Page 14 of His Hidden Royal Heirs

That was thornier, certainly, and he hadn’t worked it all out yet, but he would. Once he got his more... emotional responses under control.

Twins. Not just one child, but two. It didn’t really change the situation, and yet he felt changed. Like he had been able to pretend her pregnancy was simply a problem to be solved when it was just one, and now that he knew two children grew inside her they seemed more...real.

He led her up the stairs and to the first set of bedrooms he’d instructed his staff to ready. His rooms were much deeper in the castle—thecottage. Far,faraway from her. He opened the door to her small guest suite.

“The rooms are readied, but my staff here is minimal, and with the snow as it is, we may be stuck that way for a time. You will have to get used to doing things on your own.”

She aimed a haughty look at him. One that made him wonder how he hadn’t seenprincesswritten all over that elegant point of a chin. “I have been taking care of myself in a cabin on a polar island for months now, Cristhian. I am quite certain I can handle it.”

“You are a princess. A few runaway attempts do not make you well-versed in roughing it, Princesa.”

“I quite agree. I’m not sure spending the next few days in an understaffed castle will be the hardship you’re making it out to be, but your point is taken. Though living on my own, under the detection of my father these past few months, has taught me much, I have had many cushions in this life. But with every cushion comes a condition, and sometimes those conditions are...” She trailed off, clearly struggling with a suitable word.

He could think of a few himself, but he kept his mouth resolutely closed. It would not do to relate to her. Whether it be from his own experience or his mother’s.

Perhaps they would have to come to work as partners in some way to be parents to their children, but until he decided how that would work, they were adversaries. Until he set up everything exactly as he wanted it.

She never finished her sentence. He led her into the suite—a prettily appointed sitting room. The doors to the bedroom and en suite bathroom were open so she could explore. He could see her bags neatly situated along the wall.

Zia moved around the room, and he knew he should excuse himself. Inform the cook she would need some food. He should leave her, so that he could begin to enact his plans.

But the strangest thing was happening to him. No matter what forward steps he took, he couldn’t decide how he wanted to proceed past tonight.

He did not know what to do.

When he was a man who always knew the next step to take. Who made quick, correct decisions in all things. He had learned it was the only way to survive with himself intact. Indecision was poison.

And currently infecting every step he took. Because he did not know what to do aboutthis. Abouther.

So he hesitated, when he never hesitated. He didn’t leave the room, because if he left he would have to face himself and the fact that he had no idea what his next move should be.

“What were your plans then?”

She turned to study him. “What do you mean?”

“Your plans. For you. For the babies.”

Her study never stopped, but after a time she gave a little nod as if deciding to give him the truth. “In the close future, I was making the decision of where to go into labor. The islanddoes not have the facilities for that, so you have to go to the mainland. I had some contenders. How I handled what came next would depend on how well labor went, and if I had been found out.”

It was well thought out, but it was hardly the kind of thing someone could do on their own. “You must have had help.”

She shrugged. And said nothing.

He had no right to be irritated by her lack of details. This was not important. What was important was what came next. “I will leave you to rest. Someone will bring some food up soon.”

“And what will you be off doing?”

“Making arrangements.”

“Without me?”

“It seems you have had ample time to make arrangements withoutme.Perhaps it is my turn.”

She shook her head. “I am the one carrying them. I will be the one bringing them into the world. You will not shut me out of any decisions made. I will do whatever is in my power, even if it requires involving my father, to ensure that.”

He was relieved that she was showing a little temper. That she was putting up a fight. He could always find his way in a fight.

“I would be careful how you threaten me with yourking, Your Highness.”

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