Page 66 of A Fierce Princess

“Stay here,” I say to him as I climb out of his bed and throw on my clothes. “I’ll text you once I know it’s safe.”

Logan gives me a look that says there is no way in hell he’s staying put. I sigh.

“Fine, come with me,” I say to him. I hate to tell anyone where my secret hiding place is, but something about Logan makes me trust him. I lead him a roundabout way to the butler’s pantry and then shut the door behind us. I frown when I notice my computer is on a different shelf than I normally set it on, but I can’t remember putting it away last. Was I in a hurry? Maybe.

“What’s wrong?” Logan asks.

“I think someone was in here,” I admit.

“Staff?” Logan asks.

“No, no one comes in here. Thus why my laptop is here,” I explain.

I fire it up and begin my search. Nothing seems out of place on my computer, so I decide I must have moved it. I don’t exactly know what I’m looking for. I stumbled upon the last message, lucky really that I was able to trace it.

“What are you looking for?” Logan asks.

“I don’t know…clues, I guess,” I answer as I continue to search. My searches of the dark web are almost like shining a small flashlight into the vastness of a dark cavern and hoping to find a missing ring. The odds of hitting the ring at just the right angle with the small amount of light in such a huge void, are almost null, but I keep searching. Logan jumps up on the counter of the cabinet. He watches me in silence. I feel his penetrating stare, but I don’t stop my quest. I can’t stop. I’m a woman on a mission now. The minutes pass as I look, and look. The code starts to scramble in my brain, and I blink back the blurriness I see on the screen.

“We should get you something to eat,” Logan says.

I sigh. I tap out a search and set it to run. “You’re right,” I agree. “But I’m having breakfast brought to you; I don’t trust Sten yet.”

“Like hell then that I’m letting you go without me, especially if you don’t trust him,” Logan says. “Besides, what’s he going to do, shoot me in front of everyone?”

I sigh again. “I suppose not,” I admit.

“Then, let’s go eat,” he says. I grumble as I give in to his demand and follow him down to the dining room. I open the door and find my family, Logan’s family, and our staff all seated around the giant table. Everyone pauses mid-bite as we enter the room. My gaze travels down the table to Sten, who’s seated next to Uncle Eddie. He gives me a warm smile and then looks curiously at his nephew.

Sten rises from the table and walks toward us.

“Hello, Sten,” I say to him.

“Anna, so good to see you, my dear,” he says as he leans forward, and double cheek kisses me. He then looks at Logan. “So, I hear I’ve gained a nephew. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Logan.”

Sten holds out his hand, and Logan shakes it. I internally cringe. My mind is trying to meld the Sten I know with the Sten I am now fearing. I look past him to the table. Everyone is watching us closely, including Uncle Eddie.

“It’s nice to meet you, Sten,” Logan says, splintering me from my thoughts.

Sten nods and walks back to his seat. Logan and I take seats across from Chris and Auggie. Tessa hurries in with Liza behind her as they lay out a second course, or at least what I guess is a second course considering that everyone’s plates are already filled with fruit. The whole thing seems so formal for the summer palace. This is typically a place where we put aside many formalities and customs, a place where we act more like a normal family than the royal family. But today, looking around the table with its fine china, crystal goblets, silver-plated serving dishes, and multitudes of silverware, it looks like a state dinner at the royal palace. If Uncle Eddie were any other king, I would expect this, but he’s not, he’s Uncle Eddie. He’s the man that played hide-and-go-seek with me and had tea parties in my room. He’s the man that camped in a tent with us in the garden and roasted marshmallows over a fire pit while telling us scary stories. He’s the man that has cold beer from the bottle with my dad while sitting out at the pool.

I catalog everything I know about Sten next. Sten is five years younger than Uncle Eddie. He’s always been kind to us and at times played with us when we were visiting, but he’s not nearly as close to my father as Uncle Eddie is. It’s probably the age difference and the fact that Sten lived a rather charmed and boyish existence. Well, Sten still lives a rather charmed and boyish existence. He’s been the fodder of tabloids for years. He’s a known playboy who always has a new woman on his arm. As second in line to the throne of Montelandia, he is constantly scrutinized. The public has a real love-hate relationship with him. The anti-monarchists were often citing Sten as a reason to dissolve the monarchy. I know Sten had one close relationship years ago, but it’s a bit of mystery why that ended, or at least Uncle Eddie and Daddy never speak of it. I always viewed Sten as a bit of a wild child/wounded bird, but now I’m rethinking everything I know.

“So, this all must be quite a shock for you, Logan,” Sten says as he helps himself to eggs and sausages.

“It’s quite a lot to process,” Logan says.

“Well, I’m happy to talk with you whenever. Give you pointers and such,” Sten says.

“That’s very kind of you,” Logan replies. I want to roll my eyes. Like Sten should be giving anyone pointers on being royal, unless they want to end up on page six. I look over at Auggie, who’s clearly trying to keep from laughing. My father gives him a sharp look, and he pretends to wipe his mouth with his silk napkin, only I think he’s really stifling a chuckle.

This entire meal is completely strange and awkward. My aunt and uncle are silent as they eat. And I wonder why Hans hasn’t tried dominating the conversation yet. He’s known for creating friendly table banter.

I excuse myself as soon as I can, looking at Logan and pleading with him through my gaze. I don’t want him staying here. I don’t want him near Sten. But he only gives me the subtlest shake of his head. I frown and head toward the door.

“Anna?” my father says as I attempt to escape.

I turn and look back at him. “I’d like to see you in my study,” he says and rises, excusing himself as well.

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