Page 18 of Royal Secret

“Is that?—?”

“Yes,” I confirm, handing it over to him. “I found it with Courtney Fuller — the granddaughter of Anna Jäger.”

He examines the necklace, a flicker of emotion crossing his otherwise impassive features. He holds a piece of our history between his fingers, a relic we believed forever lost.

“Good work, Jakob,” he says, but there’s a question there. He’s waiting for me to reveal more.

“I trailed her, saw it in her bag,” I explain, omitting the details of everything else that happened between myself and Courtney. My time with her was anything but professional, and if my father knew, it would sour his opinion of me in an instant.

“Very well,” Father says, placing the necklace in a drawer of his desk, locking away both the jewel and the subject. He peers at me, his gaze piercing yet proud. “You’ve done your duty to your heritage.”

“Thank you, Father.” I can’t stop glancing at the drawer that now hides the necklace.

As much as I want to distance myself from Courtney, I cannot shake the feeling that this isn’t the end of our story. But for now, I must keep my heart under lock and key, just like the sapphire that ignited this entire affair.

Turning, I reach for the doorknob, but the sound of my father clearing his throat stops me.

“Before you leave… there is more to be done.”

I freeze, not daring to turn around. My fingers tighten around the handle.

“Keep watch over Miss Fuller,” he instructs. “Ensure her intentions toward our family — and the crown — are as innocent as she portrays.”

My throat tightens, and I swallow the objection that threatens to escape. Staying away from Courtney was supposed to simplify things, keep my head clear for the duties that lie ahead. Now, the prospect of being near her again sends a jolt of both dread and desire through me. My mind flashes to her misty eyes, the curve of her smile in the dappled sunlight next to the water fountain.

“She’s no threat, Father,” I assure him, hoping to sound more convinced than I am. “She knows nothing of our… lives.”

“Be discreet, Jakob,” he says, not even acknowledging what I just said. “We don’t need the press sniffing around a potential scandal.”

I swallow against a knot in my throat. So that’s that, then. The king has given me an order, and I must obey it.

“Of course,” I say, but inside, my resolve wavers like a candle in the wind.

With a nod, I push open the door and step into the hallway, my heart and feet heavy. The door thuds shut behind me, and I stand still for a long moment, my head swirling. Taking a deep breath, I start walking.

Father wants me to continue to watch Courtney? Fine. I can do so. It will be challenging to keep myself emotionally distanced, but I’ve done harder things.

“Jakob!” The sharp call of my name halts me mid-stride. Christina’s piercing blue eyes meet mine, her perfectly arched brows drawing together in suspicion.

“What were you doing in Father’s study?” She moves closer, her heels clicking against the marble floor with the precision of a ticking clock.

“Speaking,” I reply nonchalantly, schooling my features into an expression of indifference. She studies me for a moment longer, searching for a crack in my façade.

“What are you doing to angle for the crown now?” Her hands rest on her hips, the emerald silk of her dress rustling softly.

“Christina,” I say, letting out a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding, “you know that’s not how it works.”

Her lips purse. She’s not buying it. She knows that I’m doing something secretive, and she wants in on it.

Which will never happen. I’m onto something big here. I’ve already proven myself once to my father by returning him the necklace, and now I can double my brownie points by keeping an eye on Courtney. If Christina knew anything about what I’m up to, she would find a way to sabotage it, and I can’t have that.

“Have a good day, Christina.” I smile brightly. “See you at supper.”

She scowls, and I walk away still feeling twisted up over Courtney but at least having the satisfaction of one-upping my sister. It’s a small win, but today is a day where I will take anything I can get.

CHAPTER 11

JAKOB

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