going differently.” She gives me a pointed look. “But it’s important you go address our…situation.” Her expression turns playful. “You can’t tell the king to… What was it you said? Bugger off?”
With a slight chuckle, I bury my head into her neck and inhale her scent. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.” I meet her gaze. “It’s a gorgeous day, so relax. Lounge by the pool. Meditate in the gardens. Whatever you’d like. Try not to fall asleep, or you’ll never get used to the time difference. If you need anything, let Richard, the butler, know. Food. Supplies. Anything. They’ll get it for you. And when I come back…” I waggle my brows, hovering over her once more, my lips skimming hers, “I plan to pick up right where we left off.” I run my hand up her leg, squeezing her thigh.
“Well then,” she begins in a breathy voice, “don’t be gone long.”
After treating her to one last kiss, I stand, grabbing my tie and jacket off the floor. I pull it on, making quick work of redoing my tie, something I can do blindfolded at this point.
As I reach the door, I pause, glancing over my shoulder at her. “I love you.”
She smiles that smile that both broke my heart and put it all back together when I first saw her. “And I love you.”
I hold her gaze for a beat, then walk out of my private quarters and toward the uncertainty of my future.
Chapter Seven
Anderson
The halls of the palace are silent as I follow my father’s principal private secretary, Colonel Frederick Winters, toward wherever I’m to speak with him. I’d expected him to lead me toward the private residence, thinking this a personal matter between father and son.
I should have known better. After all, as people have reminded me most of my life, there are no personal matters anymore. All personal matters are also matters of the state, considering I’ll one day be the sovereign.
We finally come to a stop outside a heavy, wooden door leading to the conference room in the monarch’s executive suite. Colonel Winters knocks once, then opens the door.
“His Royal Highness Prince Gabriel,” he announces, then steps aside to allow me to walk into the room.
I wasn’t sure what would await me, but as I glance around the large conference table to see not only my father, but also my grandmother, the queen mother, as well as the head of the royal household, Dalton Peel, I know this is a bigger deal than I’d anticipated.
“Your Majesty,” I say to my father with a bow, then offer my grandmother the same courtesy, even if it’s not technically required. She was once queen. Even though her husband, my grandfather, passed away years ago and the requirement to bow ended with him, it’s still protocol to show her the respect she deserves after her years of service to the country.
“Take a seat, Gabriel.” My father gestures to the chair at the opposite end of the table from where he, my grandmother, and Dalton sit.
I almost want to remain standing just to maintain some semblance of control in this conversation. I know better than that, though. I’ve been trained better than that. If my father sits, everyone else should, as well. If he stands, everyone must follow. At least in more formal meetings, which I’m quickly realizing this is.
I unbutton my suit jacket as I lower myself to the chair, keeping my back straight. “I apologize for the fact you found out about the engagement this way. If you’ll look at your calendar for tomorrow, you’ll see I’d requested to speak to you. I’d planned to ask for your approval to marry Ms. Tremblay then. I fully intended to follow protocol.”
He studies me, seeming to assess my words for a prolonged moment. His dark hair sports a bit more gray than the last time I saw him, but the combination of his stoic features and tall frame gives him an intimidating presence. There used to be a time I saw the man who gave me life whenever I looked at him.
It didn’t take long for that to change.
The minute he walked down the aisle of the National Cathedral and was anointed with holy water in our most hallowed of ceremonies, his family was no longer his priority. His country was. The monarchy was. Since then, every single one of his decisions has been focused on what’s best for the monarchy.
Nothing else.
Apart from being the heirs, Esme