Page 50 of Fallen Knight

“That’s not what I mean.” He steps closer, dropping his voice so no one can overhear. “You’ll be spending the next week with the Princess Royal in very close quarters. I just want to make sure you remember what’s important. Your legacy. It won’t be like before. You’re a member of the royal guard now. As such—”

“I’m aware of the rules. Anything that may have happened between us is in the past. I know my place. Know what’s important. Know my duty.”

He studies me for a beat, his analytical gaze sweeping over me for any sign I’m not being completely truthful. But he won’t find any. I’ve made sure of it.

“Good,” he says finally as he gives me a slight nod of approval, having passed his assessment. “Don’t let me down.”

With that, he spins, steps precise as he continues down the hallway.

I take a minute, running a hand over my face as I process exactly what this trip will mean.

Seven days of traveling the country.

Seven days of always being within an arm’s reach of Esme.

Seven days of hearing her voice. Seeing her smile. Listening to her laugh.

So much for keeping my distance.

I can only hope I make it through this assignment with as little trouble as possible.

ChapterNineteen

Esme

The SUV crawlsthrough the airport gates and onto the tarmac, driving past all the reporters and photographers assembled to catch a shot of me leaving on the annual goodwill trip.

Bringing the car to a stop, Archie steps onto the asphalt, strides purposeful as he walks to my door and opens it for me. The instant I emerge, a barrage of flashes and questions assault me. But I don’t offer a response, especially when the reporters ask if my last-minute substitution on this trip has something to do with Anderson’s stumble at the football game the other night. Instead, I simply smile as I walk toward the plane. A pair of guards stand at the bottom of the stairs, bowing toward me as I pass.

When I reach the top, I turn, giving the photographers one last opportunity to snap a photo of me at the door to the plane.

Then I duck inside.

I’ve never gone on an official trip like this, not in my role as Princess Royal. Sure, I accompanied my father on these kinds of trips when I was little, but I was too young to truly understand what was going on.

Now that I’m about to embark on a week-long tour of the country in the hopes of reminding people how strong our monarchy is, I feel enormous pressure. No wonder Anderson’s been so stressed.

“Your Highness.” Lieutenant Hawkins is the first to greet me when I enter the cabin.

“Thomas,” I exhale, grateful to see a friendly face.

Having him as my private secretary again has made resuming my official duties much easier. It’s like having an old friend or confidante back. He may technically work for the royal household, but he’s always been extremely loyal to me. Not to mention, I’m fairly certain he was aware of my fling with Creed, yet kept it to himself, despite the potential ramifications.

“How are you feeling?” he asks as one of the flight attendants approaches, offering to take my coat, which I hand to her.

“Would you think any less of me if I said I’m nervous?” I ask under my breath.

“Just be yourself, and they’ll adore you.”

I nod, forcing a smile.

Everyone tells me to just be myself. But I’m not sure how to reconcile being who I am with being who the public expects me to be. I’ve never been myself in public. Always kept who I really am under lock and key, only sharing it with those I trust the most. After being free to do and say whatever I want for the past decade, I’m not sure I can turn it off and mold myself back into nothing more than a puppet.

“Your Highness.”

I quickly snap out of my thoughts as a man in a pilot uniform bows toward me, the bars on his jacket indicating he’s the captain.

“I’m Captain Daws. We’ve been cleared for takeoff.”

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