Page 57 of Twins for the Secret Prince
“Okay, I’ll tell you what — it’s very difficult to find somewhere in this place where we can talk without being interrupted. Why don’t I give you a tour of the grounds, and I’ll have a picnic delivered to the orangery. No one will disturb us there.”
“The orangery? I don’t even know what that is, but okay.” Eva looked around, taking in the impressive, imposing room in which they stood. “This is quite the place.”
He smiled. “I’ll show you around the palace later. Let’s walk around the gardens.”
They stepped outside into the warm morning sunshine and walked through a well-tended garden teaming with herbaceous plants. Bees buzzed around purple lavender flowers, and butterflies flitted across a row of plants Eva didn’t recognize, all in glorious shades of orange and yellow.
“What a beautiful garden,” Eva said breathlessly.
“This is my mother’s passion project — the physic garden. It’s full of plants that medics and healers would have used in past times to treat common complaints and illnesses.”
Eva took in a deep breath, inhaling the sweet aroma. “Does your mother take care of this garden?”
“She designed it. To be honest, she leaves the day-to-day tending of it to the gardeners, but it is one of her favorite places. She loves it out here.”
“I can see why,” Eva said, smiling.
They walked past more flower beds into a stiflingly warm greenhouse, which was home to the royal family’s collection of rare orchids. Eva thought they were all very beautiful, but she was happy when they passed through it and were back outside into the fresh air.
After a couple of minutes, Pieter said, “We’re now entering the royal arboretum. We have species here collected by my ancestors when they were on their travels around the world. The arboretum is so well-known that my mother is often given tree specimens by visiting dignitaries.”
Eva stopped suddenly and asked, “Is it important to you that your children grow up here at the palace?”
Pieter paused for a moment and then said, “I haven’t really had time to think about it. I had a nice life growing up here until I got old enough to really question my privilege.”
They walked on, listening to the sound of the gentle breeze rustling the leaves of the trees.
“I mean, it’s so beautiful here, don’t get me wrong,” Eva said. “But I find this all very intimidating. I’m not sure I’d ever feel at home here.”
“I understand,” Pieter said. “Living in a palace isn’t for everyone.” He shot Eva a sidelong look, and they both laughed.
“I know how ridiculous I must sound, saying that I don’t think I could live in a palace. It’s just that I’m a simple girl with simple tastes, you know?”
“I think I do,” Pieter replied, taking her hand. “I think that’s why I like being in the military. It suits me much more than champagne and caviar.”
He led her to a freestanding glass building, which was dominated by tall tropical plants and trees. A modest-sized table stood in the middle of the space, which was completely covered by a lavish spread of food.
“Is this all for us?” Eva asked, suddenly realizing just how hungry she was.
Pieter pulled out her chair, helped Eva into it and said, “It’s all for us. Don’t go hungry.” He poured them each a cup of tea and told Eva to help herself to the sandwiches and pastries that adorned the tiered cake stand.
“This is bliss,” Eva said, biting into a glazed strawberry tart. “Do you eat like this every day?”
“Well, I live in barracks unless I’m on leave for royal duties, so no, I don’t. But when I lived here full-time, yes. There was never a shortage of delicious food.”
“I could get used to this, I think,” Eva said, feeling more content than she remembered being in a very long time.
“Could you though, Eva? Could you really give up your military career to live here?”
Eva finished chewing and then said, “It was just a figure of speech. Actually, I don’t know if I’deverget used to it. And I really don’t know if I could quit the military.”
“I think my parents finally understand that I can’t quit, either.”
Eva sipped her tea and then asked, “What was it really like, growing up here? In the royal spotlight, I mean.”
“My early memories are nothing but happy,” he said. “Truly, I couldn’t dream of a better childhood. But by the time I was old enough to understand how much we had, compared to how little other people had, I couldn’t seem to enjoy it anymore.”
“You became conflicted?” Eva asked.
