Page 16 of Her Royal Rebellion

“Three days,” she replied.

“If he makes it that long. He’ll be bored by morning.” I dreaded the thought of letting him loose on the town. Heaven only knew how he would terrorize the locals.

There was a knock at the door and it pushed open. “They’re ready to announce you.” Logan’s frown showed how unexcited he was about this.

I tried to convey how upsetting this was with a look and his tiny nod told me he understood.

I knew it was extra work for him, Shane, and the rest of the security team. There was a ridiculous amount of coordination that needed to happen with each suitor’s team and then there was the additional risk of having foreign nobles at the palace.

“Thank you.” I checked my reflection and smiled at the very modest long sleeve dress that hit below my knees. It was a thick cream tweed that barely skimmed over my curves. I intentionally picked out the blandest, least flattering outfit to dissuade Henri’s interest. Once he saw how opposite we were, he’d be running. He wanted flashy and glamourous. I wanted stable and motivating. I wanted a man who would stand at my side and support my philanthropic endeavors. Dear Henri did not fit that role.

“Come along.” Carolyn walked in front of me down the hall and signaled for me to be announced.

“Her Royal Highness, Princess of Lochland.”

I descended the stairs, locked eyes with the Count, and forced a small smile.

His eyes ran over me, and I cheered inside when his grin dropped a bit. He wasn’t pleased with what he saw? Well then, he could turn around and fly home.

He met me at the bottom of the steps and held out his hand. When I reached him, I placed my palm on his and he raised it, placing a light kiss on my knuckles.

“It’s an honor, Your Highness.”

Now, my upbringing taught me to treat him with respect and put on the proper performance, but I was also a princess and he was a lower ranking noble. I didn’t even need to make eye contact if we were being strict.

Unfortunately, the palace was full of eyes and mouths that loved to rat me out to my parents, so I at least had to play nice.

“A pleasure, Henri.” I knew a man like him loved his title, but I refused to use it. I would not play into his ego. “I don’t believe we’ve had the opportunity to meet. What brings you to Lochland now?”

I was still standing a step above him, quite enjoying him having to look up at me. I was very curious about his motives. Shane and Logan gave me a copy of their profiles and notes on each man that was coming, and they were just as confused as to why he was here. He loved partying and made weekly appearances in international tabloids.

I was the complete opposite. The last time I was in a magazine was for my cousin’s wedding. I knew that was inevitable given the public’s obsession with what the Royal families wore to large events, but I didn’t give an interview or answer any of their questions. I wanted my part as small as possible.

Henri seemed to live for the attention, something he would gain quite a lot more of if he were in a relationship with me.

I narrowed my eyes. Was that all he was here for? A photo opportunity? Something to be able to brag about when he returned home?

“Isla, I’ve been longing to meet you for a while now. The opportunity never arose.”

“Princess.”

His brows pulled together. “Pardon?”

“You may call me Princess Isla or Your Highness.”

He cleared his throat and nodded once. “Of course. Yes, Princess Isla. I’m so very honored to have the chance to meet you now. Perhaps you can show me around your beloved Ballivaughn. I’ve heard you and your family prefer to live in the town where you can walk the streets and avoid the crowds of the capital.”

I nearly burst out laughing. He just arrived and wanted a tour of the town? Not the palace or even the grounds? No, he immediately wanted to go in public. If Carolyn wasn’t around to thumb me, I would have brushed off my shoulders at how quickly I figured him out.

He was only interested in the press. Silly boy.

“Actually, I was hoping to show you the lake shore. It’s very private.” I batted my lashes for added effect but his smile wavered.

“Oh right. Certainly.”

I stepped around him and headed through the back hallway. Aiden and Charlie stepped out of his office.

“Isla, where are you headed?” Aiden’s steps faltered when he noticed Henri following me. “Oh Henri. I wasn’t aware you’d arrived.”