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I can’t wait to see her in them.
Whether she’s excited about the beach or spending time together, I’m thrilled to see her joy at something I’ve provided.
As our driver heads toward the beach, my gaze keeps drifting toward Bella, drawn in by the way the light dances on her dark caramel skin. I resist the urge to reach over and intertwine my fingers with hers, and I settle for stolen glimpses of her beauty.
If I have to put on a show, I couldn't ask for a more stunning scene partner.
We go into a cabana to leave our things. I give her a parting glance, and she giggles back and waves goodbye as I leave her to put on her swimsuit.
While I wait outside in our lounge area at the beach club, I mingle with a few Solvarian citizens nearby. They are quick to offer their well-wishes for the King, and I can't help but dwell on the sacrifices he has made to serve his people. Am I ready to bear the same weight and suppress my personal desires to serve the nation?
They all congratulate me on my engagement and eagerly await my fiancée’s emergence from the cabana. I tell them she’ll be here in a moment.
A gasp follows as she walks out the door at the mere sight of her. She's clad in an elegant white one-piece swimsuit that accentuates her toned athletic figure. She exudes strength and confidence along with grace and femininity.
The sun radiates off her sun-kissed brown skin, drawing all eyes to her. Amidst the sea of people, Bella outshines everyone on the beach.
"I thought you were bringing me to see the beach, not just standing around," she teases me. "Let’s go!”
Before I have a chance to respond, she's sprinting across the beach, and I’m tumbling right after her. As we reach the water's edge, Bella's excited laughter echoes across the water. I grasp her hand, leading her further into the sea till the waves lap around our knees.
She lets out a shriek of delighted surprise as I suddenly lift her up while the water sprays around us. With Bella laughing in my arms, our connection feels as real as it must appear to everyone watching from the shore.
Bella notices a group of children diligently constructing a sandcastle, and her eyes light up with childlike enthusiasm. "You know, I've built sandcastles, but never with real sand at the beach," she confesses. “With buckets and everything.”
Bella and I find ourselves kneeling on the soft sand, setting up our own construction site next to the children. Her joy radiates like the sun overhead as we spend the next hour laughing, flirting, and having the occasional sand fight.
After putting the final touches on the outer wall, we stand back to look at our masterpiece. Compared to the children's grand castle a few feet away, it looks more like a sand shack, but I like our cozy home.
The children look at our creation and then at us, their expressions a mix of amusement and pity. We burst into laughter, and we invite the kids to help us knock it down.
A notification on my phone interrupts the serenity. It's a text invitation to an exclusive party later this evening hosted by Solvaria's most prominent land developer, Parcifal Richter. The presence of the prince and his fiancée has been specially requested.
I turn to Bella. "There's a party tonight, on an acquaintance’s yacht. Some friends of mine would like to attend. It's going to be swarming with press, so an appearance there could keep us in the news for the rest of the week. Entirely up to you."
To my surprise, she looks back at me with a playful grin. "We wouldn't want to disappoint your adoring public, would we?"
“And yours.”
We pack up our things and return to the mansion. The positive energy of the morning carries us through the car ride. Whereas before I wasn’t sure if Bella was looking out the window out of genuine interest or just to avoid me, now she remarks on all the different things that catch her eye, from old couples walking by to luxury store window displays.
I fight the temptation to kiss her in the hallway before she retreats to her quarters to prepare for the night's event. The world sees us as a perfect match, and I’m seized by a desire to live up to that.
I look at the portrait of the King hanging in my chambers and remind myself of what is at stake. But when Bella smiles at me, it all seems about more than just ambition. I don’t care about any of that compared to her.
I stare at the array of suits hanging in my wardrobe. Do I go for a full formal suit, complete with a tie? Or do I opt for the relaxed look of a man of leisure?
I imagine Bella walking into the event on my arm. With her carefree spirit, I can't imagine her being comfortable in a stuffy dress. She won't have to do anything other than be herself to instantly wow everyone in the room. I follow her lead and go for comfort.
I reach out for a well-tailored navy blazer, a pristine white shirt, and a pair of black dress pants. No tie.
The door creaks open, and Bella steps in. Her minidress, one she bought yesterday, tightly hugs her curves and shows off her radiant dark skin. She is elegant, playful, and hot as hell.
"Wow," I manage to gasp out. "You look… absolutely stunning."
She bashfully tucks a strand of hair behind her ears. "You wanted to grab their attention, right?"
Damn the press's attention. She has mine.
