Page 66 of Not-So-Perfect Princess
His words gave her the strength she needed. She knew sailing with Alejandro had been worth it. No matter what the consequences.
Shoulders back. Chin up. Smile.
Jules fell back into the training that had been ingrained in her since she was a little girl. She removed the plastic cap hiding her blond hair.
Goodbye J.V., hello Princess Julianna.
She answered the questions being shouted at her. Alejandro stood next to her the entire time. He downplayed the situation by answering questions as well. She appreciated his efforts. The rest of the crew stayed by her, too, though they looked confused. Phillipe’s brows furrowed. Mike’s mouth gaped. Cody scratched his head. Sam stared at her as if she were a ghost.
But Alejandro’s presence gave her strength. Courage.
A good thing, too. When her father and her fiancé discovered what Jules had done, she was going to need all that and more.
CHAPTER TWELVE
BACK AT THE PALACE, Jules couldn’t stop shaking. Not even a hot shower helped. She put on a conservative pink dress, befitting a princess and future queen. With trembling hands, she applied makeup and styled her hair in an updo.
What was her father going to say? Do about her disobedience?
Yvette fastened a strand of pearls around Jules’s neck. “You look like a proper princess, ma’am.”
She hadn’t been acting like one. “Thank you.”
A knock sounded on her door. Jules’s heart pounded in her ears. She wasn’t ready.
Yvette answered the door. “It’s Prince Brandt, ma’am. He’s here to escort you to the sitting room.”
As soon as Jules stepped into the hallway, her brother hugged her. “Father requests your presence.”
She stepped out of Brandt’s embrace. “Yvette said he arrived like a bull from Pamplona. Snorts and all.”
“I’ve never seen him so angry.” The concern in Brandt’s voice matched her own. “I’m worried what he’ll do.”
She wanted to ease Brandt’s concern even though she was apprehensive, too. “Don’t worry. Father will be…fair.”
At least she hoped so.
“I screwed up.” Brandt hung his head. “Klaus is beside himself for leaving you alone so much.”
Jules touched her brother’s shoulder. Love for him filled her heart. “Neither of you are to blame for this.”
Only her.
She descended the stairs, mindful of each step so she didn’t stumble.
“But if I hadn’t been partying so much—”
“Please, Brandt.” Straightening, Jules composed herself. She couldn’t duck for cover now. “Don’t get in the middle of this.”
It would be bad enough without dragging him or Alejandro into this.
Alejandro.
His name brought a welcome rush of warmth through her cold body. She’d survived the onslaught of questions on the dock with him at her side. If she had the same help tonight…
No, that was too much to ask of him. Her father was too rich, too powerful. He could destroy everything Alejandro worked so hard to build.
The sitting room loomed in front of her like a black hole. She entered with Brandt at her side.
A tense silence filled the air. Alejandro, Enrique, King Dario and her father rose from their seats.
Compassion filled Alejandro’s eyes. He’d shaved, removed his earring and pulled his hair away from his face and secured it at his nape. He looked regal and princely in his suit, dress shirt, tie and leather shoes. Respectable. Her heart squeezed tight. She missed the pirate.
Enrique had dressed similarly. The two men had never looked as much like brothers as tonight. Enrique glared at Alejandro with accusation and a frown on his lips.
She hated knowing she would push the two men farther apart.
Concern clouded King Dario’s face. He pressed his lips together and clasped his hands behind his back. Sweat beaded on his brow.
Her father’s gaze burned with fury. His lips thinned with anger. “How dare you disobey me, Julianna Louise Marie!”
Shoulders back. Chin up.
No way could she smile. Jules looked him in the eyes. She wanted to be strong for Brandt’s and Alejandro’s sake, as much as her own. “I apologize for my actions, sir. I didn’t mean to cause any trouble.”
