Page 34 of His Runaway Princess

In her auto, it was just quiet.

The noise of the outside world often snuck through, but rarely did she find herself as the intended target of the noise. Occasionally, someone would recognize her and honk to get her attention so they could wave.

Her car glided to a stop in front of the building. A valet opened her door and helped her out.

“Thank you,” Amalia murmured.

He gave her a small bow. “It is my pleasure, Your Royal Highness.”

Someone else held the door to the building, letting her in. She thanked them. Inside, the maître d' greeted her with a bow of his own.

“Your dining companion has not arrived yet,” he told her. “Would you prefer to be shown to your table now or when they arrive?”

“Now is fine, thank you.”

As much as she might want a glass of wine, she wouldn’t. Not for lunch, and not when she would be driving.

The alcove had windows that overlooked the ocean below. She could handle the water from this distance. Ryker had been the only reason she could manage not to completely freak out on that yacht. She suspected he’d said something to make certain she hadn’t been asked to return the same way. The length of time they had to wait for the helicopter, combined with a slight look of surprise when Yvette had been informed of the delay, made her think he’d been looking out for her.

Between the greenery and water features nearby, the private alcoves were designed so someone could talk comfortably without being seen or overheard.

The waiter delivered a glass of water and asked if she needed anything else. Amalia shook her head and thanked him, sipping on her drink as she watched the waves crashing.

Amalia heard Ginny just a few seconds before she came into view.

She should stand, greet her sister with a small hug and cheek kiss, but Amalia couldn’t bring herself to. As Ginny took her seat, Amalia finally turned and gave her a small smile.

“How are you?” Ginny asked without preamble. “I don’t know everything that happened, but I understand the need to get away from the fishbowl. Your parents were frantic, but I think I get it. I haven’t been here as long as you have, and I know I’m not a fan.”

The compassion in her sister’s voice caught Amalia just a bit off-guard. “But you haven’t been a part of this your entire life. I learned to deal with it a long time ago.”

“That doesn’t mean you don’t need a break,” Ginny told her gently. “We all need time away from our normal lives from time to time, but I think having your every move watched makes it even more necessary.”

Amalia simply nodded.

“Want to tell me what you got to do?” Ginny sighed. “All I have any more are lessons. I understand why, but sometimes I’d love to just go somewhere or do something not designed to prepare me in some way for taking over someday - if I choose to.”

A wave of sympathy washed over Amalia. “I’ve had those lessons. Fortunately, mine were spread out over a significantly greater period of time.” She didn’t know if Ginny knew about their grandfather’s pronouncement about Mum’s position.

“We’ve never really talked about that.”

Amalia didn’t know if she wanted to broach that subject, but it looked like Ginny wanted to. “No, we haven’t.”

“I don’t know how to navigate this. I don’t know how to be your sister like I want to be. I don’t know if I’m capable of running a country someday. I don’t know how I feel about it. I know I need to make the decision based on my abilities and comfort level alone, but I also know I don’t want you to resent me.”

Amalia swirled the water in her glass. “I’ve always known you existed. Always knew you’d likely be back someday and those lessons were for just in case, not because anyone truly expected it to be me.”

“Still. Until I actually reappeared, it had to be planned for. There had to be a part of you that believed I was a myth and not real.”

How could the sister she barely knew understand her so well?

“I know it won’t be easy, but I hope we can make a relationship out of this someday.”

Tears filled Amalia’s eyes, but she blinked them back, smiling at Ginny as she did. “A year ago, I didn’t think I would ever be able to say this, but I hope we can, too.”

* * *

Two days later,Ryker still didn’t know what had happened in his office. He suspected Justin, and maybe the duke, knew more than Ryker had been told, but that didn’t overly surprise him.

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