Chapter 184
She’d seen photos of the King, of course, but nothing had prepared her for the man’s presence. He was as tall as Alezej with silver–streaked dark hair and the same sharp jawline his son had inherited. But where Alexei’s eyes held warmth and sometimes mischief, the King’s were calculating and cool as they swept over her.
“Father,” Alexei said, stepping forward. “May I present Keira Warner.”
Keira remembered her briefing… wait for him to extend his hand, address him properly, don’t speak unless spoken to. She stood her ground, spine straight, chin lifted slightly. Not defiant but not cowering either. She would not show any weakness. She may be shaking on the inside, but he would not know that.
The King’s gaze assessed her for what felt like an eternity before he extended his hand. “Miss Warner. Welcome to Wystovia.”
“Your Majesty.” She stepped forward, taking his hand briefly. His grip was firm. “Thank you for receiving me.” Keira didn’t curtsey because no one had told her to, and she wasn’t going to make a fool of herself by doing so.
Something flickered across the King’s face… was that surprise, she wondered? Perhaps. He gestured to the chairs positioned in front of his desk. “Please, sit.”
Keira settled into the chair, smoothing her dress. Alexei took the seat beside her, his posture rigid.
“I trust your journey was comfortable?” The King returned to his seat, leaning back and studying them.
“Yes, Sir. Your country is beautiful from the air as well as on land. I enjoy my drive through the town.”
“Indeed.” His accent was less pronounced than she’d expected, his English polished. “Though I imagine you’ve had little time to appreciate it, given the… impromptu nature of your departure from New York.”
And there it was… the first jab, barely veiled in pleasantries. Keira felt Alexei tense beside her.
“Father-” Alexei began, but the King held up a hand/
“I’m speaking to Miss Warner.” His voice was calm but brooked no argument. He turned his attention back to her. “You understand, of course, why I wished to meet you immediately.”
Though not exactly immediately, since he could have greeted her at the airport. Keira kept that thought to herself. She was learning to use a filter.
Keira nodded, keeping her expression blank. “You want to assess whether I’m a gold–digger, an opportunist, or simply naive enough to have been swept up in your son’s… let’s call it charm for a better word.” She paused, watching the King’s eyebrows rise slightly. “Or perhaps all three.”
Alexei made a choked sound beside her. The King, however, didn’t react.
“Directness. That is interesting.” He steepled his fingers. “Most women who find themselves in your position attempt to ingratiate themselves,”
“Your Majesty. I don’t even use flattery with your son because he doesn’t need it.” She kept her voice steady, “And we both
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Chapter 184
know flattery would get me nowhere with you. So why waste my time?”
“Indeed.” His gaze was assessing, unreadable. “Tell me, Miss Warner, what exactly is your understanding of the situation you find yourself in?”
Royally fucked. But she used her filter again and didn’t say that.
Keira took a moment to consider her words carefully. “I understand that your son and I were photographed in a compromising situation following our kidnapping. I understand that tabloids are already creating their own storylines about our relationship and when and how it started. I also understand that you believe an engagement announcement would turn the scandal into something more appealing for public acceptance, after the string of bad press Alexei has received, the engagement would be more of a fairy tale in their eyes.”
“Precise and correct.” The King leaned forward slightly. “But what you may not fully comprehend is the weight of what such an announcement would mean. Not just for the media, but for you personally.”
“With all due respect, Sir, I believe I do.” She met his gaze directly. “It would mean surrendering my privacy, my complete freedom to do as I wish, and potentially my identity. My whole life will be an open book to the world.”
Something that might have been approval flickered in the King’s eyes. “You’ve given this some thought.”
“The weight of what is to come isn’t lost on me. I’m aware of what the media can do.” She had seen it up–close and personal with her family.
“And yet here you are.” He gestured to the room around them. But she knew he meant in their country. “Why?”
The question hung in the air between them. Keira was acutely aware of Alexei beside her, of the tension radiating from him. She could feel his eyes on her, waiting for her answer as anxiously as his father was.
“Because I believe your son is worth it,” she said simply. Talk about put it out there for all to see. Even if she hadn’t said she loved Alexei, they now knew she had strong feelings for him.
The King’s expression didn’t change, but something shifted in his posture. “Worth becoming fair game to the tabloids? Worth having your past scrutinized, your motives questioned, your every move analyzed? Because unless you are behind these walls your life will not be your own.”
“Worth fighting for,” Keira clarified. “Worth standing beside even when it’s difficult. Then yes.”
The King studied her for a long moment, then turned to his son. “Alexei, leave us.”
Alexei immediately stiffened. “Father-”
“It’s an order, not a suggestion.”
Keira felt panic rise in her chest, but she kept her expression smooth. She couldn’t show weakness now.
“It’s okay,” she said to Alexei, her voice firm. “I’ll be fine.”
Alexei hesitated, looking between her and his father. He knew she needed to do this to prove herself. Finally, he stood, squeezing her shoulder briefly before he left. The sound of the door closing behind him felt ominously final.
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Chapter 184
The King waited until they were alone before speaking again. “Now, Miss Warner, shall we speak plainly, without my son presence influencing your answers?”
“I prefer plain speaking in all circumstances, Your Majesty. But I have to tell you your son’s presence does not and never will influence my answers because I speak my mind always.”
A small smile, the first she’d seen curved the King’s mouth. “My son has a history of… entanglements with women who see his title before they see him. Women easily dazzled by wealth and status.”
“I’m aware of his reputation. Everyone is aware of his reputation.”
“And yet you insist you’re different.”
“I don’t insist anything.” Keira squared her shoulders. “I’m simply stating that I was his assistant for a while before anything happened between us. I’ve seen him at his best and his very worst, and I’ve never hesitated to tell him when he’s being an ass.”
The King’s eyebrows shot up at her language, but she continued.
“I know he can be reckless, impulsive, and occasionally infuriating. I also know he’s intelligent, compassionate, cares about his country; it’s why he works so hard to build your business portfolio in the states, and he is fiercely loyal to those he cares about.” She paused, gathering her courage. “With respect, Sir, I don’t need your approval to care for your son. That is between Alexei and me only. But I do need to understand what you expect from me if I’m to consider being part of this… arrangement.” There, she just told him it was for her to decide, not him.
For several seconds, the King said nothing, his expression unreadable. Then he rose from his chair and moved to the window, gazing out at the palace gardens.
“What I expect,” he said finally, his back to her, “is discretion. Dignity. An understanding that being connected to the Wystovian crown means putting duty before personal desires. If you join our family, the people of this country must always come first. Their best interest must come first, because the crown is here for the people.”
He turned to face her again. “What I expect, Miss Warner, is someone who will stand beside my son not just in moments of passion, but in moments of responsibility. Someone who will help him become the man his country needs, not enable his worst impulses.”
“I’ve never enabled his worst impulses,” Keira replied. “Ask him yourself.”
“I intend to.” The King returned to his seat. “But first, I need to be absolutely clear about something.” He leaned forward, his gaze piercing. “If this is a game to you, if you’re seeking fame, fortune, or a temporary adventure… will not hesitate to protect my family and my country from any damage you might cause.”
The threat was clear. Keira felt a chill run down her spine, but she held his gaze. In other words, he would throw her to the wolves, and she couldn’t really blame him. He was protecting his family and his people. She would be the same with her own family.
“I’m not playing games, Your Majesty. But I won’t be bullied either, even by a king.” She took a deep breath. “If Alexei and I decide to make this real, and that’s still an if… it will be because we choose to, not because scandal forced our hand.”
Something that might have been respect flickered in the King’s eyes. “You are not what I expected, Miss Warner.
Chapter 184
Keira laughed. “I hear that a lot.”
“I can see why my son is drawn to you.” He tapped his fingers thoughtfully on his desk. “Stubborn, direct, and unintimidated by power… qualities that would serve the royal family well if properly channeled.”
He was talking about training her to be a proper princess, she hoped he had shares in a company that made gaffer tape Because unless she learned to control her wayward mouth, he was going to need truck loads.
“I’m not trying to be a royal. I’m just trying to figure out if there’s a path forward that doesn’t hurt Alexei’s position or me personally.”
The King’s gaze remained fixed on Keira, his expression revealing nothing as he contemplated her words.
Finally, he leaned forward, hands clasped on his desk. “Tell me, Miss Warner, were you a virgin when you met my son?”
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