Page 14 of Prince She Shouldn't Crave
‘“Father and Son Moment: King’s Support Shines in Prince’s Online Breakthrough.”’
‘That’s what you wanted, wasn’t it?’
‘It feels condescending to me. Honestly, as if you needed permission to open your own social media account. It’s ridiculous.’
Something about her defence of him ignited a flicker of heat, deep inside.
‘Anyhow, I prefer this one.“Prince’s Social Media Debut: Millions Follow as King Hands Over the Reins.”Though I’m guessing His Majesty will never forgive me.’
Both parts of what she’d said gave him pause to reflect, but he dealt with the one where a sound of uncertainty had infiltrated her voice.
‘His Majesty has no influence here. I protect my loyal staff.’
She smiled, and it was like the sun peeping out from behind a cloud. Bright and warming for a fleeting moment, then it was gone.
‘Thank you,’ she said.
‘As for the rest, you said…millions?’
Gabe hated the way that he sounded even mildly interested or surprised, when he’d never cared before.
‘Millions, within the first few hours. Seems you’re more popular than anyone knew.’
‘There are those who disagree.’
‘I’m not one of them.’
Somehow the inside of the vehicle’s temperature seemed to rise, even though it was air-conditioned. Gabe adjusted his tie a fraction.
‘There’s much about the narrative that’s unfair. My sister Anastacia, for example. She was always thought of as the Perfect Princess. Then she had an accident. It…’ Crushed her. How she’d been treated as if she’d been in some way damaged by her scarring. Even by his mother. ‘It…affected her. She hid away whilst recovering. Hid her scars. Some in the press accused her of being work-shy.’
‘People are cruel. The tabloids especially. But now she’s married, and the press seems favourable again. Then they turned their attention to you.’
Lena’s voice was quiet, sombre. As though she’d had personal experience of cruelty, which he wanted to explore. However, it wasn’t his place.
‘So it seems,’ he said.
The car turned off onto the short but winding road that took them to Lauritania’s palace. Yet somehow, he didn’t want this journey to end.
‘I’ll do what I can to stop it.’
Lena shifted her hand, almost as if she was reaching out to touch without thinking. He held his breath for the moment her skin met his, but it never came. She drew her hand back instead. A sense of heaviness weighed down on him. Why did he crave that touch so much? He couldn’t understand. Perhaps it was that his family had been in crisis-management mode for what felt like so long, he hadn’t been touched recently. There hadn’t been the time or the inclination. Perhaps heshouldclear a space in his diary for a night or two of adult enjoyment. Except that didn’t seem to hold any interest either.
Nothing much did.
The car slowed, pulling up to a private entrance at the palace. A member of staff opened the door and Gabe exited whilst Lena followed him into the building, her footsteps clicking on the marble floor behind him. Today he was meeting his godson for the first time since his christening, delivering a birthday present for what Lena had said would be a noteworthy moment, and something that would allow him to show a softer side.
They were ushered through an oak door to the King and Queen’s private quarters. As he saw them, he bowed. Unnecessary amongst friends, perhaps. But Lena was here.
Lauritania and Halrovia were close allies, and that had survived the death of most of the Lauritanian royal family in a tragic accident. Leaving their Princess, who had never been expected to rise to the throne, as Queen. Annalise and herhusband, Rafe, were beloved. He could only wish for the same for himself and whoever might be his queen one day. Gabriel caught a glimpse of Lena in his peripheral vision, carrying his birthday gift for the little prince and something for his sister too, so the little girl wouldn’t be jealous. That had been Lena’s own insightful suggestion. Gabriel was struck by how impressive a woman she was. To garner Priscilla’s confidence, Pieter’s apparent trust. Managing his parents…Him.
‘Gabriel.’
Queen Annalise reached out, giving him a warm embrace. He shook hands with Rafe. Exchanging the normal pleasantries, although he understood it was somewhat more stilted than usual with Lena in the room, since they didn’t know her.
‘Your Majesties, I’d like to introduce Ms Lena Rosetti,’ he said as Lena curtseyed, ‘who’s in charge of my… PR.’
Lise smiled at Lena, always gracious. ‘Welcome! Goodness, a PR manager. How long have you been with His Highness?’
