Wearing The King's Ring: After I Do by Gia Bailey

Author:Gia Bailey [Bailey, Gia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-02-22T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 5

Ella

You always run away

That phrase bounced around my head for the rest of the dinner, tormenting me. It hurt because I knew it was true. I had run away from most of the significant relationships in my life, and only Viggo had held doggedly on. There were a few years where I’d thought he’d moved on. I went to college for classical music, much to my father’s disapproval, and during that time, I heard nothing from the King of Uppvalla.

I’d thought of him constantly. His silence had confirmed to me at the time that I had just been a passing fancy in a billionaire royal’s life. It had probably been an unfair assessment, given that Viggo had been deep in his studies at the royal military academy that trained him in intelligence, diplomacy and tactics, as well as infamously gruelling physical lessons. Then, I’d come from my studies, the mess with my father had unfolded, and Viggo had set his terms. Marry him. In the darkest, most secret part of me, I wondered what would have happened if my father had not laid his own head on the chopping block? Would I even be here with Viggo, or would we even speak at all?

I was a bundle of insecurities, looking for a way to run, like always, but this time, there was nowhere to go.

I had no experience loving someone. I hadn’t seen a loving relationship in my life. I hadn’t even felt love from my lone parent. Viggo’s steadfast feeling toward me was tough to swallow. How could it be real?

The dinner finished finally, several hours later. My cheeks were tired of fake smiling for pictures, and I was jumpy with nerves. The time was coming where we’d be alone again, and I felt that maelstrom of emotions brewing again. The one that always seemed to build between us, until something snapped, and a torrent of rushing, raw feeling poured out, unfiltered and horribly exposing. I wasn’t good at being vulnerable, and neither was Viggo. We were so similar in a lot of ways, but he was braver than me, of that, I had no doubt.

I stood up slowly, as Viggo reached out a hand for mine. All eyes were on us, and I felt self-conscious as hell. I needed a break from the security, and I guessed I wasn’t the only one.

“Ella and I will retire now.” His crisp words to Hans sent excitement and nerves flurrying through me.

“Of course, your majesty,” Hans said, clearing a path and making an announcement. People stood up as we left. There had been speeches thanking Viggo for securing the eastern front, especially from the officials whose communities lived close to the invaded borders. Now, as we walked through the great hall, all the military men in attendance snapped salutes to him. We were ushered out by his security team and started back toward our quarters for the second time today.

“Ella, are you alright?” Viggo asked me in a soft murmur that no one else could hear.

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