Royally Not Ready(67)

“Yes, whatever works for everyone.”

King Theo focuses his attention on me and says, “I know this has been a whirlwind for you, and I truly wish I could’ve spent more time with you during your training, but I want you to know how much I truly appreciate you even considering your succession. At the end of this, even if your answer is no, I want you to know that I truly love you, my darling Lilija.”

My eyes well up and my lips tremble. “Darling . . .” I whisper. “That’s . . . that’s what my mom used to call me.”

King Theo’s eyes grow soft as he presses his hand to his chest. “Ah, that’s what I’d call my sweet Margret as well. I see the tradition carried on.”

“It did.” I smile. “Can I ask you something?”

“Anything, my darling,” he says. I want to ask him about Queen Katla. I want to ask if she thinks of me and wants to meet me, or if the reticence between mother and daughter will continue between grandmother and granddaughter. But I’m fearful his answer will be yes. So, I push down those feelings of rejection and go with something safer.

“When I arrive at Strombly, will you please show me the different embroidered pieces my mother made?”

“I’ll do something even greater than that. I shall show you her room, her treasured items, and the letters she sent me over the years.”

“Really?” I ask.

He nods. “Really.”

“Thank you.”

Keller places his hand on my thigh and says, “I’ll prepare Henrik.”

“Thank you,” King Theo says before we all say our goodbyes.

Once the laptop is shut, Brimar steps up, anger evident on his face. “You’re being reckless.” His boisterous voice snaps me out of the loving haze I was just in.

Keller rises from the couch. “Brimar, watch your tone.”

“Don’t tell me to watch my fucking tone. I’m the head of security. I’m the one who should be calling the shots here, and staying here in Harrogate is not smart.”

“Brimar, I’m warning you,” Keller says, his voice evilly controlled.

Brimar, on the other hand, curls his fists at his sides as he continues, “Do you truly think the public is dumb enough to assume we’re not here?”

“I think as long as we keep quiet and maintain a level of peace here, no one will realize. Harrogate hasn’t been occupied for years.”

“You just want to keep her here because you know when you’re at Strombly, you’re not going to be able to fuck her.”

“Brimar,” Lara chastises, standing as well.

Oh shit. My eyes bounce back and forth between Brimar and Keller.

Keller’s hands clutch at his sides and the muscles in his back flex as he very quietly says, “Your room, now.”

Rolling his eyes, Brimar snaps the towel off his shoulder and takes off toward his room, Keller trailing behind him.

When they’re out of the room, Lara takes a seat next to me. “I’m so sorry he said that. That was completely out of line. What you and Keller do is your business.”

“We’ve done nothing,” I say, still stunned from Brimar’s outburst. “Keller won’t go there.”

“Oh.” Lara glances down at her hands. “That’s surprising. I guess with the way he looks at you, the way he touches you on occasion, I assumed differently. I think Brimar assumes the same. Either way, it was uncalled for.”

“Why are you apologizing for him?” I ask. “You didn’t do anything wrong.”

“I know, but . . . I just want you to know that I’m sorry he said that and that I don’t condone what he said. He’s just . . . he’s very stressed lately. He wants to leave here.”

“Do you think we’re sitting ducks?” I ask her.

She shakes her head. “No, I trust Keller. He knows what’s best, and if he thinks we’re safe here, then we’re safe.”

“Okay.”

A door slams, causing both me and Lara to flinch. Keller comes storming into the living room shortly after. Not saying a word, he grabs his computer and heads up to his room.

When he’s gone, I turn to Lara and say, “Well, dinner should be fun.”





The wind howls against the stone of the castle, whipping so hard that the long blades of grass outside are running parallel to the ground. Dinner was a disaster. No one talked. We just ate our food and listened to the wind outside. When I took my plate to the kitchen, Brimar followed me and offered an apology for speaking out of turn. I thanked him for apologizing, and when I returned to the dining room, Keller was gone.

Lara and I sat in front of the fireplace again and worked on our napkins until my eyes felt blurry and I decided to retire for the night. My excuse for leaving was partially true, but I was also very concerned about Keller.

That’s why I find myself now at Keller’s door, my knuckles knocking on the hardwood.

“Yeah,” he calls out.

My finger runs across the ancient wood as I say, “Keller, it’s me. Can I come in?”

I’m met with silence, and right when I’m about to call out to him again, the door to his bedroom opens. He leans against it, wearing only a pair of sweatpants.

“Everything okay?” he asks me.