Royal Academy by S. Cinders

Author:S. Cinders [Cinders, S.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-07-15T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 16

Lia turned to look at Nick, “Why did you stop?”

A light flush painted his cheeks, “I don’t really know where I’m going.”

His chagrined admission seemed to loosen something inside of Lia. Taking him by the elbow she escorted him up the stairs and past more than a dozen servants. To one of which she requested a light tea be served in the library in a quarter of an hour.

Nick noted the kind tone Lia used when speaking with the servants and his heart warmed even further. This wasn’t the spoiled princess that he had once thought her to be.

When they entered the library there was a lovely fire in the far fireplace along with a sitting area. Lia went directly there sinking down into the soft cushions of the sofa.

“I’m sorry about earlier,” Lia wasn’t looking at Nick when she spoke. Embarrassment and frustration coated her words.

Nick sat beside her, “Lia, there is nothing for you to apologize about.”

She shook her head in disagreement, “There is always something to apologize for when my father is present.”

Nick wasn’t quite sure how to proceed. One didn’t go about disparaging the king of another nation. However, this man was a shoddy piece of work.

“Is your father,” Nick paused looking for the right words. “Has he always treated you in the same manner I saw today?”

Lia shrugged, “Yes and no. For the most part, he ignores me unless something terrible or scandalous has happened—or terribly scandalous which isn’t out of the question.”

Nick hated seeing the defeated look on her beautiful face. Even sitting next to her on the couch he felt drawn to her. His hands itched to touch her, his mouth wanted to taste her again.

“Look, Nick,” Lia turned to face him and suddenly it seemed as if they were sitting very close. “I know what my father said. But you don’t need to marry me. We didn’t do anything wrong and besides this isn’t Victorian times. No one is going to call you out for a duel for ruining my honor.”

Nick frowned, “I know that.”

Lia continued, “I’m sure that you are by no means ready to settle down and I completely understand that.”

He continued to watch her face, “I hadn’t planned on getting married soon.”

She swallowed and averted her gaze, “Well, that is a relief, we can just pretend all of that nonsense never happened. In fact, you are free to go. This will blow over, it always does. I’m something of a laughing stock anyway.”

Letting things go would have been Nick’s preference had it been anyone but Lia. However, Nick found that it wasn’t at all what he wanted.

“I don’t want to pretend,” he scooted a fraction of an inch closer to her.

Lia stiffened, “Okay, well, it’s not like we will be seeing each other so if you wish to hold a grudge?”

Nick cupped her face bringing Lia’s surprised gaze to his own, “I don’t want to pretend that I can’t see how beautiful you are. I don’t want to pretend that you aren’t someone that is important to me.

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