Page 2 of A Royal Promise
Once they were outdoors, Drew inhaled the crisp air. Spring was his favorite time of year, especially as the season slowly transitioned to summer. He loved the cooler temperatures and the scent of blooming flowers on the breeze.
“I could just live here forever.” Clarissa sighed and leaned her head against his shoulder.
Real subtle.
“I’m lucky to call it home.” Drew was always careful to not say anything that might lead her on, but it was hard at times to ride that line between being kind and encouraging her advances.
As a prince, certain things were expected of him. He had to know Glencrest’s laws and policies like the back of his hand. He had to make public appearances and speeches at various events. His parents—and the whole country—expected him to always appear calm, cool, and collected, even when his patience and kindness were stretched to their limits.
All he wanted to do right now was hike the trails in the woods—the trails he knew from memory. Bonus points if Bri was joining him.
Instead, he was held to a tortoise’s pace with Clarissa leaning on him while her heels repeatedly sank into the dirt path.
“Ugh,” she huffed, pulling him to another stop as her manicured nails dug into his arm. “The hem of my dress is getting dirty.” Clarissa bent over and bunched the bottom half of her dress over her arm. “This is awful. My poor Louboutins will never be the same.”
He bit back an eye roll. Bri would never complain about a little dirt. She would be the one begging him to go outside, already wearing athletic gear and her favorite hiking shoes.
“Sorry to hear that,” he gritted out the words.Maybe you shouldn’t wear expensive heels outside.
For the rest of their walk, he attempted to clear his mind, pretending the person hanging off his arm was Bri.
Thankfully, Clarissa and her parents decided to return home after their jaunt in the woods. Drew was grateful for a quiet dinner with his parents. As an only child, he used to hate how lonely a dinner for three felt when there was no one else his age to talk to. As an adult, he found it peaceful, especially after a day like today.
He approached the entry to the family dining room, but whispers around the open door made him pause.
“Do you think he’s going to buy that?” he heard his father ask.
Drew didn’t want to eavesdrop, so he stepped into the room.
“I’m sure he—” His mother’s words cut off as Drew joined them at the table. “Oh, hello, darling. You’re early.”
“Like you always taught me, punctuality is key.” He looked between his parents. “Am I interrupting something?”
“Not at all.” She took a long drink of water.
“I thought I heard you mention someone buying something?”
His father opened his mouth to speak, but his mother leaned over and placed a hand on his arm. After clearing her throat, she said, “We didn’t know how many flower arrangements you would want to buy for the palace from the upcoming Spring Fling carnival. I hear the schools will have multiple flower booths to raise money for their arts programs.”
He took a seat across from his mother. “We could always buy what doesn’t sell.”
Her eyes lit up. “What an excellent idea.” She turned to her husband. “You’ll let the staff know?”
“Of course, dear.” He motioned for a palace server to retrieve their meal.
Steaming bowls of beef stew were placed before them, and they conversed about their day as they ate. When they’d mostly finished eating, his mother looked at her husband before shifting in her seat and turning her gaze to him.
“Drew, your father and I have to talk to you about something important.”
His back straightened, and his attention heightened. “What’s wrong? Are you okay?”
“Sorry, that wasn’t the best way to lead in.” She smiled softly at him. “We’re both fine.”
Drew’s shoulders relaxed a little as his father cleared his throat.
“We know you’re knowledgeable about Glencrest’s laws and policies, and you’ve put so much effort and hard work into learning how to run this country. But we also want you to have fun and live your life. You’ve never seriously dated anyone. You spend all your free time with Brielle, and we love her, but you need to think about the future of your country,” his father said and then ate the last bite of his stew, as if this was just a typical dinner table conversation.
Drew sighed in exasperation, spinning the friendship bracelet from Bri on his wrist. It was tattered, and the once vibrant blue and green threads were faded from having been worn every day for over a decade. But he refused to take it off, because it was the first gift Bri had ever given him. “What do you expect me to do? Stop hanging out with her? We’ve been best friends for sixteen years.”
