Page 23 of Royal Secret

“I wouldn’t dream of it,” he chuckles.

Too soon, the sun is setting and it’s time to go. The cobblestones are uneven under my feet as we step out of the castle, its ancient stones casting long shadows in the waning light. Jakob pauses at the edge of the manicured lawn that stretches out before us, looking every inch the storybook prince with the grandeur of legacy rising behind him.

“Mind if I take a picture?” I ask, already reaching for the camera slung around my neck. It feels natural to capture this moment, to freeze him in time against the backdrop of history and heritage.

“Of course,” he replies, offering me a relaxed, boyish grin that takes me by surprise.

I peer through the viewfinder, focusing on the way the golden-hour sun drapes over him, highlighting the angles of his face. He’s undeniably handsome, more so than any photograph could convey, with an ease and charm that seem to radiate from within. The shutter clicks, and I take a few steps back to frame him from another angle.

“Okay,” I call out, not lifting my gaze from the camera, “look off to the side, like you’re pondering your kingdom or something.”

He chuckles, obliging with a thoughtful expression directed toward the rolling hills in the distance. Another click, and I know I’ve captured something special — something candid and unguarded.

I lower the camera, suddenly struck by the reality of the man before me. How did I end up here, at an old castle with a prince? The urge to step closer, to bridge the gap between royal and commoner, is nearly overwhelming.

“Beautiful,” I murmur, but I’m not just talking about the photos.

“Thank you.” His voice is softer now, filled with something that sounds like hope. Or maybe it’s desire.

I swallow hard, feeling the pull of attraction, but I have to be careful. He may be charming and sincere in this stolen moment away from the world, but there’s no forgetting the crown that awaits him, nor the ordinary girl I am. Falling in love with a prince isn’t just unlikely; it’s the sort of fantasy that can’t survive in the harsh light of reality.

“Let’s keep going,” I say, tucking away the camera as I fortify the walls around my heart.

There’s a part of me that wishes I could let go, to see where this chemistry might lead, but he’s given me more reasons to trust him than not to, and even if he hadn’t slipped away with the necklace, I would still be wary.

“Lead the way.” He gestures with a sweep of his hand, and I wonder if he senses the battle waging within me. But I offer him a smile, stepping forward into the remnants of daylight, determined to enjoy the here and now without worrying about the impossibilities of tomorrow.

CHAPTER 13

JAKOB

The cool country breeze plays with the hem of Courtney’s skirt as we step out from the shadow of the ancient castle, and suddenly it feels like I’m walking out of a dream. My heart races, pounding against my chest with an intensity that matches the crunch of gravel under our feet.

“Perfect light today,” she says, oblivious to the chaos she’s igniting inside me. I can only nod, my throat tight, because right now, all I can think about is the curve of her smile, the way her eyes find beauty in the mundane, how she sees the world — and, somehow, seesmetoo.

Her camera hangs around her neck, a black strap adorned with little silver charms that clink softly with each step. She captures Bergovia in ways that make even a prince rediscover his homeland. And yet, it’s not just her artistry that has me entranced; it’s everything about her — the way she laughs, the passion in her voice when she talks about her work, the gentle kindness in her green eyes.

“Jakob?” Her voice pulls me from my reverie.

“Sorry, just… lost in thought.” That’s half true. I’m also lost in desire, in the dangerous notion of what it would mean to give into it — again.

We reach the car, and I open the back door for her, watching as she slides into the seat. Her thank-you is soft, almost as if she’s aware of the tension between us. I close the door gently and circle to the other side, taking a moment to collect myself. I can’t afford to lose control, not when there’s so much at stake.

As my driver starts the engine, a part of me wishes we could drive away from everything — my responsibilities, the drama surrounding the necklace, the unspoken truths hanging between us. But escaping isn’t an option for either of us. Especially not for me. With every mile that brings us closer to her hotel, a sinking feeling settles in my gut. Because I know, despite the pull drawing me toward her, I need to keep a safe distance.

Sleeping with her again would be a sweet surrender but a reckless mistake. My duty to my country, to my position, looms over me like the towering peaks of the Bergovian Alps. The risk of romance, of hearts entangled and my father’s disapproval, is a gamble I cannot afford to take.

The car rolls to a stop in front of Courtney’s hotel.

“Thank you for today,” she says.

I nod, all the things I really want to say jumbled up in a ball in my throat. “With the necklace… it’s unfortunate how things turned out. I hope you understand that I had no choice.”

Her eyes flash, and I can feel her disagreement, palpable as it is in the confines of the car. “There are always choices.”

I suck in a sharp breath. She’s right, but my goal is the crown, and when it comes to that, my options are truly limited.

“Good night, Jakob,” she says, her voice cold.

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