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Me: Sounds good.

Terrance: Behave

Me: Never ;)

I send a message to the hospital nurse who oversees the volunteers, letting her know that I’ll be gone for a few days. She texts me back a picture of Andrew. He looks good and this makes me smile.

I shove my phone into my pocket and head out to meet Jackie. She eyes me suspiciously.

“Don’t worry, I can’t possibly get into any shenanigans at the Summer Palace.”

“True, but just know, you are still on the top of my shit list,” Jackie grumbles as she grabs the other bags and hands them to Dominic. I slide into the car.

I’m quiet as we drive to the Summer Palace. It’s not far from the city. Of course, the principality is so small in comparison to the U.S. that I feel like we are just driving from one side of the city to the other and then out to a suburb. And essentially, we are.

I’m surprised when we drive up to a much less flashy-looking estate than the main palace. In the front, it still looks quite old, but the new landscaping and windows tell me it was recently renovated. I frown remembering the news reports when the explosion took place here less than two years ago.

An older woman is waiting for us at the front door.

“Good morning,” she says cheerfully, and I’m taken aback by her American accent. “I’m Tessa. His Majesty has asked me to welcome you and make sure you are settled.”

I can’t help wondering if she was chosen to greet me because she’s an American.

“Where are you from, Tessa?” I ask as I follow her with Jackie and Dominic in tow. I’m vaguely aware that a young man has picked up my bags and trails behind us.

“Georgia, originally, Miss Kate,” she says to me with a wide smile, her Southern accent comes out strong as she says “Georgia.”

I smile back at her. “Georgia is a lovely state.”

“Yes, ma’am,” she agrees as she opens one side of a double door to reveal a giant suite.

“This here will be your room. There’s an adjoining suite with two rooms for your security,” she points out to us as we stand in the doorway. Dominic walks around the room, doing a sweep, I’m sure. I roll my eyes.

“Dominic, I think the room is secure,” I huff.

He glares at me. “I’m just doing my job,” he snarls before nodding to Jackie.

“Is there anything else we can get for you?” Tessa asks, ignoring my banter with my security.

I shake my head.

“I’ll let you get settled. You can dial one on the phone and it will put you through to me if you need anything. It’s not as formal here as it is at the Royal Palace. Dinner will be a six. You are welcome to explore the grounds in the meantime. Anna is out riding with her husband, and the boys are somewhere around here,” Tessa says as she gives me a wink and nod and heads out into the hallway.

“What are your plans?” Jackie asks me, her hands on her hips.

I shrug. “I…don’t know. Maybe, I’ll just walk around and explore the estate.”

She gives me a pointed look.

I groan. And hold up three fingers. “I promise not to leave the estate, Scout’s honor.”

“Fine,” she huffs. “But, if—”

“I’m not leaving,” I say again, cutting her off as my phone rings. “It’s my mom.”

Jackie nods and goes into the adjoining suite.

“Mom?”