Stealing Kisses With a King (Kings of Carolina #3)- Sylvie Stewart Page 0,70

as I leaned in to kiss her. Clara, Nolan, Ruby, and Leo hooted from the low rocks where they stood.

“Let’s do it again!” Alice yelled.

She didn’t have to ask me twice.

“Sir, I think you should see this.” Matthias strode forward from where he’d been leaning against the BMW, holding out a phone.

Alice grabbed my towel as I took the phone, turning it so I could see the display. I had to tilt it away from the brightness of the sun’s reflection, but I was finally able to make out a photo of myself. It was from the public health conference where I’d stood at the podium and then fled without speaking. Adrenaline kicked in, jolting near my kidneys, as I read the headline.

“Prince Malcolm Caught Speechless”

I scrolled down to read more. “Has the crown prince developed a fear of public speaking? A private source close to the prince says it’s true, and it’s only getting worse.”

Fuck!

“There’s more, I’m afraid.” Matthias gestured hesitantly for me to swipe to the next story.

“Is Prince Malcolm Showing Early Signs of MS? Leading Neurologist Weighs In”

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck!

And another.

“As King Gregory Steps Down, Will His Successor Be Able to Withstand the Pressure?”

I was truly up shite’s creek.

“In the car,” Alice commanded beside me, her tone brooking no argument.

I let her guide me into the back seat of the BMW, my mind flying in a million directions at once. How had this happened? Who was this private source? Would it even be possible to fix this before the coronation? And, worst, were they right? Would I crumble under the pressure of my father’s crown?

Alice compensated for my silent stagnation by setting herself to several tasks at once. Her tablet lay open to an article on her lap while she spoke into the phone, presumably to one of my siblings, asking them to bring my Shelby back with them to the palace. I knew my state was well and truly dire when I was unable to even argue that Ruby would be the only one I’d ever allow behind the wheel. Alice didn’t offer any explanation to what I was certain was a barrage of questions, instead prioritizing and getting Trevor on the phone next.

I watched out my window as the rocky terrain gave way to rolling fields and then residential areas on the outskirts of Dunwall. But the questions in my mind only multiplied with each passing kilometer until I closed my eyes and did my best to focus only on Alice’s familiar voice and the warmth of her bare thigh where it rested against mine.

“Anyone have any guesses?” Leo asked from where he paced, eyes glued to his phone as he read yet another bloody news story.

“We should start making a list before your parents get here.” Ruby rubbed my arm on her way to join Alice at the large formal dining table, empty of anything but Alice’s collection of papers and electronic devices.

“You don’t think anyone we know did this, do you?” Clara asked, having just re-entered the room.

“Wonderful. Let’s all discuss my humiliation, shall we?” My mood was understandably foul, but I knew it was unfair to take it out on my siblings. It felt as if everything had been turned upside down, and I couldn’t stand the pity dripping from everyone’s expressions. Weakness was not a familiar cloak to wear, and it was all the harder to bear with each newly clued-in person who approached to lend me a hand or an ear or a word of reassurance.

I was utterly humiliated in front of my family, my friends, my colleagues, and the entire sodding nation. And worse, just about everything those papers printed was true. I did have a fear of public speaking, even if I was learning to manage it. And I was feeling unequipped to take the throne. The only part that was likely untrue was the bit about the MS, given the battery of tests we all regularly underwent since our father’s diagnosis.

“Mal,” Clara gently admonished. “There’s really nothing to be embarrassed about. So, you’re a bit stressed. Who wouldn’t be in your position?”

“Agreed,” Leo and Ruby echoed.

“From what I’ve heard, there are a lot worse things you could have been caught doing. This one’s almost boring. I’m surprised they even bothered to print it.” Ruby offered her input, and while she wasn’t wrong—I’d narrowly escaped major scandal a time or two—that was different. I was known for being a bit of a wild card, but I’d never been