That man was gorgeous, so freaking gorgeous, and the way he looked at me drove me crazy. He looked at me like he was starving or something like that, but like he’s also in total control of the situation. He looks like a man that’s used to getting what he wants. Even when I tried to rattle him a little bit, which of course is a very stupid thing to do here, he didn’t take the bait. It only seemed to make him smile more.
I don’t know what I’m doing, playing games with the nobility here. I don’t even speak the language. I shouldn’t be pressing my luck. I need to keep my head down and do my work until I have enough money to get home.
Even as I move on and get back to work, the image of that incredibly handsome man lingers in my mind. I can’t stop thinking about him all day long.
3
Nolan
The castle has changed since the last time I lived here. It’s been maybe ten years since I last took a room here. I went straight to my old spot, but I quickly realized that the nobility has moved on to a different part of the castle in the meantime.
My seclusion was only underscored and highlighted when a maid stumbled in on me changing. She clearly didn’t realize that someone was staying in that room. Not that I minded, really, since she was fucking gorgeous. I loved the way she stared at me. Those deep green eyes, that long, thick brown hair, it made me very, very interested.
But when I found out that she’s American, I know that I have to get to know her a little bit better. Maybe coming back to the castle won’t be so bad after all. Looks like I’ll have at least one fun game to play amidst all this bullshit.
But I don’t have time for that, not yet at least. Once I’m dressed, I head through the old familiar corridors. I can hear people whispering behind my back as I go, but that doesn’t bother me. The return of the rightful prince after all this time must be a nice little sensation for the staff, but I’m only here for one reason.
I’m here to get my crown.
I head down the steps and stop outside of an ornate door. The plaque on the wall reads Andrew Schmid, Second Steward which just makes me grin enormously. I knock once before opening and stepping inside.
Andrew looks up from his desk and a smile breaks out across his face. Andrew is my age, and I’ve known him since I was a little kid. We’ve been friends for a very, very long time, and he’s the son of the castle steward. Now that he’s the second steward, he has some serious responsibilities around this place, and I haven’t been able to see him that often in the last few years. But we’ve always kept in touch, and I still consider him one of my closest friends.
“You’re really back,” he says to me, standing.
“Well, you know how it is,” I answer, shutting the door behind me. “When I hear that I may be losing my crown, I have to head home.”
Andrew winces a little bit. “That shouldn’t have leaked,” he says to me.
“So it’s true?” I frown at him, shaking my head.
“Not yet,” he says. “Your father is going to name Julian the Marshall of the Air Force, but he’s stopping short of actually naming him Crown Prince.”
I clench my jaw. Marshall of the Air Force is mostly a ceremonial title, but for the last hundred years, it has gone along with the title of Crown Prince. It technically doesn’t have to, but that’s just been the way things have gone.
“That bastard,” I say. “Were you going to tell me?”
“Yes,” he says. “When I knew it was real. I only heard it confirmed today.”
I shake my head and pace in front of his desk. “He’s really going to do it,” I say.
“I don’t know,” Andrew answers, a little nervous. “But don’t get worked up, Nolan. You’re here now. You can do something about it.”
“What can I do?” I ask angrily, turning on him.
He hesitates a moment. “Nolan, I’m not the enemy here.”
I take a deep breath and sigh. “I know. I’m sorry.”
He stands and comes around the desk. “I can help you, Nolan. But you have to be willing to play the game.”
“It’s why I’m here,” I say, a little grudgingly.
He puts his hand on my shoulder. “I’m glad you’re here, then. You’ve been away too long. You let your father forget about you.”
“Speaking of that. When can I see him?”
Andrew hesitates and drops his hand. “Soon,” he says.
“Soon?” I raise an eyebrow. “I need an appointment to see my own father now?”
“No,” he says. “He’s just in meetings right now. As soon as he’s out, you can have his ear.”