AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Are you not a fan of sea bass?” Rick asked.
“Oh, just not very hungry.” I lowered my fork gently.
“Is there something else you would rather eat?”
“No, honestly, Your Royal Highness, I’m quite well.”
“She doesn’t need to pack on the pounds, Rikard. Look at her!” Celeste laughed.
“I think she has a lovely figure,” Rick said. “I don’t know what you mean. People shouldn’t starve themselves. I’d rather see her happy than picking at things. Alexandra, is there something you’d rather have.”
He looked at me differently. Was this his genuine interest showing through?
“Dessert?” I asked. “We will have dessert?”
Celeste glared. The answer was yes. There would be dessert, but I would be required to pick at that as well. A good girl and prospective wife has a poor appetite. She makes herself smaller to appear more attractive. That was all Celeste had taught us.
“Chocolate soufflé. But if you don’t eat your dinner?—”
“Is she not a grown woman, Your Majesty?” Rick cut her off.
I fought a snicker.
“Can she not choose?” He doubled down. “I say bring her two.”
Rick was overstepping but I liked this side of him. He was wilful and we were both about to get in trouble.
I was brought two chocolate soufflés, of which I ate both. They were heavenly. I loved chocolate more than life, something he now knew. My grandmother watched in dismay. If she said anything, she’d frighten the plant she’d brought me. If she said nothing, I would hear about it after cake.
After dinner, we took a walk around the garden, followed closely by a guard.
“You’re really never alone, are you?”
I shook my head no.
“I’m sorry, Alexandra. That’s shitty. You’re grown up and she treats you like a child.”
“She’s dreadful.”
“I’m sorry,” Rick said. “Look, I don’t want to lead you on. I don’t know what I will do. I’ll get back to you, alright?”
“Okay. I know I’m not what you’d choose. You shouldn’t feel obligated?—”
“Let me figure out how I can help.”
“You don’t have to?—”
He placed his hands on my shoulders and met my gaze. “You don’t deserve this. You girls have grown on me. I know you are responsible for them. I love my family, too. I get what it is like to make sacrifices to save the ones you love. I can only admire you for it.”
I wanted him to stay—like this—giving me this look. I wanted him to pull me closer— unsure where that impulse came from. Rick pulled away.
“Now, let me figure out on my end what I can do.” He began to walk off.
“Thanks,” I said. “Rick?”
“Yes?” Rick turned, running his fingers through his blonde curls.
“I promise you that if you choose to do it, I will treat you with respect and give you space.”
