Page 34 of His Royal Matchmaker

“Not really. I’ve been avoiding the truth for a long time.” I run a hand through my hair. “The truth is, I don’t know how to be a good partner. I know how to be a good prince. But those might be different things.”

“They don’t have to be,” she says quietly.

“Maybe not. But I need to figure that out before I waste these women’s time.” I gesture to the photos. “They deserve someone who knows what he can offer.”

She studies me for a long moment. “What are you suggesting, exactly?”

“More coaching. Different coaching.” I choose my words carefully. “Less about small talk and more about… how to be agood partner. How to balance duty and personal life.” What I’m really asking for is more time with her, but I can’t say that.

“That’s not typically the service I provide,” she says slowly.

“I understand. And I’m happy to adjust the contract accordingly for more pay.” I hold her gaze. “But I think it would be more honest than pretending I’m ready for the next step.”

She bites into her bottom lip, thinking, and forbidden thoughts race through my mind unbidden. Oh, what I wouldn’t give for a taste of those lips…

“It would delay your timeline for finding a match.”

“I know.”

“And it would require a different approach from me.”

“I understand.”

She sighs. “Can I be frank, Hugo?”

“Please.” My heart flutters at her use of my first name, even though she’s said it plenty of times.

“I think you’re overthinking this. Dating is about getting to know someone. You don’t have to have everything figured out before you start.”

“Maybe not for normal people. But when I date, it’s national news. These women will have expectations. The country will have expectations. I just want to be sure I’m not setting everyone up for disappointment.”

Emily considers this, then nods slowly. “All right. I can adjust our program to include more… personal development before weproceed with second dates.” She gathers up the photos. “I’ll need to redesign our approach.”

Relief floods through me, followed immediately by guilt. Am I manipulating the situation just to spend more time with her? Well… yes. But I also meant what I said about not being ready.

There’s another part to it as well. I still intend on never marrying, and the longer I can draw out our time together, the more likely it is she will have to consider me a lost cause and quit.

“Thank you,” I say. “I appreciate your flexibility.”

“It’s my job to help you find lasting happiness, Hugo. If this is what you need to get there, then that’s what we’ll do.” She closes her portfolio. “Anything else?”

Only everything else.

“I look forward to it.” I smile big.

When she leaves, I return to my office and sink into my chair, feeling both victorious and ashamed. I’ve bought myself more time with Emily, more time to turn this tide in my favor, but at what cost? I’m not being honest with her, and that turns me into someone I do not want to be.

But when I close my eyes, I see her smile again, and that uncomfortable heat blooms in my chest — part excitement, part guilt. I don’t know what I’m doing, but I know I’m not ready to stop doing it yet.

CHAPTER 15

EMILY

By the time my alarm goes off, I’ve already been staring at the ceiling for hours. Sleep abandoned me somewhere between “how to teach a prince to be a good partner” and “why does my heart flutter when he smiles?”

My notebook sits on the nightstand, covered in scribbled relationship advice that looks ridiculous. How am I supposed to teach someone about love when the longest relationship I’ve had lasted three months and ended when he called me “aggressively cheerful”?

For the first time, I’m doubting that I actually know anything about love at all. Sure, I’ve matched people… but do I really understand anything beyond basic, initial chemistry?

---