But as I stare at the dark screen of my phone, the “work” part feels like a very thin veil.
Fourteen
The rest of the week passes in a blur. I stay late Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, scrambling to finish all the projects I’ve been assigned before heading to London. If there’s anything I can’t stand, it’s unfinished work.
By Friday, my brain feels like it’s running on fumes. But I still end up checking my phone more than I’d like to admit. Theo doesn’t reply to me until Friday morning.
Theo
Sorry for the radio silence. Tuesday’s site visit to Vortex Rise didn’t go well. Fill you in later. Promise. What’s your news?
My heart sinks as I stare at the screen. Vortex Rise has been a nightmare for him from day one, but for Theo, the wordsdidn’t go wellare the equivalent of a five-alarm fire.
The most telling part isn’t even the words—it’s the timing. Theo’s phone is normally an extension of his body. If he hasn’t touched it since Tuesday, he’s been in thetrenches, fighting a losing battle against deadlines and gravity.
I read the message twice, my thumb hovering over the screen. This is it. This is the moment to tell him.I’m the support staff. I’m coming to help you.
It could be the win he needs. But a cold knot of doubt tightens in my stomach. What if he sees it as a pity move? Or worse, what if he thinks I’m just a junior engineer he now has to babysit while his project is literally falling apart?
I read the message another two times. Chickening out, I settle on putting it off a bit longer.
Kaori
Tell you all about it this weekend.
On Saturday, just before I make it past security at the Orlando airport, I recognize the familiar face of Kenta Sato, one of the security officers who’s been assigned to me in the past. Dressed in jeans and a nondescript army-green jacket, he looks more like a travel-weary tourist than a royal bodyguard, which is exactly the point.
“Your Imperial Highness,” he greets me quietly with a bow.
“Good to see you again, Sato-san,” I reply, managing a tired smile. “You drew the short straw, huh?”
“It’s always an honor to serve your family, Princess.” He bows again, though I notice him tugging at the hem of his jacket. He’s a man who clearly feels more at home in a crisp suit than in casual wear, and I appreciate the sacrifice he’s making to play the part of a civilian.
He steps a fraction closer and presses a device no larger than a key fob into my palm. “Your new panic button. I’ll be nearby, but unless you need me, you won’t notice I’mhere. Yamada-san will meet us in London. He’ll take mornings. I’ll cover evenings.”
I nod, slipping the small device into the side pocket of my tote. “Thank you, Sato-san. I don’t expect to need it, but it’s good to know you’re here.”
“That’s the idea. Have a safe flight, Your Highness.” Before Leon arrives from the gate-side café, Sato-san gives a polite nod and murmurs, “I’ll see you on the other side,” before melting back into the crowd.
With a coffee in hand, Leon yawns and drops into the plastic seat beside me. “Leave it to the travel office to book us only the earliest flight humanly possible. It wouldn’t surprise me if Theo requested it so he could put us straight to work.”
I stifle a laugh. “He wouldn’t do that. I’m sure he’ll give us a day to adjust to the jet lag.”
Leon snorts. “You just wait, Minami. The Orlando Riverton is going to seem like sunshine and roses compared to the bear you’ll meet across the pond.”
My brows knit together. “Why?”
“I forget you’ve only been with us two months.” Leon settles back in his chair, lowering his voice as the boarding area buzzes with travelers repacking bags and hunting for charging ports. He leans in, his expression turning uncharacteristically grim. “Two words—Theo’s father.”
I frown, my mind racing to connect the dots. I know he and his father aren’t close. His grandmother raised him. But that’s about all I know. He’s been incredibly tight-lipped every time it’s come up. “You’ll have to fill in a few more blanks for me, Leon. I’m missing a chapter.”
“Does the name Cuthbert Harris ring any bells?”
“Oh.Oh.” My mouth falls open as the realization clicksinto place. “Emperor Palpatine isthatMr. Harris? The COO?”
“The one and only,” Leon mutters.
“But they have different last names. I just assumed...”
