Page 40 of A True King

Stopping, I turn to him, wondering if he’s learned anything about the shots fired at the Summer Palace.

“Yes?”

He shifts his weight a little, which I find awkward because normally, nothing gets under Pete’s skin. He’s one of the most stoic people I’ve ever met.

“I’ve been contacted by King Ivan’s security detail. He’s at Princess Lara’s estate and wishes to meet with you. The property has been secured and I have a car waiting, that is, if you want to meet him.”

I feel the air leave my lungs. Do I want to meet my grandfather? That question is a loaded one. Part of me screamsyesand another part saysno.

“Mia? We need to leave now if you want to meet him,” Pete says as he looks toward the car.

I glance back at the palace and then toward the garden. Should I tell Christian? Fuck it. I’ll be back soon. And honestly, I need some time away from him.

“OK,” I answer as Pete opens the car door for me.

Pete leans on the car door. “I had staff pack you an overnight bag just in case you decide to stay the night and visit more. Otherwise, I’ll have a car bring you back later tonight.”

I nod and thank him, although I find it odd he would go to such lengths to make sure I had an overnight bag. Deciding not to overthink that, I buckle my seat belt.

“Oh, you’ll let Christian know?” I ask as he goes to shut the door.

He nods and the door shuts. A security guard that I don’t know drives me to the house. I haven’t been here in a long time. King Michael’s sister, Lara, and her former husband, Hans, owned it. Hans betrayed the family two years ago and tried to have them killed. He was killed in the process, and now Lara is with Logan’s uncle, Sten. I’m not sure why Lara has kept the house and I’m even more confused as to why she’d let King Ivan stay there. Wouldn’t Christian know if King Ivan was visiting Norddale?

By the time we reach the large manor house with its stone façade and imposing seascape behind it, I’m more confused than I was when I got in the vehicle. Dark clouds drift in off the gray sea as the wind picks up and the sun seemingly melts away in the sky. The air feels charged as the guard opens my door and directs me inside. A housekeeper who I am unfamiliar with lets me into the parlor.

A man stands at the back of the room which has giant French doors leading out to a small garden beyond. I can tell he’s old by the way his back is hunched over and by the fancy cane that one of his hands rests upon. The top of the cane resembles a snake and something about it unsettles me. King Ivan looks older than the photographs I’ve seen online. His white hair is cut short, and he wears trousers and a collared shirt beneath a green sweater.

He turns as I approach.

“Mia,” he states as his old brown eyes look me up and down.

“Your Highness,” I reply, curtsying as I had been taught when applying for my job with Christian.

He waves a hand at me. “No need for formalities, child. You are a princess after all, and more importantly, you are my granddaughter.”

The use of the word “granddaughter” has me freezing in my motion to stand back upright.

“Please, have a seat,” King Ivan states, ignoring my pause in movement. He motions to two large wingback chairs facing the garden.

Slowly, I stand and walk over to the closest one. I perch on the edge of it and survey him as he sits down. His weathered face remains neutral, his eyes unreadable. He leans the cane against the side of the chair.

“Well, we meet at last,” he starts.

I nod. “I…only recently learned about you.”

“So I’ve been told. How are your parents? My son is not an easy person to get ahold of.”

“I…he’s fine. I mean, they are fine. I don’t speak with them often. I stay pretty busy at my job,” I explain. It’s a white lie, but I feel unsure if I can speak openly with him.

“Oh? You work for Prince Christian, isn’t that so?”

“Yes.” I press my lips together. I know it’s not typical for a princess to work. I wonder if he thinks it’s beneath me. I haven’t felt this self-conscious in ages, not since middle school.

“And do you enjoy your work?”

Shrugging, I pick at an invisible piece of dirt on my trousers. “It’s been a good experience for me. I’ve learned quite a bit.”

“I imagine you have.”

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