Page 47 of His Royal Matchmaker

“I want a partner,” I say finally. “Not just a suitable match on paper. Someone I can talk to at the end of difficult days. Someone who understands the importance of this position but reminds me I’m still human.”

Her expression is unreadable. “Then let’s find that for you in Paris.”

“So you’ll come?”

She nods, but holds up a finger. “On one condition. You give each meeting your genuine attention. You open yourself to possibilities. Because if this trip is like the events we’ve had here — if you go through the motions while keeping everyone at arm’s length — then I’m done. I’ll fulfill my contract through the end of the month, then I’m going back to LA.”

The ultimatum lands heavy in my stomach, the thought of Emily leaving forever making my chest tight in a way I’m not ready to examine.

“Understood.” I extend my hand formally, as if we’re sealing a diplomatic agreement rather than a personal one. “I promise to be open, engaged, and serious about finding a connection.”

Her hand meets mine, warm and firm. That same electric current I always feel with her shoots up my arm, but I ignore it. I have to.

“Then we have a deal, Your Highness.” She releases my hand and steps away.

“Good. You’ll travel with the royal delegation, on my family’s jet.” I return to business mode, the comfortable mask I’ve perfected. “We leave tomorrow morning at eight.”

Emily nods and gathers her things, but at the door she pauses. “For what it’s worth, I do want you to find happiness, Hugo. That’s always been the goal. And not just because it’s my job.”

After she leaves, I stand at the window, watching as she crosses the palace courtyard below. The sunlight catches her hair again, and even from this distance, something about her pulls at me.

I’ve made a promise to take this Paris trip seriously, to open myself to finding a suitable royal match. And I will. PerhapsEmily and my mother are starting to break me, or perhaps I am simply coming to see that my mother and my advisors are right. Marriage is the logical next step for me.

But as I watch Emily disappear from view, I wonder if I’ve made a promise I can’t keep — if finding the perfect princess is even possible when my thoughts are filled with the woman who’s supposed to be helping me look.

Three days in Paris. Three days to save my working relationship with Emily, even if it means burying whatever else might exist between us.

Perhaps it was all a silly fantasy anyway, and it is time to come back to reality, to come back to my duty. Once Emily returns home, she will forget about me and move forward with her life.

If I know what is best for me, I should do the same.

CHAPTER 19

EMILY

The chandeliers above me sparkle like captured stars, throwing light across a sea of designer gowns and perfectly tailored tuxedos. I adjust the strap of my silver dress — the one that I bought just for tonight — and wonder again if coming on this trip was a good idea.

The more time we spend together, the more confusing Hugo is. One minute I think I have him figured out, only for him to suddenly throw another curveball my way.

I spot him across the ballroom, a head taller than most guests, his hair combed and styled back. He laughs at something the Japanese ambassador says, the sound genuine but controlled. We haven’t interacted much so far on this trip, but only because he’s been busy. I’m hoping the women I have my eyes on will be here tonight so I can make introductions.

I mean… I think I’m hoping they’ll be here. Or maybe I don’t want them to be here at all?

“More champagne, mademoiselle?” A waiter appears at my elbow.

“No, thank you,” I say, forcing my attention away from Hugo.

The room feels oddly hot, so many bodies packed into it, so much chatter, too many thoughts and not enough quiet.

Pressing my fingers to my throbbing temples, I head in search of water. After finding it and downing a whole glass, I linger by a window and watch the cars down below pass by. For some reason I can’t put my finger on, I suddenly feel horribly lost and without meaning in my life.

Odd. That’s not me at all. I know who I am, know what I contribute to the world. I’m?—

“Emily.” Hugo appears out of nowhere. “I was wondering where you’d disappeared to.”

“Just observing.” I force myself to smile, though I still feel all twisted up inside. “That’s part of my job.”

He leans down slightly, his voice dropping. “And what have you observed? Any potential queens in the vicinity?” There’s a touch of teasing in his tone that makes my stomach flutter.

---