Nicholas #2
I was about to tell him that might be for the best when I caught sight of one of Alejandro’s footmen—a young, attractive man with midnight-colored hair and full red lips—lean over to Noah.
Usually, I wouldn’t pay attention to what was going on between the staff members during a dinner service.
But when it came to Noah, I saw everything, and when he gave the first smile I’d seen all night, I felt heat crawl up my neck.
“Unless, of course, you’d rather do it together,” Alejandro continued, unaware I was tracking his footman’s every move like a possessive, territorial predator. If he got any closer to Noah, I was going to…
“Are your footmen always so unprofessional?”
Alejandro’s mouth opened then closed, and the entire table ceased talking. “I’m sorry, Your Majesty,” he said. “Did something happen? Do you need something? I’m sure they’d be happy to—”
“No, I don’t need anything,” I bit out, aware that my curt tone and rude behavior was completely uncalled for. But it didn’t matter in that moment; all I could see was Noah smiling at the young man beside him.
It made me see red.
“I’m just distracted by their presence.”
And now I sounded like a complete and utter asshole.
I didn’t dare look at Noah then, not wanting to see the disappointment on his face, the disgust. But the idea that someone other than me had made his face light up made me feel murderous.
Also hypocritical, but that was buried deep beneath my frustration—something I needed to get a handle on, and fast, judging by the peculiar looks I was getting from everyone at the table, including my fiancé.
“That’s interesting,” Alejandro said, his eyes shifting to the side of the table where Noah and his footman stood rigid, their eyes glued to the wall on the opposite side of the dining room.
“I didn’t even notice they were there. Watson, you’re dismissed,” he said, and gestured with a flick of his hand to my new archnemesis.
Watson left his post beside Noah and disappeared from the room, and the instant relief I felt both disgusted and shamed me.
Who did I think I was? And why was it okay for Noah to have to watch me with Alejandro yet I couldn’t stand to see him smile once at someone else?
I was pathetic.
“My apologies,” Alejandro said, lifting his wine to his lips. Then he glanced back at Noah and shrugged. “I suppose even my staff is distracted by how attractive everyone from Valoria is. Your footman is quite beautiful.”
My face flamed, my hands fisting in the serviette in my lap. His words were undeniably true, but I didn’t need to hear that he or any of his staff had noticed Noah like that.
I reached for my wine and finished it off, and before my empty glass was back on the table, Noah was there, refilling it.
I stiffened, wanting to send him away to protect him but also wanting to keep him where I could see him. God, this was impossible.
And all the while, Alejandro was there to my right, keen eyes watching everything. If I hadn’t made a scene, he never would’ve noticed Noah, but now he looked at him curiously—and it nearly made every bit of the food I’d eaten come back up.
By the time dessert arrived, I’d managed a tiny bit more composure. Alejandro spoke casually about the places in Solterra he’d like me to visit, like my outburst had just been a blip, already forgotten.
As I forced down a final bite of panna cotta, not wanting to be rude even though my stomach was in turmoil, Alejandro picked up his wine glass and said, “Would you accompany me out on the terrace, Your Majesty?”
“I would be honored.”
Yes, some fresh air was exactly what I needed, even if that meant I’d be alone with Alejandro while our guests continued the final course.
Night had fallen and the sky was full of stars as we stepped onto the terrace and the doors closed quietly behind us.
I followed his lead, walking over to the railing as I took in a deep inhale.
It was much cooler out now, and the soft breeze tousled Alejandro’s longer hair.
It hit just past his collar, glossy and black in the moonlight.
He would make any man a stunning match, but every time I looked at him I wished I was looking into hazel eyes instead.
“Please give my thanks to your chefs for dinner. It was wonderful.”
“They’ll be thrilled to hear it. Though had my parents been here to greet you, they would’ve surely served you a local delicacy you may not have enjoyed quite so much.”
“Oh?”
He shot me a wink. “Maybe on your next visit.”
“I’ll remain curious until then.”
He smiled and took a long sip of wine before angling his body against the railing to face me.
“Your Mr. Bennett is rather handsome,” he said.
I was mid-swallow and coughed into my fist as the wine went down wrong.
“Sorry,” I said, and cleared my throat. “I hadn’t thought about it.”
“No?”
“No.”
Alejandro swirled his wine, and though the move was casual, his eyes were sharp when they met mine again. “I don’t think we’ll be needing Mr. Bennett’s services once we’re married.”
His words weren’t at all what I’d been expecting. “I require a footman.”
“Of course, but Mr. Bennett can be replaced. Should be replaced before the wedding.”
Shock filtered through me like ice water had been injected into my veins. I barely knew the man, but he somehow already knew what I’d been trying to hide.
Oh God.
I didn’t know what to say to that. I’d never been caught so off guard before. “I’ll take that into consideration.”
Alejandro smiled, and this time it looked less charming and more formidable. “Please do. A dalliance is one thing, but I will not be mocked. Your Majesty.”
I inclined my head as he headed back inside, leaving me on the terrace.
My hands were shaking, and I had to set down my glass. I’d spent the entire day reminding myself of my place, playing the part, being cautious, and then in one jealous outburst I’d undone it all.
I couldn’t keep Noah, but I had no idea how to let him go.
Would this be my life now? Standing beside the man who’d just noticed too much and pretending every day for the rest of my life? It was easy to say I could do it, but at the first test today, I had failed.
The future was coming for us, faster than I’d anticipated, and at this point, I didn’t know what tomorrow would bring.