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Just then, he caught sight of someone who stood out starkly from the rest—a woman with short-cropped blonde hair and focused blue eyes that seemed to miss nothing. She wore a sleek black suit rather than the traditional gown, and her poised stance set her apart as distinctly professional.
“Who is that?” he asked, unable to tear his eyes away from her.
“I have no idea,” Lady Abigail replied, following his line of sight. “I don’t think she’s here to try to capture your heart like the rest of us are.”
“I have to meet her,” James mused, his curiosity piqued. Whatever job the woman was doing for his father, it was obvious she was dedicated to it.
“I think she might be a bodyguard,” Lady Abigail said. “I must say, I find it rather odd that you haven’t met a new bodyguard though.”
“Odd or not, she seems to be quite capable,” James replied as he continued to study the woman from afar. He could sense an inner strength about her, a fierce dedication to her duty that he couldn’t help but admire.
“Your Highness?” Lady Abigail’s voice interrupted his thoughts, reminding him that they were still dancing. “Are you quite all right?”
“Ah, yes. Sorry about that, my lady,” James apologized, shaking off his distraction and returning his focus to the dance.
But even as he twirled Lady Abigail across the floor and exchanged pleasantries with countless other guests, his mind kept drifting back to the beautiful bodyguard who had captured his attention in a way that no noblewoman in the room could.
At a distance, the sun’s golden rays played off Amanda’s blonde hair, making it shimmer like molten gold as she moved gracefully through the crowd. Her eyes were a captivating shade of blue that seemed to hold the depths of an ocean within them, and her delicate features were perfectly balanced, creating an image of ethereal beauty.
“Are you sure she’s a bodyguard and not some angel sent from heaven?” James couldn’t help but wonder aloud, his eyes fixated on Amanda as she expertly navigated her way around the room, assessing potential threats and ensuring the safety of everyone present.
“Your Highness, please,” Lady Abigail chided with a playful grin, clearly amused by the prince’s open admiration of the bodyguard. “One might think you’ve never seen a beautiful woman before.”
“We all know, I have seen my fair share of lovely ladies,” James said, his gaze never leaving the bodyguard. “But there is something about her that simply captivates me. It’s not just her beauty, though that is undeniable. There’s a strength and intelligence in her eyes that I find absolutely irresistible.”
As he watched the woman move effortlessly through the throng of nobles, her every action executed with precision and purpose, James felt a warmth spread throughout his chest that he had never experienced before. He marveled at the ease with which she carried herself, her posture perfect and her movements fluid, even as she maintained constant vigilance over her surroundings.
“Maybe it’s the fact that she is so different from all the other ladies here,” James mused, his thoughts racing as he tried to pinpoint the source of his immediate attraction to the bodyguard. “She is not here to impress or charm me, and she certainly doesn’t need my protection. In fact, I have to presume the opposite.”
“Your Highness, I must say this is a side of you I’ve never seen before,” Lady Abigail teased, her eyes dancing with mirth. “It appears our stoic prince has been well and truly smitten.”
“Smitten? No, I wouldn’t go that far,” James protested, though his heart knew the truth. There was something about the mysterious bodyguard that had captured not only his attention but also his heart in a way he had never thought possible.
As the evening wore on, James couldn’t help but steal glances at her whenever he could. Each time their eyes met, even for the briefest of moments, James felt as if he were drowning in those mesmerizing blue depths, and he longed to know more about the enigmatic woman who had so effortlessly stolen his heart.
Having made up his mind, James rose from his seat and ambled casually in the woman’s direction. He watched as she scanned the room with her piercing blue eyes, taking in every detail of their surroundings. With a deep breath, he approached her, his heart pounding in his chest.
“Beautiful evening, isn’t it?” James attempted to strike up a conversation, gesturing toward the grand windows that showcased the moonlit gardens beyond.
She nodded curtly, her eyes never straying from her task. “Yes, Your Highness, it is.”
“Please, call me James,” he insisted, trying to break down the barriers between them. “And you are?”
“Amanda Carter.” Short replies may be best if she didn’t want to lose her job. He wasn’t supposed to focus on her.
“So, tell me, how does a beautiful woman find herself working for the royal family of Theron?”
“Your father hired my firm for added security, Your High...” she corrected herself, “James. I was assigned to your detail.”
“Ah, I see. Your accent sounds American,” James paused, searching for another topic. “I’ve always wanted to visit America. What part are you from?”
“New York,” Amanda replied, her tone remaining professional. Her gaze flickered toward him briefly before returning to survey the room.
“Ah, the city that never sleeps,” James quipped, hoping to elicit a smile. “I’ve heard so much about it.”
“Indeed,” was all Amanda offered in response.
Growing more frustrated by her polite but distant demeanor, James tried a different approach. “You must have some fascinating stories from your line of work. Care to share any?”
