“All I’m hearing is fancy European.”
“And all I’m hearing is American ignorance, but I’m too polite to say so.”
She laughs, surprised, and the sound is real and unpolished, nothing like the performative giggles I get from women who already know my title. “Did you just call me ignorant?”
“I said I was too polite to say it.” I grin. “There’s a difference.”
“It’s the inference that offends me.”
We stand there for a moment, neither of us speaking, and the gallery noise fades to nothing. I’ve completely forgotten where I am. The crowd, my sister, the arrangement waiting for me at home. None of it registers.
“I’ve never met someone quite like you,” I admit, and my gaze drops to her mouth before I can stop it.
Her lips are slightly parted, and I wonder what she tastes like.
“That’s a terrible line,” she says, sipping her champagne.
“It’s an observation.” I drag my eyes back to hers. “You don’t seem impressed by me.”
She gives me a look so sarcastic that it should come with a warning label. “Should I be?”
“Most people are.”
“Women just fall to kiss your feet?”
“In a way, yes,” I say, and I don’t look away. “But not you.”
She holds my stare, and I think if I leaned in right now, she might?—
“Addison, there you are.”
Delphine’s voice shatters the moment, and I want to strangle my sister.
She appears at Addison’s elbow, glancing between us with barely concealed delight. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you.” She grins. “There you are! Great. Glad to know you’ve already met my brother.”
Addison blinks. “Yourbrother?”
“Prince Louis Adrian of the Montclaire Dynasty.” Delphine gesturesat me like she’s presenting a museum exhibit. “Heir to the throne. Royal pain in my ass.”
Addison stares at me. “You’re a prince?”
I shrug. “Surprise.”
“You, uh … I—should I curtsy to you? Is that how this works?”
“Absolutely not.” I mean it—because the last thing I want from this woman is formality. “I hate the attention here. That’s why I didn’t say anything.”
My phone buzzes in my pocket, and my father’s name lights up the screen.
“I have to take this.”
I meet Addison’s eyes one last time before stepping away, and the distance feels wrong.
The conversation with my father is short and clipped. He reminds me about the upcoming meetings and my responsibilities, and I say yes to everything because that’s the only acceptable answer. When I hang up, I stare at the phone in my hand and feel the walls closing in.
When I return to the main gallery, Addison is gone.
Delphine is waiting by the entrance, looking far too pleased with herself. “Ready?”
