Page 71 of Not-So-Perfect Princess
But the lack of emotion on her face and her lifeless eyes bothered him. Concerned, he turned toward her. “Jul—”
“There’s no reason for you to remain at the palace, Alejandro.” King Dario interrupted him with a pointed glare. “Return to your villa and prepare for tomorrow’s race.”
Alejandro didn’t want to leave. He wanted to stay near Julianna. “I don’t mind staying here.”
“Go.” His father touched his shoulder. “Keep your distance until the wedding.”
Julianna didn’t glance Alejandro’s way. He knew why.
She’d put her princess mask back on.
He wanted to reach out to her, to shake some sense into her, but he couldn’t. He’d pushed aside his own feelings to help her be a proper princess again. A mistake, probably.
But that was what she needed. More than she needed him.
Alejandro had to let Julianna go so she could fulfill the royal duty that was so important to her. She wouldn’t disappear from his life. She would disappear into being his distant sister-in-law. Thinking about it now, having her leave the island might have been easier to deal with.
“Perhaps you should stay away after the wedding, too,” King Alaric said. “I’ll see to it you’re well compensated, Alejandro.”
His temper flared. He wasn’t about to allow Julianna’s father to pay him off to stay away. “That isn’t necessary, sir. I know my place.”
“You’re now free from your royal obligations, my son,” Dario announced. “I know this is what you’ve always wanted.”
Alejandro nodded. But he didn’t feel any relief. No happiness. “Thank you, Father.”
He’d gotten what he set out to get—his freedom. He’d never have to step back inside the palace or appear at openings, dinners or charity events. He was free to live his life as he wanted—building boats, racing and turning around the island’s economy. No more royal orders. No more royal interference.
But it felt…anticlimactic. Wrong.
Julianna moved closer to Enrique.
Sharp pain sliced Alejandro. A black void seemed to engulf his heart. Seeing her so willingly embrace her future with Enrique shouldn’t hurt so badly.
Alejandro shook off the feeling. He was jealous and feeling guilty for what he’d done. That was all.
Enrique had won again. No doubt his brother would punish him for going behind his back.
“Under the circumstances,” Enrique said. “I do not think it wise for you to be my best man.”
“I agree.” Alejandro looked at Julianna. “You’re the best helmsman I’ve had the privilege of sailing with. You’ll be missed.”
“Thank you for allowing me to sail on your boat.” She spoke politely as if he were some hired help.
The ice princess had returned. But he knew she wasn’t cold and heartless, but warm and genuine. He wanted to rip the mask off her face so he could see the real Julianna.
“Good luck with the race tomorrow,” she added.
She’d earned La Rueca the spot in the finals tomorrow. But she had known her father would never allow her sailing to continue once the truth was out.
“I know you want to sail, Julianna,” Alejandro said. “But it’s best if you resume your life and do what is best for your country and mine. I don’t see any other—”
“No explanations are needed, sir.” She emphasized the last word with a haughtiness that put him in his place. “I know my duty. I always have. I was using you as a means to an end, one last hurrah before settling into the life I’ve chosen. No hard feelings, right?”
Each of her words pierced his heart like a dagger. He had hard feelings, ones that were becoming difficult to ignore and fight.
Using him? Okay, he’d used her to do well in the race.
Alejandro hated to think what she said was true. They’d shared good times, their hopes and their dreams, and hot kisses. Maybe she didn’t have feelings for him or maybe she was back to pretending. It didn’t matter.
The next time he saw her, they would be required to wear polite faces and share a meaningless conversation. Everything in the past would seem like nothing more than a dream.
