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“I will,” I replied in all honesty and seriousness. “I will do everything and anything to protect my wife. I love her.”
She stared at me for a long time before finally exhaling, and for the first time, I saw her eyes shine over and her lips quiver. “That girl, that woman, your queen…she is my center. I made sure every last dime she inherited was sent over to you. I was focused on it more than she even was. It was how your mother and I bonded, actually. I did it so you all knew we have done everything, that we have given you everything. All I expect is that she has more good days than she has bad. That you don’t hurt her.”
“Like I told you the night before the wedding, I will always stand by her. Always and in everything.”
She turned her head to the side, blinked a few times, then stood up. “Good. Now you remember what I told you? When she is upset…”
“Wine, chocolate, vanilla ice cream with rainbow sprinkles or M&Ms, and a romantic comedy. Followed by a hot bubble bath…or preferably all in a hot bubble bath.” I smiled.
“And when she is having a bad hair day?”
“Never say it’s bad. Always say I like it, even if I don’t.”
“And when she says something you’ve done is cheesy?”
“Keep doing it because she loves cheesy.”
She nodded her head and curtsied to me. “Until next time, Your Majesty.”
“Wilhelmina.” I nodded in return, rising. “We’ll look forward to you coming at Christmas.”
“Of course, everyone does.” And just like that, she pulled sunglasses out of God knows where, spun on her heels, and walked to the door, knocking before the door was opened for her.
When she left, I just laughed.
“Sir? Everything all right?” Balduin questioned.
“Perfect. Do not tell the queen her mother came to see me. You either, Iskandar,” I called out and laughed more, shaking my head.
At least I could trust two people to treat me like a normal guy, not just a king.
Odette and her mother.
The highlight of my day was always coming back to our room at night. It was the only place I didn’t have to be all prim and proper, where I could take off all the fancy clothes, heels, and bra, tie up my hair, and just chill.
“How was saying goodbye to your mother?” Gale asked when he came out of the bathroom with nothing but black silk pajama bottoms on, which was damn sexy since I could just stare at his chest. “My eyes are up here, baby.” He winked.
I rolled my eyes. “I know where your eyes are.”
“So you were gawking on purpose?”
“Saying goodbye to my mom was fine. We already talked a lot, so it was just a few hugs,” I said, taking down the mountain of pillows on top of the bed.
“I wanted to see her off as well, but work came up,” he said, coming onto the bed. “It’s been a long damn day. Like always.”
“The Morning Eagle?”
“Nearly a million people—a million, Odette!—voted in their stupid poll!” he snapped. “They got so much attention there is a fear that other papers will join in. I pray to God that there are no more photos, but I do not know. Damn me for being such a…”
“Manwhore,” I finished, trying not to laugh at the look on his face.
“I’m wounded already, don’t pour salt.” He nearly pouted.
“I’m sorry.” I laughed and exhaled. “It’s the only way I know how to deal. I was thinking when talking to my mom. And a thought came to me on who might have leaked that photo.”
“Who?” he asked, sitting on the bed, his face now serious.
“Sabina.”
