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So that was how it was going to be. “I’m not used to looking after children of…high-profile people like yourself. I thought going to the park would be fine, and I was wrong about that. I just wanted to…” She took a moment to gather herself. “I just wanted to tell you that I’ll be more careful in the future. And if they need an adjustment made to their schedule, I’ll run it by you first. It’s what I should have done all along.”
He watched her for another long moment. “I’d prefer that you simply stick to the schedule.”
Something in Armin’s voice reminded Katie of a door opening—an opportunity. It was a prickling feeling along the back of her hands and arms, a throwback from when she’d been a journalist and interviewed people for a living. And, like every other opportunity, she took it.
“Can I…speak with you for a little while? It is about the girls.”
He hesitated, and she saw a brief flash of a man who carried the weight of the world on his shoulders. “All right.” She heard it now—the tiredness in his voice. It wasn’t something he let show during the day, but now, when the girls were tucked in bed and the day was winding down… “Come with me to the study.”
Armin led her down a hallway and into another, narrower one, and finally into a study with elegant furniture that looked lean but strong and a small bar along one side. He went to it like a cocktail could be a lifeline and began pulling glasses out from the bottom shelf. God, he was attractive. She knew she shouldn’t be thinking about things like that at a time like this, but she couldn’t help it. It was the suits. The suits gave her a tantalizing glimpse of the shape of him, and she wanted to see more.
Much more.
He did not offer her a drink, and when he turned back to her, concern was written across his forehead in deep lines. “What is it you wanted to discuss?”
Katie decided to lead with the good news first. “The girls seem to be doing well. They’re happy most of the time.”
Armin’s mouth turned down. “But?”
“But…I think they might like to see more of you.”
He scoffed. “I doubt that. They never seem very excited about my presence. Aside from that, it’s the way things are in the royal household. When I was their age, I spent almost all my time with my nanny. I knew what was required of my parents.”
“That’s only natural,” Katie offered. “You were raised to be a prince. But Lily and Seraphine…well, I don’t know how they fit into the line of succession, or anything like that, but they were never expecting this. They’re two little girls. A few months ago, they had parents and a house and a normal life. Now, they’re adrift—and they’re looking to you to provide stability and support. They don’t understand all of your responsibilities.” Katie gestured around the room. “All of this, and you, is new to them, and it’s a big change.” She softened her voice. “They speak highly of you. You should know that. When your name comes up, they always have kind things to say. They look up to you.”
Katie sensed it. The moment held the same opportunity as before, only it was…different. Darker.
It had to do with Papazyan.
She had talked her way into the prince’s study. She had him talking about the children he had adopted and taken into his household. And as long as she had him talking, she could get him to talk more.
But the thought of giving up any of this to a man like Papazyan made her stomach turn.
“What is it?”
The silence had gone on too long, and Armin’s voice snapped her out of it. “I’ve been wondering how you came to the conclusion to adopt them in the first place.” It was true. “I think it’s wonderful, but you’re the crown prince. You have a very tight schedule, and…I guess, what I’m asking is, wasn’t there a relative who could take them?” Katie wanted to bury her face in her hands. Some interview skills.
“The only relatives were distant, and none of them were in a position to provide for them the way I can. It was my top priority that they have the best possible future, given the circumstances.” He must have seen the question in her face, because he continued. “Their father, Baxter, he was—” Armin cut himself off abruptly and stared down into his glass. The tumbler held a double shot of whiskey. “He was a good friend of mine. My best friend, in fact. We met back in school and were instantly inseparable. When he got married, he named me the girls’ godfather.”
Armin took a drink from the tumbler and seemed to invite another question. Why not go for it?
“Did you meet them before they came to live with you?”
“Oh, quite a few t
imes. The whole family spent several holidays here at Whitestone, and alternated that with our places in Valbourg and Kamsbourg.” He gave a weary sigh. “I’d hoped that having them here would remind them of better days, but…when they first arrived, the girls seemed too sad to notice. And even now, they don’t seem pleased to be here.” He looked up from his glass and met her eyes again. “At least, they didn’t before you got here. And I understand.” He took another drink. “I haven’t been the parental figure they deserve.”
“You can’t blame yourself for that.”
“Oh no. I blame my own parents.”
Katie laughed out loud, realizing too late that he might not be joking. But Armin cracked a small smile. “It’s true,” he said. “They gave me everything I could have wanted, except for…a personal touch.
“I’m sure they loved you just like you love the girls.”
The words were magic. Armin’s hard exterior softened, and a genuine smile came to his face. Katie gathered her courage and stepped forward. “You obviously take your responsibilities seriously,” she said. “You went to tuck them in practically in full regalia.” She reached up and loosened the tie that seemed slightly tight on his neck. “Maybe when you’re around them, you could relax a little bit. That might help all of you.”
Just like that, a switch had been flipped. Armin stepped back, his eyes going dark again. “I’d appreciate it if you would keep in mind that, while the girls might not be royals, I am—and any scrutiny I receive is liable to spill over onto them. And onto you.” He turned away from her. “Have a restful evening.”
