Page 2 of Royally Tempted
Just for one night, I’d like to be someone else. Someone who can do whatever she desires.
“I’m not leaving. I’m just taking some air.”
Laela’s dark eyebrows rise. “But, Highness! You aren’t dressed!”
I smooth a hand over my hair, the only thing about me that is similar to my mother. Whereas my brothers are dark like our father, my hair is a light, golden brown. I had a nurse once who said it was the color of honey and matched my unusual eyes. My mother’s hair is pure blonde, of course, but mine is almost pretty, with streaks of blonde and brown. Normally, I wear it back in a chignon, but as I haven’t started getting ready for the tea, it’s down, the heavy weight rippling around my shoulders.
“This is fine. I’m not going to encounter anyone. This part of the hotel is off-limits while we’re here.”
Alexandra folds her arms across her chest. “You can’t go out like that.”
I glance in the mirror. I’m wearing a light green sundress that wraps in the front, gently hugging my waist before flaring out into what I imagine would be a twirly skirt, if I ever took the time to twirl in it. I adjust the soft material around my cleavage, ruefully noting the way the dress highlights my ample cleavage.Princess Plump, indeed.Although, as I just said, I’m not going to run into anyone here and I need a few minutes to myself where I don’t have to be on guard.
“I am. And you’re going to stay here, or I’ll tell my brother about the sapphire choker you and Laela signed out to my jewelry detail, even though I know it’s not in the safe.”
Alexandra’s cheeks flush and Laela’s mouth drops open. “Highness, we would never—”
I raise my hand. “You would. And you have. And I don’t care, but you will let me have a few minutes to myself, yes? Perhaps there is a dress you haven’t inspected, or some gossip on TikTok that you’ve missed?” I turn on my heel and exit the dressing room as quickly as I can. Years of dodging nannies, nurses and guards have made me attuned to the slightest noise and I manage to actually leave the suite without running into anyone. I breathe a sigh of relief into the empty hallway. Finally.
The plush carpet cushions my sandals as I walk towards the window at the end of the hall. I’m not sure what I’m looking for, but I want a glimpse of the real city. I want to sit in the park with a coffee and people-watch. I want to pet a dog. I want to get a slice of pizza from some tiny counter and get lectured to by an old Italian man about which crust is the best crust.
I’d settle for the warmth of sunshine on my face.
I’m always on the inside looking out.
The soft ding of the elevator sounds behind me. I panic, darting into the alcove next to the window and come up against a heavy door. On instinct, I push it open, half expecting an alarm, but it’s silent. Holding my breath, I slide through, my heart racing at the murmur of voices coming down the hall. I back up, my eyes on the door, until I back right into a very hard, very warm, wall.
