Page 116 of Uncrowned

“It’s nine. Do you not work today?”

He beamed me a smile. “When I saw the paper, I took off until lunch. I wanted to be here with you for moral support.”

“I bet you did. What about yesterday or the day before? Did you lose your job?”

“It’s my firm. Of course not. This is better than court or television. I get a front row seat.” His neck craned as he looked over to the tray of sweets I had on my desk. “Are you going to eat those?”

“You kiss my future queen. You drink my scotch. You keep eating all the food I bring in here. It’s every day. Would you like me to put you in the bedroom next to mine? How about a desk so we can work next to each other? I can set you up one right over there.”

“Really?”

I threw him a look that had him lounging back in the chair. As soon as he appeared to settle, he threw himself forward, trying to swipe a small cake next to a scone. I slapped his hand before he could grab it causing him to curse.

My phone dinged, and he dove for the cake making me point at him threateningly.

“Go get your own. You know where the damn kitchen is.”

I hit the button, growling as I looked down.

My Queen: He’s asked to come see me a few times. I’ve declined. I’m not sure he knows who it is declining though. I can’t really talk about that right now. Theo, I’m at work. What’s going on?

Me: Find today’s paper. You’re the headline.

My Queen: Shit! What did you do?

Me: I warned you… This ends, one way or another. I want you back. I want to marry you.

My Queen: You haven’t asked me yet. Saying and doing aren’t the same. And do not ask me over text. I will never forgive you.

“Fuck.” I glanced up to see powdered sugar on the tip of Theo’s nose. “Seriously? You’re making a mess.”

“He asked to come see her and she refused him. Am I right?”

“Yeah.”

“Yikes. A battle of epic proportions—for Crown and queen. Can he do it? Can The Unavowed win both despite grave circumstances⁠—”

“Out. Go to work, Theodore.”

“And miss all the good stuff? I like it here. I may become a duke and never work again.”

“You’re not duke yet and won’t be unless we find something to prove my family’s innocence.”

Theodore reached for another miniature cake, popping it into his mouth. “I’m working on it. Have faith. At this very moment, I have maids tearing apart my grandfather’s attic. I’ve already got four trunks I have to go through from his summer house. There has to be something in them. He loved to journal. Did I ever tell you that?”

I sat forward, grabbing my phone as a text came through.

“Are you crazy? Do you know how dangerous it is having those brought to your apartment?”

“No one knows that we’re friends. You’re technically a myth. My grandfather passed a few months back. I’d be doing this anyway.”

My head shook. “I don’t like it. You’ve been kissing my queen in front of the possible enemy. If anyone suspects⁠—”

“They won’t.”

“I’m not taking any chances. I’m sending people to your place right now, and we’re having it all brought here.”

“Do I get a choice?”