Page 26 of The Royally Broke Billionaire
Piper forced herself to continue walking, despite the awkwardness over having the royals gawk at her. Running her hands down the front of her cotton sundress, Piper looked directly at Queen Tess when she said, “I hope it’s okay if we use the pool for a bit.”
“Of course,” the queen answered graciously. “That sweet baby will love feeling the cool water on his precious little tootsies.”
The classy woman gave her what Piper hoped was a genuine smile. The other faces around the table looked more wary of her and not nearly as welcoming, so Piper opted not to focus on them.
Plopping down on a cushioned lounge chair as if she had every right to be there, Piper kicked off her sandals and began removing her son’s onesie. As unobtrusively as she could, she angled her face to peer at the facial expressions of the waitstaff surrounding the large, outdoor table.
Not finding any clues in the emotionless masks the palace employees morphed their faces into in front of the royal family, Piper carried Liam over to the wide concrete steps leading in to the crystal-clear water. A pool attendant rushed over to arrange a large umbrella to provide them with shade.
She wished she had thought to bring a bathing suit for Liam. Having a baby wearing only a diaper splashing in the royal pool was probably considered completely unsophisticated. Thankfully, no one called her out on the potential faux pas as she sat Liam on her lap and sprinkled his legs with droplets of the cool water.
For his part, her baby seemed mesmerized by the glimmering water. He cooed and smiled with wide eyes as he gazed at it. His feet kicked excitedly as the droplets of water landed on them, so she tightened her embrace around him, securing him tightly in her lap.
Since the royal staff didn’t betray any emotions while they were in the presence of the royal family, she decided to listen to what she could hear of the royals’ conversation over the breakfast table. They might reveal some suspicions or clues that could help her track down the true source of the leak.
It was a bittersweet discovery to hear that the royals were not discussing anything related to the mystery surrounding the leak. Despite the fact that she wasn’t gleaning any clues from them, she was relieved to find that they were back to their fun-loving, relaxed banter.
Mo tossed a slice of bacon down on her plate, making a disgusted sound in her throat before pouting, “Bacon doesn’t come from turkeys.”
Prince Pierce tried to appease his wife. “The palace chefs are trying to help us all eat a healthier diet.”
Mo scrunched her face up in distaste, so her husband mentioned the only thing that would change her mind. “With the royal babies on the way, I think they want to make sure we give them the strongest start we can.”
“That makes sense,” she acquiesced, picking up the offending slice of bacon from her plate and taking a tentative bite of it.
Her husband beamed at her as if she had single-handedly created the vast sea and all of its wonders.
Piper sighed deeply as she watched the entire exchange. She couldn’t quell the longing for someone to look at her with that unabated gaze of adoration.
When Trevor Donovan brought up Cole Daniels’ name, Piper’s ears perked up. It felt strange to align herself with the billionaire when it was obvious that the queen’s brothers didn’t trust or like him, but the royal family’s suspicions of her motives had forced her hand in the matter. Cole believed in her innocence, and she needed anyone in her corner she could get.
“How long is his reservation, anyway? It seems like he has been here forever,” Trevor announced to his tablemates.
Ever the peacemaker, the queen turned her calm gaze to her brother. “He knows that he’s no longer welcome in the royal residence wings of the castle, so you shouldn’t even have to see him again.”
“There are still plenty of public areas on the grounds where we might run into him,” her brother pouted.
“He’s just jealous of us,” Trey said to his brother before flashing a wide, white smile in his direction and adding, “Because our yachts are bigger than his.”
The queen rolled her eyes at her siblings’ posturing. Removing her linen napkin from her lap and tossing it onto the table, she said, “You two are ridiculous with the constant one-upmanship. Isn’t it exhausting to always be competing?”
“Actually, it’s rather invigorating,” Trevor informed her unflinchingly.
“Especially since we always win,” Trey beamed.
Having had enough of their showboating, the queen moved to scoot her chair back from the table, effectively ending the meal. Two waiters rushed forward to assist her.
Piper was surprised and a little nervous when Queen Tess headed towards the pool, obviously planning to speak with Piper.
26
Piper swallowed nervously as she wondered if Queen Tess intended to yell at her for boldly using the royal pool, while they still suspected her of betraying them. She couldn’t exactly curtsy or bow with Liam in her lap, so she tilted her face down in a gesture of deference before saying, “Hello, Your Highness. I hope you aren’t upset by our presence.”
“Of course not. Liam has every right to be here––as do you, Piper,” the queen assured her kindly.
Piper was touched, but surprised by the monarch’s generosity, given the circumstances. She raised her brows, but waited for the other woman to elaborate.
Proving that she was full of surprises, Queen Tess kicked off her sensible pumps and tentatively placed her bare feet into the crystal clear water of the first step of the pool. As she began to sit down on the concrete beside Piper and Liam, an assistant rushed forward with a large, fluffy towel for her to sit on.
