Page 49 of Prince Un-Charming

“Of course not. I’m just being practical.” I shake my head. “As much as I want to stay here, I know that you’re needed back in Solvaria or back in New York. Not in the middle of the Midwest. You’re a prince. It’s only a matter of time before something lures you back.”

He gently pulls away his hands while his gaze returns to his food. “Yeah. I know that. So that’s why I want to relish our time together as best as we can.”

Pressing my lips into a thin line, I suppress a sigh. I’ve fallen for him. I can feel it in my chest whenever I look at him. There’s a flutter in my heart that only starts whenever he’s around. When he kisses my cheek and holds my hand, there’s nothing else in the world that matters to me.

Everything else melts away.

This will be my only chance to be his wife. I hope to make the most of it before this illusion is popped sharply by the needle of reality. I’ll have to resign from my post as his secretary when this ends. I have no choice.

We can’t go on with a professional relationship after all the things we’ve done to each other. There’s too much tension between us that will never truly go away. The longing stares, the yearning in each other’s eyes.

That's not something that disappears overnight. In some cases, it never disappears at all.

“I don’t want you to worry about my duties. I can worry about them for both of us, Vivienne.” He pours me more champagne, the most expensive bottle on the menu. “You’re making me feel as if you’re getting bored of me.”

“That’s impossible, Caesar, and you know it. You’re the best. I used to think my hometown was so boring. But with you around, it feels like a brand new place. There’s so much more to discover.”

Caesar reaches into his pocket. “And I can’t wait to discover everything with you. Honestly, this is the most fun I’ve had in a long, long time. Maybe ever.”

I hear a muffled ringtone, and Caesar pulls out his phone. His face shifts at the caller.

“I’ve got to take this. Hold on.” When he answers the call, his voice becomes somber. More business-like.

Clearly, this call is coming from somewhere back in Solvaria. Ever since he’s landed here in Sandyville, that haughty persona has ebbed away, and now it’s inching back from whoever’s on the phone.

He’s more at ease here. With no responsibilities and no paparazzi swarming him, pestering him about his new escapades with yet another diplomat’s daughter, he can relax.

An escapade with a diplomat’s daughter…My fists tighten around the satin napkin in my lap.When this ends, he’ll probably go back to doing stuff like that. I’ll have to see that in the papers and social media. And I might bash my head in once I do.

“Seriously?” Caesar says suddenly, eyes widening. “Tell him congratulations! I can’t wait to meet the lucky woman who’s captured his heart.”

His eyes twinkle as he sends me a gaze. Now, it’s my turn to raise a brow. Someone’s getting married, it seems.

“I’ll gladly return to Solvaria in that case. I want to let him know that he has my full support.” Caesar wets his lips, nods his head, and traces patterns into the deep red tablecloth. “Thank you for letting me know. I’ll start making plans to return home soon. Goodbye.”

Once the call ends, he drops the phone on the table and starts pouring himself some more champagne. Then he lifts it up for me to clink.

“Alex is getting married.”

“Oh, wow. That’s incredible. So we’re going back to Solvaria soon?”

Alex can be difficult to win over, especially when he gets consumed by his ambitions and desires to make the royal family proud.

Just like that, Caesar visibly deflates. “I don’t want you traveling and overexerting yourself. You haven’t been feeling well, and you’re having such a nice time with your family.”

“What? That’s ridiculous. I’m feeling fine. I can go back to the kingdom with you.”

“I don’t know if that’s a good idea. I care about you, Vivienne. And I know how much you love it here with your family. I don’t want to ruin your family vacation with my responsibilities. You know what it’s like there, all the pressure. And I don’t want you to feel like you’re working the whole time.”

Pulling away, a pang of fear rocks me. Why is he so adamant about leaving me behind? Why can’t I return to Solvaria with him? Does he have someone else waiting for him?

Is he trying to get rid of me after all?

“I see.” My voice is small and weak. “Well, if that’s what you want, then I won’t stop you.”

There goes any sort of appetite, joy, and reassurance that was gradually building within my body. Blinking away my tears, I pick up my fork and start playing with my food.

“Vivienne. Please don’t act like this. Trust me, I’m doing this in your best interest.” Caesar’s shoulders sink. As he reaches for my hand, I pull away slightly.

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