that ended in a crash?”
Running my hand through my curls, I laughed. Leave it to the nerdy girl to do her homework. I’d gone by my nickname and been given a fake last name for my secret identity, but apparently, that hadn’t kept Tori from finding out about the real me. “You looked me up, didn’t you?”
“I thought it was best to know exactly who was sleeping in the room next to mine.” She fixed me with a squinty stare. “I wanted to be sure you weren’t a serial killer.”
Again, I laughed. She was too much. “A royal serial killer? Well, I’m glad you at least feel more at ease now.”
“I didn’t say that.” She pursed her lips. “I don’t think you’re a serial killer, but you could still be a million other things that go bump in the night. And I’m not crazy about sharing a bathroom with you. You might not be a murderer, but leaving the toilet seat up at night is nearly as bad. I nearly fell in this morning.”
My chest convulsed with laughter, and I had to bend over to catch my breath. As she scowled down at me, I made a mental reminder to be a better house guest. If putting the toilet seat down meant Tori would keep my secret, then I could manage it.
Small sacrifices.
At that moment, a yellow bus made its appearance on the horizon. Tori breathed out a sigh of relief and walked closer to the edge of the road. I followed her, observing the vehicle as it approached. I’d never been on a school bus before. The closest I’d come to one was a tour bus with heavily shaded windows that took my family and several members of court through a tour of Ireland. Father had sworn to never ride a bus again after that day. Henry and I hadn’t minded it. It was better than riding in a caravan of limousines with a police escort and drawing attention from every person on the street.
“Morning, Ms. Thorpe,” the bus driver said as he opened the door in front of us. He wore a red bandana on his head and sported a massive gray beard. As soon as he noticed the folder in Tori’s hands, his eyes brightened. “Is this the day?”
“Hey, Earl.” Tori bounded up the stairs, leaving me on the ground. “Yep. Today’s the due date for the NHS applications. I just hope I’ve done enough.”
“You’ve done plenty,” Earl said gruffly. “And if they don’t pick you, they’ll have some explaining to do to me. There’s no one more deserving.”
Tori smiled at him. “Thanks, Earl. You’re the best.”
“Who’s your friend?”
She glanced at me over her shoulder and just as quickly dismissed me. “He’s a new exchange student. Just call him your majesty.”
My stomach dropped to my feet as Tori disappeared inside of the bus. So much for keeping my secret. My new hostess was going to blow the whole thing before I even got to step inside the school. I’d be back on a plane to Valta and practically enrolled at a University before Henry could say I told you so.
Earl turned his curious gaze toward me, and I chuckled nervously.
“You can just call me August,” I said.
He chewed slowly on a toothpick dangling from his lips and then nodded at me. “Alright, August. All aboard.”
Climbing the stairs, I turned to see half of the seats of the bus were already occupied. Tiny faces peered at me over the seatbacks. I hurried past them to the end of the bus and landed in a seat across the aisle from where my grumpy hostess had planted herself. With her feet tucked up beneath her, she turned her body firmly toward the window and stared out, oblivious to my presence.
“What are you doing, lovely Tori?” I asked through gritted teeth. The enmity between us had been amusing at first, but now she was coming close to blowing my cover. I couldn’t have that.
“Whatever could you mean?”
She gave me doe eyes, so round and innocent, it was hard to remember what I was mad about. But then the corner of her mouth quirked with a slight smirk, and the anxiousness returned to my belly.
“Listen, I know we haven’t gotten off to the best of starts,” I said, using my diplomatic voice. It was one I’d learned from years of being forced to watch father address his advisors. “But if I am to remain here and finish out the school year, as planned by my father and his advisors, I think the best thing to do from here on out is agree to be civil. Let’s not start World War III over silly little trifles.”
Indecision swirled in her eyes as she stared at me. I could almost see the angel and devil conversation going on inside her mind. Tori didn’t like me, that much was clear. I’d only been in her home for a mere eighteen hours, and already we’d been at each other’s throats. But she didn’t strike me as cruel. Hopefully, she could see the sincerity in my gaze and how much this meant to me.
“What . . . what happens if people find out about you?” she asked in a quiet voice.
I pressed my lips tightly together. It wasn’t in my nature to give someone an advantage over me, but I could see no other option. The best thing to do here was to be honest and lay it all on the line.
“If the status of my . . .” I looked around to be sure no one was listening, but the two rows of seats in front of us were empty. “If my true nature comes out, then there will, no doubt, be a media hysteria. I may be a minor prince, in the grand scheme of things, but the paparazzi would still relish getting their hands on a story about a prince in trouble. Which is the last thing my father wants right now. He’s told me that if the news gets out, I’ll be brought straight home and forced to finish my tutelage with his hand-picked experts. After that, it’s off to Oxford, where I will once again be forced into a program I have no choice over, to prepare me for a job I didn’t pick.”
Her brow wrinkled. “You’re telling me you don’t even get to choose what to major in during college?”
That was a thing commoners didn’t understand. Every small child, at some point, pretended to be a prince or princess, never understanding how limiting such a position was. How much freedom they had that I could never even dream of. Yes, my family had money. And means. But what use was that when I didn’t get an ounce of control over my own fate?
Still, Tori didn’t know that. How could she? I took a deep breath and looked her square in the face. “Tori, I’ve been groomed from birth for my position. This is the first time in my life that I’ve had a spare bit of independence. Believe me when I say, I don’t want to throw it away. It might very well be the last time that I ever get to do something for myself.”
For the first time since we’d met, I saw sympathy cross her expression. Her frown softened, and she crossed her arms tightly over her chest. “Oh.”
I slid closer to her on my seat. “Does that mean I can expect you to withhold my secret today? I’d like to at least get through one day without worrying about being sent home. I know you and I didn’t get off to the best start, but who knows? Maybe by this time tomorrow, you might actually change your mind about me.”
“Doubtful.” Her gaze darted between my eyes until defeat shone in the disgruntled curve of her lips. “Fine. I’ll keep your secret. For today.”
An undignified whoop left my mouth, drawing the attention of the children sitting in front of us. I didn’t care. Sticking out my hand toward Tori, I held it there until she rolled her eyes, laughed, and then shook it. The softness of her hand sent delicious waves of warmth up my arm. I grinned at her, and she laughed again, causing another burst of heat to hit me right in the gut.
“Okay, if we’re really going to do thi
s, can I offer you some advice before we get to school?” she asked, dropping my hand.
I sat up straighter in my seat, attentive and ready. “Please do.”
Her gaze roamed over me as she sucked her lower lip in an alluring way. Finally, with a sigh, she looked back up at me. “You’re gonna have to de-royal-fy yourself. Majorly. People are going to see right through you and this little act.”
I laughed out loud. No one in Valta would’ve ever dared to make such a suggestion to a Prince of the Crown. Not even my closest friends. “And how exactly am I supposed to de-royal-fy myself, milady?”
“Maybe . . . not act like such a snob?”
The delicate way she said it, as if she didn’t want to hurt my feelings, made me laugh all the harder. This was precious, coming from her. The girl who wore grandma jumpers and walked around as stiff as a board. Still, I wanted to fit in. So I slouched a bit in my seat and put my feet on the seatback in front of me.
“Is this better?”
She cocked her head to one side, her brow raising. “Maybe.”
“Still snobbish?”
Her nose wrinkled. “Somehow, you still manage to look snobbish.”
I laughed and put my feet back on the ground. Straightening my jacket, I leaned back into the seat. “I’m not worried about it. I never have problems making friends.”
“Yeah, but these are Sweet Mountain High kids.” She leaned her head against the seat. “They’re not used to your high-class habits. I’d bet anything that you’ll be begging me for more help by the end of the first day.”
I smirked. “Don’t worry, they’ll take to me.”
Annoyance crossed over her face. “See? Snobbish.”
“Well, I’m counting on the rest of Sweet Mountain High to be more perceptible to my charms than you, Tori Thorpe.”
She smiled and leaned back in her seat, resting her knees on the seatback in front and hugging the purple folder to her chest. “Sweet Mountain High kids are more perceptive than you’d expect. Trust me when I say, this isn’t going to be like walking into one of your clubs. The kids here have grown up together. They don’t like outsiders. It’s going to take a lot of effort to win their trust. And believe me, once it’s lost, it’s lost forever.”
My Royally Cute Enemy: A YA Sweet Romance (Sweet Mountain High, Year 2: A Sweet YA Romance Series Book 3) Page 4
