Page 27 of Guarding the Princess
Rounding the corner of the hallway, I run straight into Ryker, bouncing off his solid body and nearly falling down. He grabs me by the arms and holds me against his chest for a brief second before setting me back.
“In a rush this morning?” He quirks a smile and my morning is already that much better because of it.
“Yes, actually. I have a couple things to do and then I was hoping we could talk.”
He nods seriously. “That’s probably a good idea.”
I reach up to lay my hand on his chest, but he backs away and swoops his hand down the hall.
“After you, Princess.”
A niggle of uncertainty slides its way through my body, but I push it aside. I have too many things to do to second-guess myself. Get through Mother and Magnus and then I can hash everything out with Ryker and see where we stand.
We walk side by side to the Blue Room, our conversation mostly about the various activities I have today so he knows where and when he’s needed as my bodyguard. As soon as we hit the doors to the Blue Room, he steps to the side and won’t return my gaze. Part of me worries about his detached nature this morning, but the other part enjoys seeing him in his element, doing the job he loves, while in the home I grew up in.
“Mother, how are you this morning?” I asked breezily as I walk in and take a seat across from her on an ancient love seat she wouldn’t let me anywhere near when I was a child and prone to spilling my tea.
“Very good, now that you’re back,älslking.”
She gives me a soft smile and looks younger for it. Frown lines normally etch across her face, making her appear harsher than my childhood memories serve. I know she loves me, but it’s nice to hear it too. In her mind, duty to the country always comes first, even before family. Father and I disagree with her. That will not be the way I run the country.
“Why is Magnus coming today?”
Might as well talk about the elephant in the room. My cousin Magnus grew up third in line for the throne, after my brother and me. He’s always made it clear he has no problem stepping in if either of us don’t want it. I’ll have to see how he is now that we’re both adults. When we were kids, he was brazen and foolhardy, always jumping into things and asking questions later. Not good qualities for a king.
For now at least, Magnus will remain my backup plan. If Ryker honestly can’t see himself moving here and eventually becoming my husband, then I’ll consider relinquishing the throne to Magnus. If my brilliant idea this morning works, it’ll take Mother backing off her rigid stance on tradition and Ryker agreeing to alter his life goal. You know. Nothing big.
Ryker and I are too early on in a relationship to discuss marriage, but desperate times call for desperate measures. When we have our conversation later today about even being in a relationship together, I’ll have to spring the marriage aspect on him. Unorthodox, but then again, I’ve always been that way.
“He wants to welcome you home, of course.” Mother gets a gleam in her eye I’m familiar with. The woman is not dumb. “I’m sure he wants to check in and see if you’re ready to take over.”
I lift an eyebrow. “He always could sniff out unrest. He loves any sort of drama, especially if he can swoop in and make himself look like the innocent party.”
“Now, now, Charlotta. He’s your cousin and not all bad. I expect you to welcome him with open arms.”
The door cracks open and our butler slips in.
“Excuse me, ladies. Mr. Magnus has arrived.”
“Send him in, please.” Mother stands and I follow suit, my gaze darting over to Ryker to see him eyeing the door, his attention not at all on me.
A tall figure with bleach blond hair and a tailored suit so fine my designer clothes weep in shame swoops into the room. His arms are stretched out wide, a jovial smile making him appear the friendliest of relations.
“My favorite ladies!”
“Magnus. So good to see you.”
I come forward and give him a hug, one he extends too long for my taste. Over Magnus’s shoulder, I can see Ryker stepping forward, a frown marring his handsome face. Disentangling myself, I let Mother greet him and then we all have a seat.
“Welcome home, Charlotta.” His swarmy grin isn’t fooling me. “You look very tan. California has been good to you I see.”
I nod my head. “It has. Time spent earning my own wage and exploring the world as a commoner is always a good exercise for someone about to lead a country. Wouldn’t you agree?”
He scoffs as I knew he would. “I don’t think shirking your duties for years and living like a peasant is really the image a member of royalty should have.”
Mother hops off the couch, a smile frozen on her face. “Magnus, let’s go find your uncle Johan. He has a new car he wants to show you.”
Magnus winks at me and then gets to his feet. “A new car, you say?” He hooks his elbow out to the side and waits for Mother to grab hold before he leaves the room.
