Royally Not Ready(50)

Keller: Forgot to send this to you this morning. Remember, this is confidential.

Keller: THE INFORMATIVE.

I gasp out loud.

“What?” Lara asks. “Is everything okay?”

“Yes, it’s from Keller. The Informative. I forgot about this. I’m sure you’ve read it already this morning.”

“I have,” Lara says.

“Well, excuse me while I delight myself in some gossip.”

Keller: THE INFORMATIVE. Known angler on the west was found philandering on another man’s boat. Word on the street, he wasn’t looking for extra bait, but rather the warmth of his opponent’s wife. As for what will happen between the two, we’re unsure at the moment, but fishing poles have been drawn and only time will tell whose bed the wife will choose. The harmony of the port rides on her decision.

I set my phone down and look up at Lara. “Oh my God, an affair? Do you know who it is? Not that I would know the person if you told me their name, but still, do you know?”

She shakes her head. “No idea, but it’s good to know if there’s a supply shortage on cod this week, we’ll know why.”

“I guess so.” I shake my head. “That’s wild. From what Keller, you, and Brimar have told me about Torskethorpe, everyone seems to be so . . . perfect. But you’re telling me there are people in this country jumping from boat to boat? Wow, just, wow.”

“There’s always gossip everywhere you go.”

“I guess so.”

Ding.

I glance down at my phone again and see another text from Keller.

Keller: Lunch is ready.

“Oh, lunch is ready.” I stand from the grass, and together Lara and I head back toward the front door of the castle. Before we walk in, I turn toward Lara and say, “For what it’s worth, I’m really trying to see if this is the right fit for me. I don’t take this decision lightly, and getting to know Keller, I don’t take that lightly either. I just thought you should know that.”

Lara gives me a gentle smile. “I know your intentions are at their purest, you never have to worry about that with me. This is a big decision, and it’ll take time. I get that. And I’m here to talk anything through, even those frustrations you have with Keller.”

“Thank you.” I spread my arms and pull her into a hug. “I’m really grateful for you, Lara.”

She’s stiff at first, but then she loops her arms around me and returns the hug. I don’t hold on to her for too long, because it seems like hugs aren’t her jam. Don’t want to press my luck.

When we get inside, the boys greet us at the entryway. Keller’s gargantuan frame blocks the doorway to the dining room, and when our eyes meet, I can sense he has something up his sleeve.

“Lilly, it’s time you learn how to eat a simple meal, as a royal.”

I groan. “Etiquette, again? You could have warned a girl.” I turn to Lara. “Did you know about this?”

“Sort of.” She cringes.

“And you didn’t say anything to me?” I tsk at her. “Lara, us girls have to fucking stick together.”

“No swearing,” Keller’s voice booms, startling me nearly out of my shoes.

“Jesus Christ,” I say, clutching my chest. “Dude, we’re right here, you don’t need to shout.”

“If you’re going to step into this role, you need to start practicing now. No swearing, no Jesus Christs, and no inappropriate humor.”

“Are you referencing my dick joke from earlier? That was to try to erase that scowl from your forehead.”

“What was the joke?” Brimar asks, only for Keller to give him a scathing glare.

Ignoring Keller, I ask, “Why couldn’t the lizard land a girlfriend?” When Brimar doesn’t answer, I say, “Because he had reptile dysfunction.”

Being the good man that he is, Brimar lets out a wallop of a laugh, while Lara chuckles next to me.

“See, they get it. This stone feature over here didn’t even crack a smile,” I say, referencing Keller.

“If you’re done, I’d like to move on with lunch.” Glad to see he’s still the same asshole from this morning.

Keller moves to the side and gestures to a fully set dining table with multiple pieces of silverware, several drinking glasses, a folded napkin that resembles a fish, a plate on top of a plate, and candles.

“Um, what, uh . . . what is that decadence over there?” I point to the table. “That can’t possibly be for lunch.”

“You need to learn. Poor table manners reflect badly on the palace.”

“Who says I have poor table manners?”

“You snorted out a cashew yesterday,” Keller deadpans.

“Excuse me for enjoying a good chuckle while eating a meal.”

“The cashew flew into my water.”

“Oh my God, and I fished it out with my fork. No harm, no foul. Are you really still complaining about it? I told you I’d get you a new drink.”

Calmly, Lara presses her hand to my shoulder and says, “I think Keller is just trying to help you out so when you do meet King Theo and Queen Katla, you feel prepared.”

“Well, when you put it that way . . .” I move past Keller and into the dining room, where I choose the seat at the head of the table. Infuriating man. I thought we were friends last night. Well, he’s definitely whipped away that thought.