Chapter 187
Keira’s emotions swung wildly as she paced her suite, phone in hand.
“Deep breaths,” she muttered, squeezing her eyes shut. “Don’t let the psycho princess–wannabe get to you.” But she knew it wasn’t the end of it. She was going to let Alexei know what had gone on.
She glanced at her phone again. The message she’d sent her sisters glowed on the screen: Video call in five? Updates to be given.
Both had immediately replied they’d be there, but Keira couldn’t shake the feeling that she’d made a terrible mistake leaving without updating them first. She hated she might have caused her sisters any distress, but she hadn’t had answers at the time. She’d gone from being kidnapped and then rescued to being whisked away to a foreign country and thrust into royal life within the span of days. Even for someone who prided herself on handling anything thrown at her, this was next–level insanity.
The phone rang in her hand, startling her. Blair’s name flashed on the screen along with Sutton’s. Looked like as soon as the five minutes was up, Blair had video called them both. She took one steadying breath and answered.
“Holy shit,” Blair blurted the moment her face appeared on screen. “Keira, don’t do that to us again.”
“What the hell is going on?” Sutton demanded simultaneously, her face pinched with worry.
Keira sank onto the edge of the enormous bed, holding the phone out to give her sisters a glimpse of the room. “Welcome to my new reality, I guess? I’m in Wystovia. At the actual royal palace.”
“We know that much from the news,” Blair said, her tone somewhere between concerned and bewildered. “But why are you there? What is happening. We saw the news coverage about Alexei, Is it true are you together?”
“Maybe? Sort of? It’s complicated.” She flopped back on the bed, holding the phone above her face. “The media caught him leaving my apartment yesterday morning. Apparently, having sex with a prince causes an international incident because of the kidnapping everything was heightened and out of control.”
Both sisters‘ jaws dropped.
“You slept with him?” Sutton blurted.
“While you were kidnapped?” Blair added, eyes wide.
“And After… before you judge me… it wasn’t just sex.” Keira sat up, running a hand through her hair. “Or maybe it was at first, but now… i don’t know what it is. Well, for him at least, but…”
Blair’s expression softened slightly. “You have feelings for him.”
It wasn’t a question. Keira hated how transparent she was to her sisters.
“Maybe. No, not maybe. Yes, I love him, but that’s not why I’m here.” She explained about the photos, the reporters, the king’s plan to announce their engagement. “It’s damage control. Royal PR 101.”
“And you agreed to this?” Sutton sounded wary.
1/4
08:22 Sat, 30 Aug
Chapter 187
74%
“What choice did I have? Stay and face the media circus alone? The media would see me as just another woman Alexei has slept with. The kidnapping made it more interesting to them.” Keira stood again, unable to keep still. “At least here I have some protection.”
“But an engagement?” Blair pressed. “That’s a huge step, even as a cover story. I know my relationship with Roman started a little unorthodox as well. But a prince?”
“Trust me, I know.” Keira rubbed at her temples. “I just met the King, who grilled me like I was applying for national security clearance. And his niece, or second cousin, or whatever she is, just threatened to destroy me because she’s apparently been saving herself for Alexei since puberty.”
Sutton’s eyebrows shot up. “Already making enemies in the palace?”
“Not by choice. She escorted me to my room and spent the entire time implying I’m a gold–digging slut who doesn’t belong here.” Keira laughed humorlessly. “I told her to get her big girl boots on, because I fight dirty.”
Blair groaned. “Keira…”
“What? I’m supposed to just let her walk all over me?” Keira said defensively. “I’ve been kidnapped, photographed having a walk of shame–well, almost, it was Alexei’s walk of shame really. Then interrogated by a king, and now I’m being fake- engaged to a prince, at least for now, to see how things go. Excuse me if my diplomatic skills aren’t at their peak right
now.”
“We’re just worried,” Sutton said gently. “This is a lot, even for you.”
know.” Keira’s shoulders sagged. “The worst part is, I don’t know if I’m more afraid this engagement will fail… or that it won’t.”
Her sisters‘ faces softened in understanding.
“You really do have feelings for him,” Blair said quietly.
Keira nodded, throat suddenly tight. “But what if he doesn’t feel the same…”
A knock at the door cut her off. She jumped, heart racing.
“I have to go. Someone’s here.”
“Keep us updated,” Sutton insisted. “And Keira? Be careful.”
“With my heart or with palace politics?“.
“Both,” Blair answered firmly. “We love you.”
“Love you too
Veira ended the call and moved to the door, half expecting to find Maria back for round two. Instead, she found Alexei
“May1 come in?” he asked, glancing down the hall where a staff member pretended not to be watching.
She stepped back, letting him enter before closing the door. The moment they were alone, his formal posture melted
2/4
08:22 Sat, 30
Chapter 187
away, and he pulled her into his arms.
“I’m sorry,” he murmured against her hair. “For all of this. My father, the separate rooms, the announcement tomorrow…”
“Not your fault,” she said, pulling back to study his face. “How bad was your talk with Daddy Dearest?”
Alexei’s mouth quirked in a half–smile. “About what you’d expect. He thinks I’ve been reckless, impulsive, that I’ve created yet another PR nightmare.” His eyes softened as they met hers. “But he also thinks you might be exactly what I need.”
“Really? That’s not the impression I got.”
“My father tests everyone. It’s his way.” Alexei brushed a strand of hair from her face. “But he respects strength. And you,
Keira Warner, are one of the strongest people I’ve ever met.”
“You weren’t there when Maria decided to welcome me to the family.”
Alexei stiffened. “What did she do?”
Keira gave him the condensed version, watching his expression darken with each word.
“If she’s had designs for me that’s her problem,” he admitted. “But I’ve never encouraged it. I’ll speak to her.”
“Don’t” Keira shook her head firmly. “I can handle Maria. The last thing I need is for people to think I’m running to you with every little problem.”
“This isn’t little, Keira. If she’s threatening you-”
“Then I’ll deal with it.” She fixed him with a steady gaze. “I survived being kidnapped with you. I can survive your jealous
cousin.”
His eyes searched hers for a long moment before he nodded. “Alright. But if it gets worse-”
“It won’t.” She wasn’t sure if she was trying to convince him or herself.
Alexei moved to the window, gazing out. “Tomorrow night is the state dinner. My father will announce our engagement to the diplomatic corps and senior government officials.”
“And if we decide later we don’t want to go through with it?”
He turned back to her, his expression serious. “Then we’ll face that when the time comes. But for now, for now, we play
our parts
Was that all it was for him? “And what are our parts exactly? Prince Charming and his rescued damsel?
“No” He crossed the room to her again, taking her hands in his “Two people who found each other in the worst of circumstances and are choosing to face the future together? He paused, studying her face. “Unless you’ve changed your
mind?”
The question hung between them loaded with implications. Had she? in the chaos of the day, had her feelings shifted? Had the reality of palace life already frightened her away?
3/4
08:22 Sat, 30 Aug i T
Chapter 187
“No,” she said finally, the word surprisingly easy to say. “I haven’t changed my mind.”
74%
+23
11
Relief flooded his expression. “Then I have something for you.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet
box.
08:22 Sat, 30 Aug
