Page 51 of Not-So-Perfect Princess
Jules entered the office. “I’ve hardly seen you this week.”
She preferred sailing with Alejandro or her own company to being with Enrique. But she needed to make sure their marriage started out on a solid footing even if he saw her as nothing more than his royal broodmare and arm candy.
“True, but I’ve been thinking about you.” Enrique smiled, but the gesture seemed to be more of an effort to placate her. “You must understand, my princess. There is much work to attend to.”
“Yes, you have been busy.” She wanted him to show her she hadn’t misjudged him. She wanted him to do something to make her want to be with him the way she wanted to be with Alejandro. “Will you be joining us for dinner tonight?”
Enrique hadn’t eaten with them the past four nights. Not even her father worked that much, and he was king. Aliestle was a small country, but wealthier and more influential than this island.
“I regret missing dinners.” Enrique motioned to the papers on his desk. “But I am working more now so I can take a few days off after the wedding.”
I, not we. Disappointment weighed her down. For their marriage to work, she needed Enrique to meet her halfway. “Just a few days for our honeymoon?”
He nodded. “I can’t afford to be away any longer.”
“I understand.” Look at the bright side, Jules thought. They hadn’t spent any time alone. Whenever they attended an official event, a security detail and the press accompanied them. And each time they were together, Enrique managed to irritate her more. A short honeymoon might be best. “Duty first.”
He sat. “Your sense of duty appeals to me, Julianna.”
Her obedience was second only to her dowry.
Stay positive. Enrique might want to lead her around like a champion show dog on a leash, but their daughters could be doctors and lawyers if they were raised on La Isla de la Aurora. Jules forced a smile. “Thank you.”
“How is the wedding planning coming along?” he asked.
The question struck her as odd. Enrique made most of the decisions about the royal wedding. Either he was trying to be polite or he thought her that clueless. Neither boded well. But she kept her pride in check. “The wedding coordinators seem to have everything in hand. But I manage to keep myself…occupied.”
Her day started at 3:00 a.m. in preparation for the morning sails. Jules returned to the palace for more sleep before heading to town to make appearances and attend functions.
“I love going into the capital,” she admitted.
The coastal town looked like something from a postcard with its pastel buildings with tiled roofs, the coffee shops with umbrella covered tables and the open-air markets where people could buy everything from fresh fish to vegetables. Businesses closed in the afternoon for siesta. The relaxed pace reminded her of Alejandro.
Don’t think about him now.
“The people are charming,” she added.
The citizens of La Isla de la Aurora embraced their Spanish heritage. They spoke English and Spanish with ease often mixing the two languages. Wherever she went, smiles greeted her. The genuine warmth of the people touched her heart. Jules felt accepted here in a way she’d never felt back home. That gave her another reason for wanting this marriage to work. She liked living on the island.
“You’ve been tired lately,” he said with what sounded like a hint of concern. She was surprised he’d noticed.
“A little.” Jules made do with what sleep she could squeeze in. “I’m working hard to learn my new role.”
Here at the palace and on the boat.
“You’re doing well.” He sounded pleased. “I saw your picture in the paper this morning. You were at the hospital.”
She nodded. “I enjoy visiting the patients, especially the children. There’s this little boy. His name is—”
“Stop visiting the hospital until after the wedding,” he interrupted. “You could catch a nasty germ there.”
“I’m sure you wouldn’t want to get sick.” The words slipped out.
“That’s for certain.”
She swallowed a sigh. Once again he was only concerned about himself. “I’m just tired, Enrique. Don’t be concerned about catching germs, I’m healthy.”
