Married to a Prince

by Calista King

  "That's good service," Laila said.

  "We aim to please."

  Andreas moved closer towards her on the bed, and pulled her up on his lap so she was straddling him. He nuzzled his face against her neck and nibbled the sensitive skin there. He heard her moan as she threw her head back, giving him more access. Andreas grazed his cheeks against her skin, inhaling her scent along the way. He was being driven mad with desire and had to have her. He flipped her over so she was on her back and settled himself between her legs. Andreas bent down to capture her lips, but she stopped him with a hand on his chest.

  "Maybe now's not such a good time," she said. "Wouldn't want one of your servants walking in on us."

  "You're right," Andreas said, but inwardly he was cursing the bad timing.

  He'd wanted nothing more than to sink himself into Laila's comforting warmth and bring her to the heights of pleasure. It added to the excitement that this was his old bedroom, the one he'd had as a child. He'd never brought a girl over before, and shared a room with her here, and it lent an air of naughtiness that turned him on.

  But she was right. Her breakfast would arrive any minute and the last thing he wanted was for a servant to catch them during the act. He could imagine the gossip that would ignite below stairs. It wasn't that he minded for himself. He'd had a bit of a reputation anyways, but he didn't want the staff thinking badly of Laila. There was a gentle knock on the door a short while later.

  "Enter," Andreas called out.

  A young maid entered the room carrying a silver tray topped with a porcelain teapot, mugs, a cup of orange juice, fresh fruit, scones, and eggs, bacon and toast. Laila got up from the bed and headed over to help the maid settle the large tray on the coffee table in the sitting room.

  "Thank you," she said to the maid. "This looks amazing."

  The young maid smiled shyly at Laila.

  "That will be all," Andreas said.

  The maid dipped into a curtsy and backed out of the room. Once she left, he headed over to where Laila was and took a seat on the couch. Laila didn't even look up at him as she was already digging into her breakfast. It was several minutes later that Laila sat back and exhaled loudly.

  "Ugh I'm so full. I think I ate too much," she said. She patted her stomach and grimaced. "I can't eat another bite. Why didn't you stop me or tell me to slow down."

  "I'm not on a suicide mission, Laila," Andreas laughed. "I know exactly what your reaction would be if I told you to stop eating."

  "Whatever, smart guy," Laila mumbled. She reached out for the glass of orange juice and finished it off, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. "Mmm fresh squeezed."

  "Are you quite finished now?" Andreas asked, amusement lacing his voice.

  "I think I am," Laila said. "So, now that I'm properly fed, are you going to tell me our plans for today?"

  "I know there is going to be a banquet later this evening as well as a fireworks display. Our attendance is mandatory for those. As for the rest of the day, there's a garden party later this afternoon. You don't have to come if you're not feeling up to it yet."

  "Wow, that seems like a packed schedule. I feel like I'm being thrown to the wolves."

  "Speaking of wolves, my mother and father are anxious to meet you. Perhaps if you have some time before the garden party?"

  "So let me get this straight. On my first full day here, I'm supposed to meet your parents, go to a garden party, then a banquet and fireworks display later this evening? Is there anything else I should do? Like give a speech on live television?"

  "No, that won't be necessary," Andreas said smiling. He moved over to sit next to Laila and wrapped his arm around her shoulder. "I know it's a lot to take in, but I know you can do it. You are a natural."

  Laila melted into his embrace and resigned herself to the plans. "Well, if I'm expected to meet your parents, I might as well get ready. Got to look my best," she said. She gave him a quick kiss before getting up from the couch and heading for the bathroom.

  CHAPTER 25

  Laila looked in the mirror a final time before stepping out of her dressing room. She was glad that Andreas had insisted she buy a whole new wardrobe before coming to Castonia. If she was expected to attend all these formal events, she needed something far more suitable than the casual jeans and sweater look she had been used to.

  She smoothed the sleeveless black and white floral dress in the mirror. The red sandal heels she wore gave it a pop of color. Laila wondered if she should have worn one of those fascinators with it, but quickly discarded the thought. She'd always thought they looked silly and aged a person.

  Laila finally stepped into the sitting room where Andreas was waiting. He looked to be in an intense phone conversation and did not look up immediately when she walked in. Laila crossed through the room and stood in front of him, frowning as she noted the tenseness in his shoulders and his curt responses. She wondered what the phone call was about and who he was talking to.

  When he finally noticed her presence, Andreas quickly hung up the phone with a terse, "We'll talk about this later." He slipped the phone into his jacket pocket and smiled up at Laila. She could see it was a strain for him and the smile did not reach his eyes.

  "What was that about?" she asked.

  "It's nothing," he said. She could tell he wanted to end that line of conversation by his stiff posture and failure to make eye contact, but Laila was never one to be brushed off.

  "That didn't sound like nothing. You sounded angry and looked ready to murder someone."

  "It's just some work issue that's been a bit of a headache," he said. "I'll worry about it later though. Right now, I want to enjoy your company."

  "If you're trying to distract me with compliments, I'll allow it...for now. But don't think I'm going to forget about it," she warned.

  "As if you would let me," Andreas teased.

  "Just remember that." Laila looked at him archly before breaking out in to a smile and twirling the dress in front of him. "Well, tell me how do I look? Will I do?"

  "You look stunning as always, and yes, you'll do very well," he purred in her ear as he wrapped his arms around her waist.

  "Thank you," she said. "But don't get any ideas just now. You still have to introduce me to your parents and I gotta tell you I'm as nervous as a hooker in church."

  "Interesting expression," Andreas drawled. "We've still got a little time. Mother is usually taking care of her personal correspondence right now. She'll be busy with that for another half hour at least." He pulled her tighter towards him, brushing his lips over the back of her neck.

  Laila closed her eyes, wanting nothing more than to strip off all their clothes and spend the whole day in bed with him, but she knew that was impossible. She could just imagine the impression she'd give off if she and Andreas skipped the introductions, garden party and other functions just to spend the day in bed. Laila opened her eyes and reluctantly slid out of Andreas' arms.

  "You're very bad for tempting me like this when you know we can't do anything right now," she said.

  "Says who?"

  "Says me. I'm in no mood for that right now. I'm nervous and scared and wondering if I've gotten in over my head."

  "Look at me Laila. I've said this before, but I'm going to keep saying it until it finally sinks in. You're going to do great. You're a natural and I'm sure everyone will love you if you just be yourself. You've already won over my uncle, my aunt, and me. And I think you already have an ally in my brother Frederick. My parents are really not that bad," he said.

  Laila snorted in disbelief. "You're telling me that now after all these months telling me how controlling and cold they could be?"

  "Maybe that was a mistake. Don't get me wrong, they're not perfect, but they're fair and intelligent people. They will see what a wonderful person you are and welcome you with open arms."

  "I hope you're right. I'm not use to all this. I just hope I don't make a mistake."

  "I can see sitting arou
nd and waiting is causing some stress, so why don't we just go to my parents and get this over with. Then you'll see it's not as bad as you imagined."

  Laila nodded her head in agreement. She felt like her heart was beating a mile a minute. They left their apartments and walked down a long hall way to the end of the wing. There were two large 15 foot high wooden double doors featuring ornate carvings of cherubs, flowers, birds, and beautiful tall trees on the wood. The details on the doors were so intricate and finely crafted, Laila couldn't resist reaching out her hand and touching them. Just as she extended her arm, the door was opened by a stately looking butler.

  "Are my parents in?" Andreas asked.

  "Yes right this way, sir," the butler replied and stepped aside to allow them to enter.

  "I take it they're in the library? Don't bother to bring us, I know the way," Andreas said dismissing the butler.

  He led Laila past the formal reception room, into another long hallway before stopping at another large wooden carved door. This one was on a smaller scale, but the craftsmanship was just as superb. Laila's first impression of the apartments so far was impressive. Everything from the rich oriental carpets, the heavy hand silk damask curtains and antique furniture, to the small little knick knacks that lined the empty shelves, mantles and bookcases screamed opulent.

  She could see in an instant that this room was grander than the apartments she was assigned with Andreas. Not that she minded. Before she saw this place, she thought her rooms with Andreas were the finest she'd ever seen. Andreas knocked on the door with three quick and efficient raps. He walked in, holding Laila's hand, before they were told to enter by the king.

  "Mother, Father, I'd like to introduce you to my fiance, Laila Greer," Andreas said.

  He launched into the introductions as soon as he stepped in, not following the proper protocol.

  "It's--uh--nice to meet you," Laila said haltingly. She tried to dip into a clumsy curtsy, but her legs were wobbly and she almost fell over but for Andreas' steadying hands.

  Laila could feel two pair of eyes take in her appearance, and judging everything they saw from the top of her head to the tips of her toes. She was glad for the thousandth time that she had gotten a new wardrobe and looked good, even though inside she was shaking like a leaf. The queen nodded towards Laila in approval before speaking.

  "It is a pleasure to finally meet you as well. I must be honest with you and tell you that news of your engagement came as quite a shock to us. Please have a seat," she said motioning to the chair opposite her. "Why don't you tell me a little about yourself? After all, if we're going to be family soon, I think I should know a little something about my future daughter-in-law."

  Laila looked at Andreas in confusion, but did not speak. She knew virtually nothing about the two people sitting before her except that they were Andreas' parents, royalty, and not exactly warm according to Andreas. But Laila had to revise her opinion of the queen. She wasn't exactly rolling out the welcoming guard, but she hadn't snubbed Laila yet either. All in all, Laila thought things were off to a good start.

  His father was another story. Laila couldn't make him out. He had remained largely silent, allowing his wife to do all the talking. He sat there watching her with a bland expression on his face as his eyes occasionally dipped to the papers in his hands.

  "Thank you," she said. Laila took the seat pointed out to her and sat stiffly, with her back straight and her hands clasped primly over her knees. "I don't even know where to start."

  "Why don't you tell me how you and Andreas met?"

  "We met at my job. I work at a hotel and he had come in to reserve one of the rooms and I happened to be the one to check him in," Laila said.

  She saw the queen lift a perfectly penciled eyebrow in response. The look reminded her so much of Andreas, she had to cough to cover up the smile that threatened to break free. Laila was aware that the queen was not thrilled with her answer. She suspected the queen still harbored hopes that Laila had some kind of blue blood in her or at the least had some more noble occupation. The fact that Laila worked at the hotel did not impress her at all.

  "What about your family? Do you have any siblings?"

  "No I'm an only child. My mother raised me by herself," Laila answered.

  "That must have been very difficult for you," the queen said.

  "I wouldn't say that. It was the only life I knew, so I had nothing to compare it to. I had a happy childhood though, so I can't really complain."

  "That's a good attitude to adopt," the queen said. "I'm sure your mother must be very proud of you."

  Laila swallowed the lump that formed in her throat at the mention of her mother. She wondered what her mother would think about her engagement and if she'd be proud. Growing up, her mother had to struggle to make ends meet, often working up to three jobs just to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table. It was partly the reason why she died so young, Laila thought. The stress on her already weak heart was too much for her and it eventually gave out.

  "My mother died last year," Laila said. Her voice was a little shaky but she managed to control her emotions. The last thing she wanted was to shed tears in front of the king and queen. Somehow she knew they'd take it as a sign of weakness.

  "I'm sorry to hear that," the queen said.

  "What are your plans after you marry my son?" Everyone turned in surprise at the sound of the king's voice. He'd been so quiet before, Laila had almost forgotten his presence, but his question reminded her that there was one other person she had to win over.

  "We haven't discussed that yet," Laila said. She gave the king a bright smile, hoping to charm the forbidding look from his face. Unfortunately, it did not seem to work. The king turned his attention to Andreas and frowned.

  "I would think that would be one of the first things you discussed," he said. "These are very big decisions that you cannot just jump into without a thought for the future or the consequences. Where is your sense of duty?"

  Laila saw Andreas' face redden at his father's words. She didn't know if it was in anger or embarrassment, but she reached out a hand in comfort and turned back to the king.

  "We know that marriage will be a big commitment. Both Andreas and I aren't entering into it lightly, I can promise you. We were waiting until after the celebrations to sit down and discuss the future. Since that would involve taking on more official duties, we thought it best to wait and consult you first before we made any big decisions," Laila said. She knew she was lying out of her teeth, but her only object was to decrease the tension in the room and avoid an argument.

  Andreas' parents looked her over with approval at her words. They slowly nodded in agreement before the king spoke again.

  "Very well. That seems like a reasonable course of action. We can discuss your future once the celebrations are over. I'll tell your uncle to start searching for your replacement at CEG."

  Andreas sat up straight and stared at his father in shock. "What do you mean, my replacement?" he asked. "I have no intentions of leaving Carstens Ecklund any time soon."

  "Once you get married, you will have to take on more of your official duties. There will be no time for you to fuss about at a job, especially since you'll be moving back to Castonia. Besides, the position at Carstens Ecklund was always supposed to be temporary."

  At the mention of moving to Castonia, Laila felt like she had the wind knocked out of her. She knew that was eventually in their future, but thought they'd still have a few years until they'd have to actually do it. The king had other ideas, though.

  The news was an unwelcome bit of information that Laila would need to mull over. She'd lived her whole life in New York; it was all she ever knew, and all her loved ones were there. Could she give it all up and move to a new country? One thing was for sure, she'd have to talk with Andreas to decide their future.

  "Perhaps we should discuss this at a later time. The garden party will be starting soon and you two should be heading off now," the
queen said.

  Laila and Andreas quickly agreed and took themselves off. Andreas led her to a private elevator which took them down to the ground level, and walked towards a back entrance where Phillip was waiting for them. He greeted Laila before speaking with Andreas. He had a clipboard full of papers which he kept checking along with his watch.

  "We should be off now if we're to arrive on time," Phillip said.

  Andreas nodded his head in agreement and they got into the limo. Phillip handed Andreas a copy of the program before heading back towards the security vehicles and getting in. Once they were in the car alone, Laila turned to Andreas expectantly.

  "What are we going to do?" she asked.

  "About what?"

  "Weren't you just listening to your parents? They expect us to move to Castonia!"

  "What is the problem with that?" he asked.

  "What is the problem--? You just said yourself that you weren't going to quit your job, and now you're changing your tune? How can you expect me to pack up and move to a new country, just like that?"

  "I admit I was surprised when my father brought it up. It had not occurred to me that my royal responsibilities would increase once I got married, but now that I think about it, it makes sense. And like he said, the position at my family's firm was always meant to be temporary. I hadn't expected to be resigning so soon, but my duty lies here in Castonia."

  "And what about me? I'm just supposed to give up everything I know and move halfway across the world?"

  "What would you have me do? Stay in New York and go back to my job, pretending I'm not a prince and that I don't have other responsibilities?"

  "I wish you weren't a prince," Laila said under her breath.

  Andreas heard her and stiffened at her remark. She felt guilty for saying it, but it didn't stop it from being true. Her life would be so much easier if Andreas were still just Andreas De Berg and not Prince Andreas. Instead of royalty, his family would only be a bunch of eccentric snotty rich people. That she could deal with, but Laila was beginning to realize just how much sacrifice becoming a part of the family would entail.