Page 2 of A Royal Mistake

Brilliant. She could only imagine what tales her parents had spun in their haste to see their only daughter married off. Chances were, a great deal of it was inaccurate, but she could hardly fault this man for her current situation. The second son of the ruling prince, Dominik was probably also under tremendous pressure to make a favorable match.

At least they had that much in common.

The difference was, Pippa had no intention of allowing herself to be matched. She was finished letting her royal bloodline—and all the ridiculous rules that came with it—dictate her life. For twenty-three years, she’d been sheltered and coddled, but she was done. Travelling abroad had opened her eyes to her naivety, and she would not shut them again just to make life easier for everyone else.

The need to do better—to be better—burned like a torch deep in her chest.

While they lounged next to a water source that was purely aesthetic, twenty-five percent of the world’s population lacked safe drinking water. Pippa sighed, the splashing of the fountain matching the rhythmic pounding in her head. It was time to put an end to this courtship business once and for all. Valerian law forbid her from actively participating in royal business until she married, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t branch out on her own. She had a trust fund, a plan to start her own charitable organization—one that focused on helping women—and more than enough passion to see it through.

She just needed the right opportunity to bring it up to Their Majesties.

Preferably one when they weren’t shoving single men at her.

Honestly, how could anyone think strolling through the gardens was more important than opening schools and providing basic water services?

“Philippa, darling,” Dominik said, taking her hands in his. His palms were sweaty, but who was she to judge when she herself was suffocating from the oppressive heat? “I know we’re just getting to know one another, but I must admit I’m quite taken by you.”

Poppycock. The only thing he was taken by was her crown.

“I’d like to kiss you now.”

What? No. Was he serious? She had no desire to kiss him, and she was pretty sure she wasn’t giving offcome hithervibes.

“Dominik, I—”

Before she could get the words out, he closed his eyes and leaned toward her.

Oh, no.Instinct kicked in at the sight of his puckered lips. Pippa jerked her hands from his grasp and leapt to her feet. Which probably would’ve been fine if she hadn’t used so much force. Or if he had a better sense of balance. Or, really, any combination of the two.

Unfortunately, gravity wasn’t #TeamDominik.

Pippa watched in horror as he tumbled into the fountain, arse over elbow. He landed with a splash, and a wall of water pelted her dress, soaking her midsection and trickling down her bare legs. Thank God she’d skipped the pantyhose this morning, because despite feeling like a half-drowned rat, she was finally cooling off.

Fountain diving for the win!

Dominik floundered in the fountain, staggering to his feet and shaking water from his summer suit. He was soaked from head to toe, and his dark hair hung limp across his forehead, dripping rivulets of glistening water down his face. His eyes locked on Pippa, narrowing in accusation.

“What on earth did you do that for?” he demanded.

“Seriously?” Indignation flared in her chest. This was so not her fault. He was the one getting all up in her personal space. “Newsflash, Your Serene Highness. You can’t just go around kissing whoever you want without permission.”

He stared at her, mouth agape.

Pippa crossed her arms over her chest, refusing to back down. She couldn’t possibly be the first woman to reject his advances. And so what if she was? Her body, her choice.

“Now if you’ll excuse me,” she said, lifting her chin, “I have to go change for my afternoon appointment.”

There was no appointment, but he didn’t know that. Prince Dominik could flail around in the fountain all day for all she cared. She wasn’t hanging around for another minute of it. Not when her time would be better spent researching the legal aspects of humanitarian aid.

Pippa turned on her heel and marched out of the garden with as much dignity as she could muster. It wasn’t much. Her feet slid around in her soggy ballet flats, making her movements as stilted and jerky as a newborn fawn.

Sarah gave her a wide berth, which was just as well. The last thing she needed was a lecture from her bodyguard. Lord knew she’d probably get one from Their Majesties once they caught wind of Dominik’s swim in the fountain.

Which never would have happened if they hadn’t declared “open season” on their only daughter.

Pippa stalked through the topiary garden, shoes squishing with every step. She stayed close to the hedgerow to avoid drawing attention. If she could just make it back to her suite without seeing anyone…it would be a miracle.

Damn it all to hell.