Page 61 of A Royal Promise
The rest of the day, Bri watched the tournament unfold. Drew observed the game when he could, but his attention kept being drawn to her instead.
Her outfit today was very feminine—the perfect look for being in the public eye. His heartbeat picked up as he watched her fiddle with the pleats in her skirt during tense moments in the match.
Moreno was up five sets to four, and he was one point away from winning the final game needed to win the sixth set. If he won, he would set a new record for consecutive wins of the French Open. But even though history was about to be made, Drew’s gaze was pulled back to Bri as she watched in awe.
He was so attracted to her he was surprised he didn’t look like the heart-eyes emoji every time he was around her. It didn’t matter what she did or what she wore…it was simplyherhe was attracted to. As the crowd around them cheered, Drew clappedpolitely, but it was the twinkle in Bri’s eyes and excitement written all over her face when she turned to him, offering a high five, that truly made him smile. Drew felt like he was the real winner of the French Open.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Bri
There it was again. Bri ducked beneath the large window near the living room. For the second time this evening, she’d heard a series of clicking sounds outside, eerily similar to the snapping of a camera. She thought she was just hearing things the first time it happened, but now Bri knew she hadn’t been mistaken.
She sat on the ground and pulled out her phone. After opening theRoyal Inquisitornews app, the first headline she saw made her stomach drop.
Princess Brielle Now Residing at Hillside Cottage.
From skimming the article, she discovered a “close source to the royal family” had shared she was living in Glencrest at one of the palace’s properties before the wedding. She knew it wasn’t likely someone from the paparazzi had made their way onto the palace grounds without catching the attention of a guard, so whoever was taking photos of her cottage right now had to be someone they knew—someone who wouldn’t be questioned walking around the palace in the evening.
When she heard the same sound a third time from her spot beneath the window, Bri attempted to call Bastian. He didn’t answer, so she clicked open her text thread with Drew. She couldn’t help but smirk as she reread his space fact from this morning.
Drew: Did you know that if you could fly a plane to Pluto, the trip would take more than 800 years?
She had no idea how someone would estimate such a thing because it seemed impossible for a plane to last that long. Bri shook her head. She needed to focus and message Drew.
Bri: Hey, I know you’re probably busy and getting ready to relax for the evening, but I think someone is outside my cottage taking pictures. Bastian didn’t answer my call, and I wasn’t sure who else to reach out to.
Drew’s response popped up within seconds.
Drew: Stay inside. Coming with backup.
A few minutes later, Bri heard sounds outside. She moved onto her knees and peeked out the window, spotting five figures running toward the cottage, backlit by the setting sun behind them. Her body immediately filled with relief as she recognized Drew’s figure leading the group.
She rose from her spot and walked to the front door, opening it as Drew raised his hand to knock. He rushed to her, pulling her into his chest in a crushing hug.
“Are you all right?” He ran his hands up and down her arms as he searched her eyes.
She saw so much care and concern in his gaze that Bri immediately felt safe and comforted.
“Yeah, I honestly thought I was hearing things the first time, but when it happened again, I knew there had to be someone out there.”
“Did you see a person or a figure? Someone you could describe to the guards?”
She shook her head. “I ducked below the window so they wouldn’t get any photos of me.” Bri looked at the wood flooring. “Did you see theRoyal Inquisitorarticle this afternoon?”
“No, I was in meetings all day. What happened?”
Bri showed him the article on her phone. “It explains why someone was here, but I also feel like it had to be a person the guards wouldn’t have stopped. I don’t think someone would get this far onto the palace grounds without a guard’s permission.”
Before Drew could respond, three palace guards gathered around her front door, along with Bastian.
The head guard spoke first. “We’ve secured the perimeter, Your Highness. Some footprints near the window appeared to fit the shoe size of an average female, but we didn’t spot any individuals around the premises or the surrounding trees.”
Drew nodded curtly before turning to Bastian, whose lips were pressed into a firm line. “Tonight was my night off, but I won’t leave my post again until they discover who was here.” His eyes took on a steely determination. He turned to Bri. “I’m so sorry I missed your call, Your Highness. I assure you it won’t happen again.”
“I appreciate your dedication to keeping my fiancée safe.” Drew clapped Bastian on the shoulder before pulling his group of guards aside, whispering orders to them Bri was unable to hear. When Drew walked back to her, his cheeks were flushed, and his chest visibly puffed, like he was breathing deeply.
She wrapped her arms around his waist. “I’m fine. You don’t need to worry about me.”
