THREE YEARS LATER JULIEN“Babe, look at that statue, ugh, Spain is so pretty!” Claudia muttered as she clutched a firm hand on her baby bump.“Mhmm, it is,” I murmured distractedly.I cannot believe it.For the first time in three years, I’m back in Spain and I’m going to see her. It’s not like a day goes by where my thoughts don’t flicker over her but seeing her in person? Gut-wrenching.I know it is the most idiotic thing to be thinking about another woman when I’m married and my wife is five months pregnant.It’s not as though I chose to marry her, it was out of a business obligation my father believed would be rewarding for our Empire.I didn’t have much of a choice, investors were starting to speculate about my disastrous relationship, and setting down seemed to appease them.Well as for the baby on the way… It was a stressful day and I made a simple mistake.I slept with Claudia, and now she has everything she’s ever wanted.I’m going to be a Father in four months.I still fi
ELSIDAHe hadn’t changed, not even a bit.Save for the rough stubble gracing his defined jaw, there was nothing uncharacteristic about him.“I must admit Princess Elsida, I was anticipating a welcoming collaboration with your nouvelle brand but now I’m not quite sure if it is a match for my empire.”Ahh, there was the ever-bright personality. I school my face into a practiced calm and give him my most formal smile.“Mr. Benoit, I’m sure we can formally discuss this, surely there is a way we can come to a compromise?”I had no clue what we were trying to compromise for. Julien was just being difficult and he knew it.He knew what my custom prints could do for their fashion line or else, he wouldn’t have traveled to Spain for this.He arches an amused brow at my calm facade, a stark contrast to the treacherous beating of my heart.“Well then, since you’ve finally graced me with your presence, I suppose one conversation wouldn’t hurt.” He takes a seat opposite and crosses his legs, hi
ELSIDA “They said what?” Natasha asks, spitting her tea onto the grass.I give her a warning glare. “Nat, what have I told you about overreacting?”She ignores my jab and continues to look at me like I’ve grown a second head. “Yes Natasha, the King and Queen Requested that Julien and his wife come to the ball this evening and Julien plans to stay in Spain to oversee the project.”“Hmmm,” Natasha murmurs while taking a sip of her tea.I quirk an eyebrow. “Spit it.”She sighs, “And you’re okay with this? They may be oblivious to how Things ended with you and Julien but I’m not, and neither is Dad. Hell Elsida, even Adrian doesn’t know that-“ she says the last part as a whisper and I glare at her.“You shouldn’t mention such around here,” I murmur, risking a glance at the maids who pay us no mind.I know better, they gossip in this palace. One way or another whatever they hear could end up in the ears of someone very important.I cannot for the life of me risk that.Nat casts me an apol
ELSIDA I couldn’t take my eyes off him and I hoped it wasn’t painfully obvious to onlookers.What would they say?Princess Elsida has eyes for someone who isn’t the Prince?Good grudges, I didn’t understand why Julien had to be here.Adrian’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts and I gave him a bright smile as my gaze returned to him.“May I have this dance Princessa?”“Of course,” I murmur, my voice low.Julien’s eyes remain on mine the whole time Adrian and I waltz in the center of the ballroom and I finally manage to force my eyes away from his daunting green hues.God, this was so wrong.From my periphery, I spot him walking to whom I assume is his wife; Claudia.He hands her a golden goblet and presses his lips to her cheek.Claudia’s pale face turns crimson and I force a swallow.“You look beautiful tonight Princessa,” Adrian whispers in my ear.“Thank you. You don’t look so bad yourself.” I give him a half smile.He swirls me around and in a fluid motion, pulls me toward him.
ELSIDA I was so stupid. Utterly stupid.My mouth opened and closed like a fish and I couldn’t for the life of me mutter the two-letter word that would put an end to this traitorous yet cloud-nine feeling spiraling inside of me.I let out a moan and my head slipped back as Julien’s fingers skimmed my folds.“Is that a yes El?”“Please don’t stop,” I rasped.“Good girl, ugh El, you’re so tight. I missed this,” Julien’s voice was like a caress against my ears and I felt a shudder course through my bones.God I missed this too. I missed his hands, and how they made me feel, I didn’t want it to stop but it was so wrong yet it felt so right, so damning.“Use your words El, where do you want me?” He rasped.“Everywhere,” I moaned.“Ahh El,” his laughter made my legs clench on instinct.“You’ll have to be more specific about that love.”I didn’t pay heed to his words as I guided his hands deeper into me, his groan made my insides turn to putty as his fingers plunged into me filling me with
ELSIDA “How could you be so stupid Elsida?” Nat bellows at me once Julien slips away and I adjust my dress.My heart ricochets wildly in my chest. Not just from the way she looks at me as though I made the worst mistake, Julien’s fingers claimed me and the thought cannot seem to rid my senses.“Nat, you’re screaming,” I rasp as I move away from her.Tough luck for me because, her hand grips mine firmly, rooting me to the spot.I let out a heavy sigh and my gaze glides over to hers. Whatever she sees in my eyes makes her face soften instantly and I look away.“El, you know this is wrong he’s my-““You don’t have to remind me, Nat,” I snap, not sure where the anger is coming from.Her gaze doesn’t waver, “You can’t make stupid decisions like this Elsida, imagine if someone other than me found you both, what would the story have been like?”My fists clench at my sides and my breathing comes out ragged. “I don’t know Nat, I wasn’t thinking I just…”Nat pulls me into her hands and her han
ELSIDA“Is the dress to your liking Princess Elsida?” My maid asked as she tightened the bodice.My hands trailed on the ruby-red tear drops that cascaded down the fitting gown. It was nothing short of regal and I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t taken a liking to it.“Yes, it’s fine Armanda. You can go now.”She gives me a bow and a small smile before she leaves my chambers.I let out a breath and stepped away from the mirror. Adrian’s coronation was in two months and the past few weeks had consisted of dress fittings, balls, galas, visiting different parts of Spain, and some meetings with important ministers, I could not escape them because, After Adrian’s coronation, He would be given the power to crown me queen.Never in a million years did I imagine that I would get the opportunity to hold such a title and serve a Nation that is not even mine in such a manner, the people of Spain also shared my uncertainty because the latest media reports have not been very favorable.The thought
ELSIDA I swallow. “Yes your majesty, that’s the name, Julien Benoit.”“Hmm,” she mumbles before taking a sip of her tea. “And your company for J, tell me, what inspired the name?” She asks in an all too curious voice.Holy shit, I muse.The Queen knows, there’s no way she’d be asking this question if she didn’t.My heart thuds faster against my rib cage and I do my best not to fidget.“Could you rephrase your question, I’m not quite sure what you mean Your Majesty,” I add the last part with a bow.The clang of her tea cup against the plate is resounding and her eyes narrow to stilts in my direction.I’m so fucked.“Let’s not pretend Elsida, I tried sugarcoating this to see if you would come clean but since you insist on me being blunt, I have no choice but to cut to the chase then.”“Your majesty I-““I know about your past with Julien dear. I know everything,” she says, her voice soft.How her tone switches gives me a whiplash and I’m left staring at this formidable woman with my