Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 116570 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 583(@200wpm)___ 466(@250wpm)___ 389(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 116570 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 583(@200wpm)___ 466(@250wpm)___ 389(@300wpm)
“No, I do not,” I answered. “This is how I have always been with you, Sabina. Never have I ever promised or shown to you that there would be anything more. You were a friend—”
“A friend?”
“Yes, a friend, who helped me when I needed it. And I thank you. But I told you in the beginning, so I did not think I had to repeat it, but I shall now, so you do not keep appearing in front of my fiancée or me. There will never be a ‘you and me.’ Ever. Goodnight.”
“I know you. I’ll see you at your next crisis—”
“Did you see me at my last one?” I asked her. “My brother died. That was the biggest crisis of my life. And the person who was with me at that moment is the person who will be with me in the future. Please, Sabina, stop, for all of our sakes. Stop.”
I didn’t wait to hear any more. Instead, I walked back out to where Balduin was still waiting, not just him but Ivan. Ivan smiled and nodded at me. And never more did I want to punch a man in the face.
“Thank you for dinner,” was all I said instead.
“The pleasure is ours, Your Highness.”
I couldn’t get into the car fast enough. I didn’t wave at the reporters, who were still waiting outside. I couldn’t even look back. I sat in my seat and urged them to go. It was only when I saw the red door fading in the background that I relaxed, rubbing my temple as I felt a headache coming. I thought of Sabina. Would she really just drop it? How would Ivan somehow twist all of this to paint me as some horrid villain? The playboy, womanizing prince. Once again, I could hear my brother lecturing me for my past. Was it Sabina’s fault for still trying? Or my fault for going to her before, knowing full well I’d one day have to toss her aside?
“Iskandar, am I an asshole?” I asked.
“Yes, sir.”
I scoffed, dropping my hand to look at him. “You could not have hesitated?”
“Sorry, sir. Are you an asshole?” He was silent for a good twenty seconds before saying, “Yes, sir.”
I shifted my gaze to Balduin, who nodded as he checked his messages.
“How unfortunate it must be for you all,” I grumbled.
“We all have assholes in us, sir,” Balduin replied. “It’s the better parts that make us overlook or forget.”
“Are you saying I am more of a better person than I am an asshole?” I didn’t know if I should be happy about how they phrased all of this.
“Exactly, sir.”
I chuckled. “Thank you. I think.”
Chapter 21
Upon returning to the palace, I immediately went to the cherry gardens, knowing she’d be there, waiting, even if I were this late. And sure enough, there she was dressed in a flowing white gown with her hair pulled up into a messy bun, dancing in the middle of the gazebo, under the moonlight, like a muse from Virgil’s Aeneid. She held up her arm and watched her steps carefully as she practiced. I could hear the faint sound of “Awaken Dreams” by Benedictus von Heinrich, but I didn’t know where it came from until she missed a step—well, a few steps and stopped, clearly frustrated. She inhaled deeply before going to the gazebo’s edge, lifting her phone and restarting the music. Odette moved back to the middle and raised her hands.
I could not stand by and watch, so I ran up the gazebo’s steps and appeared in front of her, lifting her hand with my right and putting my left on the small of her back.
“Gale?”
“Odette.” I smiled, leading with my right foot first, and immediately she followed.
“When did you get back?”
“Just now,” I replied, helping her shoulders relax a bit. “How long have you been practicing?”
“Since Lady de Marissonne said I looked like a scared turtle when I waltzed.”
“Ha! I can see it!”
“Shut up!” she snapped, trying to break away, but I held her closer.
“I am only joking. You look as breathtaking as always. Tonight, you look a vision of myths and legends.”
Her eyes narrowed on me. “Laying it on a bit thick?”
“You haven’t gotten used to it yet?” I shot back, turning us both.
She had a reply, but the moment she stepped on my foot, she forgot all about it and looked down, frowning.
“Whatever it is, don’t worry about it,” I said to her.
“But I have to worry about it! They told me about the Queen’s State Dinner. It’s going to be my first. They even said I had to wear a crown. Sorry, I mean a tiara—there is a difference. So, not only do I have to dance but also do it with like a million dollars on my head, and under no circumstance is it allowed to fall. But before I can worry about all of that, I have to get through my speech. I’m complaining a lot, aren’t I?”