Page 20 of Royally Scr*wed

“This wasn’t exactly part of the deal,” I huff, still completely unsure how I feel about this.

“Charlie, you’re not that naïve. You know that Nan was Queen Consort and held some power. Why wouldn’t you suspect that would be the case for you as well?”

Okay, maybe Jude has a point. Even if the thought never really crossed my mind.

“Think of it this way, I’m no longer ‘buying’ your hand in marriage. You’ll be a working woman. Unless you prefer being kept. I’ve got no issues with keeping you barefoot and pregnant for years to come. We can have an entire sports team of little Rexfords to fill up this palace.”

My mouth falls open and I gasp. “Barefoot and pregnant? Where did you learn a phrase like that?”

Jude smiles smuggling. “I am well cultured, m’dear. I have friends in the states who desire nothing more from their women.”

I make a gagging sound and shake my head. “For the record, it makes you sound like a cultured swine.”

This time he throws his head back and laughs. “Noted. I need to meet with Ruby and prepare for my speech. Do you wish to join me?”

“Do you have something else that I can do, Your Majesty?”

“Charlie…”

“Jude…” I counter.

“Perhaps you’d like to visit with your parents, and I can join you after? I’d like to speak with your father in person anyway.”

“Yes. If that would be okay, I think I’d rather visit them.”

“Ozzy, is Elias still hanging around?” Jude asks.

“Ready and waiting for his next directive,” Ozzy answers.

“Great. Charlie, Elias will be your personal detail.”

The man in question enters the room as if he was teleported here.

“I’ll catch up with you shortly,” Jude says with a kiss on my forehead before he whispers an ‘I love you’ in my ear.

CHAPTER 8

JUDE

“Any updates on Anderson and Sebastian’s whereabouts?” I ask during my morning meeting with the new security team, Chief of Police and Major Stephan of the Royal Guards.

It’s been a night of very little sleep around the palace.

While I know authorities are working nonstop to piece this all together, I’ve been doing my own recon with a whole lot of help from Ozzy.

“They’re still searching. Somehow they’ve both managed to vanish into thin air.”

“That’s impossible! Two grown ass men don’t just vanish. Has the team scoured the underground tunnels and the surrounding land?” Ozzy slams his good hand on the table.

“Rest assured, we’re going our absolutely best and we will find both of them,” Chief of Police, John Eisenhower assures us.

I blow out a frustrated breath, “Where are we at with security for the proclamation?”

“The palace has never been more secure, Your Majesty,” Nigel offers up.

“I’m still not on board with opening the doors of the palace to any outsiders,” Ozzy grumbles.

“All of today’s attendees have already arrived and are undergoing a very thorough security screening. The Snowedens have already been clearedandpledged their allegiance to His Majesty. The only other guests are the Prime Minister, Parliament and the Archbishop himself,” Stephen informs us.

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