Page 68 of Not-So-Perfect Princess
“It’s not. I knew what I was getting myself into, Father.” Jules stared up at her father, who towered over her with a face full of contempt. “I was so desperate for a taste of freedom, I allowed my desire to override everything else. Alejandro’s not to blame. It’s my fault. But I have no regrets over what I have done.”
The affection and pride in Alejandro’s eyes made her heart want to dance and sing. Whatever consequence she faced would be worth it. If she hadn’t disobeyed, she would never have gotten to know him, kiss him and fall in love with him.
“Your stepmother worked so hard to turn you into a proper Aliestlian princess.” Her father spoke with disdain. “But you have always been too much like your mother.”
Jules smiled. “Thank you, Father.”
His nostrils flared. “It isn’t a compliment.”
Her smile didn’t waver. She would cherish the words no matter what fate had in store for her. “It is to me, sir.”
The wrinkles on her father’s forehead deepened. He stared at her with a look of bewilderment then turned his attention to King Dario. “I trusted you with my most prized possession. You promised she would be safe, yet you allowed this to happen.”
“We had no idea she was sailing.” King Dario sounded contrite.
“Her well-being is our number one priority,” Enrique added.
Jules hated how they spoke as if she wasn’t present. “I’m right here, gentlemen.”
Alaric ignored her. “If that’s the case, how come no one noticed she was missing from the palace? Not even her fiancé?”
“I’ve been busy with work and wedding plans,” Enrique answered hastily.
Alaric’s lips snarled. “Wedding plans are women’s work.”
Enrique flinched.
“My brother had no idea because he works nonstop as crown prince. He would have no reason to suspect anything was amiss because Julianna didn’t allow the sailing to affect her obligations as his fiancée,” Alejandro explained. “There was no harm done.”
“No harm?” Her father’s ruddy complexion reddened more. “Her blatant disobedience has thrown Aliestle into chaos. A small feminist movement has taken her participation in the race and run with it. They are holding rallies across the land and protesting for equal rights. It’s disgusting.”
No, it was progress. The kind of change Jules wanted to influence in her country. Satisfaction flowed through her.
Approval gleamed in Alejandro’s eyes. He knew what this meant to her.
She smiled at him.
He smiled back.
“This situation is completely out of hand and unacceptable,” Alaric announced. “I’m canceling the marriage contract.”
Panic clawed into her heart. Jules didn’t want to return to Aliestle. She wanted to stay on the island with Alejandro.
What now? Did she dare defy her father again?
As the king’s words echoed through the room, Alejandro stared at Julianna. The distress on her face twisted his insides.
Emotions clamored in his heart, demanding to be acknowledged. Not respect or attraction or friendship. Deep feelings. Intense feelings. Ones that scared him.
Not love. He knew better than to fall in love. This had to be…something else.
Still his hand itched to reach out to take hold of Julianna. He wanted to protect her from the fallout and make everything better.
Brandt cleared his throat. “Father, please—”
“This does not concern you,” Alaric said through clenched teeth.
But it concerned Alejandro. He wanted to punch King Alaric in the nose and free her from this tyranny. But that wasn’t what Julianna wanted him to do. And it certainly wouldn’t help her with her father. In fact, acting out the fury balling in his gut would cause more trouble for his own family.
Alejandro’s frustration rose.
If she returned to Aliestle, her sense of duty would lead her to marry whatever nobleman her father picked out.
Alejandro couldn’t allow that to happen. She had to stay on the island. No matter what. “Your Majesty, if I may…”
King Alaric glared at him. “Haven’t you done enough already?”
“Sire.” The old-fashioned word felt weird coming off Alejandro’s tongue, but perhaps it would resonate with the misguided and medieval King Alaric. “Julianna needs to remain on La Isla de la Aurora.”
