Page 18 of My Fated Alpha: The Royals

She began walking towards the drawing room, and five minutes later, she realized the marquis was indeed right.

Oh my God, what a harlot she had turned into, wanting him to kiss her so publicly!

Entering the parlor, she found her sisters and Charles waiting for her with expectant looks on their faces.

She said flatly, “No, I’m not officially his heartkeeper yet.”

Everyone burst into protest.

She raised her hand. “And I’m not going to be.”

“But why?” Aurora burst out. “He wants you, Soleil. He wouldn’t have gone around town chasing after you if he didn’t!”

“Is he a bad kisser?” Fleur blurted out. “Too...I don’t know...demonic?”

Everyone turned to look at her.

Fleur made a face. “Okay, okay, bad idea, my humblest apologies.”

Charles began, “But he’s a good fit—-”

“Not you too, Papa,” Soleil cut him off with a shake of her head. “I’mnotgoing to be his heartkeeper, end of story.Okay?”

“Okay.” Fleur answered for the rest of the family.

Soleil’s gaze narrowed. “Okay, but? There’s a but, isn’t there?”

“But,” Fleur echoed obediently, “—-have you forgotten something?” She bit her lip. “Ilie Marcovici istheMarquis diLunare. I don’t think he’s the type to take no for an answer if he really wants you to be his heartkeeper.”

Chapter Five

Soleil had just come down to enjoy breakfast the next day, and the first thing she saw was Ilie Marcovici seated on her father’s right. Her sisters were also there, seated opposite him, and the four of them were laughing and chatting like a happy family.

As if they didn’t know Ilie Marcovici was not human,she thought ungraciously.

Ilie was the first one to notice her, and he stood up immediately. “Good morning, milady,” he said with a bow. “I came only to call, but your father has insisted I join your family for breakfast. I hope you don’t mind?”

Hovering by the doorway, Soleil debated between forgetting her manners and pleading a sudden migraine.

But the choice was out of her hands when Charles called out, “What are you standing there for, my dear?” His pleasant voice had a note of warning in it, reminding Soleil his absolute dislike of any display of ill manners in his household.

Soleil had a rebellious urge to stomp her feet—-

About to throw a tantrum, milady?the marquis teased in her mind.This I have to see.

But instead she made her way to her father, practically gliding on her satin slippers in her effort to move with grace. Aurora and Fleur were gaping at her, as if asking Soleil if she had lost hermind and that was the reason she seemed to be dancing towards them.

Her face flamed, but she pretended not to notice her sisters’ surprise.

She bent to kiss Charles’ cheek. “Good morning, Papa.”

He beamed at her. “It’s wonderful to see you in such high spirits in the morning.”

She straightened, protesting, “Papa!”

“How surprising,” the marquis commented. “I would have thought Lady Soleil a morning person.”

Fleur wrinkled her nose. “Because she’s our fearsome leader? Yes, well, it’s the opposite.”

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