Page 69 of His Royal Request

He chuckled. “We can probably take the paved roads this time.”

Row after row of the congregation exited the pews until it was finally our turn. I followed Michael toward the main church door until the sunshine hit my face. I was grateful for the fascinator Isla had paired with my peach dress. It provided a bit of shade over my eyes. The silk, long sleeves of the dress did a wonderful job of trapping the heat though. I loved the vintage, roaring twenties vibe that made me feel like I’d just stepped out of a Gatsby party. However, the dress wasn’t ideal for the summer sun and I was sweltering.

A crowd gathered at the entrance of the church so Michael tried to guide me around the mass, but we both froze when people began shouting my name.

“Charlie!”

“Miss Avery!”

“Charlie!”

I looked around but didn’t recognize anyone. Cameras were being held up over the heads of people, all aimed at me.

Michael grabbed my hand and pulled me in the opposite direction. “Come on.”

I had no choice but to hurry behind him. The voices grew louder and I glanced over my shoulder to see them chasing after us.

“Michael,” I called out to him. The panic in my voice sounded foreign to my own ears.

He shouted something but I couldn’t hear him over the paparazzi following us.

Two palace guards appeared. When we reached them, they let us pass then held up their arms to keep anyone else from following.

“Hurry, Charlie.” Michael was nearly running, pulling me along. I jogged to keep up with him as he headed straight for a black sedan waiting for us. The driver's side window rolled down enough for me to see George behind the wheel. Seeing him gave me the encouragement I needed to make a run to the car. Michael opened the door allowing me to slide in before coming in after me. George hit the gas before the door was even shut. I looked around to see the guards trying to contain the stampede of people. It was no longer just the paparazzi. The wedding guests and the public were after me.

I rested against the back of the chair and wiped my temples, suddenly aware I was sweating. “Thank you for getting me out of there.”

Michael gasped, catching his breath. “I should have seen them before we left the church. The guards should have stopped us.”

He sounded angry. I hadn’t expected him to get worked up, if anything I thought he’d laugh about it.

“Aiden is going to kill me.” He mumbled under his breath and I understood. He was worried about what was coming, whereas I was relieved we’d escaped.

“You helped me,” I said with gratitude.

He smiled. “Yeah, but I shouldn’t have allowed us to get in that position.”

“That’s why you had me,” George said.

Michael nodded. “I should have just had us leave from the back door.”

“You planned to have George there waiting?”

He nodded again. “Backup plan.”

“But why? I’m no one important. Why do they want pictures of me?”

Michael turned in his seat to face me. “Charlie, you are not ‘no one.’ You are the girlfriend of one of the princes of Lochland. You are the country’s darling right now. The media is losing their mind trying to find out anything about you.”

I could argue until I was out of breath, but he was right. At least about the media. I couldn’t ignore the fact that we were outed as a couple any longer.

But the wedding was over. I’d only be staying a few more days before heading back out on my own. Would I be recognized outside the country?

I doubted it, but what if something like this happened in London or Munich? I wouldn’t have the guards to protect me. No George to show up when I needed him.

Would I have to go home?

Would I be able to?