Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 79563 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79563 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
I wanted the same thing as Star, to have a love that went to the core of my heart. I knew I could have that with her, if only she’d give me the chance. I wanted to explain the truth about who I am and what I want.
“This was a mistake,” she says with tears in her eyes again as she rips the sheet from the bed and stands up, wrapping it around her. “God knows how dirty this sheet is. I hope at least your servants give you fresh linens after all the conquest you’ve had in here.”
“What are you talking about?” I ask, sitting up, utterly shocked at her reaction. I reach for her, but she takes a step back, and it makes me angry.
“Don’t you dare deny me,” I say, gritting my teeth. Seeing her step away from me makes anger flow through my veins.
“Guards!” she shouts, and I watch as two of my security charge into my bedroom.
“Get out!” I bark, but they take a look at the state of the princess and then at me. “I’m giving you a royal command to get out of our room.”
My shout echoes off the walls, and they take a step back. But just as they do, Star runs and hides behind them.
“Prince Romy has brought me here under false pretenses. I demand an escort back to my palace.”
“I’m your king now,” I say, and point to the floor in front of me. “And if you don’t get your royal ass back over here, there’s going to be hell to pay, Star. Princess or not, the law is on my side.”
She glares at me, but she knows I’m right. “We’ll see about that.” With that, she storms out, tightening the sheet around her.
I go to run after her and then realize I’m still completely naked. I panic and look around the room for my pants from last night, but I can’t find them.
“Fucking hell,” I growl and then grab a pair of sweats out of my drawer.
Turning around, I see both of my guards haven’t moved.
“Don’t just stand there, you idiots. Go after her!”
I push past them and run down the hall as fast as I can. Just when I make it down the hall and to the stairs, I see a streak of white as Star runs out of the palace and out the front door.
“Wait, Star! Stop!” I nearly fall down the stairs trying to get to her, and when I get to the front door, I jerk it open without thinking.
I’m immediately assaulted by flashes of cameras and paparazzi yelling questions at me. I see the back end of a limo driving away, but it’s soon swallowed by the crowd of reporters shouting at me.
I want to scream in frustration, but it will only give them more lies to tell. So instead, I go back into my house and slam the door.
I stand there for half a second before I’m forming a plan. I’ve got to get dressed, get past those assholes, and get my princess back.
She can run, but she can’t hide.
3
Star
I stand in my room, my hands still shaking. I can’t believe this is happening. I do the second thing I’ve been dreading since I got home. The first is telling my dad what I’ve done. That’s going to be worse than this because I’ve never had to face a disappointed look from my dad. Well, at least not aimed at me.
I open my laptop, and it doesn’t take long to find the pictures. The first one I see is of me running with only a sheet on and Romy chasing close behind. I sit down and read the article. It’s only been hours since I fled his palace, and already there is a story attached to it. It doesn’t say anything about us being married. Maybe that hasn’t been released yet. Yay for small favors.
I keep clicking on the tabloids and see them trying to piece together our night. There are pictures from Carlos’s wedding of us dancing and laughing. We look like we had a good time.
As I scroll farther down, I see they’re trying to find out how long our affair has been going on. I groan. I hate that stupid word. They bring up old pictures of the both of us at events together. They point out that Romy is always looking my way. Every caption is made to sound like he’s had his eyes on me for quite some time.
I click on another article titled “The Ruined Princess” and my heart breaks a little more. Then I go to another and see they’re talking about how we will likely be made to marry now because no one will want me. Or that Romy did this on purpose to take over my father’s throne. It’s all so overwhelming, and even though I know most of it is complete bullshit, I can’t help but think that there could be a little truth to it. At least some of it. I, of all people, should know better, but it’s hard to remember that when it’s staring you in the face.