What surprise did he have planned for her? Maybe she could surprise him!
She knew when to acknowledge defeat. The simple animal attraction had intensified to mindless infatuation. Her symptoms had not simply become virulent; they had become noticeable.
She needed to be more mindful of her actions and take care to keep the press from learning about their relationship. Things were volatile enough in the country without a wave of gossip that would paint her in a bad light, running around with a handsome billionaire while the city was attacked by terrorists.
Ludwig had the freedom to do almost anything.
Freedom, she thought, wistfully. Maybe someday she could experience more of it. But for now, she and Valantín had to watch their every step.
She let her head fall back against the pillows as she stared out of the balcony, taking in a scene that had always filled her with comfort. She now saw it for what it was and always had been. A prison. A cage. Gilded and cushioned, but still nothing more than a cage.
And this was her life.
She didn’t regret it. She enjoyed being able to serve her people. There would have to be some concessions. She would never be able to get rid of her security for one. But she could do with fewer maids, for sure. She would have to get better at cooking. But wouldn’t that be a nice challenge?
Why should I be any different?
Because she was the Crown Princess of Aragon.
The thought was sobering.
But perhaps that’s the reason why there was such a disconnect between the royal family and the middle-class people. She didn’t fully understand the constraints they had to live under. Perhaps it would be best for her and her people if she stepped down from a few of the comforts.
Not all of them, of course. But some.
Thinking about the difference in her life in contrast to that of the average citizen, it suddenly occurred to her that there was a way for Siobhan to help her that they hadn’t thought of before. Excited at the idea, Angelica tried calling her, but reached her voicemail. Unable to act on her idea, she felt restless and needed to do something.
She was going crazy locked all day inside Al-Andaluz fortress, with four men and two women shadowing her steps every second of the day. The palace was still on high alert after the bombing, but that didn’t mean she had to stay inside. A walk would do her good. Meeting with Ludwig would be even better. Having sex with him? Against every argument her mind tried to conjure, she decided that’s what she was going to do.
She texted him back.
Don’t come to the Harem tonight. I’ll meet you at your hotel.
37
Valantín was about to cross the Harem living room when he saw Angelica sneaking out of the courtyard, dressed in a long black dress, with a huge Spanish shawl thrown over her head, hijab style, and another over her shoulders, covering her almost to her feet, but not concealing the large bag on her right shoulder. If she was planning on going out, that was the worst disguise Valantín had ever seen. “Are you going somewhere?”
“Valantín!” Angelica jumped, startled, putting her hand on her heart. “You scared me.”
He ignored that and pointed to the huge iron key she was carrying “Are you going somewhere?”
“I…” Then she raised her chin. “Sí. I’m heading out for a whi—”
“No.”
No one seemed to understand she was not a child anymore. She understood the reason for the heightened concern for her safety, but then she’d always been under some kind of confinement regardless of how things were going with the country.
“Val, I need a break. I’ve been cooped up in here for days.”
He walked over to a bench near the fountain, ignoring the fact that she said she was leaving. “I know. But just a few more days. Give the police time to catch whoever is terrorizing the city, and possibly plotting to harm us, or you.”
He expected her to argue, but instead, she just stared at him.
She’d made all the arguments already.
Her silent stare was unnerving. Valantín struggled to match her unwavering gaze. He felt a little chill run down his spine; he wasn’t sure where it had come from. He wanted to reach out and grab her, to fold her in his arms and keep her safe as he had done so many times when she was little. From what, he wasn’t sure. Perhaps, from life. Perhaps, from herself.
But he simply didn’t know how to do it now that she was all grown up and suddenly so mature.
She didn’t have a temper, or at least not the temper that people generally thought of when they imagined a Spanish pampered princess.
She was patient and kind. She was obedient.
She could also be stubborn and immovable.
And she needed her space.
He pulled in a long breath and stared at her, but it didn’t help. His head seemed to be ringing, echoing with a noise that repeated over and over.
Well, some practical side of himself whispered, it could have been worse. She could want to run off and get married, leaving the palace life behind for good. He refused to think about that.
His earliest memories of her were of baby powder, toothless smiles, and little hands pulling at his hair. Picking her up and sweeping her in his arms in a wide circle while she screamed in delight, making sure to hold on tightly so that she wouldn’t fall. And then the memories dwindled as she grew and ended in their afternoon teas.
He took a step forward and took hold of her hand. She was so much smaller than he—not so large a difference now, but enough to have him worrying.
Her voice broke him out of his brief reverie.
“Once in a while, I just want to have some normal time, not being a bloody royal. You, of all people, should understand that.” She shook her head. “And yet—”
“I love you,” he said, pulling her into his arms—awkwardly—and kissing her hair. “That’s all this is. I love you and I don’t want you to suffer. And…for me…well, it doesn’t matter.” He looked over at her and smiled. “Go.”
Angelica hurried along the tunnels, free from her golden cage, knowing she shouldn’t be out here alone. It was so wrong, but it felt so right.
Her mother would likely croak if she knew that her daughter was roaming around without her guards, but she felt as if they were smothering her. Since the explosion, the only time she got any privacy was when she went to the bathroom or when she was in bed. Otherwise, someone was always watching and it drove her mad.
Angelica reached the end of the tunnel, climbed up the stairs and breathed a sigh of relief when the key turned smoothly in the lock and the door opened into a bedroom. She studied the map Maria had given her.
In a few minutes, she was going to hail a cab and surprise Ludwig.
She smiled and opened the door, exiting to the busy street in downtown San José.
“Angelica.”
Angelica’s head shot up and she was surprised to see Abelardo lounging against a wall, smoking a cigarillo, only two houses away from the one she had exited from.
“I cannot believe they allowed you out of the palace.”
“I’m visiting some friends.” What’re you doing here? The gateway house was in a dark alley, with only a couple of other houses around, all owned by the royal family which housed their security team. “How did you know it was me?”
He chuckled, eyeing her scarf. “Do you really think I would forget how you walk?”
She frowned, sliding the hood from her hair. “What are you doing here?”
He gave her a lazy grin. “Why, I was visiting some friends and I came out to smoke.”
Here? Alone? In front of the house which is a gateway to the tunnels?
“You are looking beautiful.”
She arched a brow. “What do you want, Abelardo?”
He pushed away from the wall, dusting off his jacket as he did so. “Let me walk with you, my dear. You’ve had a rough go at it lately, haven’t you?”
He offered her his arm and, feeling cornered, Ange
lica put her hand on it.
“It’s been difficult,” she said slowly, still wondering what he was after. “But I’m more concerned about our country than my health.”
“Of course, you are,” Abelardo said, his expression soothing, as they walked onto the main street. “And everyone—well almost everyone—thinks that you have the best interests of the country at heart.”
“What are you saying?” she asked, hating that he had her intrigued by his words. She no longer trusted him or anything he said, but he knew what those outside of the palace walls were talking about.
“Abelardo, you grace us with your presence. We are blessed.”
Angelica looked over to see a man in a red coat bowing to Abelardo as if he were part of the royal family.
“Ah, my friend. Thank you. See, I have the princess here, discussing the needs of our fair country. She is eager to help our people.”
The man bowed toward Angelica this time, a wide smile on his face. “Ah, princess. I am happy to hear that you are working alongside the people of Aragon. I will spread the word.”
Caught between a blush and a concern, Angelica inclined her head. “Thank you. The royal family, myself included, wish only to help.”
The man made a sweeping bow before continuing on his way.
“You see that, Angelica?” Abelardo started. “People seeing you with me works in your favor. They see that you are willing to work with us peasants. You could use such good will.”
Angelica turned her attention back to Abelardo. “What is in it for you? What do you want?”
“Only to help our people, just like you” he said solemnly, a fist over his heart. “I disagree with this violence. Will you allow me to take you to dinner and discuss how we can work together for the common good?”
She didn’t want to trust him, but his words did make sense and appealed to her desires. If he could rally the people, help her and her family speak to them, then they could end this violence.
After all, the worst that could happen would be having to suffer through dinner with her ex-fiancée. “Alright,” she said. “I will go to dinner with you.”
38
Angelica accepted the valet’s hand as he helped her out of Abelardo’s car, frowning as she looked up at the hotel. It was one of the priciest hotels in all of Aragon, known for its extravagant meals and elegant decor, but Angelica truly did not like the place. She thought it overdone and gaudy with its gold embellishments and marble floors, but many visitors flocked to the place regularly.
“Come, Princess,” Abelardo said, a warm smile on his face. “I have a surprise for you.”
She walked ahead of him, not wishing to make a scene for the gawkers watching them. All eyes were on her and her family right now and the last thing she needed to do was cause bad publicity. She excused herself for a moment when she saw a plaque indicating the lady’s room.
Inside, she sent a text to Ludwig:
I’m detained. I will be late. I might not even go. Will let you know ASAP.
While she waited for his answer, she took the scarf off her shoulders and folding it into a triangle, wrapped it around her waist, transforming the simple black dress into a more stylized version.
Less than a minute later, his answer blinked on her screen:
No worries. I’ll just buy a cat.
She could read the disappointment behind the funny words. She sighed at her image and vowed to end this quickly.
Outside again, she said to Abelardo, “I thought we were going to talk about the good of the country.”
“We are,” Abelardo said, as they were shown to a luxurious dining room. He pulled a chair out for her. “But no one said we could not do it in style, my dear princess.”
Angelica took the seat, wishing now that she had insisted they eat somewhere discreet, even his house would do. Abelardo was up to something, she just knew it and she had walked directly into his trap. And looking around at the faces of the other diners, she was not seeing the approval she hoped for after the man on the street was so pleased to see them talking together.
Abelardo took the seat across from her and a waiter came forth immediately, pouring them each a glass of the bubbly champagne. Angelica did not immediately drink hers, setting it on the table before her. “Why are we really here?”
Abelardo stared at her, a corner of his mouth lifting into a smile. “You’ve changed, Angelica.”
“I’ve learned some valuable lessons,” she said tightly. “You said you wanted to help.”
He settled back in his chair, that same expression she was used to on his handsome face. At one time in her life, that look had done a number to her insides.
Now, she just thought it was very overdone. “I want to help, Princess. I’ve always wanted to help you.”
Angelica crossed her arms over her chest, not excited about the way this conversation was going. He was wasting her time. “Then tell me how. You asked for dinner to discuss working together. Here I am, and you’re not discussing anything. Start talking.”
Abelardo shook his head, letting out a chuckle. “Why didn’t we wed?”
Angelica laughed then, because this conversation had just gone from time-wasting to utterly absurd. “Are you really asking me that question?”
“I made a mistake,” Abelardo said solemnly. “I wish to wed you now.”
Angelica let him talk, proclaiming his alleged undying love for her, and she ticked off the minutes that he talked.
And talked.
And talked. She had been wrong to even think that Abelardo was willing to help her, to help her family! He always had his own agenda, and unfortunately, it had once included her heart.
But not now.
After a few minutes of listening to him list all the reasons that they would be good together, she pushed back her chair. “I’m leaving.”
Abelardo was quick to rise as well, skirting the table. “Please, Angelica, listen to me.”
She dodged his touch, taking a few rapid steps back. “I have, and I don’t like what I am hearing. We are done, have been for quite some time.”
“But I love you,” he pleaded, reaching for her once more, catching her arm, and pulling her against his body. His hands wandered over her back and squeezed her ass. “I love you.”
Angelica was furious, attempting to shake off his touch. She hissed, “Let me go. You’re making a scene.”
Now everyone was watching them, alarmed, and apparently concerned for her well-being. Some looked around, wondering where her guards were.
“Not until you agree to listen to me.” He tried to kiss her, but she moved her face and his mouth landed on her cheek. He ran his lips over her jaw and bit her earlobe. “Please, let me love you once more.”
“Ugh!” Angelica said, fed up with this night and with him. When she was unsuccessful at shaking off his touch once more, she balled up her first and aimed for his face, that perfect nose.
Her fist collided with his face and she felt the impact against her fist, moving backward when he let her go with a yell. “You hit me!”
Some of the diners, no doubt remembering how their wedding had ended, cheered when Abelardo got what he’d had coming for so long.
God, that feels good. “I should have done that a long time ago,” Angelica countered, before she turned her back to him and exited the room. She walked away to the surreal sound of applause behind her.
Outside, she took a deep breath. And another. Until she felt confident enough to walk to the lobby and flag a cab.
If Angelica had just bothered to look to her right side, she would have noticed an old and punchy man leaving the same room immediately after she did, following her, and flagging the next cab.
39
“I punched him.” Angelica winced as Ludwig finished cleaning her hand and then held the ice pack to her knuckles.
As soon as she had left the hotel, she hailed a cab and called him, telling him what had happened and asking him to meet her at the palac
e. When she arrived there, he was already waiting for her, along with Valantín, Anchela, Maria, Chief Bandres, and the very displeased Roger, Harrison, and Celipa.
“You what?” All the occupants of the Harem living room asked in unison.
A smile played on her lips. Even with her bruised knuckles, she would do it all over again to hear the yelp from his lips. “I punched him in the nose.”
Ludwig chuckled, some of the tension easing between them. “Well that tells me what you thought about the date. Remind me to never piss you off.”
Angelica’s lips trembled. “So, you aren’t mad at me?”
Ludwig drew himself up, affronted. “Nein, Kätzchen.”
But Angelica heard Valantín’s heavy sigh and she knew her brother was one of those who were angry. Along with Roger, Harrison, and Celipa, who were leaning against the wall, all three with their arms crossed over their chests.
“I’m not happy that you thought you could be safe with him, mi hija,” said Anchela, shaking her head at her daughter. “You have to be cautious of everyone’s intentions now, especially with the unrest going on in Aragon.”
“I know,” she said softly. “I just, I wanted someone to help me with healing this country.” She hated the images of the explosion, the angry cries that seemed to drift from beyond the palace walls into her mind, no matter where she was at.
Would things ever be the same again?
“And what were you doing? Alone, I might remind you,” asked Guardia Civil Chief Bandres.
“Well…” Angelica shifted on the chair, embarrassed and lifted her shoulders. “I was going to meet with His Highness.”
“Alone.” It was not a question, nor a statement, but it was said in a tone chilly enough to be felt as a reprimand.
Angelica gave Chief Bandres a sheepish smile. “Well, Chief…”
With a snort, Chief Bandres waved her explanation away. “Do you have any idea how he would know you were not at the palace?”
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