Page 57 of Royally Rivalled

“Good for you,” Amara said. “Well done!”

My phone buzzed. It was Jeremy.

I groaned and looked at it.

“Oh, he was asking about you while you were out. Said he was sad to miss you.”

“Parker says he’s out to use me as a trophy.”

“Parker just wants to get in your pants, but you’re not tied down.”

“True. But, like… can I honestly get with Jeremy now that I’ve had Parker?”

“You can do whatever you want. You’re your own woman!”

I smiled. “I am.”

I was. It wasn’t just because I’d lost my virginity. I broke through that fear and took pleasure into my own hands. I’d chosen to sleep with Parker because he made mefeelgood. What he’d done in the lift took me to a place I’d never been. And then in bed? It was fabulous because I’d taken charge of what I wanted. That made me my own woman.

“You want to go out on Friday? I am headed back to London. You could join me?—”

“I cannot,” I said. “My attendance is required at this department awards banquet. All the senior doctoral students get nominated for things, and their committees say nice things about them. It’s a must. And, anyway, I must work on the book I’m doing with Briggs. We have a chapter to wrap up.”

“Oh, okay. Shit. Well, I’m going home in another couple of weeks if you’re interested?”

“I would love to,” I agreed.

It was true I would prefer a visit to see Amara’s folks. I met them briefly for dinner about a week ago. They were kind and funny. Unfortunately, I was tasked with stupid academic obligations. I loved research and didn’t mind teaching. I just hated all the rituals—the pomp and circumstance. I expected it in my previous life, but not now.

“Are you gonna shag him again?”

I thought about it. “I mean, it was good. I wouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth.”

We giggled like mad. Ole passed, giving us the stink eye. Sometimes, I felt terrible for him. He lived with two girls. Amara and I were annoyingly bonded and noisy, leaving him to hide in his room.

thirty-five

PARKER

The Case-Meyer Awardswas a longstanding Shalebrook tradition—an awards banquet to celebrate the achievements of scholars in politics, economics, and philosophy. Departments rented out the university ballroom and hosted a dinner. Faculty roasted doctoral students in their last year of candidacy, but departments also gave out several awards for other outstanding contributions. It was a big lah-di-dah event, so I wouldn’t say I enjoyed it.

Departments invited families of final-year doctoral students to survey the carnage. Worse than before, tonight I shared a table with my mother. This was all lost on her and is an excuse to make me feel dreadful fornothaving a girlfriend. Department chairs and their assistants assigned seats, so no one knew who they were stuck with. There was nothing more terrifying than a black-tie event for academics. Add a random seating chart and you’ve put everyone on edge.

Princess Astrid was in attendance, looking beautiful in a long black dress.Damn. She could look good in anything—or nothing—but I immensely enjoyed her in this form. I usually had little interest in women who wear lots of makeup and spend ages on their hair.Astrid looked lovely without anything and messy hair. She also looked stunning, all dolled up.

Unfortunately, I was not at her table.

“The Princess looks nice, doesn’t she?” Mother was desperate to sell me on Astrid.If only she knew!

“She does, yes.” I kept my voice neutral, nodding as we passed in deference.

I fought the urge to bow. It would be odd.

We found our place at our assigned table with two philosophy ABDs—all but dissertation or thesis for the British set—and one economics MSc student. I didn’t ask how or why it was organised this way. Our assistant, Flora, got cross when questioned on such matters, so it was best to leave her be and bring her a bottle of good wine for Christmas—a tip Briggs gave me.

They seated Briggs at one of the faculty tables. I cringed to think of what he’d soon say about me. I looked over again at Astrid to juststareat her—horrified to realise she was sitting next to fucking Jeremy! I grimaced and shot him a look involuntarily. I should drop it, but howdarehe somehow insert himself into this! She deserved so much better!

Dinner was served. Mother carried on with another mother at the table. I fell silent except to correct her understanding of one statistical term. I saw no point in argument or investment. I handed it to the organisers as they kept our drinks filled.

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