“That’s where we will be,” he said gently. “I know it’s crazy right now. I know there is so much being asked of you.”
“It’s okay. I know it’s crazy for you—”
“No, listen to me, Odette,” he said, putting his forehead on mine. “If you want to sing, you will sing. You don’t have to abandon everything for me. Just give me time, and I’ll figure out how to make your dreams work with this, I promise.”
Staring into his eyes, I held on to the side of his face before kissing him. And just like I knew I would, I melted in his arms as he kissed me back. All the fears I had this morning, all the pent-up anger, pain, and frustration I had before disappeared.
Part of me still wanted to go back to how we were in Seattle. But that wasn’t possible. And I couldn’t be in Seattle without him.
“I love you,” he whispered when we broke apart, but I could feel his breath on my lips.
“I love you too...baby.” The moment I said it, I cringed and tried to hide my face in his neck as he broke out into a booming laugh. “Shut up! I’m never saying that again.”
“Why? I like it!”
“No!” I argued as he wrapped his arms around me and pulled me into his lap.
“Gale...”
“Don’t you mean baby?” He snorted.
I glared at him. However, the longer I looked at him, the faster my heart began to beat. I opened my mouth to say something, but before I could, his lips were on mine, and I wrapped my arms around his neck.
We would have stayed there, kissing until we both fainted from lack of oxygen, but my stomach growled again, causing him to laugh again.
“I skipped breakfast.” Ugh! I was just embarrassing today.
“Well, we can’t have that. What do we have here?” he said, shifting to lift the basket. I moved to get out of his lap, but he held me there with his other hand. The best I could do was sit between his legs and lean against his chest. He took out a plate of perfectly cut sandwiches, apples, and fruits, and wine. “For you.”
“Isn’t it a bit early?”
“In Ersovia, it’s never too early. Besides, didn’t we agree to ignore the rules today.”
I nodded, happily taking the glasses. I watched as Gale talked and explained that he had never been on a picnic date before, so he wasn’t sure exactly what went into the basket, making me realize he had packed everything himself.
How could I give up? How could I be scared when he was holding on so tightly?
The Morning Eagle
Friday, June 16
“Spoiled Heiress Demands Her Horse!”
It is reported that Prince Galahad spent a jaw-dropping thirty-eight thousand euros to fly in Odette Wyntor’s personal horse after she turned her nose up at the royal horses.
You would think she would care more for the country that she may one day rule over than she does a horse.
Meanwhile, Sophia De Loutherbergh, Dowager Duchess of Elmburgh, visited the Sisters of Canterbury and other widows.
The Morning Eagle
Monday, June 18
“Battle of the Adelina's.”
The commencement for the Royal University of Ersovia is this Friday. However, who will give the speech? That is the question the palace is struggling with.
Traditionally, the Adelaar is meant to take the role, but he is scheduled to be at Trinity Row on the day of the graduation for a chamber vote on the Nationalism Reform Act.
Both Odette Wyntor and Sophia De Loutherbergh, Dowager Duchess of Elmburgh, wish to give the speech, and neither wishes to give in.
Chapter 20
“After much discussion, it has been decided that it would be in everyone’s best interest if you both go to the Royal University and give the commencement speech together for the graduating students this year,” the queen stated as she brought up her tea.
I glanced over at Sophia, who sat like she was chiseled out of ice. So, I glanced back at the queen, Ambrose, Julianne—the queen’s assistant—as well as a few other older men standing behind her chair.
“You wish me to give a speech? In Ersovian?” I repeated, looking at them bit stunned. I wasn’t sure how many students were in that graduating class, but I was most definitely sure it would be televised.
“Yes, Odette, what other language would you give it in?” the queen asked, knowing that wasn’t what I meant. “We have spoken to your tutors, and they say you are more than capable of that, especially if the speech is given