Nico smirked and gave me a wink. “I’d offer to help you, but I wonder if I’d be sent back to Go?”
I laughed. “Yes. You definitely would be!”
“I understand I cannot collect two hundred dollars?”
“That is correct.”
He nodded, looking thoughtful. “It’s a good thing I didn’t offer then, isn’t it?”
I felt my teeth catch my bottom lip. “Yes. It is.”
He gave me a single nod. “Max is in his study?”
Brought back to the moment and away from where thoughts of Nico helping me ‘change’ were going, I said, “Yes. Study. Busy as usual.”
“Good. I’ll meet you there when you’re ready.”
“Okay, then.”
He strode out and, as soon as he was out of sight, I ran to my room. Thankfully and by sheer coincidence, Shelly was in there tidying up.
“What am I supposed to wear on a visit to Genovich with the king’s youngest son?” I panicked.
But Shelly only smiled and set to work, managing to get me back downstairs in about ten minutes. I found Nico and Dad in the entry hall and Dad smiled to me when he saw me.
“I hear Nico’s taking you into the village?” he asked.
I nodded, hugging my coat. “That okay?”
“Of course it is. Just don’t eat too much sugar and be sensible.”
I rolled my eyes. “Dad, I’m not ten anymore. Sugar does not make me hyperactive.”
Dad looked at me, his face clear. “Do I need to remind you what happened at your graduation?”
I grinned. “Okay. I will take it easy on the sugar.”
Nico looked between us, his eyebrows furrowed. “Need I be concerned about Anya after too much sugar?”
“Not at all, Nico,” Dad said. “Have a good morning. Anya won’t bite.” Dad winked at Nico and I saw the surprise on his face.
“Oh, I might,” I replied with a smile, immediately realising that had not been the thing to say despite how innocently it was intended. Especially as Nico gave me a knowing smirk that gave my stomach the flutters.
I hugged Dad, who kissed my hair and said, “Have a good time, kiddo.”
“I will. Thanks, Dad.”
Dad and Nico shared a look that I was fairly certain had more meaning behind it and I wondered what they’d talked about while I’d changed. But Nico only inclined his head and headed for the door.
I hurried after him, only just managing to halt what had the potential to be a spectacular fall by running into the door of the car waiting outside. Nico stood on the other side and raised an eyebrow at me.
“Sorry,” I chuckled, “snow and I don’t seem to get on.”
“Perhaps we won’t go ice skating then?” he said seriously, then smirked at whatever face I pulled. “Of course if you like the idea, I could not bear to take it away from you.”
“So that casual mention of the ice rink before was in fact not a coincidence?” I asked.
He looked like he was trying very hard not to smile. “Get in,” he said as he got in and I only just realised he was getting into the driver’s seat of what was a very nice sports car.
I jumped in the car and stared at him. “Seriously?”
He slid me a look as he started driving. “You don’t want to go ice skating?”
“Well I would have liked to, but I highly doubt you’re going to take me now.”
He laughed. “Really?”
“Yes.”
“And why is that?”
“Because that’s just not how you roll, Nico.”
I saw the way he tried to suppress his smile and gave him one of my own. Neither of us said anything for a while and I enjoyed watching the scenery go by, we turned onto the highway in a different direction than I had so far been. I still marvelled at the landscape. I hadn’t seen this much snow ever – we had the ice arena at home, but that stuff was painful.
“So…” I started, still looking out the window.
“Mm?” he replied.
“You come here often?”
“The village?”
I shrugged. “The village, the manor, this way in general.”
“Is that your long-winded, ridiculous way of suggesting I visit more often?” he said and I turned to him to give him some witty retort, but I saw he was smiling ruefully.
I laughed. “Very cute.”
“Thank you.” He bowed his head as we slowed on our way into the village proper. “But, to answer your question, ja. I have spent a lot of time in Genovich over the years. Perhaps some of my fondest memories. I do not think I will get to spend much more time there now, though.”
“Ever?” I asked, torn between watching his response and looking at the village as we drove in.
It was amazing; old and quaint, the perfect place to visit in winter, like something out of a fairy tale. You know, the old German versions where you just knew there was going to be a slightly gory ending.
“Well perhaps not never, but not nearly as often as I would like.”
“Oh, and I was just going to suggest you come and visit more often,” I teased and he laughed.
“Very cute, Anya.” He nodded.
He pulled into a carpark and turned to face me, an almost serious look on his usually so open and carefree face. I wasn’t sure if something was wrong, or maybe he just had more facial expressions (or emotions) than I gave him credit for.
“What?” I asked.
He ran a hand over his hair and I caught myself wondering what it would feel like between my fingers. But I put paid to that thought as quickly as it sprung up.
“I do not know what Uncle Max has told you about how life will be for you out here, but this,” he pointed around us, “this is not what you can consider normal. Especially when you are in Genovich. The people here are used to your family, are used to us intruding on their lives. For the most part, there is little paparazzi and we are left to ourselves.”
“Oh, Nico,” I said sweetly, “it’s almost like you care.”
As I got out of the car, he huffed a laugh. “Oh, I’m all heart,” he said sarcastically.
“Your highness!” I heard some people call in greeting and he waved at them, a smile so wide on his face that I wondered just how much of it was for show and how much was Nico enjoying the attention.
He locked he car and directed me to head forwards so I did and he fell into step beside me. People we passed were on the whole respectful but pleasant. They nodded greetings to us and smiled, seemingly happy to see us and equally happy to let us go about our day.
“The first iteration of Genovich Manor was built in the eleventh century,” Nico said as we walked along, his hands clasped behind his back and his stride slow and casual. “The village,” he indicated around us, “was where the peasants lived and worked for all those taxes they paid their feudal lord.”
“If I’d known I was getting the full tour, I might have brought a tip.”
He threw me a quick grin before looking around again. “How about, in lieu of a tip, you hold my hand when we skate?” he asked, nudging me with his shoulder gently.
I laughed. “Did you think that was less forward than offering to help me change?”
He shrugged nonchalantly as he gave me a crooked smirk. “It’s just been so long since I’ve been, you know. I’m worried I’ll fall without help.”
I snorted. “You’ll fall? You’re more likely to fall if you’re connected to me.”
Nico stopped walking and I took a proper look at the ice rink. It was nestled within a semi-circle of trees and bushes I couldn’t decide if they were natural or were part of the set up. Fairy lights twinkled overhead and there were people laughing and smiling as they skated around; families, couples, singles. There were people obviously learning, both young and old, and others who looked as good to me as the Olympians.
Nico held his hand out to me, the warmth in his smile very much reaching
his eyes. “That is a risk I’m willing to take, my lady.”
I bite my lip against my smile and gave him my hand.
He led me to hire the skates and we found a seat to change our shoes and tottered nice and awkwardly over to the rink. I stopped at the edge, feeling mighty apprehensive.
“Are you all right?” Nico asked.
I nodded. “Yeah. I’m just not used to doing this without safety rails.”
“Safety rails?”
I nodded, still looking at the ice like I was going to be able to stare it into submission. “At the Ice Arena, we just crash into the wall to stop. I’m not so sure that will work here.”
Nico held his hand out for mine again. “If we fall, we fall together, Anya.”
I told myself I didn’t really feel that weird sensation in my stomach because Nico and I were just friends. And even if we weren’t, there was nothing long-term in it and I didn’t want to ruin the friendship we had for the sake of a few naughty kisses.
But I took his hand and we skated together. Nico was amazingly good, but I wasn’t surprised after he’d told me his parents used to set up a rink for them in one of the palace courtyards when they were little. I was…less good, but Nico wasn’t surprised considering I’d grown up in a country where even the ski resort runs were mainly man-made some years.
“Ready?” Nico asked I what seemed to be becoming a habit and I nodded.
We both turned at the same time and he breathed out heavily as I ran into him and his arms wrapped around me safely. But the purpose worked – I stopped without falling on my arse or any other body parts.
“You’re not quite as good as a wall, but I’ll take it.”
“In what way am I not as good?” he asked with a laugh.
“Well, the force with which I usually run into the wall would take you down.”
“I assure you, I can be immovable when I want to be.”
I snorted. “Sure you can.”
“I definitely can. How do you think I’m here with you?”
My snort turned to a laugh and I felt my feet waver under me. “Don’t make me laugh, I’ll fall!” I warned him.
“You? Fall? Never,” he teased and I looked up to bat him, but my legs decided to move in different directions and we both went down in a pile of laughter. “First time for everything, I suppose,” Nico said resignedly, his eyes still shining.
“Shut up. This is totally your fault.”
“At least I caught you.”
I gave him a warning look. “This time. What happens next time when I accidentally slice an artery or something?”
He huffed a laugh as he shook his head, then briefly touched his finger under my chin. “Anytime you fall, I will catch you, Anya.”
I was saved overthinking the statement or coming up with something witty to reply with as someone called out, “My lady, your highness, are you okay?” in Gallyrian.
Nico waved to them and nodded. “Ja. Takke!” he called back then looked at me. “A hot drink perhaps and a look at the shops?”
I nodded. “Yes! That sounds great.”
We swapped our skates back for our shoes and Nico showed me around the rest of Genovich. We had lunch and shopped and chatted and laughed. I had a really nice day out with him that I was sorry when it came to an end and we had to go back home.
“I mentioned to Uncle Max that I might have dinner with you both and stay tonight…” Nico said as we walked back to the car and I felt more excited than I thought was probably necessary.
“Really?”
“That would be okay?”
“You mean it wouldn’t just be me going to Gallyrian lessons and entertaining myself tomorrow when Dad was working? Yeah. I think that would be okay.”
Nico smiled. “Good.”
It was good. Suddenly going back home didn’t seem like such a bad thing after all.
Chapter Six
I looked myself over in the mirror, wondering if it was all actually necessary. But then the excitement of going out to the opening night of the Royal Gallyrian Ballet’s season of the Nutcracker kind of took precedence over any annoyance I felt with my outfit or with the morning’s news report that Nico and I were an item after the day before.
And I was happy to admit I looked nice and somewhat like me. I was in a red tea length skirt that had diamantes scattered over it, matching red satin heels, and a black off-the-shoulder long-sleeved top. My hair had been done with the right side pulled back and the rest tumbling in waves, and I even had a touch of smoky eye going on.
“Happy, my lady?” Gerta asked and I did a very out of character twirl.
I nodded. “Yes. I am.” I smiled and they both smile back at me in return.
“Have a wonderful night, my lady,” Shelly said. “Will you want us when you get home?”
It had become more of a ritual question at this point really. I shook my head as I picked up my coat and bag. “No. Thanks though. Take the rest of the night and I’ll see you in the morning.”
They nodded and we went our separate ways outside my door. I actually skipped a little down the stairs, not at all worried about falling for once. Which of course meant I got to the bottom and literally fell into Nico’s waiting tuxedo-clad arms totally unintentionally.
“It would seem I’ve saved you from a fall, my lady,” he said as he made no move to take his arms off me, not that I totally minded.
I smirked, taking his words in more than one way. “It would seem you have, your highness.”
He mirrored my smirk as though he knew what was going through my mind. “If I’d known it was that easy I would have just let you fall, Anya.” His voice was soft, with just the right amount of sincerity to make you almost buy into it.
I looked up into those light blue eyes and there was a very large part of me that liked what I saw in there. It made my heart stutter and my lips smile. It made me need to bite my lip before I licked it just to watch his reaction. Because I knew enough about Nico to know that he was definitely just that good at the game.
“And where’s the fun in that?” I asked him playfully.
He licked his lip slowly and even though I knew he was watching me for my reaction I still watched it carefully. “No fun at all,” was all he said before we both slowly stepped away from each other.
“Anya, you’re actually ready on time,” I heard Dad say. “And you look beautiful. Nico, you ready?”
“Yes, Uncle Max.”
“Good, good. Sergei will have the car out the front. Is your man coming?” Dad looked around, but stopped when Nico spoke.
“Not tonight. He’ll stay here.”
“You’re staying again tonight?” I asked him.
Nico and Dad seemed to have some sort of silent communication and I wasn’t sure who won. “I had planned to. Unless I will be in the way?”
Dad frowned, opened his mouth as though to argue, then shut it again before nodding. “As you wish, your highness.”
Then Dad ushered us out to the Maybach and Nico helped me in before going to the other side and getting in beside me. As we took the drive to Albia, we didn’t speak. But Nico took to nudging me or running his hand along my thigh when he presumably thought Dad wouldn’t notice. Dad though hadn’t been born yesterday and he was sitting across from us after all.
“You’re going to behave tonight, aren’t you?” he asked.
“Of course, Uncle Max,” Nico started as I asked, “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Nico and I looked at each other for a moment, then back to Dad.
“Were you talking to me or him?”
Dad gave us an obvious eye roll. “That you need to ask that question is answer enough. I expect you both to behave tonight. And you know very well what I mean, Dominic.”
“I’m always on my best behaviour, Uncle Max,” Nico said.
I watched Dad’s expression as he looked past me to Nico. I’d seen him use that face on me n
umerous times in the past and the fact he was using it now on a prince was enough to make me smile.
“All right,” Nico amended. “I will be on my best behaviour tonight.”
Dad rolled his eyes, which made me snort and Nico nudged me again. Dad muttered under his breath and, while I couldn’t make out all the words, I was pretty sure he was praying for patience.
Nico and I shared a conspiratorial smile and the three of us wiled away the rest of the drive with random bits of talk until the car started going at a crawl. I looked out the window and saw we were coming up on the front of Grand Albian Hall.
“When we get to the carpet Anya, I need you to wait until you’re helped out of the car,” Dad said.
I frowned. “I’m getting a lot better with heels and if there’s no ice I’m sure I’ll be fine. Thank you.”
Dad gave me a look that told me he didn’t have time to deal with my idiocy, as amusing as it was. “Protocol, kiddo. A lady is assisted from her vehicle.”
I huffed. “Fine. And who’s going to be assisting me from my vehicle?” I sassed him.
I could see him trying not to smile. “Nico will suffice in this situation. Put on your coat and get ready.”
I threw my bag on the seat across from me and looked out the window as I shuffled enough to pull my coat on. There were crowds of people lining up and I wasn’t sure how much of them were media, how many were actually going to see the ballet, and how many were there just to watch people like me go in to watch the ballet.
Nervous butterflies took up residence in my stomach and my heart thudded in my chest. But we’d decided I was ready for this. Actually Dad had decided I was doing this and I’d better bloody well be ready for it. As a lady, I was still on training wheels but that apparently didn’t get me out of society functions. Besides it was tradition that Dad, as a benefactor of the Royal Gallyrian Ballet, attended the opening night of the Nutcracker with his daughter, of which he had two in the country now.
“You’ll be fine, Anya,” Dad said softly and I turned to see him holding my bag out.
I nodded. “Sure I will. I can make it down a blue carpet in front of a bunch of random people with flash photography, videos and a desire to watch me embarrass myself.”
Lady in Training (I'm No Princess Book 2) Page 5