Page 31 of Redemption of a Prince

“It happens to me all the time,” he mused, thinking it over. “Whether I’m with a man or a woman. In fact, it happens when I’m with Gid. They assume since I’m the crown prince, I’m the one they should talk to. Sometimes they’re right, but sometimes, I’m the secondary person in a situation.”

He looked over at her to see her staring at the food on her plate. “I’m sorry I didn’t pick up that it was more than just being the crown prince. If it happens again tomorrow, I’ll be sure to set them straight.”

Nikki shook her head. “It’ll just make it worse.”

A plan started to form in Zeke’s mind. “Leave it to me. I won’t make you look bad or like you went crying to the crown prince about how you weren’t treated fairly.”

She finally glanced up. “Promise?”

“Promise. And feel free to put me in my place or correct me if I’m wrong. I wish people like that would take your word for it, but I’m afraid it’ll take me saying something to even hope they realize who they should deal with.”

For the next ninety minutes, they went over their notes before separating for the rest of the evening.

When they arrived at the law firm the next morning, Zeke took careful note of how everyone was treated and the whys behind it.

In the first fifteen minutes, he knew she was right. He waited for his opportunity, but most of the morning went by before he found it.

One of the men asked him a question Nikki had just answered.

Zeke shrugged. “Listen. All of you keep asking me questions like I’m the one in charge here. I’m not. Ms. Major is. I believe she’s already answered that question at least three times, including not two minutes ago. I strongly recommend you start paying attention to the most important person in the room, and that’s not me. If this project is going to go forward, it’s going to be with Ms. Major’s approval. For the moment, she is, in fact, my boss.” A bit of a stretch, but close enough. “Do I make myself clear?”

All of the men nodded.

The one who’d asked the last question turned toward him. “I would like your clarification on the last matter, though, sir.”

Zeke managed not to glare at the man and, after a glance and a nearly imperceptible nod toward Nikki, purposefully answered incorrectly.

“No.”

Everyone turned to look at Nikki.

“My apologies, Your Royal Highness. But you’re wrong. I’ve given the answer three times already this morning.” She glared at the man who asked. “If you can’t come prepared and pay attention to the answers given, then I believe these negotiations are over.”

As Nikki spoke, she’d been putting her things in her attaché case. She pushed back from the table and picked it up. “Ezekiel, would you have security bring the auto around? We’re done here.”

* * *

By the timethey made it back to the estate, Nikki felt both a little better and a lot worse.

After being called back, the men had finally started talking to her rather than Ezekiel, but their attitudes worsened throughout the day.

The snide tones and snarky remarks almost made her want to scream in frustration.

This time she didn’t escape to her room quite so thoroughly. Ezekiel told her he’d join her shortly. Instead of the comfortable pyjamas she’d worn the evening before - covered by a bulky robe that got in her way - she changed into skinny jeans, a t-shirt, and an oversized flannel.

Once again, the prince brought their meal with him to her door.

“How do you think today went?” he asked once they had their meals in front of them.

She shrugged. “Better in some ways.”

“But not completely.” It wasn’t a question, though she could tell he seemed uncertain.

“They finally started talking to me, which is somewhat of an improvement.”

“But their attitudes weren’t the best.”

She shook her head. “Not really.”

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