Page 14 of The Princess Trap

“Your Highness,” Hans repeated, ignoring his prince’s words. As usual. “You know as well as I do that the king—”

“Really, Hans? You think I want to hear about my brother right now?”

“Fine. I was going to remind you that the king will not bear another scandal, but that doesn’t matter.Youwill not bear another scandal.”

Ruben stiffened. “Who said anything about scandal?”

“Don’t treat me like a fool. I know you’re waiting for that woman.”

A spark of anger flared in Ruben’s gut at his friend’s derisive tone. But he controlled his temper, because he knew where all this nagging came from.

Hans was worried about him.

And so he kept voice tone carefully even, almost teasing, when he said, “Why shouldn’t I wait for her? She’s quite brilliant. Don’t you agree?”

“Oh, yes,” Hans said. “I agree. Blindingly brilliant. A sentient trap—”

“Shut your mouth.”

“You know she’s just like your sister.”

“If she were just like my sister, I wouldn’t be waiting for her. So shut. Your fucking. Mouth.”

Hans glared. “No. You didn’t listen to me with Kathryn—”

“Jesus Christ,” Ruben snapped. “First Sophronia, now Kathryn—who will you compare her to next? My mother?”

“Of course not.” Hans frowned. “You misunderstand me. The problem is not so much the woman herself as it is your eagerness to… to make yourself vulnerable.”

“It’s been eight months,” Ruben reminded him.

“Yes, it’s been eight months. Barely any time at all. I remember exactly how bad it was, even if you don’t, and I am worried about the possibility of something similar happening.”

Ruben snorted. “Something similar? I can’t be exposedtwice, Hans. That’s the beauty of it. All of Helgmøre knows everything there is to know about me.” His voice was as steady as always, but Ruben’s heart thundered against his chest like a horse’s hooves. For the first time in the last eight months, he’d been attracted to someone without thinking immediately of Kathryn. Of the mess she’d brought to his door. And Hans had to fucking ruin it.

The man had his safety in mind, of course. But Ruben’s desire to know Cherry—know her in every way—had been so pure. Free of suspicion and distrust and anxiety and bad memories. Now it was coloured by past experiences. Now, when he thought of the power her beauty held, it felt less like something to admire and more like something to fear.

Fucking Hans. Fucking Kathryn. Fucking life.

“Ruben.” Hans’s voice was soft. “I don’t mean to suggest that you shouldn’t… return to normal. Pursue relationships. But you act without thinking.”

Wrong. Ruben thought plenty. And then he followed his instincts regardless.

Look where that got you the last time.

He ground his teeth, meeting his friend’s pale gaze for the first time. “I understand. But I cannot allow one bad experience to change who I am.” That would go against everything he’d ever fought for. Everything he’d ever fought to become.

Hans nodded. “Fair enough. Just… be careful. I promised the king that there would be no more scandals.”

Ruben’s jaw tightened. “She doesn’t even know who I am.This is England, for Christ’s sake. They have their own royals.”

“She seems a capable woman. I’m sure she’d figure it out on her own. And then—”

Ruben held up a hand in the universal sign forstop. Hans, of course, ignored that crystal-clear signal and continued his speech. But Ruben didn’t hear another word.

She was here. She left the school gates with that familiar wiggling strut, her statuesque figure instantly recognisable. Ruben got out of the car and strode over to meet her.

“Your Hi—Ruben!” Hans called. He sounded irritated, but then, he usually did. Ruben didn’t give a shit.