Page 54 of Royal Secret

A wave of apprehension tightens my chest, but it’s swiftly washed away by a tide of excitement. This isn’t just about the glitz or the title; it’s about us, Jakob and I — and our little one. A complete family. That’s the real adventure I’m looking forward to.

“Okay, Courtney, you’ve got this,” I say to my reflection, trying to steady the butterflies that have taken up residence in my stomach.

As I wait for Jakob to finish his shower, I pull out my phone and dial Mimi’s number. She answers after the second ring, her voice bubbling with the same infectious cheer it always has.

“Guess who’s back in Bergovia?” I say, unable to keep the grin from my voice.

“You are? Courtney!” Mimi squeals, her excitement palpable even through the phone. “When can we meet up? I want to hear everything!”

“Soon,” I assure her. “There’s a lot to catch up on, Mimi. Trust me, you won’t want to miss a single detail.”

“Are you in the city? Tell me you’re staying for good this time!” she presses, ever the detective.

“Let’s just say my visit might extend ‘extra long’ this time.” I tease, knowing full well the news of my pregnancy will send her over the moon when I’m ready to share it.

“Ooh, cryptic! Now you’ve got me all curious,” she laughs. “We’ll talk soon, then?”

“Definitely,” I promise. “I’ll call you. And Mimi… thank you. For everything.”

“Anytime. Take care and stay safe.”

“I will. Bye.”

I’m smoothing down the folds of the dress once more when the bathroom door opens. Jakob steps out, a vision of regal charm wrapped in a perfectly tailored suit that accentuates his broad shoulders and lean figure.

“Wow,” escapes from my lips before I can catch it. It’s an entire sonnet compressed into a breath, as Jakob stands there, looking every bit the prince he is.

He strides over with that confident yet tender walk of his, and my heart does a little pirouette in my chest.

“You look…” His voice trails off as his eyes roam over me, drinking in the sight. The dress, a delicate concoction of silk and lace, feels like it was spun from dreams specifically for tonight.

“Stunning,” he finishes, reaching for me.

Our kiss is a promise, a silent language we’ve grown fluent in. His lips are warm, a gentle pressure that speaks of love and a shared future. Pulling back slightly, Jakob cradles my face in his hands, his thumbs caressing my cheeks as if to memorize the feel of this moment.

“I have never felt so fortunate,” he murmurs, his gaze conveying depths of gratitude and wonder. “To think that soon… we’ll be a family.”

My heart swells, a tide of emotion that threatens to spill over.

“I can’t wait either,” I whisper back, my hands finding their way to his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart against my palms. For a man who carries the responsibility of a kingdom, he has a way of making me feel like we are the only two souls in it.

“Let’s go make some memories.” Jakob’s smile lights up his entire face, his arm sliding around my waist as he leads me toward the door and into the next chapter of our story.

CHAPTER 31

JAKOB

The palace gates loom before us, imposing in a way they’ve never seemed before, guarding the secrets of the royals who reside beyond their iron embrace.

My palms are slick against the steering wheel as I guide the car smoothly through the open archway, my heart thumping a bit too loudly in my chest. I sent a text to my family earlier, a heads-up that I’m bringing “someone special” to dinner. But no amount of forewarning eases the butterflies rioting in my stomach.

Courtney, her hand resting gently on my thigh, gives me an encouraging squeeze. She can sense my nervousness, attuned as she is to my emotions in a way that both comforts and disarms me. Her smile is soft, yet there’s an undeniable strength in her eyes — a resilience that tells me she’s ready for whatever reactions we might face.

We park in the shadow of the palace, and I waste no time. If I so much as pause, then my worry might get the best of me. As we walk towards the grand entrance, I take a deep breath. This is it — no turning back now.

“Are you okay?” Courtney asks gently.

“Perfectly,” I lie, offering her a reassuring smile in return.

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