Page 1 of The Bodyguard Freed

Chapter One

Sophia

It’s a beautiful winter’s day in Strohamden. The first specks of snow have fallen making everything look whimsical.

I stare out the window for a moment and try to absorb the tranquility, while Rachelle, my lady in waiting and also my stylist, does my hair.

We’re in my boudoir which is where I get ready for the day and consult with both my lady in waiting and my liaison manager. It has a connecting door that leads to the bedroom I share with my husband.

The boudoir allows me to keep our bedroom completely private.

I’m supposed to be doing a photo session this morning with members of parliament. Margo Henry, head of royal communications and now my personal liaison manager has repeatedly reminded me the whole world will be looking at those images.

So here I am, it’s not even seven in the morning, I’ve only had one cup of coffee and apaiwhich is a Strohamden traditional biscuit made with butter, almonds, and sultanas.

I am now Queen Sophia of Strohamden. The coronation is done and dusted. But I’m also Sophia Langley, as of two days ago, wife of Kayne Langley and that’s the most important title of my life right now. I still can’t believe I married the sole love of my life. He’s all mine.

We didn’t have time for a honeymoon just yet. It felt unfair to take one when my country was deep in the throes of a labor dispute. One I think I can rectify once we have the dormant mines up and running. I want Strohamden to flourish and I plan to be involved in all parliamentary decisions concerning my country. I won’t just be a silent symbol of Strohamden. Never that.

But I had Margo clear my schedule for a weekend next month. I want to be romantic and kidnap Kayne and whisk him off to a private resort and have him all to myself for two full days without another single person around. I’m sure I can be spared for just two days. Just me and him. No governing duties to perform. No itineraries and meetings. Only me and Kayne. I can barely wait. It’s the only thing that’s keeping me going.

We need some light moments in our lives. It’s been one intense event after another. There’s so much I want to know about him. I don’t even know what his favorite food is.

“Your Highness has dinner at the palace with the French and Swedish diplomats as well as the Prime Minister of Norway tonight. It’s all finalized now. Rachelle, make sure Her Highness’ dress arrives on time.”

While I’m getting ready for the day, Margo lists my itinerary for today and the upcoming ones. I can’t fault her. She’s tough and no-nonsense. Together with Rachelle, she dictates the style of clothes I need to wear based on who I’m meeting.

As a woman in power, we unanimously agree that I maintain both my femininity and my intelligence. In other words, I’m taken seriously while wearing a dress.

“Yes, ma’am,” Rachelle says smiling at me through the mirror. We both take Margo’s bossiness with a secret grin between us.

“Good. Good. Good,” Margo says absently as she continues to flick her fingers over her tablet.

I should be happy. I am. Everything I ever wanted is now mine. I’m the queen of my beloved country. My family is safe and happy. And the most important thing, the thing I didn’t even know I was missing until I found it now makes me complete.

Kayne.

He’s my everything. I would just as well give up my throne for him as I would my life. Without him I’m nothing and now I get to call him my husband.

My husband.

I can’t stop rolling the words over my tongue. It gives me butterflies whenever I say it.

My husband.

“Your highness, I’m going to cancel the tea with the Strohamden Avian club so we can keep the appointment with the unveiling of the educational center for single mothers,” Margo says then looks up at me from her screen.

I shake my head, belatedly forgetting I’m having my makeup done now.

“Sorry, Rachelle,” I apologize. She in turn apologizes to me while she wipes off the streak of mascara from the side of my eye.

“Don’t cancel the bird club. Postpone it for a later date.”

I know it’s going to become impossible to show up for everything but I’m determined to at least try and accommodate as many charities, clubs and whatever else for as long as I can.

I also know as my bodyguard, Kayne will have the final say on the events I plan to attend based on his opinion of whether I’d be safe or not. There are no threats in Strohamden. None globally either. But it doesn’t mean anything to Kayne.

“Oh no,” Margo says. She’s reading from her tablet and her cheeks are now an angry red.

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