My Forbidden Royal Fling

I stare at him, so entranced by his smile that it takes a moment for his words to settle in my consciousness.

‘You can refuse to sell to me, Princess, and that’s your leverage here. So let’s pretend

you didn’t just say that and go back to your agenda. What do you want from me?’

My heart turns over in my chest. I finish my tea, placing the saucer on a side table before fixing him with a direct stare.

‘I want...’ I find it impossible to finish the sentence. Focus. Focus, for the love of God. He’s staring at me, waiting, and the more he looks the more my pulse fires and my brain fuzzes. ‘Assurances,’ I haltingly add. ‘That you’ll employ ninety per cent Marlsdovens, in both the construction of the development and then in the staffing once completed.’ Relief that I’ve been able to pluck one of my talking points out of thin air spreads through me.

‘I’ve already made assurances that fifty per cent of the contractors will be locally sourced.’

‘Fifty isn’t ninety,’ I point out.

His eyes lock to mine as if to say, Oh, really? but then his lips twist with the hint of another smile and my thoughts get scattered again.

‘It isn’t possible to guarantee that requirement.’

‘Why not?’

‘I can’t say that your contractors will be the best, and I’m only interested in hiring the best.’

‘You think we can’t offer quality workmanship?’

‘The “best” encompasses many things—quality, affordability, experience. I work with a group of architects based in New York.’

‘Yes, and that can be your ten per cent,’ I say, glad that I spent so long analysing the details of his proposal.

‘What else?’

‘Is that an agreement?’

‘No. But I’m interested in your list. Go on.’

He’s so close to me—just a foot or two away—yet I don’t move. I should. I know I should. But standing here so close to him is hypnotic and addictive. ‘My biggest concerns centre on the benefits of this agreement to my people. Once I sell this land, it’s gone. I need to know the choice will benefit Marlsdovens for a long time to come. Particularly if the trade-off is having a casino right over there.’

I point down the river to the banks in question, my pulse quivering as I think of my father and how devastating this would be to him. My entire life revolves around doing what my parents would have expected of me, remembering every instruction they gave me over the course of my life. I’m betraying them now, and I’m sickened by that.

‘It is more than a casino. The development features restaurants and a six-star hotel as well.’

‘Yes, for guests of the casino.’

‘Why do you oppose this?’

‘I told you, I just need to make sure—’

‘No.’ He shakes his head. ‘It’s more than that. You dislike the concept. You disapprove of the casino. Why?’

‘It’s just not something in our culture.’

‘Gambling? I think you’re wrong.’

‘Gambling is everywhere, to some extent, but casinos make it so easy.’

‘And that’s bad?’

I stare at him. ‘How can you not see that?’ I shake my head, remembering what gambling did to my uncle, how his addiction led to his death. ‘Of course you don’t see it.’

‘What’s that supposed to mean?’