Chapter 6

Xavier D’Ardo, second in line to the throne of Veronia, prowled around the ballroom with ease. His ease also spoke of a familiar boredom in being at the reception.

Such functions were too common and too bland for him to do anything more than attend. Actually taking part required far too much energy.

Of course, when his father the king caught sight of him in the crowd, Xavier was the recipient of many displeased looks. But his father often did that. And now, it no longer elicited the desired response.

He would always just shrug as if to say, ‘I’m here, aren’t I?’

His father would always grit his teeth albeit conspicuously and then return his attention to whichever boring official he was talking to.

He supposed it was rather ill-behaved of him to refuse to speak to the attendees, but the truth was, he could think of a thousand profitable things he could be doing now, or who he could be doing.

He had to admit though, the grand ballroom looked particularly marvelous tonight.

The parquet floor gleamed underfoot, and overhead, a fresco of cherubs dancing and frolicking amid a cloudy sky was a beautiful sight to behold, and the walls were paneled with various artworks that predated the Renaissance.

Mock candles flickered authentically, giving the air a rather romantic and antique feel, and with the women dressed in ball gowns and men in official dress—tuxedos—he’d admit, it looked like something from a movie.

Dining tables for diplomats lined the large atrium, leaving the center open for dancing. The orchestra had yet to strike up though, as now was the time for conversation before the lighthearted side of the night could occur—a thought that had him rolling his eyes.

Lighthearted and ballroom dancing did not go together in his opinion. But then, little of this life did to the family’s black sheep.

It was a painful cosmic joke that he was second in line to a throne he didn’t even truly believe in. Not that he didn’t recognize how fair a king his father was, but such power should not be doled out because of a family’s DNA.

Still, the king would have to pop his clogs, then Nicholas, before Xavier would ever set one butt cheek on the throne.

Hallelujah.

On his journey around the room’s perimeter, a journey that had him avoiding anyone of any import as people huddled in the center desperately trying to speak to their monarchs, he kept his eyes peeled for the blonde bombshell he had set his eyes on, earlier.

She was an exquisite creature, someone who he was sure his brother would approve of and would possibly indulge in, if their parents were not riding him hard to get married.

She was round in all the right places, but her face was what had caught him. It was beyond stunning. Cat’s eyes stared up at him from within their almond-shaped cast, and her cheekbones could splinter ice, they were so high and sharp. She had pouty lips and a button nose. And her blue-tipped blonde hair? It suited her perfectly.

He wasn’t looking for a relationship with her but something about her made him want to get to know her better. And besides, she was only here for a year so there was no reason to get ahead of himself.

This, whatever this was, if it happened was strictly for fun–that was if she agreed to it.

But, she would. He would wear her down until she eventually relented, and let him show her a good time. If anything, he was a patient man.

Finally, he found her crouching in a corner, playing candy crush on her phone.

He tried not to laugh, but it was impossible not to. There he was, thinking that he was the only person bored out of his mind in this event and his guest was here, playing a game on her phone.

“If I knew you would be bored out of your mind here too, I wouldn’t have invited you,” he spoke, startling her out of her gaming haze.

“I…” she began, clearing her throat to hide the embarrassment that had hit her.

His lips curved up into a teasing grin, as he watched her fumble for her words, enjoying the pink tinge of embarrassment that spread on her cheeks.

“Would you like to go out to the gardens? It’s lovely tonight,” he asked, wanting to find a reason to be alone with her once again.

“Yes, please,” she sighed in pleasure, slipping to her feet.

“Oh my God,” she whispered, horrified. “You must think I’m a terrible guest. It’s not that I don’t like it here but it’s not my scene and the people are a little bit…”

Xavier watched in amusement, as she gnawed on her bottom lip, trying to come up with an explanation, without being offensive to him or the royals in attendance.

“Pretentious?” he supplied, his eyes zeroing on her lips, wishing he was the one gnawing on them.

“Maybe?”

He could tell she was cautious, but he could also sense that she was eager to leave the party. He himself wanted to huff at such a notion. This wasn’t his idea of a fun time. But he knew that these events weren’t orchestrated to be fun, but to strengthen the political ties of the D’Ardo family and their monarchy. But it wasn’t something he had to worry about, his father was still the reigning monarch and his brother was next in line. And if luck was on his side, his first nephew would reign in his stead, should something happen to his brother–that was if Nicholas got married soon.

“You see that door to the right of the suit of armor?” When she nodded, he said, “That’s where we’re going.”

“Do you think anyone would mind if we did slip away?”

He shook his head. “I doubt it.”

The king would mind, but his father would just lecture him tomorrow over the phone, or send Nicholas after him. He usually did anyway.

Once she knew their direction, her pace picked up, giving him the chance to study her from behind. He watched as she turned her head over her shoulder to make sure he was still following, shooting her a smile he hoped was encouraging and receiving a warm curve of her lips in response.

She opened the door, and he escaped with her, closing it behind him.

The silence after the gala was almost deafening, and Xavier lifted a hand to rub at the back of his neck in relief.

“You really didn’t like it in there, did you?” Adriana asked quietly as they stepped down the darkened corridor. It was only vaguely lighted with strip lights on the perimeter of the floor, which made the glossy tiles seem like a runway.

“No. I really didn’t like it in there,” he confessed. “I hate these events.”

“I can see why,” she snorted in an unladylike manner, which bizarrely enough turned him on. “It wasn’t all that terrible but…” she paused. “Not to sound offensive but I don’t think I can stomach being at another event like this.”

He chuckled, feeling more at ease with her. It’s been a long while, since he had being in company of someone who didn’t act prim and proper with him, because he was a prince.

He took her hand in his, making her tense, before she relaxed, and let him steer her towards another corridor.

Two ornate glass doors overlooked a raised terrace, which in turn, overlooked the gardens. In the distance, the Argon mountain range, were looming presences, only visible thanks to the twinkling lights of the houses and amenities on the craggy plains.

Below, laid the garden, which was filled with a paraphernalia of flowers.

“It’s beautiful,” she muttered, in awe of the view as they stepped out onto the raised terrace. There were steps that led down into the gardens, but he shepherded her to the side where there was a better view and a small seating area.

The night was balmy and temperate, warm enough—even though autumn was approaching—to sit outside without her needing a wrap to cover her shoulders.

In her floor-length ball gown, the only thing uncovered was her chest and shoulders.

And what that lack of covering revealed had his cock hardening in response.

Creamy pearl skin was taut with defined muscles in her arms, but the roundness of her hips spoke of a woman who wasn’t ashamed of her curves.

She had moderate breasts, large enough to make a man’s hands sweat with the need to cup them. And in the powder red gown, with its sweetheart neckline, the round globes were plumped and straining.

As he took a seat, he tried not to peer down said neckline. Proud of his restraint, he watched her ruffle her skirts as she settled back in the seat.

It amused him further when she didn’t sit with a ramrod straight spine as most of the court would have done. She leaned back against the filigree metalwork of the garden chair and sighed as she looked at the ornate flowerbeds before her.

“So, Adriana, I can call you that right?”

She nodded without preamble, her gaze still on the flowers.

“Have you always wanted to be a fashion designer?”

“My mother struggled to make ends meet, it was just the two of us. Whenever we went out, and I saw a dress or a skirt that I wanted but she couldn’t afford, she bought fabrics and made them for me. It was just something I picked up from her and cultivated.”

“That’s…”

“Don’t worry, I didn’t suffer or anything if that’s what you’re thinking. I had a beautiful childhood, and it’s all anyone could ever wish for.”

He nodded, settling back into his seat, to check her face better. “Have you always wanted to come to Veronia?”

“It is a beautiful country, I must admit but no. My mother had just died,” she gulped, shaking her head to rid herself of the wave of pain that assaulted her, at the reminder that she was all alone in this world now. “I was drunk, I thought I’ve lost everything to live for. And when I saw the application, I didn’t think twice about it. I just filled it out. To be honest, I didn’t think I would be picked out but here I am.”

“I’m sorry about your mother. And for the record, I am glad that you are here,” he stated, staring into her eyes.

She blinked, breaking their gaze, as a yawn overtook her.

“I’m sorry, my company must be boring to you,” he murmured, his tone stiff.

“No, that’s not it. Your company is much desired, believe me,” she rushed to correct him, blushing at the tinge of desperation in her voice. “I just…” she sighed, tucking a strand of hair that had escaped from her up-do behind her ear. “I’m really tired, I didn’t get enough sleep last night.”

Her thighs rubbed against each other, at the reminder of why she hadn’t gotten enough sleep. And once again, she was reminded of her annoyance with him. Was he really going to pretend like last night had not happen?

How could she be so stupid tonight? Agreeing to meet him at the ball, following him out here, when he hasn’t made any comment or move to show that last night had happened.

“I have to go,” she stated woodenly, rising to her feet.

Without a backward glance, she slipped back into the corridor, and followed the way they came, back into the quarters she had been assigned to, the echo of his voice calling out to her, following her all the way back.

Yeah, she had slept with him yesterday. And she was still attracted to him even now. But if he was going to still act like an asshole, then she wanted nothing to do with him.

Besides, going to the ball had been a mistake. It was a direct violation of the contract she had signed. And if Miss Lucy had caught her, only Lord knew what would have happened to her.

She could lose her dream job before she had even started. And maybe, she could be facing a jail sentence. No, his pretty boy face wasn’t worth it.

It was time for her to focus on what brought her to Veronia. And that meant staying as far away from Xavier D’Ardo as she could, while dressing him up.

Yeah, who said her life was easy?

She had to meet with Miss Lucy and see if she could work with the princes, without meeting either of them again.

Hopefully, the other prince wasn’t as ruggedly handsome as his brother was, otherwise her ovaries would be in serious trouble.

And hopefully, he wasn’t an asshole like his brother.

Cross her hand and hope to die.