Page 59 of Royally Benevolent

“I’m fine. Asti told me you were sick. Are you not?”

“I am ill. Same old thing. Worried sick about you, though.”

“I’m… I’m okay.” I stared at Wyatt. He played with Grieg’s velvety brown ears.

“The car rolled into a ditch. Is everyone okay?”

“We’re all fine. All fine.”

“I was told Mr Worthington was with you.”

Foiled. “Uh… he was. He was also attending the conference. Both of us?—”

“It’s fine. Don’t do anything silly. I cannot fault you.”

“He made sure Grieg and I got warm quickly and helped me get out of the car,” I insisted.

“Well, as long as he was your knight in shining armour,” Alexandra’s voice warmed. “Okay. I can calm down, Rick. She’s fine.”

“I told you so!” Rick called from the background.

“I am fine. It was scary. I am compliant. I will talk to my therapist as soon as I get home.”

That satisfied her. “Take care of yourself, darling. We love you very much. If it takes you some time to get home, that is fine. Just stay safe.”

“I will,” I said. “Grieg and I are fine.”

She hung up, and I returned the phone.

“Are you in trouble?” Wyatt snickered.

“No. She was very concerned. Hormonal. She loves me a lot and wants me to be safe.”

“I think that makes sense. I’d say the same to my sister.”

“You have a sister? That’s right. You did mention her. She lives in the States?”

“Rebecca, yeah. She lives in St Louis, where I grew up. She and her husband own a brewery. She’s only a bit older, but she worries about me.”

“A brewery, you say? That sounds wonderful! Do you get free beer?”

“Anytime I am home, yes!” Wyatt brimmed. “Do you like beer?”

“Yes. Don’t look so surprised!”

He smiled. “We’ll have to try some beer sometime.”

“Agreed.”

The car pulled into a tiny Dutch town. We crawled past cute houses and shops, scrolled past the city centre, and found ourselves in front of a grand house. I had no idea why we were here. The doors opened, and a man appeared. I stepped down from the SUV with Grieg in my arms to speak with him.

“You’re Royal Highness, welcome,” he said with a bow. “My name is Jens, and I will care for you and your guest.”

“Thank you, Jens.” I still had no idea what was happening or whose house this was.

“Ma’am, Queen Julia would like to welcome you to her south country residence, Gele Huis. Come in and make yourselves at home.”

Alexandra intervened. I hated and loved her for this. At least we would have a safe place to stay overnight. However, how awkward was this about to get?

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