Page 123 of Tall, Royal and Grumpy

“I can’t do that. You know I can’t do that, Prince Kai.” I stepped forward but his hands immediately went to my chest and shoulder, holding me back. “I don’t want to escort you away, but I will. So please don’t try to force your way in. She doesn’t need that right now.”

He was right, but it still fucking hurt to hear she didn’t need me. “I just want to see her.”

“I understand.” His voice lost its hard edge. “But she’s shaken, Prince Kai. This was always her worst nightmare and it’s become a real threat, so give her a night to gather herself. She isn’t shutting you out—she asked me to make that clear to you. She just wants some time to figure out the situation.”

But she didn’t have to figure anything out. That was my job. I had made a promise to her. Didn’t she trust that I would keep it?

Even as I asked myself that, I knew that wasn’t it. Esmeralda had it in her head that her problem wasn’t my problem, so she didn’t want me to help her fix it.

I tried to sidestep Shehryar to get closer to the door, but he flexed his elbows, keeping me back. “Prince Kai, I said—”

“I won’t go inside. I only have something to say. And then I’ll leave.”

It didn’t seem like he believed me at first, but after a heavy sigh, he pulled his hands away and stepped to the side. He stayed close like a watchful guard, but he let me move to the door.

“Esmeralda,” I said, pressing my palm and my forehead to the door. “I know you’re listening, so let me remind you that I promised you I was going to fix everything.” I gritted my teeth for a breath. “Rocco found the bug in my room. We found out who did it. Just give me one more day to sort it all out. I promise you, I will make it like it never happened, so you don’t have to worry about anything, Babble. I have it—almost. One more day. Okay? I…”

I love you.

I wanted to say it so badly. The words were on the tip of my tongue, but I bit them back. I didn’t want to use the words as a desperate attempt to convince her to trust me. That wasn’t what they were meant for.

“Good night…”

With what little strength I had left in me, I pushed away from the door and met the hard look in Shehryar’s eyes. “If you have information, I need you to share it with me, Prince Kai.”

“Tomorrow morning. Come to my office. Rocco and I will tell you.”

I knew if I looked towards the door, I was going to try to force my way into Esmeralda’s room, so I turned the other way and dragged my feet back down the corridor. I went to my office again because sleeping in the room it had all happened in just wasn’t a feat I could achieve.

Not that I managed to sleep on the sofa in my office either.

* * *

Kai

I need your help

Kai

Can I come see you tomorrow?

Trevor

What happened? Is everything ok?

Trevor

Should I cancel my meeting?

Kai

No don’t I will come after

Kai

When is it?

Trevor

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