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“Word has reached me of your...situation, Amanda,” the king began, his voice heavy with concern. “Your dedication to protecting my son has been invaluable, and I would be remiss if I allowed you to simply walk away.”
“Your Majesty, I’m honored by your words,” Amanda replied, swallowing hard. “But I signed a no-compete contract with the agency—I cannot work for you any longer.”
“Cannot or will not?” the king asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Cannot, Your Majesty,” she insisted, fighting the urge to squirm under his penetrating gaze. “It’s against the terms of my previous employment.”
“Father, there must be something we can do,” James interjected, leaning forward in his seat. “Amanda is more than just a bodyguard, she’s become a trusted friend and confidante.”
The king stroked his beard thoughtfully, his eyes never leaving Amanda’s face. She felt her cheeks warm under his scrutiny and wondered if he could see straight through her facade, into the turmoil raging within her.
“Very well,” he finally conceded, his expression softening. “I may not have the power to break your contract, but I will do everything within my means to ensure you remain with us. You are an asset to this family, and I would be loath to lose you.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Amanda said, struggling to hold back tears. She knew, however, that gratitude alone wouldn’t change her circumstances, and the weight of her impending departure still hung heavy in the air.
“Until a solution can be found, you will continue to stay at the palace as our guest.” The king’s tone left no room for argument. “Prince James will see to it that your needs are met.”
“Of course, Father,” James agreed, his eyes meeting Amanda’s with a silent promise of support.
“Very well then,” the king said, the matter seemingly settled in his mind. “You are dismissed.”
Once they stepped out of the king’s study, James led Amanda to one of the palace gardens, hoping that the vibrant flowers and fresh air might help lighten their spirits.
“Isn’t it beautiful?” James asked, gesturing to the delicate petals shimmering in the sunlight.
Amanda couldn’t deny the breathtaking view, but her thoughts were elsewhere. “James, what are we going to do? Even if your father does find a loophole, I don’t think my agency will just let me walk away.”
“Leave that to me,” he replied with confidence. “I’ve been known to be quite persuasive when necessary.” He paused, furrowing his brow as an idea suddenly formed in his mind. “Actually, there might be another way.”
“Really?” Amanda’s eyes widened with cautious hope.
“Tell me, Amanda,” James began, a playful glint in his eye, “how do you feel about marriage?”
“Excuse me?” she sputtered, taken aback by his unexpected words.
“Think about it,” James said earnestly, ignoring her astonishment. “If we were married, you wouldn’t be working for me anymore—you’d be part of the family. Your contract would be null and void, and you could stay here without any legal repercussions.”
“Are you insane?” Amanda blurted out. The absurdity of his suggestion was almost laughable, but she couldn’t deny the tiny flutter in her chest at the thought of becoming his wife.
“Maybe a little,” he admitted with a sheepish grin. “But sometimes, insanity is the only way to solve an impossible problem.”
“James, this isn’t some fairy tale where we can just get married and live happily ever after,” she argued, trying to regain control of her emotions. “We barely know each other, and I’m not even sure I want to be married. Especially not just to keep my job.”
“Ah, but that’s where you’re mistaken,” he countered. “You wouldn’t be marrying me just for your job, Amanda. You’d be marrying me because you care about this family, and because, whether you want to admit it or not, there’s something between us. I felt it the moment we met, and I know you did too.”
Amanda hesitated, her heart racing as she looked into James’s earnest eyes. She couldn’t deny the connection they shared, but was it enough to justify a lifetime commitment?
“James,” she began softly, “I appreciate what you’re trying to do, but... we can’t just get married on a whim. There has to be another way.”
“Perhaps,” he conceded. “But until we find one, I’m not giving up on the idea. After all, stranger things have happened in the name of love.”
She tried to run her fingers through her hair, but was blocked as it was all in a ponytail for their morning run. “I think you’re crazy,” she said softly. “Don’t you need permission from your father to marry and keep your place in the line of succession?”
“I do,” he said. “Leave that part to me.
Chapter Eight
James leaned back in the water, enjoying his soak in the tub. As he lathered up his favorite soap, he couldn’t help but think about how to handle the situation at hand. Amanda was everything he had ever wanted—intelligent, caring, and brave. The thought of losing her was unbearable, and he knew he had to do something.
