Page 54 of Her Royal Rebellion

Isla had said something similar to that before, but I assumed she was being too complimentary due to her romantic feelings for me. Hearing it from Aiden rocked me. I wasn’t some lowly commoner in his eyes. Maybe it was only me who saw myself that way.

“Thank you, Aiden. That means more than I can say.”

He nodded and stood, collecting the empty plates and glasses. Charlie helped him and they walked toward the sink together to begin cleaning. It was another sight I’d never thought I’d see, but it seemed I underestimated the princes.

Serena watched me and smiled when I met her eyes. “I know you’re probably nervous. I was when I was in your position, but you have all of us supporting the two of you. Remember that.”

With that, she stood and left the room.

It was time for me to find Isla and remind her she wasn’t alone. Not anymore and never again.

* * *

Her parents arrived without their normal fanfare. I was sitting out back with Isla when Charlie peeked her head through the doorway and announced they were here and waiting for us in the front drawing room.

“Are you ready?” I asked Isla as I stood and took her hand.

She sighed and met my eyes. “Yeah, it’s time for everything to be out in the open.”

We walked through the hall and I paused at the stairs, out of hearing distance. “Do you want to talk to them alone first?”

She shook her head. “You and I are a team now. Anything they have to say to me is going to be shared with you so they’re going to have to get used to it.”

I admired her brazen attitude, but I wasn’t sure the king and queen would be as pleased. Together we entered the room. Anne jumped up when she saw us and took Isla into her arms. Leo also stood and waited his turn to hug his daughter.

“Are you sure you’re okay? Do you need a physician to come?” Anne held Isla’s face between her palms and looked her over.

“I’m sure, Mum. I’m just fine.” She looked to her dad for help. Leo placed his hand on his wife’s arm, and they stepped back to sit down. We took the couch across from them. I felt the weight of their eyes on me.

“Logan, we appreciate all you’ve done for our family. We don’t know how to ever properly express our gratitude,” Anne gushed. I almost told her she could thank me by accepting me into their family, but that would probably be too much too soon.

“Of course, Your Majesty.”

She waved me off. “You know better. Just Anne and Leo.”

I nodded and waited for the king to speak. So far, he just stared at us.

Isla straightened her shoulders and addressed them. “I’m not sure where to start. There’s been so much that’s happened.”

Leo lowered his chin. “Why don’t you start with why you’re here with Logan rather than at home?”

“I needed time to clear my head. I asked Logan to come because I felt safe with him and I wanted to spend time with him.”

Anne looked between us, expressionless. Whatever she was thinking was a mystery to me.

Isla reached for my hand and gave it a squeeze. “I’ve had feelings for Logan for a while. He remained distant and professional, only allowing us to develop a friendship. When you announced that suitors would be invited to meet me, I tried to stop you because I knew my heart already belonged to him. I don’t care about marrying a noble or some wealthy elitist. I want to be with Logan, and it took this experience to get him to accept and admit that he wants to be with me.”

I smiled at her perspective of things. If only she knew the war that had raged inside me for months and months.

“You… you want to be with Logan?” Anne asked, sounding surprised.

Isla nodded. “I love him and he loves me.”

Anne turned her attention to me. “Is that true?”

I nodded. “Yes, I love Isla very much. I’ve never let myself admit that to her because I didn’t think I was worthy of her. I recognized I was too far below her station to be considered a suitable option. As her personal guard, I forced myself to remain professional and suppress any romantic feelings so I could continue to have a place in her life.”

Leo remained silent which made my stomach tighten. I wanted him to say something, anything to let us know what he was thinking.