The next morning, Romaine had barely drunk half a cup of coffee and went through half her day’s appointments list when the doors to her rooms were thrown open. She caught a glimpse of Kingston through them, but he vanished as her mother swept inside. “Good morning, Romy, sweetie,” she said brightly and kissed her cheek. “Mother, you’re awfully cheerful this morning,” Romaine pointed out. “Coffee?” “No, darling, and you shouldn’t be drinking so much caffeine. Is not good for you,” she mused and took a seat opposite her daughter at the table. Romaine picked up her coffee and sipped it, smirking as her mother clicked her tongue. “My God, you’re incorrigible, child…” she said shaking her head. “What do you need, Mother?” “Your father and I want to know how the new bodyguard is working out. Do you like him or do we need to find a replace
“Well… I was wondering why a princess would sneak up to the rooftop in the middle of the night,” Kingston replied. “Not the easiest place to run off to.”“Are you scared of heights, King?” Romaine asked with a raised eyebrow. He thought of all the places he’d had to reach in order to hit his target.“No, not at all.” She stared at him for a long moment before she patted the space next to her. “Since you’re here, you might as well join me.”“If that is what you wish... Ma’am.”“And drop the ‘Ma’am’ part… No formalities when we’re alone,” she muttered, sounding more exhausted than he realized. “Since you’re King, I’m going to be Romy… No princess, no Ma’am, n
Marisol called out for Romaine as she bustled around her living room, but the princess was in no mood to get out of bed. All night, she’d dreamt of Kingston kissing her, his hands all over her body as he stripped her bare and did things to her Romaine never thought possible. Every inch of her body cried out for him, and her thighs clamped tightly shut to stop the powerful throbbing happening again. She kept the covers pulled up over her face when the bedroom door was thrown open and heeled steps clicked across the floor. Her private assistant hummed as she scurried about the room, and Romaine listened as she threw the curtains open.“Come on now, Princess, the King, and the Queen have requested to meet with you.” Romaine
“Nothing,” she whispered. “I wasn’t…”“Romy… tell me…”“I was thinking about my schedule for today and…”“Don’t lie to me, Romy,” Kingston said slowly but in a determined mode. “You’re not a liar, so don’t start now. Talk to me, my princess.” Romaine raised her eyes towards him, trying not to succumb to all the emotions she was feeling.“You, King…” she said as her fingers twisted into his shirt front. “I was thinking of you… I was remembering things you did to me in my dreams last night… and all the nights before.” If she thought Kingston was demanding of her earlier, when his lips found hers again, Romaine wasn’t sure they’d be able to stop. His tongue e
His boss nodded and sighed, and Kingston heard the worry in it.“King, I need you to keep a close eye on him when he’s in the palace, and especially when he’s near Princess Romaine. A few years ago, he had no issue with her taking over the throne, as is her birthright. Now, however, I fear his mind has been corrupted by Alba, his mother. She never accepted King Hernando and Queen Dorothea as rulers of this country and, definitely, think the Princess is more or less an impostor. As for Thiago…”“What do you think he’ll do?”“Right now, we’re not sure,” Raoul told him. “But his dealings at the docks are being thoroughly investigated,” he added. “Did the others give you any details on such matters? I know Brent heard and saw something…”“Only that his business might not be as clean as he claims.”
Romaine feigned feeling ill for dinner and took it in her rooms to avoid another confrontation with the King and the Queen. Kingston told her Brent would be outside her door while he ate, but if she needed anything, he would be only a phone call away. Her cheeks reddened before Kingston left her, that smoldering gaze of his glancing hard at her face. She hated that Kingston saw her flash of weakness but was thankful the man hadn’t said a word about it the rest of the day. Now that she was finally alone, Romaine decided to have a very quick bite and then just relax after that long hard day. She nibbled at freshly caught fish and salad but lost her appetite after a couple of bites and pushed the plate away. She got off the table, kicked off h
He hesitated and turned away from her.“King, please…” she whispered. “What’s going on outside these walls? What aren’t they telling me?”“Your Royal Highness… please, don’t…”“King, I want to know what my aunt was talking about. So, would you be so kind to tell me?!” she almost begged him.“I don’t think this is a conversation for your room, Ma’am,” he said quietly, and the catch in his voice forced her to her feet to pace madly around her room.“Oh… that bad, huh?” Romaine whispered and started playing with her earlobe.“Your Royal Highness, please, calm down. There is no need to stress like this.”“And why not? My aunt seems so sure I’m not fit to rule! Why is she saying that? Huh? Why? I’ve been prepared for this moment all my life. I&rsqu
“A ghost? I don’t agree… No... I was here all the time, King… I was working for them. I saw people at festivals and other meetings,” Romaine insisted.“Yes, Romy, and everyone saw your smiling face, but then you were tucked away again. Now that you’re older, rumors have started that you’re a shut-in, maybe even not right… in the head,” Kingston muttered, sounding as irritated as she felt. “Hell, I’m not proud for saying this but I believed them before I met you. I thought you were just another egotistical, spoiled, arrogant princess…” Romaine didn’t understand how it was possible. When her brother died, it hurt her, but she had moved past it. She had no choice. She was the Crown Princess, and there were duties to carry out.“Tell me, King… The people… What do they think I do?”