will meet with the captain of the guard,” his father droned on, unaware of the direction that Christopher’s self-pitying thoughts. “It won’t be long before you will join the regiment. And the crown prince will be expected to know his role well.”
“Yes, father,” Christopher dutifully answered.
A sudden knock on the door sounded and his father’s personal assistant hurried in with a silver tray carrying a single letter.
“A missive from the Duke of Tallenburg, sire,” the man said with a bow.
Relations with the Tallenburg side of the family were strained. Even hostile. And Christopher, while not privy to the conversations just yet, was aware of it. One of the things he’d need to learn, his father had warned him, was how to deal with hostility in a calm and astute manner.
A good king ruled through respect, not fear, his father had said.
A great king honoured the privilege of his position while all the while remembering that he was there as a servant to the people. He worked for them, not the other way around.
Yes, his father was a wise and wonderful king. And Christopher always worried that he’d fall short when his turn came.
The king opened the letter, his eyes scanning the missive.
His face gave nothing away. No matter the task, no matter the challenge, his father’s stoicism could always be relied upon.
It made him slightly cold, but always dependable.
“This will need to be addressed with some urgency,” his father spoke to the assistant who hovered with the tray. “Arrange a meeting and make preparations for a short trip.”
The servant bowed deferentially before swiftly exiting the office.
“I’m afraid that we shall have to reschedule our meeting with the captain, Christopher.”
“Of course, father,” he answered at once.
The king studied him before his face suddenly softened into a rare smile.
“Why don’t you spend the afternoon with your brother and sister?”
Christopher wanted to grin. Wanted to leap to his feet and rush from the room.
But he knew better.
He stood slowly, issuing a perfectly respectable bow to his father. The king.
“Thank you, father,” he said sombrely before walking at a sedate pace out of the office and into the corridor outside.
It was only when he reached the staircase that Christopher allowed himself to smile.
He dashed down the stairs and ran full pelt for the gardens.
Perhaps he’d join whatever game Alex was playing with Hari.
Christopher didn’t have the bond with his siblings that they had with each other. He’d been kept too distant from them. He’d been too busy learning to be a king to ever really get the chance to be a brother and a play mate. And much as he tried not to feel envious of their relationship, sometimes he wished that he was included in it, too.
Now, with his unexpected freedom, he would play the rambunctious sword games that Alex favoured. And he would chase Harriet until she squealed and laughed like she did with Alex.
Christopher reached the garden, a grin on his face.
But as he watched, Alex and Harriet were led back to the palace by their nannies.
His smile faded as the garden emptied and Christopher stood in the middle of it. All alone.
He felt his eyes fill with childish tears and refused to let them fall.
He was the crown prince. Heir to the throne. One day, he would be king.
He didn’t need play time in the garden. He didn’t need the company of his brother, or sister, or anyone else.
He just needed to stay focused so that one day, he’d be a good and just ruler.
Crown and country came first. Everything else came second.
If you enjoyed this, look for Redeeming a Royal, set to release May/June 2020! To learn about my new releases, please follow me on BookBub, or subscribe to my newsletter.
Acknowledgements
Thank you to my wonderful readers first and foremost for continuing on this journey with me! It’s a wild ride and I never want it to stop.
Thanks to my husband and children who are the reason I do everything. Your support and pride in me is what keeps me going.
To my parents, my sisters, and all my friends and family who never fail to support me and keep my spirits up! And the authors who always have my back.
Finally a huge thank you to my editor, Julie—the best partner a girl could have, and everyone at Aurora Publicity for making something great from my chaos!
Also by Nadine Millard
International Best-Seller
The Ranford Series
An Unlikely Duchess
Seeking Scandal
Mysterious Miss Channing
The Revenge Series
Highway Revenge
The Spy’s Revenge
The Captain’s Revenge
The Saints & Sinners Series
The Monster of Montvale Hall
The Angel of Avondale Abbey
The Devil of Dashford Manor
The Saint of St. Giles
Standalone Romances
A Winter Wish (Forbidden – A Regency Collection)
A Christmas Seduction
Christmas At Brentwood Abbey
Beauty and the Duke
The Hidden Prince
His Yuletide Bride
Fortune Favors Miss Gold
Coming Soon!
Redeeming a Royal
The Cowboy’s Wager
Lady Holly’s Jolly Christmas
Her Accidental Groom
A Country Christmas
A Lord For All Seasons
Springtime Scandal
Midsummer Madness
Forgotten Fall
A Winter Wedding
About Nadine Millard
Nadine Millard is a bestselling writer hailing from Dublin, Ireland.
When she’s not writing historical romance, she’s managing her chaotic household of three children, a husband and a very spoiled dog!
She’s a big fan of coffee and wine with a good book and will often be found at her laptop at 2am when a book idea strikes.
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