Page 76 of Tabloid Princess

“Can I help?” I offered.

“No. Just talk to me. It’s nice.”

Now the pressure was on. Any conversational ideas I might have had evaporated at his request.

“By the way that wasn’t me asking you to sit in silence.” He waved the grater at me, scattering cheese.

“Okay. So, do you think your interview will have any impact?”

He paused thoughtfully. “I’d like to think so.”

“But?”

Sighing gently, he rested his elbows on the island. “I don’t know. Since I’ve met you—during which by the way, you’ve been far ruder to me than anyone else in existence.”

I had the grace to blush.

“But, in these last couple of weeks, it’s like I can see the city with different eyes. I know you know things, Leia, about what goes on out there. And I’m not asking you to share your story with me tonight, but it’s made me think. Made me feel.”

“What are you going to do about it?”

“I don’t know. But I don’t think I can ignore the rot in this country anymore.”

“And when you are the king? What then?”

His eyes rested on me. “Then I hope to be a good one and help the people.”

And that’s when it happened. My fine and delicate connection with reality finally snapped.

My lips curved.

A bubble of a giggle filled my chest.

Then I couldn’t stop laughing. Even when I was head down on the kitchen island. My blonde hair almost in the butter.

He waited, smirking almost to himself while I laughed for what felt like half an hour.

Finally, when I’d sobered enough to be able to breathe properly without my ribs hurting, he lifted an eyebrow. “You just realised you were having dinner with the future king, didn’t you?”

And that was it, I was off again.

Through my streaming eyes I could see him chuckle and shake his head as he pulled out a frying pan and put it on the stove, but I still couldn’t stop.

I’d never believe this was real. Not in a million years.

Tomorrow I’d have trouble even telling myself that I was here, with the future king while he made me a cheese toastie.

Sixteen

“Will you tell me about Daisy?”

I flickered my gaze over him, surprised he remembered her name.

“What do you want to know?” I stretched my toes. We were on his wide and soft black sofa. Somehow and I don’t know how but he made me feel incredibly comfortable.

“Everything.” He shrugged. I narrowed my eyes and he chuckled. “In case you are having trouble keeping up. I’m interested in everything about you.”

“I have no idea why.” I chuckled softly. This was madness.