I do. While I have a birthright to the throne, Candora will hold monarchical elections in September, only a few weeks from now. If the people decide I am not suitable to be their queen, they will choose someone else to wear the crown. In the history of Candora, the Alverra family—my family—has always held the monarchy seat, but that could change. If my people do not want me as their leader, I will accept their decision because one’s parentage should not qualify them for power.
While unlikely, that chance is always there.
I firmly believe I am the best choice for my country, but deep down I have always harbored a fear that I am not enough. That I have not proven myself worthy of the people’s support.
“I wish I had known about your relation to Mr. Reid,” I tell Derek. “If he is your family, then I am certain he is a good man.”
“I hope that was never in question. But if he steps out of line, you’re more than welcome to send him packing.”
I snicker, allowing a smile despite this revelation complicating matters going forward if Reidcannotlearn to fall in line. Derek may say the choice of keeping Reid is up to me, but now I will be worried about disappointing one of my dearest friends. “If he possesses even half of your stubbornness, Derek Riley, then we are going to have a problem.”
A throat clears behind me, and I startle, spinning around to find Reid standing mere inches away from me. This is the closest I have ever been to the man, and he is tall enough that my eyes are suddenly fixed on the way his arms fill the sleeves of his suit. The way the buttons on his white shirt strain with every breath he takes. Yes, he indeed has the muscular build of a competent protector.
“Sorry to interrupt,” he says, nodding to the phone in my hand. “You’re needed in the conference room.”
I blink. After the way he kept me out, I did not expect to set foot in that room today. “Oh. Really?”
He nods once. “Tell Derek I say hi.”
Derek laughs. “Good luck, Peach.” He hangs up before I can say anything.
Reid steps to the side, holding out an arm toward the now-open door of the conference room. Several pairs of eyes are looking out at me, waiting for me to join them. Hex has disappeared, which does not surprise me. He and Sander avoid politics whenever possible.
I take a deep breath and stand a little taller. “Thank you,” I tell Reid, not certain he deserves it. But I am Princess Freya Alverra, heir to the Candoran throne, and I am nothing if not polite. Though he bestows me with another amused smile, I hold my head high and practically march into the conference room.
My eyes land first on Dad and the way he looks uncomfortable, which does not bode well for me, but then I look at Mum and feel the weight of her gaze.
“Freya,” she says in her authoritative way she uses when in her role as queen rather than my mother. “We need to talk.”
I gulp. That is never a good sentence coming from a queen.
Chapter Two
Elliot
Ihavenoideawhy I’m here.
That’s not true. I’m here because my obnoxiously famous cousin has a strange sense of humor and a hodgepodge of friends whose collective net worth and influence could probably be used to run the world if they weren’t decent people. I’m here because I need a job to keep my mind occupied, and my skill set makes me overqualified for pretty much anything except what I was already doing.
I don’t know why I’mhere. Standing at the back of a room filled with stuffy politicians and three very uptight royals.
“What is this about?” Princess Freya asks. She has her gaze fixed on the queen, which makes sense. Queen Ingrid is by far the most intimidating person in the room, though some of these lords are a close second. I’ve only spoken to a couple of them, but neither man was shy about telling me how little he liked the idea of an American soldier being granted such a high level of security clearance.
I don’t like it either, but here I am.
“Will you sit, darling?” the king says, gesturing to the chair at the foot of the table. Stellan—as he has frequently told me to call him—is probably the only person in this room who seems to sense Princess Freya’s nerves. At least, he’s the only one who is openly acknowledging them.
I wasn’t lying when I told the princess that I didn’t know why her mother wanted her to wait outside, but I doubt it’s anything good. I’m pretty sure that’s why the queen told me that I was going to be part of this meeting.
I’d be a lot more comfortable waiting outside. Whatever this is, the tension in the room is only going to get worse.
Princess Freya doesn’t move, still standing behind her chair. “Why was I not allowed inside, Mum?”
The queen clears her throat, her expression disapproving at the informal address, though with her that isn’t saying much. In the weeks that I’ve been here, learning everything I need to know about the Alverra family and the government structure of Candora, Queen Ingrid has impressed me with her ability to keep a straight face. I’ve even tried to provoke more of a reaction out of her and gotten nothing but a sharpness in her eyes.
Derek would probably punch me if he knew I’ve done that multiple times, but my fearlessness has only made Ingrid like me more. My job may be to protect the princess, but ultimately I report to the queen, and she appreciates my strength of will. According to her, I’ll need it when I start shadowing Freya.
Ingrid meets my gaze just long enough to indicate I should pay attention. I stand straighter, gripping my wrist behind my back.
