Royally Not Ready(55)
“I believe you’re right. As much as I would like to get out of Harrogate and move her into the palace, she’s not ready. Not even close.”
“Then in Harrogate she will stay. But I need you to keep me updated as to how she’s feeling. Only then will we be able to move forward.” He pauses for a second and then says, “Keller?”
“Yes?”
“What’s she like?”
A stupid smile spreads across my face. “A spitfire, doesn’t take any shit, and is a royal pain in the ass.”
Theo lets out a boisterous laugh. “Then she very much has the Strom blood in her.”
That she does.
We say our goodbyes, and when I hang up the phone and step into the castle, I’m greeted by Brimar, with a worried look on his face.
“Is everything okay?”
“No,” I answer. “Lilly’s name has been dropped, and it’s going to be all over the news this morning.”
Brimar winces while looking around. “Are they calling us to Strombly?”
I shake my head. “No, we’re to stay put.”
Brimar’s brows draw together. “How can that be? Does King Theo truly believe we’re safer here than behind palace walls?”
“He does because she hasn’t committed to a decision yet. She’s yet to decide if taking on the role of a monarch is something she wants to commit her life to. If we take her to Strombly, then she’ll be subjected to a life she’s not ready for,” I whisper, not wanting my voice to carry.
“Well, we can’t stay here forever,” Brimar whispers back. “Keeping her safe here in Harrogate is temporary. The public will find out.”
“I know. But I don’t want to push her. There’s a fine line, Brimar. She doesn’t deserve unnecessary pressure to make a decision.”
“I think you need to set aside your feelings for her and think of this country.”
“I am thinking of this country,” I snap back at him. “That’s why I’m not pushing her. She needs to love this country at her own pace, not because I’m pressuring her.”
“What’s going on?” Lilly asks as she steps out onto the balcony of the stairs, rubbing one of her eyes with her palm, looking fresh from her bed. “I heard whisper-shouting, and whisper-shouting can only mean one thing, that you’re attempting to make sure I don’t figure out what you’re whisper-shouting about.”
“We’re just discussing safety protocols,” I say.
Brimar gives me a look, and then with frustration, he pushes past me, saying, “I’m going to go work out.”
When he’s out of the entryway, Lilly asks, “What kind of safety protocols?”
I walk up the stairs, joining her. “Nothing you need to worry about.” When I reach her, I ask, “Are you ready for our run?”
Her shoulders slump and she leans against the balcony rail. “Why do you need to torture me? Can we skip it today? Do something other than mindless running and stale lectures? Just have a fun day? Please?”
Offer her comfort.
This is what Theo’s talking about. If I continue to push her too hard without meeting her needs, she’s going to shut down and want to return to Miami. The pressure of having to convince her to stay and train her at the same time is overwhelming, but maybe letting up, giving her a break, would be best for both of us. Ultimately, we need Lilly to love this country, not just know its history. We need her to love who we are, where we are, and want to stay because what’s in her blood is calling to her to stay. Not just know the history until her ears bleed, Keller.
“What did you have in mind?” I ask her.
She perks up. “Wait, really?” Her surprised expression is comical. Maybe I should lighten up more if she’s this shocked.
“Depends. What do you want to do?”
“Uh . . . well, I wasn’t thinking you were going to say yes, so I’m unprepared.” She taps her chin. “Let’s see, well, I definitely want to go to the hot springs.”
“Lilly, I don’t know—”
“Please.” She comes up to me and tugs on my hand. “On the way you can quiz me about etiquette. I know how much you love to hammer knowledge into me.” Smirking, she adds, “If only you were hammering something else into me.”
“Easy,” I say, causing her to laugh.
“And then maybe we can make bread or something.”
“Bread?” My brows draw together.
“Yes, that kitchen just seems like it was made to bake bread. It doesn’t have to be bread, though. It can be a specialty of Torskethorpe. Something people love eating.”
“Vinatarte,” I answer.
“Yes, that. We can make that. And then, after we bake, maybe we can just relax and play a game. Any games your country likes to play?”
“Crazy cods.”
“Crazy cods?” She chuckles. “What’s that?”
“Like crazy eights, but with a special deck of cards.”
“Yes, count me in. That sounds like fun. And the whole time, if you want to teach me things, you can, but let’s make it fun and not a lecture.” She steps up to me and places her hands on my arms. “We need to loosen you up a bit. You’re so tense and cranky with me all the time. Stop being cranky.”