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“As you wish,” Karl said, studying me. “If you don’t mind me asking, is everything all right, Your Highness?”
I nodded. “Yes. Perfectly fine. We just need to run a quick errand.”
A five-thousand-mile errand.
As Karl left my chamber, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this impulsive escape could either be the adventure of a lifetime or a spectacular disaster.
Chapter Two
Prince August
“Another blueberry scone, Your Highness?” the servant offered with a kind smile, holding out the silver tray in front of me for the fourth time.
I eyed the crumbs on my plate and grimaced. “One more and you will have to call the tailor to let out an inch of my waistline. Thank you, but I think three is my limit.”
Actually, two was my limit, but I had used the food as a distraction while I waited for Veronica for what seemed like an eternity.
“Of course,” the servant replied, the corners of his eyes crinkling with amusement as he cleared away the remnants of my indulgence.
“Would you know how much longer Princess Veronica will be?” I asked, growing more impatient by the minute as I started wondering whether she was actually avoiding me.
“I’m terribly sorry, Your Highness. I do not know, but I shall inquire if there’s any update for you,” he said, bowing slightly before exiting the tearoom.
A few seconds later, I heard the familiar light-hearted whistling of Prince Caleb, Veronica’s brother. He peeked inside the tearoom, his eyes going wide after seeing me.
“What a pleasant surprise,” Caleb said as he strolled in, a grin spreading across his face. “Did you escape the clutches of the state dinner to indulge in our special scones?”
“Actually, I wasn’t invited to dinner.” I stood, took a couple of steps toward him. “That won’t happen until I am?—”
“Crowned king—of course,” he said.
Besides the whistling, Caleb was also known for finishing other people’s sentences. He was a smart young man and always a delight to be around.
“It’s so good to see you,” he added, pulling me into a fraternal hug.
We’d known each other for years, and we had learned to leave the formalities and protocol only for public events.
“And you as well,” I said, squeezing his shoulder.
“I guess this means you’re here to see Veronica,” Caleb said.
“Yes, but she’s in no hurry to see me.”
“I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I saw her leaving with Daphne over an hour ago. How long have you been waiting?”
“About that long,” I sighed, my frustration seeping through.
Caleb nodded. “It appears as though my sister is avoiding you.”
“Agreed,” I said, wondering how long she would be gone. “My bet is that she went to Daphne’s place.”
He arched an eyebrow. “You really underestimate my sister.”
I chuckled. “Good point. She knows that is the first place I would look.”
“Sounds like you’re going to have to wait this one out. How long are you planning on staying?”
“As long as it takes,” I said.
