The Princess and the Player (Royally Pitched 1)

Ele smiled fondly, remembering their victory parties. The favors ranged from cupcakes to cava and anything in between. Mostly, it depended on what was handy. Although they’d been toasting her normalcy, it was a bit much to go too far out of the way. Applauding mediocrity was strange enough. Then, her mind jumped to the kisses she’d shared with Tristan on the beach. She liked Tristan’s version a tad bit better.

“I don’t think you would have wanted to be there for it this last time.”

Jamie flushed pink before covering his eyes. “Please, love, no visuals.”

Ele cackled wickedly. “Are you sure?”

“Quite.” Jamie grew quiet. “He makes you happy.” It was a statement, a declaration. Not a question.

Even through the flat of a screen, Jamie saw it. And Ele enjoyed it. She liked being the happy one, the one who walked into a room with a secret smile and an aura of joy.

There were smatterings of worry for her though. Her independent sensibilities railed against the startling fact that the introduction of one person into her sphere could completely settle her in a way she hadn’t experienced in such a long time. Because what would happen when said person disappeared? Or worse, what if something happened to him? She knew she had to find a way to achieve calm on her own. But she had struggled to do just that over the last decade but to no avail. She’d had moments since St. Peter’s when all the warning signs converged to form the perfect storm of panic, but she’d remember the feel of Tristan’s hands on her face and the instant when his warmth and strength had seeped into her. It was all it took to center her, to restore her equilibrium.

“Yes,” she finally said.

Jamie smiled. But it was public Jamie. So, Ele took the time to really look at her brother.

She’d been so involved in her dramas that she hadn’t taken note of his flat, dull eyes. But she recognized the look. Jamie was the crown prince. He was wealthy, handsome, charming. But more than that, he was the heart of their family and nation. He possessed that quality that was so difficult to articulate, but you knew it when you were near it. Some X factor that made great men extraordinary. And yet, he wasn’t lit up from within.

She couldn’t predict the future—unfortunately—so she had no idea what would happen with Tristan, but she would forever be grateful to him for showing her what she could feel by opening the door just a little bit. She didn’t know what kind of person could love a man, knowing they would always come second to his greatest love—his country. But she hoped, for her brother, for her nation, there was someone who could unlock Jamie’s heart.

“Are you okay?” she asked.

“When am I not?” came his pithy reply. “Will Jules come watch the game with you?”

“I suppose.”

Ele tried to give Jules the same consideration as she gave Jamie, but her sister was a mystery to her. It wasn’t fair, but Jules had been caught in the vortex of Ele’s personal tragedy. Ele loved baby Juliana with everything she had. Then, their parents had died, and Ele had shut off that part of her heart, always keeping Juliana at a safe distance.

Like a switch being flicked, a thought occurred to her. “Is it my fault?” she asked quite suddenly.

“What’s that?”

“All the crazy schemes and … Jules’s stuff?”

Jamie glanced away. “It’s no one’s fault but Jules’s. But I do think many of her stunts are her way of trying to get your … no, not just you. Me too. Trying to get our attention. It has to be difficult for her too, you know?” He met Ele’s concerned gaze. “You and I have always had each other.”

“Bloody hell.”

“Yes, that.”

“Why didn’t you say something?”

“Haven’t you learned by now, Ele? We all have to reach our own conclusions.”

“This phone call has been depressing as hell, Jamie.”

Jamie laughed, a real one, and Ele was better.

But the conversation stuck with her. Ele was so used to being the one everyone focused on with their worry and their machinations. She’d been self-absorbed for the better part of her adult life. Like a lens cap had been removed, when Ele looked through the viewfinder, instead of a dark spot, she saw her brother’s loneliness and her sister’s desperation.

“Millie, can you get with Noah and find out what Juliana likes?”

Millie’s questioning look shouldn’t have bothered Ele. It was an odd request. She’d never tried to please Juliana before.

“Um, can you be more specific?”

“For the match, I thought we’d get snacks and drinks.” She smoothed her hands down her slacks. “But I honestly have no idea what Juliana likes. I don’t know much about her,” she admitted.