The Playboy King, page 34
“Thank you!” I was nervous about what I was going to wear to dinner.
“Which do you like the best?” she asked.
I studied the dresses carefully, feeling the weight of the decision ahead of me. Each dress was more beautiful than the last. I knew I was going to be meeting the regent tonight. From the little Warren told me about the man, I was nervous. I understood Warren didn’t have a great relationship with him. I wanted to make a positive first impression.
“This one,” I finally said, holding up a floor-length gown in a rich emerald green that seemed to shimmer in the light. The dress made me feel regal just by looking at it.
Sara’s eyes lit up with approval. “Excellent choice, Victoria.”
“Thank you,” I said.
“I’m going to get ready,” she said. “Are you okay on your own?”
I nodded. “Of course.”
“I’ll come back and we’ll meet Warren downstairs.”
“I’ll be ready.”
I laid out the emerald gown on the bed and took a deep breath, steeling myself for the evening ahead. I took advantage of the luxurious bathroom. The shower was huge.
While the hot water cascaded over my shoulders, I thought about the people I would meet at dinner. I recited some bits of small talk I would use to break the ice. It felt a little silly, but it helped with the nerves.
After showering and doing my hair and makeup, I carefully stepped into the luxurious gown. I slowly pulled up the zipper and stood back to look at myself in the mirror. It was a perfect fit. It was a different shade of green than I wore to one of the balls. The dazzling emerald and black lace overlay was stunning. I hoped Warren thought so as well.
Sara joined me a little later. “You own that dress,” she said with a laugh. “I bought it last year, but it just didn’t look right on me. Clearly, it was made for you.”
“Thanks. You look very pretty in pink.”
She laughed and brushed her hand over the pale pink satin. “Thank you. Are you ready?”
“I am.” I nodded, feeling the usual nervousness in my belly.
“Relax.” She smiled. “You look beautiful. Everyone is going to love you.”
Sara led the way downstairs. The hall we went through was narrow and not nearly as decked out with art and antiques. She pushed the door open into yet another sitting room. I spotted Warren speaking with Clive. He turned to look at me with a stoic expression on his face, unlike the casual smile I usually saw when I approached him. There was a formality to his posture that made me nervous.
He looked at me and nodded. It felt like he was giving me his approval. I wasn’t sure if I liked that. “Are you ready?” he asked.
“I don’t know,” I answered honestly. “Ask me again after.”
He offered a half-smile. “This will be the worst part of our trip,” he murmured, his tone tinged with regret. “But tomorrow, we can do something fun. Just remember to smile.”
“Okay,” I murmured.
“Shall we go in?” he asked.
I nodded. Unlike before, Warren didn’t offer his arm to me. Instead, we walked together with a sense of formality that felt foreign to me. Sara trailed behind us, while Clive followed closely behind her. As we entered the banquet hall, hushed whispers filled the air. The curious gazes of the assembled guests followed our every move. They were all looking at me specifically. I remembered to keep my shoulders back and a smile on my face.
The room was a sight to behold. Tables stretched out as far as the eye could see with what seemed like a million candles burning. I could feel the heat from the flames and was suddenly feeling flustered. The guests rose to their feet, their applause echoing through the cavernous hall.
“Thank you, please, sit down,” Warren said, his voice carrying across the room with a sense of authority. “And welcome! Ladies and gentlemen, I’d like to introduce you to Victoria Ashford.”
I curtsied in response, a wave of apprehension washing over me with all eyes on me. People moved toward us. The room seemed to encircle me, their curious stares making me feel like a specimen under a microscope. People were introducing themselves all at once. I didn’t think I caught a single name.
Warren was pulled away. Sara as well. I felt lost at sea, surrounded by the unfamiliar faces all wanting to talk to me. Suddenly, an older man with an air about him appeared. People moved out of his way as he cut through the crowd. His approach sent a shiver down my spine, and his eyes locked on me. I braced myself for the encounter that I knew was inevitable.
“Hello, Ms. Ashford. I’m Regent Karl Holm.” He greeted me with a polite smile, his voice smooth and calculating, but there was something about him that set me on edge.
As he spoke, I found myself growing increasingly uncomfortable in his presence. His words were polite enough, but there was an underlying sense of slickness that left a bitter taste in my mouth. I couldn’t help but feel like prey being circled by a predator, and the more he talked, the more I wanted to escape. He did not have kind eyes. Warren had never mentioned the regent in a friendly manner. Now I understood why. The man was not my friend.
In the back of my mind, I tried to think of a good excuse to escape him. Would it be rude to say I had to pee? I scanned the room, searching for Warren or Sara. Thankfully, Warren intervened before I could make my excuses and flee. His timely intervention was a welcome relief.
“Dinner will be served,” Warren announced.
He led me to the head of the table to sit on his right. The regent sat to his left. I was grateful to find Sara sitting beside me. The regent was watching me, looking at me like I was something he stepped in and couldn’t figure out how to get off his shoes.
The first course was served, but no one picked up their fork to eat it. Neither did I. Warren stood, which seemed to be what everyone was waiting for.
“Thank you all for being here tonight to enjoy a meal with us,” he said. “This trip is not for me to show off a future queen. This trip is to show this country and the people to the woman I love. Don’t confuse that. She isn’t here to make alliances or commit to projects. Please, give her the time to get to know this beautiful place we call home.”
His declaration made me feel a bit more relaxed. The tension in the air seemed to dissipate. Warren’s gaze met mine as he sat down. He wasn’t just saying these words for show. He truly meant them.
The regent, on the other hand, seemed less than pleased by Warren’s speech. A flicker of annoyance crossed his face before he quickly masked it with a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. I couldn’t shake off the feeling that there was more to Regent Holm’s interest in me than mere curiosity. His gaze lingered on me throughout the dinner, and his questions felt more like interrogations than casual conversation. I found myself answering in vague terms, careful not to reveal too much about myself.
And as soon as I could, I got the hell away from him.
51
WARREN
Clive and I sat down for our morning coffee in my private sitting room. I was looking forward to the day. Today was going to be different. It was going to be me and her getting to spend time together. I had thought about what we would do all night. It wasn’t like I could do normal things like taking her to a movie or a nice dinner at a restaurant. I couldn’t show her Stockholm or take her shopping.
“Damn, I miss the old days,” I muttered.
“The old days?” Clive asked.
“Days when I could go into the city and enjoy a nice meal. Days when I could leave the palace without a security detail.”
He smiled. “It won’t always be like this. It’s just important you make it to the throne before someone takes you out.”
I smirked, sipping my coffee. “God forbid I die before I get the crown planted on my head.”
Today, I wanted Victoria to see that I could plan just as well as anyone else, that I was capable of showing her a side of Sweden that she had never seen before. So far, our time together had all been planned and arranged by Lady Hamilton. This was my chance to do something we both enjoyed. Something tailored to us.
“I’ve got an idea.” I took a sip of my coffee as I glanced over at Clive. “I want to show Victoria a different side of Stockholm, something beyond the usual tourist spots.”
Clive nodded in understanding. “That sounds like a good idea. What did you have in mind?”
“I’ve arranged for a helicopter ride,” I said, a smile spreading across my face as I imagined the look of awe on Victoria’s face when she saw the city from above. “We’ll fly over the city and some of the surrounding areas, give her a chance to see everything from a different perspective. Since I can’t take her into the city, I’d like to take her over the city.”
Clive’s eyes lit up with approval. “Do you need me to set it up?”
“I’ve already taken care of it,” I replied. “Everything’s ready. See? I can do some things on my own.”
He chuckled. “Yes, you’re a very big boy.”
“Thanks, jerk,” I said, chuckling.
I checked the time, hoping Victoria would be down soon. Yesterday had been overwhelming. I was certain she would need her rest. There was a soft knock on my door before it was slowly pushed open.
“Hey,” Sara said. “Victoria is ready for the day. Do you want me to take her to the breakfast room?”
“Actually, no,” I said. “I’d like her to meet me in the foyer.”
“I’ll get her down there.”
“Thanks, Sara,” I said.
“What are your plans with her?” Sara asked.
I laughed. “You make it sound like there is something nefarious.”
“Well, I do know you,” she joked.
“My plans are to take her up for a flight around the city,” I said. “Don’t tell her. I want to surprise her.”
I waited for Victoria downstairs. Sara delivered her to me a few minutes later.
“I feel like a child.” Victoria laughed.
“Why?”
“Because I have to be led around everywhere.” She smiled. “If I didn’t have Sara, I would probably be lost somewhere in the east wing. I might starve to death if no one found me in time.”
“You’ll get used to it soon enough,” I assured her.
“Maybe I should get a GPS planted in my butt,” she joked. “That way you can find me.”
“I’ll always find you,” I assured her.
She smiled and took my hand. “Thank you.”
“So, are you ready?”
“For breakfast, yes.” She nodded.
“Actually, we will have breakfast, but if you can wait a bit, I have something else in mind.”
“Oh?”
“Let’s go.” I took her hand and led her outside. It was a cool morning, but not overly cold.
“How long does it take to mow the lawn?” she asked.
“What?”
“There is so much lawn here,” she said. “There would have to be someone mowing around the clock. If one person mowed this estate, they would literally not get back to the starting pointing before it was long enough to be mowed again.”
“You’ve put a lot of thought into this.” I laughed.
“It’s so big,” she said.
I almost made a crass joke but stopped myself. I held her hand and led the way across the property.
“We’re almost there,” I said, squeezing her hand as we approached the waiting helicopter.
“Where exactly are we going?” she asked.
“For breakfast,” I said with a wink.
“In a helicopter.”
“We’re going to take a tour of the city,” I told her. “I’m sorry, but with me being me and the succession of the throne not completed, my security is very worried about me being out and about.”
Victoria’s eyes widened in surprise as she realized what we were going to be doing. She gazed up at the helicopter in awe, a mixture of excitement and nervousness evident on her face.
“Are you serious?” she asked.
I nodded, unable to contain my own grin at her reaction. “Yes. I thought you might enjoy seeing the city from a bird’s eye view.”
“Let’s do it. I’ve never been in a helicopter before.”
We climbed into the helicopter and were soon soaring above the estate. I pointed out landmarks to Victoria, watching as her eyes lit up with wonder. It was moments like these that made me realize just how much I loved her, how much I wanted to share every experience with her.
As we flew over the sprawling city below, Victoria’s initial nervousness gave way to pure exhilaration. Her laughter filled the helicopter as we soared through the sky.
“It’s such a beautiful city,” she said.
“It is. I love it. It’s more than just being king. I truly love it here.”
Victoria beamed, her eyes sparkling with delight as she took in the panoramic view of the city below.
“This is incredible,” she shouted over the roar of the helicopter’s blades. “Thank you for bringing me along.”
I couldn’t help but smile back at her. Seeing her so carefree and joyful made my heart swell with happiness.
After a while, we began to descend toward a picturesque spot. The pilot landed the helicopter smoothly. I helped Victoria out onto solid ground. I had arranged for a lavish breakfast, complete with all of Victoria’s favorite foods.
“What is this place?” she asked, her eyes scanning the surroundings with interest.
“It’s a private estate,” I explained, leading her toward the entrance. “There’s only staff here, so we’ll have the place to ourselves.”
As we stepped inside, Victoria’s eyes widened in surprise at the sight of the breakfast laid out before us. It was a small gesture, but I hoped it would show her just how much she meant to me, how much I wanted to make her happy.
“Pancakes? You know I can’t resist pancakes.”
“I know. I wanted us to have some time alone,” I said, taking her hand in mine as we sat down at the table. “Away from the crowds, just the two of us. Even at the palace, being alone is never really being alone.”
“I appreciate all of this. It’s very thoughtful.”
“I wanted to do a lot more for you,” I said. “It’s just so hectic right now.”
Victoria smiled. “It’s perfect, truly,” she said, reaching out to squeeze my hand. “I understand the responsibilities that come with your position, and I appreciate every moment we get to spend together. I don’t want to get in the way.”
“You would never be in the way,” I told her.
We enjoyed our breakfast in peaceful serenity. It was nice not to have to worry about anyone eavesdropping or catching us doing anything. Most of all, I was out of reach of the regent.
After we finished eating, I led her outside to explore the grounds.
“Is this one of your estates?” she asked.
“It is,” I replied. “This one is more secluded, a place I come to when I need to escape the chaos of palace life. My mother used to love it here.”
Victoria looked around appreciatively, taking in the lush greenery and the peaceful ambiance surrounding us. “It’s beautiful,” she remarked softly.
“I’m glad you think so,” I said. “I wanted to share this place with you, to have a moment of peace together.”
“Thank you for bringing me,” she sighed. “Would this be your summer home?”
“I guess. Maybe. I’m not sure. We could spend a few weeks a year here.”
She nodded. “I’d like that.”
“When I was younger, my mom would always talk to me about my future reign. She would tell me stories of the responsibilities that came with being king, the weight of a nation on my shoulders. I never truly understood it until now.”
“Does it scare you?”
My masculine side wanted to immediately deny the implication. “Yes,” I confessed, walking alongside Victoria through the sprawling gardens.
“It must be a lot to take in,” she replied.
“It is,” I admitted. “But having you by my side makes it all seem more manageable. You bring a lightness to my life that I never knew I was missing.”
Victoria smiled, her gaze meeting mine with warmth and affection. “I never imagined being a queen.” She sighed. “We were raised with the goal of marrying well, but I never imagined myself a queen.”
“What did you see yourself becoming?” I asked.
“I always saw myself as a mother. That was the most important title to me.”
“I feel the same way,” I admitted, a smile spreading across my face. “I want to be a father, to have the chance to give our children the childhood that I never had.”
We wound our way to the stables. “Would you like to go for a ride?”
“Really?” she asked.
“Yes. Do you know how to ride?”
“Of course I know how.” She laughed. “I’m not going to claim to be great, but I can do it.”
“We don’t have to,” I said.
“No, I’d like to. As long as we take it slow.”
“I’ll have the stablemaster pick the gentlest horse for you,” I assured her.
We climbed into the saddles of the horses that were selected for us and set out on a very slow, gentle ride. “Are you good?” I asked her.
“This is actually a lot more fun than I thought it would be.”
Our leisurely ride took an unexpected turn when Victoria’s horse suddenly bolted. She screamed and panicked, falling to the ground. I quickly jumped off and ran to her. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” she said. “Nothing is hurt.”
The horse sauntered back toward us, looking at us like we were the crazy ones. I scolded the horse before grabbing his reins.
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I’m fine,” she insisted. “I’ll probably have a bruised tailbone and a bigger bruised ego.”
We turned over the horses to a stable hand before going back to the estate. “I had a room made ready for you,” I said. “You can clean up there.”
“You kept us in separate rooms?” she questioned, her tone teasing but with a hint of disappointment.
