Page 27 of Her Royal Rebellion

The emphasis he placed on the last two words made me pause. Did he… did he know?

His lip quirked up. “Yeah, I’ve seen the way you look at the princess. I know how you feel about her.”

I looked around, but we were still alone. “It’s not appropriate. I’m well aware.”

He shook his head. “I wasn’t going to say anything like that. I’ve seen the way she looks at you as well. I think the feelings go both ways, so why haven’t you told her?”

My shoulders sagged. “I’m a Marine. Her guard. Not a prince or duke or lord.”

“You know as well as I do that none of that matters to Isla.”

“It might to her parents. Look who they’re trying to set her up with.”

He frowned. “Something is going on with them. They’ve never once told her she was expected to marry a title. I’m not sure what the whole story is quite yet, but I do know that you need to be honest with her. Otherwise, you’ll both end up hurt.”

With that nugget of wisdom, he walked out of the gym, shutting the door behind him. Not only did he declare himself an ally, but he thought I should tell her how I felt. The one thing that terrified me the most.

I wasn’t ready for that, but while I worked on gathering the nerve, I needed to prepare for the next suitor, Lord Philippe, that would be arriving soon.

* * *

“He seems normal,” Shane muttered over his shoulder as we watched the newest suitor strut down the hallway with Isla on his arm. She looked bored, but at least he was picking up on her cues and showing he had manners.

I disliked the man based on principle, but if I was being objective, he was normal. Almost too much so. Being a noble in Belgium is fairly common. A quarter of their population held a title, so Philippe was less of a commodity there than he was here. I wanted to check in with Isla later tonight to see if he mentioned what he did with his time or his true reason for being here.

All of these new men were making it difficult to find alone time with her. I missed our stolen moments together. Something had changed the night she broke down in front of me. Holding her felt right. I wished we had a chance to speak again. I longed to tell her about the decision I was facing, but I knew it wasn’t the right time. She had more than enough to handle without me adding to her stress.

I returned my attention to the newest guest. From the outside, Philippe was a well-educated, handsome, wealthy lord. He must have a flaw or a secret. If he didn’t, I could be in trouble.

As much as I loathed thinking along those lines, I had to begin accepting my situation. I wanted Isla to be happy, no matter what. If that meant she ended up with him, I would have to find a way to be okay with it. It would make my career decision easier at least. I’d be able to take the special task assignment without anything holding me back.

I didn’t want that to be a default decision. If I was only willing to consider it if Isla turned me down, then maybe that was all I needed to know. I wasn’t interested in it. Not enough to commit for an unknown time at an unknown location.

Well, that was one major decision off my chest. I was left with two options. Leave active service or stay?

My eyes found Isla. It all depended on her. As unfair as it was to put that on her, it was the truth, even if she was unaware.

“Did you talk to the maids?” I asked quietly as we paused outside of Isla’s open office door. She sat inside, chatting with Philippe and Carolyn.

“Yes, they will remain vigilant. None of them have heard anything from the king or queen to help us, but I doubt their personal staff would reveal anything. They’re annoyingly loyal.”

He rolled his eyes, and I chuckled. “How horrible that they have integrity.”

“Hey, we’re all on the same team. Everyone here wants the princes and princess to be happy. We all love them. Expect those who serve the king and queen. They think they’re above everyone else.”

I shook my head. Even within the palace staff there was a social hierarchy and cliques.

“At least we can depend on those serving the suitors to spill it all.”

He grinned wickedly. “Oh yes. They love gossiping about them. So far, I learned that Peter’s nighttime skin routine lasts over thirty minutes and that he only sleeps on silk pillow cases.”

I smirked. “I’m sure the princess would love to tease him about spending more time than her on his skin routine, but that isn’t really enough to get him sent on his way.”

He shrugged. “No, but it means they’re watching closely. I thanked them and told them to find me with anything else they discover.”

“I’m sure they loved that.” More than a couple of the maids had expressed their interest in Shane, but he remained aloof. Giving them a reason to track him down and talk to him was like dangling a bone in front of a dog. Of course, they would jump at the chance.

“When all of this is over, we should take a day off and indulge in a day of golf.” He had a far-off look in his eye and I quickly agreed.