Page 50 of The King's Secret Baby

“You know,” I say softly, my gaze fixed on a puffy white cloud as it drifts lazily across the sky. “I gave my dad a lot of grief over the years. Always pushing for more responsibility, more of a say in the running of the kingdom.”

“That’s natural. You wanted to prove yourself, to show that you were ready.”

I nod, feeling a lump form in my throat. “Yeah. But now… now I realize he was just trying to protect me. To shield me from the stress and pressure for as long as he could.” I swallow hard, blinking back the sudden sting of tears. “He was always so busy with his duties, he rarely had time to just be a dad. I was mostly raised by the palace staff.”

Hailey reaches out, her hand finding mine and giving it a gentle squeeze. “I can relate,” she says softly. “Growing up without a father… it’s tough. You always wonder what it would have been like, to have that relationship.”

I lace my fingers through hers, drawing strength from her touch. “I promise you, Hailey, our child will never have to wonder. I will always be there, no matter what.”

She smiles at that, but I can see the flicker of uncertainty in her eyes. “And the public? When will we tell them about the baby?”

I sigh, the weight of my responsibilities settling on my shoulders once more. “We will figure that out after the coronation,” I assure her. “I just need to get through that first. But I promise, we will go public when the time is right. I won’t let you go through this alone.”

She nods, and for a moment, with her by my side and the promise of our child’s future stretching before us, I allow myself to believe that everything will work out. That somehow, we’ll find a way to balance duty and personal matters, to build the family we both crave.

I know it won’t be easy. The road ahead is filled with obstacles, with the constant scrutiny of the public eye and the heavy mantle of the crown.

I only hope I have the strength to face it all, to be the king my people need and the father our child deserves.

CHAPTER 24

HAILEY

Iwalk beside Luca through the quiet corridors of the palace, my mind still reeling from the perfect afternoon we just shared. The picnic was like something out of a dream — lounging on a soft blanket amidst the fragrant rose gardens, sampling delectable treats, talking and laughing for hours, just the two of us in our own little world. It all felt so natural, so right.

And yet, as we approach my room, the spell threatens to break. Reality comes rushing back — the complicated nature of our relationship, the impossibly high stakes we both face. I should put some distance between us, maintain the professional boundaries I swore I’d uphold. But my traitorous heart has other ideas.

Luca pauses outside my door when I open it, his gaze drifting to the small decorative touches I’ve added to make the space feel more like home — a few framed photos, a colorful throw pillow, a stack of my favorite books.

“I see you’ve settled in nicely,” he remarks with a smile. “I’m glad. I want you to feel comfortable here.”

Before I can second-guess myself, I blurt out an invitation. “Would you like to come in for a minute? For some, um, tea.”

He hesitates, and I assume he’ll decline the offer, but he does the opposite. “I’d like that very much.”

My pulse kicks up a notch as I usher him inside my private sanctuary. I don’t know why I’m bringing him in here, what I’m hoping to achieve. I just didn’t want our time together to end. It’s too perfect — the kind of afternoon that will never come again, and I want to milk it for as long as possible.

I heat some water in the electric kettle in the corner of the room, my nerves jangling with his nearness in the intimate space. Luca admires the framed prints on the walls, stepping closer to examine one moody black-and-white cityscape.

“Honey? Sugar?” I ask.

“Just milk. Thank you.”

I make his tea and cross the room to hand it to him. When he takes it from me, our eyes lock, and I find myself drowning in the bottomless blue of his gaze, my breath catching at the open admiration shining there. The air between us thickens, charging with the unspoken desires we’ve both been fighting to ignore.

He still has feelings for me. I see it now, clear as the light of day. He’s been fighting them tooth and nail, though. But why?

The moment stretches taut between us before Luca clears his throat and glances away, breaking the spell. “I should be going. I’m sure you have much to do…”

My heart cracks.That’s it? He’s not even going to acknowledge the moment we just shared?

“I don’t have much to do at all.” I snort. “Not unless I’m working on my piece for you.”

“Ah. Yes.” He nods once, looking thoughtful.

“Since you don’t want me going anywhere,” I prompt.

His lips turn down.

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