Page 31 of His Runaway Princess

“I would imagine I could resume tomorrow, although I don’t believe I have anything on my schedule until Monday.” He would suggest something else in a moment.

Setting his cup back down, he looked over at Amalia. “I would appreciate it if you would consider an excursion tomorrow.”

Which meant one had already been planned. “That sounds like a lovely idea. Do you have any suggestions for where I might go?”

He waved a hand. “I trust you to pick somewhere suitable.”

The choice had likely already been made - or she’d be presented with two or three options, all acceptable, but one would stand out as the “right” choice.

“There will also have to be another discussion soon.” His kind tone brought tears to Amalia’s eyes. “Your actions were quite unacceptable.”

One of the tears escaped. “I know. I just needed to be Amalia for a time. No expectations. No schedule. Just me.”

“No security, either. We’ve seen the potential of what could happen. If you need time away...”

Amalia nodded. “I’ll discuss it with you and Mum, and we’ll find a reasonable solution to allow me some time out of the spotlight.”

“Precisely.” Her grandfather stood and moved to look out the window, his hands clasped behind him.

He had something else on his mind, but Amalia knew he wouldn’t be rushed.

“Have you spoken with Ginny since you returned?”

She hadn’t expected him to ask about her sister. “No, but I haven’t left the premises, and she hasn’t been on them.” Amalia didn’t know where Ginny had been, but it wasn’t at the palace.

“I didn’t ask if you’dseenher.”

Another subtle rebuke. “I will contact her this afternoon.” Surely a text would suffice as contact enough.

From the way he didn’t move, Amalia knew there had to be more coming.

She waited.

“I had a meeting with your mother while you were in Ravenzario, before your disappearance.”

Patience wasn’t one of Amalia’s virtues, and she wished he’d just tell her, but also knew he wouldn’t be rushed.

“It is time for Ginny’s lessons to increase, almost to the exclusion of all else.”

Amalia blinked but didn’t speak.

“That will require you to take on some of her engagements over the next few months.”

Her grandfather didn’t make requests. Her schedule had just become much busier.

But something more remained.

“This kind of behavior cannot continue, Amalia.” He offset the stern tone with the use of the name she’d come to prefer.

“Yes, sir.”

“You know I can remove you from the line of succession should the need arise.”

Also not a question. He could remove any of them, though Parliament and the Council could override his actions. It hadn’t been done in at least two centuries and had never been overturned.

Where could he be going with this?

“Next Friday, at a joint session of Parliament and the Council, your mother will be removed.”

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