Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 42883 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 214(@200wpm)___ 172(@250wpm)___ 143(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 42883 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 214(@200wpm)___ 172(@250wpm)___ 143(@300wpm)
“You’re just saying that,” I counter as I blush. His expression is serious, though.
“No, I mean it, Kitty. I’ve never seen anyone in this world as beautiful as you are,” he says. My heart pounds as butterflies flutter in my stomach. Eric always knows just what to say to get me smiling from ear to ear.
“It feels good to finally get out of the palace,” I admit. “I’ve always wanted to come to France too. I used to dream of going to college here.”
He cocks his dark head at me.
“But why France?” he asks.
I smile sassily.
“Because something about the country is just so beautiful, and so romantic. I studied French in high school, hoping that I would be spending the next four years here after graduation,” I say.
“You speak French?” Eric asks, impressed.
“Mais oui!” I say in a perky tone.
“I had no idea,” he says with a smile. “I’m sure you’ll be enrolled in school in no time.”
“I hope so,” I sigh. After all, I’ve been saving like a fiend, but the fact is that I still don’t have enough to cover tuition. I’ll probably have to clean the castle for another couple years before I can go off to school.
“What do you want to study?” he asks. I think for a bit. At first, I’d wanted to go to school to study English literature, but I've always liked European history as well.
“Hmm, maybe history. I’ve always found it interesting, especially the history of our country,” I say.
“We do have a very interesting history. A lot of people don't know that the first King of Chromia was a pig farmer,” Eric says in a rueful tone.
“Really?” I ask, a bit shocked.
“Yeah,” he laughs.
I stammer. “I knew King Chyron was a farmer, but I thought it was of crops, not pigs,” I say.
“Nope,” he says as he shakes his head. “It was pigs. My ancestor was a pig farmer who became a warrior.”
I giggle then. “Wow, I had no idea.”
My lover grins. “Yeah, the history books always leave that out. I guess the historians don’t think pig farming is a noble profession.” We both laugh together then.
“I guess I have a lot to learn about the history of our country,” I remark, still giggling.
“Don’t worry. I’ll teach you,” he says, holding my hand in his. “I know a lot of stuff that the history books conveniently omit.” I gaze into his eyes and feel like the luckiest woman in the world.
“I'd like that a lot,” I say as I sip my glass of wine.
But then, Eric takes a swig from his own glass before staring out at the river. Something's on his mind, but what could it be? I study him discreetly, trying to figure out what could be going through his brain right now. I gently caress his back, snapping him back into reality.
“Are you okay?” I ask.
“Yeah. I was just thinking about the days when my dad used to bring me and my sister Ella here as kids. That was so long ago,” he muses somberly. “Now, all we ever do is fight about how I'm not fit to be the king.” He sighs heavily.
“Do you want to be king someday?” I ask. The handsome man is quiet for a bit.
“No,” he finally says. “But I don't have a choice.” I rub his back.
“It's a terrible thing when you're forced to do something that you don't really want to,” I say gently. “And I thought it was bad when my parents used to force me to eat vegetables as a kid,” I joke. He laughs and the mood lightens infinitesimally. But then Eric grows somber again.
“I just wish my dad and I had a better relationship,” he states.
“Have you tried talking with him? Be honest with your father, and tell him what you really want,” I urge. “He loves you, so I’m sure he wants to see you happy.”
Eric’s shoulders slump a bit.
“Yeah, maybe,” he says as he wraps his arm around me, pulling me closer to him. “But honestly, I think my sister Ella is a better fit for the throne. She’d make a great queen and it’s just so stupid that I have to do it. She wants it, in fact.”
“Well, the people of Chromia definitely adore her,” I say.
“Yeah, so do my mom and dad,” he chuckles. Then he squeezes me tight again. “Do you have any siblings?”
“Nope,” I reply, staring at the ground. “I’m an only child.”
“Lucky you. There’s no one for your parents to compare you to,” he says.
I think for a moment.
“Yeah, I guess that’s true. I always wanted a little brother or sister, though. Someone around my age because it’s just been me and my parents my whole life. It’d be nice to have someone else around.”
“Do you get along with your parents at least?” he asks.