Page 47 of The Reluctant Heir

“I’m sorry,” he says. “It’s just… not every romantic relationship is sparks and chemistry. Relationships can start as a friendship that grows into something more. You’ve just got to allow it to happen. Be open.”

“As long as you promise I won’t have to go out with Prince Lucas, I can promise to be more open with future dates.”

The truth is, I can handle a second date with any of those guys. But I don’t think I could sit through another five minutes with Prince Lucas. There is something about that guy that rubs me the wrong way.

“I can’t make promises. I’m not sure what your father has planned. But I can promise I have no plans to set you up on a date with the guy.”

I guess that’s the best reassurance I’m going to get.

The following Friday,I find myself getting ready foranotherdate.

Before coming to live with my father, I had been out on three dates in my entire twenty three years of existence. Now, I go out every weekend, though it’s not by choice.

For the first time since I started going out on these political dates, I don’t dread the evening. Maybe because IlikeDamek. I wouldn’t mind the chance to get to know him better.

When I come out of my closet, I find Julien lying on my bed. He’s staring at something on his phone but he looks at me when I walk closer.

“Getting ready for another date with Kaine?” Julien asks, distracting me from asking himwhyhe’s in my room without knocking.

I wrinkle my brow. “What? No. Why would I go out with Kaine? I’m going out with Damek.”

“Who is Damek?”

“PrinceDamek. From the Rune Clan.”

Julien jumps up from the bed. “But he’s heir to his clan.”

I nod.

“If you marry him, then you’ll go to the Rune Clan. Leaving me here. To be heir.”

I shrug. “I like him.”

“No, you can’t like Prince Damek.” Julien groans, rubbing his hands over his face. “I’d rather you be going out with Kaine right now.”

I raise an eyebrow at him. “Have you met Kaine? Why would I want to go out with him?”

“He is moody. And kind of strict. But he seems to like you.” Julien grins, revealing his dimples. “Like, hereallylikes you.”

I cross my arms over my chest. “Yeah, he’dreally liketo murder me and hide my body in the woods where nobody will find me.”

Julien opens his mouth, likely to object, but then nods. “I thought girls were supposed to like enemies to lovers.”

“Maybe in fiction. But I don’t fancy myself falling for a guy whoaccused me of murder.” I roll my eyes. “Not to mention, he spent the majority of our pretend date acting like it was a work meeting. I don’t want to marry a guy that obsessed with his job.”

“He’ll be heartbroken.” Julien sighs dramatically.

“Yeah, him and all the other spoiled princes that I’m not marrying,” I say, my voice heavy with sarcasm. “By the way, when Dad eventually auctions you off to the highest bidder, don’t flirt with other girls in front of your future wife. It’s a turn off.”

He snorts. “Let me guess… Prince Caedmon?”

I eye him suspiciously. “How did you know?”

“He’s known for being promiscuous.” Julien lies back down on my bed.

I smack his feet off the bed. “Get your shoes off my bed.”

He scoffs at me before dramatically kicking them halfway across the room and then lying down.

---