Page 26 of Royally Rivalled

“Want something what? I am stocked with digestives and tea.”

“Well, I have coffee because I'm very particular. But I figured there might be disappointing pastries or something.”

He snickered. “You're welcome to my digestives.”

“Can you explain what the hell a digestive is?”

Parker cocked his head. “What?”

“What are they? I hear about them over and over again.”

Parker fumbled in his backpack. Yes, the Duke carried a bloodybackpack.

“How much is in your backpack?”

“Uh, it's arucksack,” he corrected. “I always thought you spoke British English. You sounded more British than whatever you are.”

“I'm Neandian. We speak French,” I explained. “Similar to Belgian French. But I did learn English from English tutors. However, I've never lived in England before.”

“Okay, well, this is a rucksack and these...”

He rummaged and pulled out a roll of something. “Are digestive biscuits.”

“Oh, just like tea biscuits,” I said. “God, I feel stupid!”

“Don't. I suppose this is a Britishism.”

He slightly opened the wrapper, offering me a biscuit dipped in chocolate.

“Thanks.” I bit in.

It was delicious and confirmed with a thumbs up.

“Good. Now you know two more Britishisms.”

“I am sure I will be asking you all a million more questions. I getconfused. My brother-in-law speaks American English, and sometimes there’s confusion between him and my sister.”

“What? Really?”

I nodded.

“So you all lived... together.”

“This is the first time I've lived on my own,” I immediately felt stupid.

“Oh. Well, until I went to uni, I never lived alone. Not until uni?”

I sensed it was a dig.

“No, not untilnow. Can you ever just be nice, Parker? You realise everyone calls you the Dickish Duke, right?”

Parker set his jaw. “I don't care. I don't listen to people. Who told you that?”

I shrugged. “It's unimportant, and I’m insufferable, right?”

Parker deeply breathed, “I feel dreadful for saying that, Astrid. I don’t think that about you. I was cross and defensive and should have been kinder. I was mostly embarrassed. I apologise profusely. Also, I was simply surprised about you not living alone—not passing judgment.”

“Oh.” I backed off. “I appreciate your apology.”

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