Regally Binding: An enemies to lovers bodyguard romance by Rebecca Chase

Author:Rebecca Chase [Chase, Rebecca]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-06-25T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Liss counted to ten and walked back towards the ballroom, but slow footsteps behind her made her pause.

At a croaking sound, she whipped around, lifting her fists to protect herself.

“Felicity.” It was the King. His steps were shaky, and his hands trembled as Liss rushed to his aid, tucking her arm through his.

“King Archibald—” she gasped. His eyes sunk in his head, and his skin wore a yellow tinge.

“Felicity, you’re beautiful. That shade of purple suits you,” he replied between coughs. The antiseptic smell surrounded them, and close up, she spied his wrinkles even under the corridor’s glittering lights. He’d deteriorated so quickly.

“Should I ask someone to bring a chair?” she asked, rubbing his back. His suit was soft against her palm. “Or maybe you should return to bed?”

“No, I am fine.” He pulled himself up and puffed out his chest, but it didn’t hide the quake of his hands or the weariness that flowed from him with each shallow breath. “I’ve got to introduce everyone to my new granddaughter. The King can’t be anything but at his best.”

She winced a smile at the reminder that she was entering a life that wasn’t for her. People shouldn’t always be at their best, no matter who they are. Suddenly, the King launched into a story of being in a battle when he was in the air force. “And as fifty fighters closed in on my platoon, we held our nerve. I didn’t lose any men that day. The battle saved a village.” She wrinkled her nose, and her now genuine smile grew as his hands danced. This was the King she recognised on television. Would she have the chance to spend time with him before her training and duties started? If she rejected the throne, he wouldn’t want to spend time with her anyway.

“King Archibald—” she uttered, attempting to broach the subject of her future.

“Grandad,” he cut in gently. “Please call me grandad.”

“Grandad.” His eyes lit up, and creases appeared in the corners of his smile. A warmth filled her chest. This man seemed to accept her for who she was in a way her nana never had. “I was wondering what happens next.”

“Tonight?”

“No, I—”

Marianne and Alex rushed through the door. “There you are. We’re ready for your speech. You’re going to be late,” Alex chastised his father as if he were a small child caught playing in the toy aisle at a supermarket.

As her head fuzzed and her gaze swam, she held the King tightly.

“I’ve told you before, Alex. The King is never late.” He stopped to whisper to Liss, “Everyone else is merely early.” He chuckled, and Liss joined in. His laugh was melodic until his barking cough replaced it.

Marianne elbowed Liss out of the way. Liss attempted to speak, but Marianne held a hand in her face to quiet her. Her diamond ring glinted under the lights, nearly blinding her. “Have you taken your medication, sir?”

“Of course. And I’ve got the rest right here in case I need a top-up.

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