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“Roman faced the choice of duty and honor versus love. The decision to follow his heart came with consequences. My parents weren’t happy, but he was willing to burn it all down to have the woman he loved. She faced the same situation with her family.”
“Did they consider running away?” she asked.
I smiled. “I’m sure they did. There’s a little more to the story.”
“Don’t stop now,” she said, laughing.
I debated how much I should tell her. “My mother and her father were in love at one time.”
“Your mom and the king!”
I smiled, nodding my head. “They all went to school together. My mom and King Thomas had a thing, but they were matched to others. They did their duty and married who they were supposed to. My mom was lucky and she did fall in love with my father eventually, but I can’t say it’s quite the same for the king. My parents weren’t happy about Roman breaking the match, but in the end, they understood his happiness was more important.”
Emilie listened intently. “It must have been a difficult decision for Roman and Anabella.”
I nodded. “It was. And it taught me the importance of being true to one’s heart, even in the face of overwhelming pressure. I don’t want to be miserable or accept my fate for the rest of my life.”
“I would love to meet Princess Anabella one day. She seems to be very nice.”
I smiled at her. “I have a feeling that one day you’ll not only meet Queen Anabella but spend Christmas with her.”
She looked at me with surprise, her curiosity piqued. “And why is that?”
“Because once you’re married to me, we’ll be celebrating holidays together, starting with Christmas.”
Emilie blushed and looked down at her lap, but I could see the excitement in her eyes. I reached out and took her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “Is that something you’d like?” I asked softly.
She looked back up at me, her eyes shining. “Yes, I would love that.”
“Does your family have a lot of traditions?” I asked.
“We have traditions, but it’s all about the show for the public,” she explained. “When it’s just us at home, not really.”
“My family likes to spend time together,” I told her. “We hang out at the estate all the time just spending time together. We have an outdoor kitchen. My dad grills steaks, burgers, and the American favorite, hot dogs!”
She laughed. “I cannot imagine my dad grilling.”
“I really would love to have you visit,” I said. “It’s night and day compared to life in Europe.”
“I would like to see how your family lives,” she said.
“We’re not zoo animals,” I said, laughing.
“I know that,” she said, smiling. “But I am interested in seeing how you live. It’s important for me to understand your world if we’re going to get married.”
“I agree,” I said. “And I also want to understand your world. I want to learn about your family, your traditions, and everything that makes you who you are.”
We sat there for a few moments in silence, enjoying each other’s company. I felt happy and content. I just hoped she didn’t flip and change her mind again. It was a roller coaster ride with her.
I finished my drink. As much as I would have loved to go to bed with her, I didn’t think it would be well received. I needed to tread lightly.
“I think I’m going to go to bed,” I said. “We both have an early morning.”
I walked her to her bedroom once again. Her hand rested on my arm. I brushed my knuckles across her chin.
She looked up at me with a hunger in her eyes. Without a word, I leaned down and captured her lips in a fiery kiss. Our tongues clashed together, exploring each other’s mouths. I pulled her closer to me, pressing her body against mine. Her hands roamed over my back, sending shivers down my spine.
Finally, we pulled away, gasping for breath. She looked up at me with a mischievous glint in her eye.
