She just couldn’t think of anything bad to say about the man she loved.
The same man who could still be fucking another woman right this moment.
The thought crippled her, and Willow desperately glanced about her, hoping for something else to talk about. “Do all those belong to the royal family?” She pointed towards the sea, where white sails billowed gently in the wind.
After a slight pause, Serenity answered, “No. Those are actually the sailboats for today’s race.” The lack of inflection in the intern’s voice made Willow relax. Thank God robots weren’t programmed to be curious.
“It’s actually why we needed to schedule the second part of your tour early,” Serenity explained. “Mr. de Konigh thought you’d like to view the race and see how the rest of the royal family interact with the wealthier set of their constituents.”
The offer was a pleasant surprise, and she said sincerely, “I’d love that. Will you and Mr. de Konigh be attending, too?”
Serenity nodded. “One of the princes – Mr. de Konigh’s cousin – will be racing, but Mr. de Konigh himself never takes part as a competitor. His role is purely organizational and we’ll be on his yacht, where the VIPs will be viewing the race.” A pause. “Mr. Manolis has also been invited to the race as well as Ms. Mendel.”
“I see.” Her two favorite words as of today.
Serenity said briskly, “Shall we continue with the tour?” This time, the intern walked even faster than usual, and it was almost as if the intern was helping Willow outrun her misery. It mostly worked, since Willow was too busy huffing and puffing between jotting down notes to think about Stavros and what he was doing.
Today’s tour focused on the palace’s north wing, which was where all the communal areas were located. They finished at a quarter past seven, with Serenity giving her half an hour to change and prepare whatever she needed for the race.
“I’ll only need ten,” she promised.
“How impressive,” the blonde robot said politely.
Still no thaw in sight, Willow thought as she raced back to the west wing. The moment she reached her floor, her heart started beating hard, and a bubble of hysterical laughter threatened to escape her lips.
God, the way she was acting, it was almost like she was about to enter a haunted house.
Stupid, stupid, stupid.
She pressed a hand to her heart as she passed Stavros’ room. A large part of her expected to hear it any second, some undesirable sound that indicated they weren’t…finished.
No sound emerged, but even so, her heart kept beating madly, and Willow was only able to stop holding her breath when she got to her room and practically collapsed against the door.
Her eyes squeezed shut.
Stavros, you goddamn owe me for this.
This time she couldn’t stop it, a bubble of hysterical laughter slipping past her lips.
****
A prompt ten minutes later, Willow hurried down the palace’s private boardwalk. She caught sight of Willem de Konigh first, dressed with his usual impeccable elegance in a white shirt and chinos. He stood next to a plank walk that led to what Willow assumed was his yacht, a magnificent white beauty with his family name shining brilliantly in gold letters on the side. He was talking to someone on the phone while Serenity waited behind him. A light breeze made the intern’s pretty blonde locks dance behind her back. The younger woman had changed into a navy blue dress with a cute white collar and a striped skirt.
Sailor Barbie in life, Willow thought grumpily. She was about to call out to the intern when Serenity turned towards her employer, and what Willow saw on the girl’s face made her lips form an ‘O’ of surprise.
She knew that look.
She knew because Willow saw it on her own face whenever she looked in the mirror and thought about Stavros.
That look was of a girl hopelessly in love.
“Shit.” The expletive slipped out of her, and both Willem and Serenity turned towards her. Something on Willow’s face might have given her thoughts away because Serenity suddenly appeared horrified.
Meeting her halfway, Serenity said tightly, “Please don’t tell him.”
Before Willow could answer, Willem asked from behind, “Don’t tell whom what, Serenity?” Sliding his phone back into his pocket, the Dutch prince gave them a curious glance.
A frozen look of horror appeared on Serenity’s face.
Willow hurriedly pitched in, “It’s about yesterday’s run in, sir.”
“Ah.” Willem’s lips compressed. “That was unfortunate. I’m sure my intern has already apologized on my behalf, but I’d like to say sorry all the same.”