Page 29 of His Runaway Princess

A knock on his door made him look up. “Good morning, Samuel.”

Samuel took a seat across Ryker’s desk from him. “How are you, Drasil?”

Ryker gave half a shrug. “I’m fine. Glad the princess is home safely.”

“Was there a real danger to Princess Johanne?” Samuel watched him carefully.

He gave a singular nod. “I believe there was. The man in question never got close to her that I’m aware of, but he definitely watched her more closely than someone should have.”

“Did anything inappropriate happen?”

Ryker’s eyes narrowed. “What exactly are you insinuating?”

Saddois gave the same half-shrug Ryker had. “I’m not insinuating anything, but she’s a beautiful woman.”

“And I’m fully capable of seeing her as a person, first and foremost. Then second, as someone who needed protecting.”

“Someone from the country where we get many tourists?” Something in Saddois tone irritated Ryker, though he couldn’t quite put his finger on why.

“I would have done something similar on the ferry no matter who the drunk guy was bothering. I would have noticed and done what I could. Everything that came later likely would have been unnecessary.”

Saddois gave Ryker a look he couldn’t decipher then stood. “I’m sure anything that needs to come out will come out in the investigation.”

Ryker just watched as Saddois left then got back to work. Another hour passed before a notification popped up. He secured his paperwork then locked his office before going to the executive conference room near the king’s office.

When he entered, he bowed to the king where he sat at the end of the table.

“Please, join us.” King Benjamin motioned to the chair to one side of him. Across the table sat Chamberlain, the king’s chief of staff, and Justin, as head of security.

Ryker waited a couple of seconds for the king to start speaking but when the king didn’t, he decided to say something. “What can I do for you, sir?”

The king tilted his head toward the other end of the table. “Someone else wanted to speak with you.”

Turning to look, Ryker found the meeting being video conferenced, and on the screen appeared the king of Øyanord, Princess Amalia’s grandfather.

“Good morning, sir.” Ryker tipped his head toward the other king. “How may I serve you today?”

The other king inclined his head in acknowledgment. “Good day, Mr. Drasil. My wife, my daughter, my son-in-law, and I would like to convey our heartfelt gratitude for your assistance to and protection of my granddaughter in Ravenzario.”

Ryker bowed his head again. “It was my pleasure, sir. I’m glad I was in the right place at the right time.”

“We will, of course, repay you for your actions. Please see that someone Benjamin designates gets the figures for what you need to be reimbursed. Be certain to include any lost wages or expenses due to the change in your travel arrangements, as well as your own clothing and other supplies that you purchased when you didn’t have your luggage.”

“Yes, sir.” The actual amount wasn’t that much in the scheme of things, far less than any ransom demand would have been but being reimbursed still struck Ryker as wrong on some level.

King Benjamin answered before Ryker could. “Chamberlain will send that information as soon as Mr. Drasil can get it to him. I have instructed my team to be certain there is no lost wages for Mr. Drasil. He was fulfilling his duties as we would expect him to under the circumstances.”

The other king nodded his agreement. “Then there is a matter of non-monetary rewards. You provided a great service to Øyanord, Mr. Drasil. Insofar as it would not conflict with the laws and regulations of your home country, we would like to bestow upon you the Order of the Dragon for service above and beyond the call of duty.”

Ryker blinked. “That is truly unnecessary, sir, but insofar as it is possible within the legalities and regulations of my country, I would be honored.”

* * *

The meetingbetween her grandfather and Ryker had been over for more than two hours before Amalia learned it would be happening.

So much for her chance to be there and convey her thanks as herself.

She’d only known Ryker for a few days. Why should she miss him? And even if she should miss him, should she miss himthismuch?

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