Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 78844 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78844 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
“I’m totally ready. Are you?”
“If you’re with me I am. To tell you the truth, I’m nervous they’ll hate me. They all had horrible signs about me the day of my coronation.”
“Nobody who knows you can ever hate you.” I kissed his chest and pulled away. “Let’s go get ready.”
Chapter 36
Elias
Adeline was right about the jeans. The moment our car reached the first house we had scheduled to visit, I knew it had been the right call. It was a normal neighborhood. The roofs weren’t falling apart and as far as I knew, they had running water, but it was definitely not the kind of place I’d ever visited. Addie had been right to judge me on my fancy apartment.
“We can’t hold hands,” Addie whispered when I stopped walking and tried to reach for hers.
“Addie.”
“I’m serious, Eli. I’m not even supposed to be walking beside you. I was getting schooled on all of this when you were gone,” she said. “Walk ahead of me and I’ll follow.”
She wasn’t wrong. It was tradition. If I was being honest with myself, I’d never even paid it much attention until this moment. It was just something that was expected. That didn’t mean I didn’t hate it right now. I turned and faced the door once more, walking behind my security team as Addie trailed behind me and Pierre closely behind her. The door opened shortly after the head of security knocked. He was invited inside to check things out and walked back out and gave a heads-up that everything was clear. We already had two security guards inside, but one could never be too sure. That was something I learned a few years ago when someone tried to kill me, not because they hated me, but because I was the Dauphin and the people were becoming desperate even then. The woman at the door, who was probably in her thirties, curtsied when she saw me.
“Please come in. Thank you for visiting.”
“Thank you for allowing me to visit,” I said.
Her face brightened instantly and it surprised me to know that something that simple could make a difference in my welcome. Her husband I recognized right away. I wouldn’t soon forget the man, face all hollowed, holding up that hateful sign. He’d shaved his beard and was wearing a black T-shirt with a logo on it. I recognized it to be the logo of the Crown’s mining company. So he worked for me. Technically. He bowed deeply and when he straightened, I offered him my hand, which he shook.
“I wasn’t expecting to ever host a king,” he said. He was missing a few teeth when he smiled. I smiled back.
“I wasn’t expecting this either, but I’m glad I’m here.”
“Please, take a seat,” his wife said. She turned to the door and I knew the minute Addie stepped through because the woman’s smile was wide and bright. “You’re the commoner.”
“I’m the commoner,” Addie said, laughing lightly. “It’s so nice to meet you, Madame Lefebre. You have a lovely home.”
“Oh, please.” Monsieur Lefebre waved away the compliment. “You stay in the palace now. This is no Versailles.”
“It’s not,” Addie said. “This is much cozier. Much homier.” She winked.
The Lefebres laughed. My heart grew. If I ever had any doubt that she was the perfect woman for me, this put me at ease. We all sat down in the living room, drank coffee, and spoke about their concerns. I’d brought them enough money for food that would last them a few months and they gratefully took it, but what they really wanted from me was a promise that I’d make it so that they could afford their own food once that ran out, and I gave it to them. After all, I’d finally come to a deal with the Crowned Prince, and was set to meet with him in London over the weekend to ensure that everything was as solid as he said over the phone. We visited four more houses, all with similar receptions and outcomes as the Lefebres, and I knew without a doubt that none of it would have been possible without Adeline by my side.
Chapter 37
Adeline
“Well, at least the tabloids look better,” Joslyn said.
She’d taken a break from her new role as Princess Pilar’s secretary to come to London and help me pack up the apartment. I’d already secured a smaller place down the street, but I would miss this one terribly. There was no point in keeping such a big place to myself though. Not when I wasn’t even sure where I’d be in the coming months. The doorbell rang once, twice, three times and Joss and I stopped what we were doing and looked at each other. I stood slowly and headed to the door. Elias’s security team was with me while he was in meetings this weekend, so one of them opened the door for me.