Page 38 of His Highness's Hidden Heir

“I hope you’ll use this chance to reset your image. Keep both of you out of the trash.”

It was a harsh thing to say, but it also awakened Lexi to the possibility that thiswasa chance to reinvent herself. Marrying Magnus could be more than playing the part of someone “better.” She could do better.Bebetter.

“I want to be someone my child can be proud of.” The admission came from the depths of her dented soul, where she secretly wondered if shedeservedfor people to use her for their own ends. “I would like to be someone that Magnus, and Isleif, could be proud of. I hope...” She had to clear a thickness from her throat. “I hope you’ll provide guidance when necessary?”

“I’m not shy with my opinions. Lexi.”

Was that—It was sarcasm, but the friendly kind. A tiny glow of optimism flickered to life inside her.

The door thrust inward, making Lexi jump in surprise.

Magnus strode in on his own momentum, throwing the door closed behind him with another bang that made her stiffen and widen her eyes at him.

“Eleven minutes. Did you run?” Katla said with a sniff. “You didn’t even give yourself time to choose properly.”

“I knew which one I wanted as soon as I saw it.” He showed the ring pinched between his finger and thumb. “The emerald matches her eyes.”

“I’ve always liked that one.” The queen nodded approval. “It belonged to our great-grandmother. A gift from a Russian czar.”

Lexi was speechless as Magnus picked up her hand. She wanted to remind him that she hadn’t yet agreed to marry him, but he slid the ring onto her finger so quickly, she was only able to admire it once it was there.

It was gorgeous, with a green stone flanked by three white diamonds on either side in a gold setting of old-world craftsmanship.

“It’s beautiful.” Heavy.

This is a chance, she kept hearing Katla said.A chance.

But was she really up to the task? Because this wasn’t a role. It was a position, one she couldn’t leave once she took it.

Their engagement would give her time to think about it, though, so she pushed the ring a little more firmly onto her finger.

“When is the baby due?” Katla asked. “I’d like you married before it arrives.”

“I told Ulmer to arrange it for Thursday,” Magnus said.

“What?”Lexi gasped, very afraid she was about to faint again.

CHAPTER NINE

“FINALLY,”MAGNUSSAIDwhen Lexi walked out of her bedroom in a robe and slippers the following morning.

After a long, stilted dinner with Katla and Sorr, she’d left Magnus with a few cross words about things moving too fast and locked herself in her room to call her mother. He’d peeked in on her a few hours later, finding her fast asleep, so he’d left her to sleep alone.

Twelve hours later, he was concerned enough that he’d canceled a morning meeting. He set aside the report he was reading and rose to press the backs of his fingers against her cheeks and forehead. She was warm, but not too warm. Pink, but not flushed or glassy-eyed.

“I was about to put a mirror under your nose. Are you ill?”

“Yesterday was a lot.” She blinked foggily. “So is assembling a baby.” She sent a startled look to the servants who bustled in to reset the breakfast table for her. “It’s only nine thirty, isn’t it?”

“Yes, but we have a lunch engagement.”

“Thank you.” She smiled as a young woman set a dish of yogurt and berries in front of her. “Should I skip ordering eggs? What time is lunch? Will it be here?”

“Late. At the cottage.” He nodded for the eggs.

“What cottage?” Lexi asked.

“My mother’s. The one where she grew up. When I called to ask her to come for the wedding, she wanted to meet you right away so I had them flown in this morning.”

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