Page 9 of Fallen Knight

It may have been overkill, but there’s no such thing when it comes to her. I tried to rationalize my actions by claiming Anderson would be spending time with him whenever he visited her.

But that wasn’t why I endeavored to learn everything about Tristan Emerson Hughes.

I did so because I needed to know she was safe with him.

And secretly because I’d hoped to find something that would make her want to break things off with him.

But I didn’t.

Everything I’ve found on him supports the general opinion that he’s just a really good guy. He’s routinely spoken out in favor of gun control and against the health-care-for-profit system currently in place in America, despite his own father being extremely pro-gun and against socialized medicine. To that end, he’s founded several charities to bring an end to gun violence in the country, particularly in schools, as well as founded his own pharmaceutical company where he manufactures a couple hundred different types of generic drugs, selling them to consumers at cost.

As much as I want to hate him for the simple fact that he gets to touch Esme, kiss her, build a life with her, I can’t.

Not when I chose this path.

“How’s Anders?” Esme asks.

“He’s…okay. It’s been a difficult few weeks, but I think he’s getting better. He only fired me once in the past twenty-four hours,” I attempt to joke. “And only because I told him he shouldn’t drink with all the drugs he’s taking right now.”

“And Nora?” she asks, referring to the woman Anderson met during his cross-country road trip.

I push out a long breath, shaking my head.

I tried to warn him it was a disaster waiting to happen.

Although I’m not sure if I did it for Anderson’s sake or Nora’s. I’d like to think it was for Anderson. After all, he was once my friend. My best friend.

But I know from experience how devastating it can be to give your heart to a member of the royal family. To be willing to give up everything for them only to learn it’ll never be enough to overcome centuries of tradition.

“How’s he dealing with the way things ended?”

“I can’t say he’s made his peace with it,” I admit. “He may have anticipated it would go this way, but I get the feeling he still held out hope for a happy ending.”

“Just because she walked away doesn’t mean they’ll never find their happily ever after.” She steps toward me. “Despite all the obstacles facing them, they could still find their way back to each other. Don’t you think?”

I study her, unsure if she’s asking for her brother’s peace of mind… Or hers.

Ours.

But I refuse to entertain the notion. I can’t.

“Some obstacles are just too big to overcome. Thecrownis too big to overcome.”

She peers into my eyes for several protracted seconds, as if searching for something deep inside me.

As if attempting to peel back the hard outer shell I built around myself years ago.

My pulse increases as Tristan’s curious gaze darts between us with a touch of suspicion. Does he know about our past?

If I know Esme like I once did, I can say with near certainty she didn’t tell him.

Just like I haven’t shared our past with anyone. Not like I’ve been with anyone with whom I’d need to share my past. Even if I had, I doubt I would have told them. Doubt I would have wanted to relive it.

I clear my throat, posture stiffening. “I’ll be on my way. Give you some time with His Highness.”

“Of course.” Esme’s response comes out clipped, lips pinched into a tight line.

“Nice to meet you,” I direct Tristan’s way before turning back toward Esme, bowing slightly. “Your Highness.”

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