Page 30 of Scandal Queen

I rolled my eyes as he led me away. I craned my neck to try to find Daisy, but I had to just believe she’d be okay. She had Nana. We were in the fricking palace for God’s sake. If she couldn’t be safe here, then where would she be?

We went back out of the door we came through. “Does everyone have their own access door to the palace?” We were back out on the gravel.

“No. We’ve not all got our own apartments. But it’s not just my own immediate family that live here. This is the royal London residency. So the Earl of Norfolk uses this as his address, the Duke of Lincoln.”

“Your uncle?”

He lifted his eyebrow. “You know who my uncle is? But he’s a posh person.”

I smacked him on the stomach. “I hate the royals. I don’t live under a rock.”

“Might be an idea not to say you hate the royals once we are through the front door.” I dropped my gaze, mortified.

His family would dislike me even more if they knew how I hated poncy people. He chuckled and dropped a kiss onto my forehead. “But a lot of the residences are through the central entrance. I get special dispensation because…” he trailed off.

“You’re the future king boy.”

“Yes that.” Another kiss. I stumbled over my feet. He laughed loudly. “Please try not to fall over.”

“Would I embarrass you?” I scowled until my forehead hurt.

“No, but it would be remembered forever, and the next thing you’ll be known as Lopsided Leia, or something equally ridiculous.”

My scowl evaporated. His statement pulled my interest but I didn’t have time to ask anything else. The main door to the palace opened as if by magic and Oliver sprung up the steps, pulling me after him. And he wanted me not to fall over?

“Dixon. Thank you.” Oliver spoke to the door, which struck me as odd until an elderly man in full livery stepped out from behind the large door.

“Welcome home, Your Highness.”

“Where is everyone?” Oliver clapped his hands together like he was cold. Surely he couldn’t be? I had sweat dripping from every pore. “In the library? Or are we in the battle rooms drawing up plans?”

Dixon smiled. “Just the library, Sir. Can I get you some refreshments?”

“Scotch please, a bloody large one. Just ice.” Oliver smiled at something. “Leia, my love, what would you like?”

“Uh.”

“Wine? Sherry, tea?” I scrunched my face at the sherry. No thanks.

“Tea please.”

“Perfect, and can I say, Ma’am, a suitable choice for three in the afternoon.”

Oliver laughed and mock punched the older man on the shoulder. “Dixon, I just like to wind you up. Stop making it so easy. I’ll also have tea please. Can you also arrange to have a cream tea for two sent to my rooms?”

“Certainly, Sir.”

“Okay. Here we go.”

“Oh, Sir. Your brother is home.” Dixon’s voice maintained the most professional tone, but I caught the hint of something underneath and looked with more interest at the old man.

“Marvellous,” Oliver’s response crinkled like a dry leaf. He turned to me and sent me a small smile. “Come on, Leia.”

Every step down the luxurious hallways made a rising swell of puke jam its way up my throat. My legs wobbled so much I willingly leant onto Oliver’s arm. Occasionally, he chuckled and kissed the top of my head. I’m sure the artwork on the walls were priceless. I’m sure the antiques lined along the rich carpets were breath-taking. I couldn’t see a damn thing. I walked blind.

“Leia,” Oliver spoke my name softly, cutting through the static. He wheeled us around and pulled me to a stop. “Leia, they are just my family.”

“Who happen to be the King and the Queen.”