Total pages in book: 142
Estimated words: 137017 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 685(@200wpm)___ 548(@250wpm)___ 457(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 137017 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 685(@200wpm)___ 548(@250wpm)___ 457(@300wpm)
Father laughed, leaning back in his seat and placing his hand on his stomach as he guffawed at her declaration. “That’s the spirit, daughter. Put those idiots who oppose you in their place.”
Alicia blushed. “Y-Your Majesty, please be mindful of your words.”
“I see why Kalon is so enamoured with you, Allie. Oh, may I call you Allie?”
“Of course.”
“Tell me, Allie, dearest daughter, how do you deal with his tantrums?” Father’s eyes practically glittered as he asked. “Did you know that he once cried because I chose to ride his favourite horse? I even gave it to him instead, but he was inconsolable!”
I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Father, please. I was nine.”
“You cried?” Alicia gaped at me, then quickly burst into giggles. “Heeheehee! I can’t imagine you crying!”
Father shuffled his chair around the table to be closer to her and grabbed the wine bottle. “Want to see it? I can make him cry.”
Good grief.
“I think you’ve both had enough wine,” I said, standing and taking hold of the neck of the bottle. “We have to leave for the hunting grounds in the morning.”
“One more glass,” Father said. “That’s an Imperial Order.”
“Milton!” I shouted. “The Emperor is abusing his authority again!”
My father gasped. “How dare you tattle on me to Milton?”
The door to the room burst open and Milton appeared, touching one fingertip to his monocle. “Please explain, Your Highness.”
I looked over at him, refusing to relent my grip on the wine bottle. “He issued an Imperial Order so he could continue drinking with my fiancée, but it’s my humble opinion that they should both retire for the evening.”
Milton surveyed the scene—including the two empty bottles of wine on the table in front of us. “Your Highness is quite wise. It appears His Majesty has overindulged himself in his excitement and should retire to his quarters before news of his frivolity escapes the palace.”
Father froze, looking from the wine bottle to Milton. “Perhaps you have a point, Milton.” He released the bottle and stood, clearing his throat even as he wobbled on his feet. “We will depart for the hunting grounds at eight a.m. promptly tomorrow morning.”
I nodded.
“Your Majesty, Sir Chester will escort you to your room.” Milton handed my father over to one of the knights.
“Yes, yes, thank you.” Father stopped and turned, grinning widely at Alicia. “Goodnight, dear daughter!”
Alicia blushed. “Goodnight, Your Majesty.”
“Say it! Call me Father!”
She pressed her hands to her red cheeks and closed her eyes. “Goodnight, Father-in-Law.”
“Aha! I accept! Did you hear that, Chester? I finally have a daughter!”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Sir Chester said flatly, taking his arm. “I’m very happy for you.”
“Isn’t she lovely?”
“Quite so, sire. Prince Kalon is very lucky.”
“She called me father-in-law!”
I buried my face in my hands as his chattering petered out the further away from us that he got. “I have no words.”
Milton sniffed. “You know better than to allow him to drink so much, Your Highness.”
“He’s the Emperor. You’re the only one who can stop him, Milton,” I replied, sitting up straight and looking across at Alicia.
Her hands were flat against her red cheeks, but she was giggling. “I can’t believe I just called the Emperor that!”
“I daresay you’ve made his day, darling,” I said, getting up. “But we should follow my father’s lead and return to Rose Palace. You’ve had quite a lot of wine.”
She gripped my arm and gazed up at me with pleading eyes. “Can we take the rest of that wine? It would be a shame to waste it.”
“Are you proposing we drink together?”
“I will share it with Bella!”
I stared flatly at her. “Absolutely not.”
“Fine, we can share.” She pouted. “You can’t say not to that can you, honey?”
Honey.
She called me honey.
Fuck.
I coughed into my hand as my cheeks heated up. “Very well.”
“I will arrange to have it sent over to Rose Palace,” Milton said, clearing his throat. “My lady, please allow His Highness to escort you back to your quarters.”
“You’re so nice, Milton. Just like Caldwell and Ark.” Alicia sighed as she got up. “And you’re so handsome for an older man, too.”
“That’s enough of that.” I bent my knees and swept her into my arms. “Put your arms around my neck.”
“Teehee. Princess carry! I thought this only happened in books.” She touched her fingers to my mouth. “Oh! I forgot this is a book!”
How drunk was she?
“Arms. My neck,” I said against her fingertips.
She dutifully wrapped her arms around my neck and rested her head on my shoulder. “You’re so strong. Like a fairytale prince.”
Good grief.
I had to get her back to her bedroom before anyone else saw this.
I was liable to have a heart attack if many more people witnessed this cute side of her.
“I will have a hangover potion delivered to Rose Palace for Her Ladyship,” Milton said, bowing his head as I passed.