Page 42 of Royally F*cked

Chapter 14

Charlie

The moment we’re far enough away from the king’s office, I elbow Jude in the side – hard.

“Ow. What was that for?”

“We will be reaching out to Father MacGonigal at St. Paul’s Cathedral and reserving Saturday, the 21st of May for our wedding,” I repeat his words back to him in a deep voice, mimicking his own. “Jude, that’s just six weeks from now,” I hiss. “And because that wasn’t enough, you failed to mention the whole getting pregnant thing! Seriously, what the fuck?”

Behind us, Oscar chuckles and murmurs, “told you so.”

Jude spins me around with his hands on my shoulders. “Okay. Listen, this is not the place to speak about it.”

I cross my arms over my chest. “Seems I’ve heard that before. Will there ever be a time when I’ll be able to have a conversation with my future husband that doesn’t need to be put off until we’ve reached another location?”

“Yes. No. Maybe? I don’t know Charlie; I just know this isn’t the place. These walls have ears, and they report back to my grandfather.”

The sight of a member of the household staff is enough for me to take heed to Jude’s warning. “This conversation is not over,” I whisper to him while plastering a smile on my face then kissing his cheek for good measure.

“Didn’t think it was, dear,” he says before kissing me back, putting much more of a performance into his version of a kiss than I did.

Good Lord. The man is making my toes curl right here in the middle of the damn hallway. When he’s finished making my head spin, Jude pats me on the ass and subtly pushes me forward. “Come along. Willow is waiting.”

Willow is doing schoolwork in the study with someone that I’m assuming is her new lady in waiting. They didn’t take very long to replace me. Guess it just goes to show how valuable I really was.

The moment Willow spots the two of us in the doorway, she tosses her pencil down and jumps up from her seat. Running straight for us, she bypasses Jude and throws her arms around me.

“Oh my gosh. Charlie! I was worried you were never coming back. I’ve missed you so much. I told them you’d be back,” she rattles on, excitedly.

“I missed you, too. I’m afraid I’m not exactly back though.”

Willow lets go and looks up at me. “What do you mean?”

“That’s what Charlie came here with me to talk to you about,” Jude begins. “Let’s go for a walk and we can explain what’s happening.”

“I’m sorry, Your Royal Highness, the princess is in the middle of a lesson. I’m afraid you will have to wait,” the newest royal peasant speaks.

“And you are?” Jude asks.

“Hazel. Hazel Martin, Sir. I’m Willow’s lady in waiting.”

“Ah, then you do realize that I am the crown prince and if I wish to take my little sister for a walk, then I shall do so at my leisure.”

“I’ve been instructed by the king that Princess Willow is not to be interrupted during study time.”

Oh Hazel, this is not going to go well for you. Jude’s patience is already thin because of his grandfather. And he’s not going to let anyone stop him from spending time with Willow.

What’s worse is I know for a fact that while yes Willow needs to dedicate time to her studies, daily, she has always had flexibility. So, an impromptu visit with her big brother should be no big deal.

Except for maybe right now. When the king is bitterly pissed at Jude.

“Hazel, I am going for a walk with my brother and Charlie. You’re free to go running to my grandfather if you’d like,” Willow crosses her arms and scows.

After her behavior only yesterday, I’m surprised that she doesn’t throw in a middle finger for good measure.

“You heard the princess,” Jude winks and wraps one arm around his sister’s shoulders and the other around mine. “What do you say grab some fresh air, ladies?”

“Yes, please!” Willow exclaims.

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