I bow. “Good morning, Your Highness.”
“Please, join me.” He pulls out the chair that’s to the side of him.
I’m painfully aware of the staff members tracking our movements. We’re going to be the talk of the palace before the ball starts, and I’m not sure if that terrifies me or thrills me.
“How did you sleep?”
“Perfect. You?”
He pours coffee into my cup like this is normal, like we do this every day. I study his face, trying to read what’s happening behind his eyes because he looks lighter, like a weight has been lifted from his shoulders.
“Best rest I’ve had in weeks.” He reaches for a pastry and sets it on my plate. “Try this. The chef makes them fresh every single morning because they’re my favorite. It has strawberry cream cheese in the middle.”
I take a bite. The flavors burst in my mouth. It’s sweet without being overpowering, with the perfect flake. While I eat, I don’t say much.
Louis tilts his head and lowers his voice. “Would you rather be alone?”
I swallow hard and don’t answer. He takes a sip of his coffee, watching me over the rim.
“I need my privacy, please,” he says. His voice is slightly raised, but he’s polite and smiling.
No one in the room budges. Instead, they pretend like he didn’t speak, which irritates Louis.
He sets his mug down on the table and sighs. “You’re each excused, please.”
The staff exchange glances, and one of them—an older man with silver hair—steps forward.
“Your Highness, we’re under strict orders from the queen to?—”
“I don’t care what she said. This is my personal breakfast. And you will listen to me when I give a direct order regarding my privacy. Do you understand?” Louis stands, and his chair scrapes back against the marble floor, then falls to the ground.
“Sir, we’re not able to leave you unattended during?—”
“Get the fuck out,” Louis demands, pointing toward the door.
That’s all it takes before they’re filing toward the exit with their heads down. Louis moves to the other side of the room, and when thelast person crosses the threshold, he locks it with a loud click. Then he moves to every other door and does the same until we have complete privacy.
Louis strolls back to the table and sits down beside me. He reaches for his coffee, like nothing just happened. “Where were we?”
I stare at him. “What a drama king.”
This makes him chuckle and relax. “I’ve had enough of the insubordination around the palace. When I become king, I will fire every single person who has defied me, starting today.”
We sit in silence for a moment, and I don’t know what to say.
After another sip of coffee, I set the mug down. “You seem different.”
“I feel it.” His eyes meet mine. “I woke up today and realized I don’t have one single fuck left to give. You told me weeks ago to step into my power, and I’m doing that now. I won’t allow my mother to handpick my bride and parade me around like a show pony any longer. So, I’m starting my day off how I’d like, which is having breakfast with you.”
“Louis—”
“I’ve missed you so fucking much.” His voice drops low.
He stands and offers me his hand. I take it, and he pulls me to my feet, holding my waist.
“Aren’t you hungry?” I ask, noticing all the food that was prepared.
“Actually, I’m starving.”
