The Billionaire Prince’s Stubborn Assistant by Leslie North Page 0,5

wafted over him, and he was rendered speechless, stuck inside her gaze until the moment passed.

Edward took a deep breath and centered himself. He descended the castle steps and approached the crowd.

“Citizens,” he addressed them, trying hard not to look at the woman who affected him so. “I understand and sympathize with your desire to salvage important historical landmarks.”

The people muttered to themselves. A man with a sign reading “Save Sovalon’s History” pushed forward.

“What about the schoolhouse you destroyed yesterday?” he complained. “My great-great-grandmother was the teacher there.”

Oh, for goodness sakes. If Edward had to worry about everyone’s great-great-grandmothers, he would get absolutely nowhere.

“I’m sorry it meant something to you,” Edward said, his hands clasped in a manner he thought might give him an air of empathy and care. “But the building was falling apart. It was a danger to the neighborhood. And now that we’ve let it go, we can create something fresh and special. The Urban Planning and Housing Development board is trying to balance the new with the old, while keeping in mind that the future of our kingdom depends on progress.”

Shouts and booing erupted from the crowd, while Edward waited patiently for them to quiet.

“My work here at the old Kawell Castle is work of restoration, not demolition. This castle has been in my family for generations, and I intend to honor it as such. Once the work is done, we will open the castle up, free of charge, to visitors as a historical landmark.” He had no explanation as to why his family had let it sit for a hundred years without much upkeep, but the protestors had to at least see that he was doing something about it now, even if he wasn’t working as fast as they’d like. He was doing his best. They could protest his philosophy all they wanted, but couldn’t they leave him alone for one day?

Again, the people stirred and talked among themselves.

“We just don’t like the way you see things,” one woman shouted. “You place all of your focus on the future and have no respect for the importance of history.”

“Not true,” Edward said. “This castle restoration is something you’ll all surely get behind. It aligns with your vision, does it not?”

But the crowd ignored him and continued with shouts of Save Sovalon’s Past!

“I’m going to have to ask you all to leave so that we can continue our work here without disturbance,” Edward told them, his voice stern. “You’re trespassing, and it’s illegal. I don’t want to call authorities, but I will if need be.”

People began to disperse, but the man with the sign spoke again. “You better not trash this castle, Mr. Big Shot Prince,” he grouched. “We’re watching you.”

Edward ignored the guy and made his way into the sea of people toward the woman whose eyes were glued onto him.

“I guess I shouldn’t be so surprised to see you here, considering your fondness for old things,” he said and immediately regretted his words. Not the smoothest introduction. “I’m Prince Edward.” He held out his hand for a formal introduction to the woman who’d haunted his thoughts since he’d last laid eyes on her.

“Clementine Wicke, of Wicke Salvage,” she replied and accepted his hand.

“Wicke Salvage?” he asked, taking the liberty to slide his thumb across her warm fingers.

“It’s my family’s restoration company,” she explained, her tone a bit breathless.

That would explain the woman’s obsession with artifacts of old. “Will you have lunch with me, Clementine Wicke? I’d like to hear your take on why ancient relics should be salvaged.”

Her face lit up as she accepted his invitation, and a dense longing stirred within Edward at the sight of her smile. This woman did something to him.

He knew that with her political views, she would surely be a thorn in his side, but he couldn’t resist the urge to be near her. With a firm grip on her hand, he ignored the warning sound in his head and led her into the castle.

As Clem let the prince lead her into the castle, she wanted to kick herself. She thought back to two nights before, to their tête à tête outside of the schoolhouse.

Big biceps—a product of his job as a construction worker.

What a dummy she’d been!

Well, she wouldn’t be a dummy any longer. This was her chance to sit down and talk with the leadership of Sovalon, to affect change. She would put the memory of his hot lips out of her mind. There would be no