Page 35 of Royally F*cked

Chapter 12

Charlie

Oh. Fuck.

That just happened.

Jude kissed me.

Prince Julius Rexford of Herefirth KISSED me.

Like, really kissed me. Not like that mostly innocent peck from last night in front of the cameras.

He full-on kissed me like his life depended on it.

And now he expects me to sit down and eat breakfast like nothing happened.

Is it crazy that I’m feeling this entire dynamic shift between the two of us? I mean, yesterday afternoon I practically hated him and felt trapped. But that was before I spent the evening as his plus one and got to see a side of him that nobody sees.

God, I think I actually started falling for him in Ottiline’s hospital room.

Then that slow dance together? He held me in his arms and looked at me like I was the only person in the damn room. The smile on his face felt like it was just for me.

But maybe I’m just getting far too caught up in a make-believe fairytale.

I can’t quite figure it out.

I want things between Jude and I to be real. I want to believe that they are.

How am I supposed to know, though?

I’ve never been in love before. Christ, I’ve never even dated anyone for that matter.

Now here I am, getting ready to stand next to the crown prince and announce to the world that we’re engaged. Without a ring on my finger.

This push and pull that I’m feeling in my head and my heart is enough to drive me crazy and that’s without the added stress of the stupid paparazzi shredding any sense of self-worth I’ve got left.

“Are you prepared for today?” Jude asks before taking a sip of his orange juice.

The man has practically cleared his plate while I’ve barely touched mine.

“I’m not sure that I’ll ever be prepared for what’s happening,” I answer him honestly.

“I’ve lived it my whole life and I feel the same way.”

I try to take a few more bites but give up. My stomach is in knots and if I eat any more, I feel like I may end up vomiting all over the place. That’s the last thing I want to do today.

“We should probably get going,” I push back from the table. “Get this done and over with.”

“Are you sure? You didn’t eat very much. I can have Agnes prepare a few snacks for us to take just in case.” His concern is endearing.

“I’m fine. Thank you.”

“If you say so.” Jude stands and offers me his arm. “Anything you need to bring with you?”

“I dropped my purse by the front door so I could grab it on the way out. That’s all I need.”

“Excellent,” Jude stops outside of his office door. “I just need to grab a few things off my desk. Give me one moment.”

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