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"It’s a drea yet" She presses her cheek against"Don’t leave ut--because it doesn’t feel at all like teasing

I tilt her face up to me so I can see her eyes "What’s that about, now?"

"Tell ether Like this," she pleads

And I don’t hesitate "We’re going to be together Every day and every night, just like this" I reach up and kiss her, sealing the words

Then I add, "But I need to speak with Prince Nicholas, before anyone else knows Even before you tell your sister"

"But--"

"He’s like an older brother to me, Elle--his opinion matters I don’t want hie I want to be clear about my intentions and I want him to hear it fro I’m like all the other arseholes who’ve let him down or betrayed hiht--almost silver "Do you think he’ll be mad?"

"I don’t think he, or any of them will be happy" My knuckle brushes the apple of her cheek--so pretty "They had plans for you"

"Will you get in trouble?"

"Depends on your definition of trouble" I shrug, teasing "Theyabove"But, oh, it orth it"

Ellie bitesour fingers together "Everything will be fine, I promise"

Turns out, sometimes I lie--and don’t even know it

I PLAN ON SPEAKING TO Nicholas about Ellie the very saive a speech for a children’s charity that requires him to travel in the helicopter, and there’s no chance for us to chat alone The next day, Olivia’s feeling poorly, and she and the Prince spend the whole day sequestered in their bedroooes, for the next day and one more after that--I try to take him aside, to find hietting in the way

But nothing gets in the way ofor anyone who tried We keep our distance e’re around others, acting friendly--norht--or when I can’t, she co to the cineo to roans and shouts and cursing gasps We’re oodso easy

On the fourth day, they’re together at breakfast--Ellie, Olivia, Nicholas, Henry and Lady Sarah Ellie sends a warm, secret smile my way, and I’m determined to tell the prince today

I clear my throat "Prince Nicholas--"

"A present arrived for you, Lady Olivia Looks like it’s for the little ones" Sylvie, the new kitchen maid, places a square box on the table in front of Olivia, wrapped in pink and blue paper with a white bow

"Thank you, Sylvie"

Olivia gazes at the gift for aa worn, brown cardboard box underneath, with a folded note taped to the side And so It doesn’t see any acquaintance of the royal fait

"Has this been through security?" I ask the maid

Her eyes are wide "No, it was just delivered at the rear entrance I thought I’d bring it right in"

I take the box froht I set it on the bureau, away from the table, then I take the knife frohtly Just enough to see what’s inside

And when I do--I curse

"What is it?" Ellie asks, standing, her eyes wide and round--looking young, innocent--and so pulls inside an?" Olivia asks

I shake an" Her voice is firmer, more of an order "Tell me what’s in there"