Chapter 17
CHAPTER 17
G abe straightened his tie. This was the third event of this nature that he’d done since agreeing to take over as king, but he was still nervous. Every village had different people with different concerns. He’d spent considerable time researching each village’s lifestyle and prepared a plan to help them prosper. He ran through his notes again until Fairfax signaled that it was time for him to take the stage. He gave his short speech and then opened the floor for questions. After several townspeople had asked questions, a hand shot up in the back. He couldn’t see the person at first until she stood up. Genevieve. What is she doing here? His heart pounded in his chest.
“Prince Gabriel, I wanted to address the fact that you will rule without a queen. How do you think this will affect your ability to govern the people of Delnovia?”
His mouth fell open. What is she saying? Surely, she didn’t come all this way to embarrass me.
“I, um, well...” He cleared his throat. “I think I can govern the people of Delnovia with or without a queen.” He stopped to collect his thoughts. “But I think I would be a better king being happily married.”
She lit up. “So... are you saying that if you met the right girl... even if she wasn’t a resident of Delnovia, you would date her?” She paused. “At least see where it goes?”
Gabe swallowed hard. “I would love to date this girl. But what about her family and friends that are a continent away?”
Genevieve smiled. “Well, what if she were to say that she would move to Delnovia on a temporary basis to see if this would work?”
She’ll move here. She really said she would move here. She looked at him expectantly, and he realized he hadn’t replied. “I would say that would be a dream come true.” She laid the microphone down in the chair and walked toward the stage. He got down from the stage, waving his bodyguards away. When he reached her, he embraced her tightly.
“You’ll forgive me for lying to you?” he whispered.
“Of course I do.” She pulled back to look at him, tears glistening in her eyes. “I love you, Gabe. I’m sorry I was just scared after everything that happened in my past. I panicked.”
“I love you, too.” He pushed her hair back from her face. “That’s all in the past.” He leaned in and kissed her. “I can’t believe you’re here.”
She placed a hand on his face, feeling his soft beard beneath her fingers. “I can’t believe I’m here either.”
Understanding dawned on him. “You flew!” He hugged her tighter. “You actually got on an airplane and flew across the world just for me.”
Genevieve kissed him softly on the lips. “Just for you.”
One month later, Genevieve climbed the heavy ladder that rolled in front of the floor-to-ceiling bookshelves in The Royal Library of Delnovia. She watched her feet as she climbed, careful not to snag her foot on the hem of her long dress. As she looked across the shelves, with their sea of rich jewel-tone book covers, she almost had to pinch herself. I’m literally living the dream. I have a dream job. There was nothing more fascinating that seeing books in the royal library that were literally older than the United States. There were books of every type. Swashbuckling adventures, heart-stopping romance, bone-chilling horror. There were books on the history of Europe, on the history of Delnovia, on the history of... well, the history of just about anything. It’s heaven. Her favorite books were the books so valuable and old that they were in glass cases and required special gloves to handle. There was a reverence in being able to see and handle these books.
“Watch what you are doing up there. Seems like I remember you falling into me the last time I saw you up on a ladder like that.”
Genevieve looked down to see Gabe’s handsome face looking up at her. “Seems like a million years ago but then seems like yesterday.” She started to descend the ladder and grasped Gabe’s outstretched hand. As her feet touched the floor, he swept her backward for a long, deep kiss. Genevieve giggled and pushed him back lightly. “Gabe... I’m at work.”
Gabe rolled his eyes. “Darling, I own the library.”
Genevieve smacked his arm. “I know. Even more reason you shouldn’t be kissing me in the library.” She glanced at the clock. “I’m taking my break in about an hour. Want to meet me in the garden outside for lunch?”
Gabe smiled. “Of course. I have a quick conference call with the prime minister of Truance, but I’ll see you soon.” He gave her a quick peck on the lips and started to walk off before he turned back to her.
“Genevieve?”
She turned back toward him. “Yes?”
Gabe smiled his million-dollar smile. “I’m so happy to have found you.” With that, he walked away, leaving her with her heart in her throat. Yes, living the dream. No doubt about it.