Page 39 of A Fierce Princess

“It’ll do,” I say with a small forced smile.

“You live here?” he asks, finally turning his gaze to me.

I laugh. “No. We spend a few months here during the year, but we live in the royal palace in the city,” I explain.

He frowns. “You have more than one home?” he asks.

I nod. “My family has several homes and apartments,” I explain.

“So, this is how the other half lives,” he quips.

I roll my eyes. “It’s not exactly like you’re living in squalor,” I say.

He shrugs. “True, but it’s not like this,” he says with a whistle as we stop, and our doors are opened by the footmen. I nod to the staff and make my way up the stairs.

I see my brothers’ cars pulling in the front gate before I turn back and nearly run straight into my father. I step back, and he grabs my arm to keep me from falling.

I launch myself into his arms, and he grips me tightly, laying small kisses on my hair and forehead. I squeeze his waist, and he squeezes back.

I pull away and look up at him. I swear there’s a hint of tears in his eyes, but it quickly fades.

“We’re OK,” I assure him.

“I know. I’ve been fully debriefed. I’m just very thankful that you weren’t on that plane,” he says as he swallows.

“Me too,” I agree.

My father looks past me, and I see that he has noticed Logan. Chris and Auggie, however, distract him as they walk up to him. He takes each into an embrace, foregoing all formalities. At this moment, he’s a father, worried about his children. After a moment, he pulls back from Auggie and looks at Logan again.

“Father, this is Logan Winters,” Auggie says.

“Yes, I know. Chris sent word. A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Logan. I’m sorry you were forced to come with my children here. I had instructed everyone be taken here immediately upon arrival. I’m sure my staff can sort out arrangements for your stay later,” my father says. It’s not a royal custom to shake hands. It’s in this moment that I realize this is Logan’s first time meeting a royal in a formal setting. He has no idea what to do. I see him nod and look to me. Fortunately, my father picks up on the cues faster than I do. He stretches out a hand, and Logan shakes it. I want to laugh as the whole thing is so painfully inelegant.

“A pleasure to meet you, Your Highness. I’ll be more than happy to stay wherever you see fit,” Logan says, taking his cue from when he first met us.

“Father, I’d like to be debriefed immediately. As for Logan, he is our guest, and if it’s alright, I’d prefer he stay here with us,” Chris says to my father.

“I suppose that will do for now,” my father says before nodding at Marcus who ushers us all inside.

We’re shown to my father’s study. Marcus pulls up a screen and turns on a computer. The images bring everyone to silence. It’s my uncle’s plane completely engulfed in flames. It appears the back end is nearly completely missing.

“The plane is a total loss, obviously. We’ve been in touch with Hans and Lara. They were at their estate in France for the weekend. They will, of course, come to join us later today. We have investigators starting to go through the crime scene as well as local authorities and Interpol. We don’t have details yet, but I’ve been told that our first full report can be expected tomorrow. Security has asked everyone to stay within the walls of the palace until a new security plan can be implemented. Mr. Winters is welcome to stay here if he chooses. Otherwise, we can arrange hotel and security measures for him,” Marcus says to us.

My father raises a hand at that. “Mr. Winters is a welcomed guest of my children. He can remain here with us. As for Lara and Hans, please keep me posted on their arrival status,” my father says.

“Of course, Your Majesty. I do believe you have a call with the prime minister in five minutes,” he adds.

And that’s our cue to leave. Other than jaw-dropping video footage, I feel like we’ve learned nothing new. I want to speak with my father, but I know now is not the time.

“I’ll show Mr. Winters to his quarters, Your Highness,” Shannon says to me.

“Yes, please, thank you,” I reply. Logan gives me a tight smile and nod before following Shannon up the steps to the guest wing.

“Well, I’ll be a monkey’s uncle! Look who it is!” I hear a voice exclaim behind me. This makes me smile for the first time in hours. I turn to see Tessa standing with her hands on her hips, a giant grin on her face. She opens her arms, and I go into them, giving her a strong squeeze.

“Your room is all set. I’m making your favorite meal for dinner. Go get settled, and then you must come catch me up on your recent trip,” Tessa says.

“Absolutely,” I reply. She lets me go, and I see a flash of worry in her eyes but the smile stays firmly planted on her face. She nods and heads back toward the kitchen.

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