The Royal Pain: A Billionaire Prince Romance by Erin Hayes

Author:Erin Hayes [Hayes, Erin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Erin Hayes Books
Published: 2017-01-31T05:00:00+00:00

12

Jessica

I don’t know what came over me. What the hell what I thinking, taking Phillip to dance in public like that? I’ve been avoiding him all week, and now, I suddenly have to prove that I can associate with anyone I want. I haven’t even had all that much to drink.

I wouldn’t be surprised if the Queen tries to have me assassinated while I’m here.

“Ugh,” I mutter, pressing a hand to my eyes. I feel winded, like I’ve just run a marathon. Now, if I could just erase all the photo ops I just had with the prince, then maybe I can salvage what’s left of my dignity and not look like I’m flirting with the crown prince of Dubreva.

A cheater, no less.

“I’m sure Phillip’s mother really enjoyed that,” an American-accented voice says next to me.

“I’m sure she did, Cat—” I stop, seeing that it wasn’t Cat who had spoken but Cara. Is it Princess Cara now? Or does she prefer to be called just “Cara”?

Am I supposed to curtsy or something?

“It’s just Cara,” she says, reading my mind. “I hate all of that styling crap they give royals.”

“You just startled me,” I tell her honestly.

“It’s the red hair, isn’t it?” Cara says, pointing to her updo.

The question is so absurd, I burst out laughing. “No, no it’s not. I just don’t know what to do with royals.”

Cara smiles as she crosses her arms. “Neither do I,” she admits. “And I married one and was engaged to another.”

The orchestra stops playing the current song, and I turn my head to look towards the curtained stage of the ballroom where an elderly man—some sort of Dubrevian duke—takes the stage. Behind him, Phillip stands, ill at ease, with the Queen and Eric, as well as an entourage of people whom I don’t recognize.

They’re about to make speeches.

“Shouldn’t you be up there?” I ask Cara, not taking my eyes off the stage.

“This speech is to celebrate the Grand Prix and the good it has done,” she answers. “Unfortunately, I had nothing to do with it, so I’m letting those who deserve it have the spotlight.”

“Ladies and gentlemen,” the man says, giving the crowd a wide grin. It’s an easy one, and I think I already like him. “We hope you’re enjoying this Grand Ball the night before we hold the inaugural Dubrevian Grand Prix. I am Alexander Horetto, the Duke of Vareis and the minister of finance for the country. It has been my pleasure to watch Prince Phillip start this endeavor with a wild idea, one that would bring both joy and charity to the world. Now Phillip is supposed to come up here and formally kick off the event for tomorrow, but I wanted to give you a little more insight into our future ruler.”

Behind the Duke of Vareis, I see Phillip startle at his proclamation. Apparently, the duke is going off the teleprompter for this speech.

“I have been around Phillip ever since he was a toddler,” the duke continues. “His

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