Page 42 of The Royal in Room 3

I wrung my hands. “But you shouted at me. You’ve never done that before. I can tell you’re getting frustrated by how often I mess up. If I break another plate, we’ll have to start eating off the floor.”

Jude chuckled. “Sweetheart, don’t you think you’re being a wee bit ridiculous? Why would we eat off the floor when we can eat off the counters?”

Despite my upset, a giggle escaped me. “You’re not mad at me anymore, then?”

“I was never mad at you, Soren. Someday I might be, but not right now. I’m sorry I raised my voice at you, but it was more out of fear that you’d hurt yourself than anger.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Many things can be fixed, Soren. My priority is your safety.”

I glanced around at the disaster I’d caused, my eyes locking onto a broken piece on the floor. It was a carved wooden panel, dark and polished, with a jagged split running through one corner.

My stomach dropped. “What is that?”

Jude glanced back, and his mouth tightened. “It’s part of a restoration I was working on.”

“And you dropped it to rescue me.”

“Soren—”

My gaze fell to the sandwiches lying in the sawdust. The pride I had carried from the kitchen disappeared so completely that it hurt.

“I only wanted to surprise you with lunch,” I whispered.

Jude’s expression softened immediately. “Oh, little prince. That was very thoughtful of you.”

“But it wasn’t.” My throat tightened, and I blinked against the tears. “The truth is that I couldn’t even do it without Dean.”

“So you got help. There’s nothing wrong with that. I’m proud of you for wanting to take care of me. The thought counts.”

“You’re only saying that to make me feel better.”

“Soren, are you questioning your Daddy?”

I started to shake my head, but then I changed my mind and nodded. “I don’t know if you’re being truthful with me or trying to spare my feelings.”

“You’re going to make me punish you, aren’t you?” Jude asked.

I hung my head. “I deserve it. I ruined your workshop.”

“Not for that, little prince. For not trusting me. I’ll decide on your punishment later. Why don’t you go back inside while I fix things up?”

“You sure you don’t want me to help?” As soon as I asked the question, I cringed. “You’re right. I should go before they decide there’s something more devastating than an earthquake and its name should be called Soren.”

Jude chortled, brushing my cheek with the back of his hand. “You’re exaggerating, baby, but yes, I think you should return inside. I can’t have anything happening to my little prince’s beautiful face.”

“Alright.” I bent to pick up the sandwiches and the pieces of broken glass. I wondered at this rate how long it would be before we ran out.

15

JUDE

I’d told Soren to meet me in my bedroom after he showered, and as I sat on the bed texting Phoenix, I had the thought again that I was letting Soren down as his Daddy. He might have been more eager to learn than some of my previous subs, but he was the worst at the most mundane tasks. When I supervised him, he was fine. We washed the dishes together tonight, and he didn’t drop a single glass. It was when he was on his own that it seemed like all his confidence flew out the window and he became too anxious and overthought things until he made another mistake.

I needed to get him out of his head.

I typed a response to Phoenix’s question about when Soren would be ready to start at the clubhouse. Technically, he should have started last week, but I’d put it off, given how many mistakes he’d made at home. I couldn’t imagine him doing any better at a nightclub.