There was endless pressure on Xavier to find someone. By law, he’d need to be engaged before his coronation and married within six months of taking the throne. Even though he had almost eight years before he would become king, the media had seemingly inexhaustible ways of inserting his “single” status into every piece and working the country into a lather about who would be their future queen.
I, on the other hand, had escaped this scrutiny, so marriage had never really crossed my mind—until now. Until Adelaide. Maybe we could explore whatever this was and see where it could take us without the pressure of needing to put a timetable on it.
Being wrapped around her, feeling her deep breathing against my chest, calmed my thoughts and sleep came to me easily, my dreams filled with Adelaide.
A consistent ringing interrupted my dreams. As I became coherent, I realized it was my phone—specifically, Faxon’s emergency ringtone. Blurry eyed, I peered at the clock: 5:02 a.m. I slid out of bed, doing my best not to disturb the angelsleeping beside me, and grabbed my boxer briefs as I went to the kitchen to pick up the call.
“Hey,” I answered.
“Your Highness, we need to go. After questioning the woman we apprehended tonight, we found some online writings detailing her plans to disrupt the commencement ceremony today. There seem to be a few other suspects who were going to help her. We’ve briefed your parents, and they would like the entire family to skip the ceremony and go back to the palace early for everyone's safety. We need to get moving. Our team has handed the woman over to local law enforcement who will continue to investigate the situation from here.”
What the fuck.
This was bigger than just a fan rushing me at a party or the occasional autograph from new students at the beginning of term. Somehow, I had gone from the highest high to one of the lowest lows in a matter of hours. Commencement felt like a rite of passage; I had worked hard for my degree and had been looking forward to joining my peers in walking across the stage today. This was bullshit. I had plans for today and this evening, all of which involved spending more time with Adelaide.
Adelaide.
I didn’t want to leave her alone.
Should I ask her to come with me?
No. I knew she had friends and former students graduating today; asking her to miss the ceremony hardly seemed fair. And while she had met my family before, I didn’t want to overwhelm her by bringing her home so soon. After all, we had yet to discuss what last night had meant for us, or if there would be an “us” moving forward.
“Sir?” Faxon’s voice interrupted my thoughts.
“I want security to watch over Adelaide for a few days, just in case this person remembers her from the party.”
“Yes, Your Highness. But we really need to get going.”
“Okay. Give me five minutes and I’ll be out.”
I went to Adelaide’s room and grabbed the rest of my clothes, placing a gentle kiss on her cheek before I made my way back into the kitchen. After rifling through the drawers, I found a piece of paper and pen.
A,
Got called back to the palace because of the security threat from last night. Am going to have to miss the ceremony today. Didn’t want to wake you—you were sleeping so peacefully.
I know we didn’t get to talk about this last night, but I want to see you again. I’d love to explore what there is between us. If you’re open to that, please call or text me. I’ll be anxiously waiting to hear from you.
-O
Just as I was done writing my note, the front door unlocked and opened.
A petite woman in scrubs walked in and jumped back when she spotted me in her kitchen.
“Hi. Colette, right?”
“Yes?” she replied apprehensively. “Who are you and what are you doing in my kitchen? There are cops outside so don’t do anything funny.” She slowly put herhand in her bag, undoubtedly reaching for some type of self-defense weapon, like mace or a taser.
I raised my hands in defense. “I’m Oliver! I’m Adelaide’s friend. I was just leaving. Here.” I handed her the note I had written.
“Oliver?PrinceOliver?” Colette asked incredulously.
“Yeah.” I gave a soft wave. “I have to go; can you make sure Adelaide gets that?”
She glanced down at the paper in her hand. “Sure…” she said, a note of suspicion in her voice.
“Thank you. It was nice to meet you.”
