I just shook my head. Dad was waiting for us when we pulled up. I could see him peeking out the side window. Since there were people following us, Duvall and Becca escorted me into the house. I hugged Dad and then introduced him to my shadows.
“Nice to meet you. Would you like something to drink?” Dad smiled at Duvall and Becca, who both declined.
I threw my box of books on the floor and sat down on the couch. Dad nodded his head and sat across from me. “You’re going?”
“Yeah.” I sighed, knowing he would probably put up a fight, but I was ready. “You’re coming with me.”
“Sam, I’m in the middle of chemo. I can’t just leave.”
“We’ll talk to your doctor and figure out what to do.” I sat up and looked him in the eye. “Have you been to Lilaria?”
“No.” Dad shook his head.
“There’s no time like the present.” I knew he loved to travel and damn it, if he was going to be okay with whatever happened, then he might as well live a little in the meantime.
“I may have to wait until after the last round of chemo.” He leaned forward and patted my knee. “But if you want me to come, I’ll come after that.”
I didn’t like it. I wanted him to meet with the specialist right away, but I understood he would be better off finishing what he started. “I might have to go before that. The duchess made it sound like I only had a few days.”#p#分页标题#e#
“Then go! I’ll be fine. Patricia will take me to my appointments.”
“Just call me cabby, why don’t you?” Patricia hollered from the kitchen. She leaned against the doorframe, a dish towel in her hand. “You’re going to Lilaria?”
I nodded my head. It still didn’t feel real. The entire last few days felt dreamlike. Especially the part where I had been plastered against Alex before sticking my foot in my mouth. Well, the foot in my mouth part felt pretty real. I’d been doing that my whole life.
“Good! Don’t you worry about your dad. I’ll keep him in line.”
“Samantha, the duchess said she would be free in an hour.” Duvall stepped forward. “Should I tell her you are coming?”
“Yes.” I pulled my phone out of my pocket and checked the time. “Where is she?”
“She’s at the Parallel.”
I glanced down at my clothes and sighed. I had worn jeans and a sweater, but it would have to do. There wasn’t enough time to go back to my house, change, and make it to the hotel.
“Okay. I’ll have to go like this.” I turned back to my dad and wrapped my arms around him. “You call the doctor today and tell him you’re going to be moving to Lilaria. Tell him you need all your charts for Dr. Bielefeld, okay?”
“Samantha, I’m sick, not stupid.” Dad kissed my forehead.
“Yeah, yeah. Don’t forget.” I laughed as I pulled my coat back on. How long had I been here? Five minutes? Six? Is this how life would be once I accepted the family title?
“Be careful.”
“Love you.” I smiled at him over my shoulder as I followed Duvall back to the car. The news crews were still setting up, obviously expecting me to be there longer than the amount of time it took to say hello.
“Love you too.”
Becca pulled the door closed behind us and we left for the Parallel.
Reluctant Royal
—Lilarian Gazette
The hotel was busy, guests checking in and out, people meeting for lunch or relaxing in the lobby. When we pulled up, the doorman opened the car door and Becca exited first. He smiled at her before looking at me. When he realized I was in the car as well, his whole demeanor changed. He bowed his head a little and made a sweeping gesture with his hand.
I looked at Becca to see if this guy was serious but she just smirked. As I walked past him, I realized he was the same guy who had been on duty the night I’d met the duchess and Alex for dinner. I squashed my urge to demand if he had been the one to sell photos to the press and walked past him with just a mumbled thank you.
Inside, Duvall and Becca took us in an elevator to the penthouse. I found myself wondering if Alex would be there and tried to calm my racing heart. I wanted to see him, to tell him I was sorry again, but wasn’t sure if that would be a welcome thing or not. There was a short hallway outside the elevator that led to a large double door. Duvall knocked and we waited until another suit clad person opened the door.
“Samantha!” Rose stood up from a small desk next to the windows and walked over to me. She kissed my cheek and squeezed my shoulders. “So good to see you.”