“He’s charming, as you said. Incredibly quick-witted. We presented all the new responsibilities he’d assume, and he had his head wrapped around all of them within an hour. I can see how he’s made King’s Paper what it is. His business acumen is acute. I’d expected someone who was more of a figurehead, if that makes sense?”
“Good at speeches, bad at problem solving?” Ramsey almost stated it more than asked.
“Yes, precisely. But he’s not. He’s very good at solving problems, and he’s quick to make decisions. Equally quick to listen if we tell him something’s not the best decision. I’ve never met a more down-to-earth royal in my life. He’s also the type to foresee problems—he’s actually taking a trip tomorrow to make sure the demon portal is resealed. Said he doesn’t wantit looming over our heads and would rather be safe than sorry. It’s…refreshing?”
“To have someone anticipate problems and work for their solutions without being reminded of it three thousand times?” Ramsey snorted, eyes rolling expressively. “Indeed, very refreshing. That’s not all you think of him, though.”
“He’s a little weird,” I admitted. “He’s so personable, it almost feels like he’s flirting. I’m used to royalty being standoffish not…cuddly?”
Jo Ann stirred next to me and muttered, “Man’s about as dangerous as a teddy bear wrapped in cotton candy.”
I pointed down to her. “What she said. Except, well, Sir Collins accidentally startled him once and Prince James almost punched him in the throat. He apologized immediately, but…it was odd. We weren’t in any kind of danger, so I’m not sure why he reacted in such a way. Should a businessman have warrior reflexes?”
Ramsey gave us both an enigmatic quirk of his brow. “The Wilton Archery Competition, you know of it?”
I nodded slowly. I wasn’t huge into competition or sports, but everyone had heard of that one. It was highly competitive, with every known country in the world sending their best archers to compete once a year. Those who won could practically name their salary if they were hired on as a guard or hunter.
Ramsey pointed to Prince James, where he now stood next to the royal family, watching as the king and queen signed the papers.
“You’re looking at the champion. Five years running, no less, until they asked him to stop competing.”
Startled, I whipped my head around to look at Prince James with new eyes. He’d won five years in a row?! He must be an incredibly talented archer. All right, I’d revise my opinion of him.
“So…cuddly but dangerous,” Jo Ann muttered thoughtfully. “Huh. I didn’t see that coming. Explains the calluses on his hands, though.”
True, his hands were rough—not the soft and polished skin of a prince. Then again, our princes weren’t anything noteworthy, so that wasn’t much of a measuring stick.
The ceremony wrapped up, we all politely clapped, and then I scooted out the door to do a quick jog, wrapping around the massive throne room to the small side entrance leading into the antechamber just behind the dais. Ramsey stayed in step with me the whole way, as we needed to be on call for anything the royals wished done. Such was the responsibility I’d taken upon myself. With a massive pay bump.
I made it through the side door a full minute before the royal family retreated to the antechamber. I gave them a polite bow and then stationed myself against the wall. Part of me dearly wished for something to settle my stomach. What with my nerves about meeting my new boss and all the work it had entailed, my damn stomach had been a jittery mess the past few weeks. As much as I longed for some peppermint tea, I didn’t have time to fetch anything.
The second Prince James came into the room, he beelined for me, looking concerned for some reason, his hand already reaching into a pocket.
“Here,” he said without segue, pressing something into my hand. “I’ve got more on me, but that should last you a bit. I’ll get us out of here quick. We’ve too much to do for me to laze about anyway.”
I had no time to respond before he turned and went back to the family, speaking with the king directly. Instead, I turned my attention to the white cloth bag—a confectioner’s type of bag with a simple drawstring—in my hand. Opening it, I found medicinal peppermints.
I, uh…the hell? Had he deliberately gotten me these? But how the hell did he even know about my stomach issues? And why would he care?
Bewildered, I nevertheless took one and popped it into my mouth. The candy was good, more peppermint than sugar, and the relief settled in as I sucked on it.
The queen summoned Ramsey, so I just stood there, mentally calculating when I could have the next one. There were only four in the pouch, and I still had a good six hours to go before I could retire for the night.
Prince James somehow won free of everyone, though, after another ten minutes of chatting. He gave his new parents a hug, his siblings a wave, then headed for the door, waving me to him as he walked. I immediately fell into step with him, then moved so I was one step behind.
“No, don’t do that,” he said, urging me back into position with him. “I hate talking to people behind me. It’s so incredibly awkward. Walk at my side.”
I uneasily did as ordered. “Palace protocol dictates I stay at least a step behind.”
Prince James paused at the hall intersection and gave me his full attention. Slightly unnerving, I must admit, those brilliant green eyes penetrating, like he could see everything about me.
“Edwin Grantham”—his tenor voice was smooth but with a bit of a catch at the end—“I am your superior only in name. I am not a better man than you are. Every person on my staff is just that—a person. You are not subpar in any way. If anyone gives you flack for not strictly adhering to palace protocol, you are to shut them up. If they insist, bring them to me. I will deal with them.”
Palace protocol was stuffy, to say the least, and sometimes suffocating. I was used to it after serving in this place for half my life. But when I looked up into his eyes, I felt, strangely,like I could breathe freely. His voice and demeanor radiated confidence but not arrogance, which was truly the mark of a natural leader. My pulse quickened as I looked him directly in the eye—partially in attraction, but mostly because I felt trulyseen. To look into the eyes of a man I now served and be told we were equals was refreshing, if nothing else.
It also reinforced my impression that he was very weird. But he might be a good weird?
“I will,” I said, since he seemed to want an answer.
