Page 90 of A Royal Mistake

Which he didn’t.

He was in love with Pippa and he didn’t regret one second of their time together.

A door banged down the hall and when Henry turned, Pippa stood behind him, wearing last night’s dress.

“I have to warn you, I don’t think the meal is going to live up to the livery.” His face fell when he saw the grim press of her lips and the hard set of her jaw.

Scheisse.

She knew. And he hadn’t been the one to tell her.

So much for not having regrets.

“Compared to lying about one’s identity, overdressing for breakfast seems like a forgivable offense.” Her voice wavered, and she clenched her hands at her sides, but she met his gaze, chin jutting out. “Should I call you Henry or do you prefer His Serene Highness?”

“Pippa.” The bacon sizzled at his back, but he ignored it. It could burn to a crisp for all he cared. “Please let me explain.”

If he could just explain, they could put this whole mess behind them and focus on the future—their future.

She arched a brow, her lips twisting in what might’ve been disgust. “What is your real name?”

“It doesn’t matt—”

“What. Is. Your. Name?” There was steel in her voice and ice in her eyes as she looked him over, as if seeing him for the first time.

“Prince Sebastian Josef Benedikt Maria Nikolaus Franz Heinrich of Liechtenstein, Count Rietberg.”

“That’s quite a mouthful. I’m sure you won’t mind if I stick with Henry.” She smiled, but there was no joy in it. “You know, just between us royals.”

He dropped his gaze, her icy stare freezing him to the core. He’d fucked up royally. “How did you find out?”

“It doesn’t matter how I found out,” she said, voice rising several octaves. She was right, of course. It was a stupid question. “The only thing that matters is that I didn’t hear it from you. God, I am such a fool. And because of you, now the entire world knows it. Thanks for that.”

Guilt squeezed his chest like a vise, brutal and unrelenting.

Pippa had worked so hard to be taken seriously, to prove she was strong and capable. The last thing he wanted to do was undermine her confidence, to make her question her own strength or abilities. She was bloody amazing.

“I wanted to tell you.” He tossed the fork he’d been using on the counter and took a step forward.

Pippa took a step back.

“You wanted to tell me? Was that before or after you fucked me?” she demanded, her words cutting as deep as any knife. “Before or after I said I loved you?”

“I made a mistake,” he said, fumbling for the words to put things right. Assuming any such words existed. “I see that now.”

“Oh, now you see it?” She tossed her hair and a few loose strands fell over her shoulder. “I suppose it’s easy to feel remorse once you’ve been caught. I don’t know what’s worse, that you lied about your identity or that you pretended you were in Valeria on business just to get close to me.” She made a sound of disgust, nostrils flaring. “I have to admit, it was a clever ploy by your family. Sending not one, but two sons to contend for Valeria’s Crown Jewel. I’m sure your father will be thrilled to learn you’d done your princely duties so fucking well.” Her voice cracked, but she continued, tears shining in her eyes. “Because that’s what I was, right? A duty?”

“No. Never.” He took a step forward, but the cold fury in her voice stopped him in his tracks.

“Let me guess.” She tapped her chin with her pointer finger, each of her words falling sharp and heavy, like the blade of an ax. “You wanted to see if you could make me fall in love with you, so you could what? Secure a political alliance for your kingdom? Deflower the Crown Jewel of Valeria?”

Anger coursed through his veins, red-hot and molten. “I would never!” he roared, the words echoing through the quiet apartment.

Pippa flinched.

Fucking fuck. He was making it worse, not better.

“I wanted to tell you. I was just waiting for the right time.”