Page 7 of Royal Affair
I placed my mat and a bottle of water on the grass. Then I put on my favourite meditation music, and for about twenty minutes, I went through my usual daily meditation practice. I have always believed in the law of attraction, and despite the tension yesterday, I visualised that today was going to be a good day.
Then I started stretching, first with gentle movement, then on all fours, and instantly felt strange that someone was watching me. I felt a heightened awareness, and after I went through the downward-facing dog, I stopped and glanced around, but I couldn't see anyone. This was strange. All the staff in the palace shouldn't have been awake yet, especially since my mother wasn't here, and if anyone saw me doing yoga, they usually left me be.
I continued on the mat and then started doing downward-facing dog again, trying not to worry that someone could be watching me. A lingering sense of unease was present, but I tried to push away thoughts of the threatening letters. The palace felt secure, and surely, my new bodyguard was just doing his job — even if his methods were questionable.
When my head was upside down and I was pushing my arms towards my hips to extend my stretch, I saw a movement between the bushes. For a second, I thought maybe it was one of the staff members, but then I recognised that tall figure, and my blood suddenly burned. I remembered Dara mentioning thismorning that they'd moved him to a room on the second floor after his demands yesterday. He'd gotten his way after all. I came down from my position and then stood up.
Was he watching me the entire time? There was no way I could do yoga now with him staring at me. Cameron used to leave me be, but I had a feeling that this would not be the case with Mr. Banks.
My skin felt tight and warm as I walked towards him. Another jolt of heat rushed through my core, and my heartbeat quickened. I spotted him instantly when our eyes met. The brick wall near the barn positioned him, clearly doing a security sweep of the grounds. Even from this distance, I could see he had his phone in one hand–probably checking in with palace security– and was scanning the perimeter. When he noticed me looking, he immediately stood up straighter, his posture becoming more alert.
He spotted me instantly, and when our eyes met, I wanted to look away. God, his huge posture and those intense blue eyes were so intimidating.
"Mr. Banks, what do you think you're doing?" I asked, placing my hands on my hips and giving him the look. He slipped his phone into his pocket and stood at full attention.
"I'm not sure that I understand the question, Your Highness," he replied, his voice measured and professional. I shifted my weight to the side, feeling suddenly the heat between my legs as I watched his unwavering focus.
"What are you doing sitting here watching me like some sort of creep?" I asked. Maybe I was, but who cared? I didn't want him to watch me like that. He remained silent for several long, tense seconds, his expression unreadable. Was he trying to make me angry on purpose?
"I'm doing my job, Princess. I'm conducting a security assessment of the grounds while maintaining visual contact withmy principal," he finally replied, and I bit my bottom lip, shaking my head with disbelief.
"You don't need to watch me in the palace gardens, especially when I'm stretching; it's level," I pointed out, trying to keep my voice level, but it wasn't working. I sounded out of breath, and it was all his fault. Even I knew he was right about the security risks. The letters had been getting more specific, more personal. But I refused to let fear control every moment of my life.
"Maybe it feels unnecessary to you, but I have yet to complete a full security assessment of the palace grounds. Given the current threat level, it's better safe than sorry, Princess," he said, and I wanted to shake him. He was so infuriating, especially when he called me Princess. I hated it. There was no way that I would ever warm up to him.
"Just leave. I don't want you to stare at me; it's an order," I snapped. As soon as I said that, I thought we were in a stare-down competition. The seconds continued to tick, and my core continued to burn. The sizzling energy between us made me slightly dizzy, and I didn't understand the cause of it. A low voice grumbled from his throat.
"As you wish, Your Highness," he said after a long pause, his jaw tightening. "But understand that your security is non-negotiable, even if my methods make you uncomfortable. I'll adjust my position, but I won't compromise on your safety." Then he got up and started walking away towards the palace. I felt his presence even after he was long gone.
Returning to my spot, I continued my poses, but the feeling of being watched persisted. I kept picturing him staring at me and thinking all sorts of inappropriate thoughts. I already had one encounter with a staff member from the palace that ended badly, so dreaming about my hot new bodyguard, who was going to be with me only for two months, was not acceptable.
In the end, I went back to my room sooner than expected, feeling strangely unsatisfied with my morning session. After my shower, I still felt James's burning stare on me even when Ester, one of my other assistants from the palace, came over to help me get dressed.
The rest of the morning passed in tense silence. I avoided James completely, taking my meals in my room and communicating through Dara when necessary - mainly to confirm departure times and security protocols for the Luxembourg trip. Despite our mutual antagonism, we knew the trip had to proceed as planned.
I sat beside James in the car during our three-hour drive to Luxembourg. The University of Luxembourg wasn't that far away from Bellavista, and that was the main reason that I could go there, because I could drive back to the country in just a few hours. This was my final year, and after that, Alexandra would become queen, leaving me to fulfill my royal duties as second in line. It was the most awkward drive in my entire existence, and I wished he would be the one behind the wheel, but it was Dan. James had spent the first thirty minutes reviewing the route with Dan, discussing contingency plans and checkpoint protocols. I tried not to listen, but his thorough preparation was reassuring and annoying.
I shifted to the right side of the car and placed my clutch between us to make sure his enormous body didn't make contact with mine. We didn't talk, although there were plenty of opportunities, and I wished he had gone in another car, but when I asked Dara about this, she said it was unnecessary. It was the beginning of the new academic year. September alwaysmarked a fresh start for me, and this final year felt significant. After a busy summer, I was looking forward to getting back into a routine.
I spent a lot of time moving around the country, working closely with veterinarians, as all my friends from the university were travelling. Then, during one week in July, I traveled with my mother to the French Riviera, where she showed me off and made sure that I wasn't hanging out with the wrong crowd, as she put it. That trip didn't bring us closer as I thought it would, but it pushed us further apart.
I glanced a few times at James when he looked busy on his laptop. There were lots of numbers on the screen, and he looked focused. I wasn't really sure if he noticed me staring at him or not, but the tension remained.
The next few months would need to pass quickly, because I didn't think I could deal with him being with me all the time. Part of me resented needing protection at all. I'd fought so hard for independence, for the right to study veterinary medicine and live somewhat normally. Now, this man with his intense stare and military precision was a constant reminder that my life wasn't entirely my own.
Finally, around six o'clock in the late afternoon, we arrived at my penthouse in the city. James took some of the smaller suitcases from the car boot, glancing around, fully alert.
"Hey Evangeline, long time no see," one of my neighbours, Wilson, said, trying to approach, but then James was right in front of him, blocking his access to me.
"Wilson isn't on the approved contact list," James said firmly, stepping between us. "Your Highness, you'll need to verify his identity before any interaction." Wilson looked confused, and I realised James was actually following proper protocol, even if it seemed excessive.
"Wow, I'm her neighbour. I think you need to calm down a little," Wilson said, looking positively frightened by the big guy who was throwing daggers at him.
"Mr. Banks, I think you're being inappropriate." "Sorry about that Wilson, James is new; he is not familiar with my life over here."
"It's all right, Evangeline, damn he's huge. Where did you even find him? I hope he won't give you trouble," my neighbour commented, his voice low as James started walking towards the lift. This didn't start off well.
"Don't worry, I can handle him, and I'm good; it's been a very busy summer. Hopefully soon I can do another housewarming if the security allows," I told him and then I pursued grumpy James to the lift.
