Tempted by Her Royal Best Friend by Juliette Hyland

Author:Juliette Hyland
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2023-03-08T17:15:59+00:00

CHAPTER SEVEN

DRIFTING AROUND HER FLAT, Hazel looked at the two floating shelves Syver had helped her hang. Plants poured off each of them. In silly pots that he’d insisted on purchasing for her.

It should have been a sweet treat. A reminder that he knew her better than others. Cared about getting her something that mattered to her. But a cloud hung over the vines.

A week later and she still kept rethinking his statement on marriage. That the palace would make all the decisions. Rather than fight that, he’d just decided not to marry.

Without considering what his future partner might want.

She rolled her finger along the edge of her thumbnail, then pulled back. They’d been seeing each other for a short period. Not enough to even consider marriage.

But the idea that he’d just let the palace decide his fate. It worried her more than a lifetime of just loving each other. So much of her life had been decided for her.

Her mother’s constant moves. The job with the clinic Alec had arranged. All her belongings raided by the authorities. She wasn’t prepared to live a life dictated by others.

And Syver shouldn’t want that either. If he accepted it, what did it mean for them?

Her throat was stuffy as she looked at the plants, worried that she was missing something important. Something that could drive everything.

Fönn’s monarchy had more power than most modern monarchies. Though they had a host of advisers, the King’s word was still final. An archaic rule she thought needed revised.

However, it was unlikely Syver would ever sit on the throne. And he could renounce his title, gain his complete freedom.

Freedom by renouncing who he’d been from birth.

It was an easy thought, a much harder action to take. With consequences that couldn’t be undone.

Pressing her palm into her chest, she looked at the greenery, trying to see it as something other than a distraction from the tension following their marriage discussion.

Alec had used gifts that way. Bought her something when she asked questions about his work or fought over some new fancy purchase she didn’t think they could afford. Redirected her thoughts with a pretty bauble. Whenever conversations started about getting engaged, or their future, or any slight argument, she could count on finding a gift on the counter.

Always something expensive. Something she didn’t want.

Everyone had told her how lucky she was...of course, they’d also abandoned her after Alec’s imprisonment. Gossiped over the fancy electronics and jewelry seized as evidence.

Plants weren’t the same. Alec had never gotten her a plant, even though that thoughtful gift would have meant far more than any fancy electronic or jewelry she had no place to wear.

So why did the vines and silly pots give her the same uncomfortable feeling?

“Hazel.” Syver swept into the flat, and grinned.

And most of her uncertainty floated away.

She was the one holding back in the relationship. She was the one who’d asked him not to discuss their relationship. Not to announce it to anyone.

Projecting her own insecurities would only hurt their future.

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