Page 18 of Royally Matched
“Did you forget to put on your shirt?” I ask, but he only flashes me his grin, as though a prince running around the palace grounds bare-chested is perfectly fine.
“Hey, Alex,” Amelia says brightly. “I thought you were in Austria or somewhere.”
“Been and come back,” he says between breaths.
“Is Maddie here?” she asks.
“She’s in the garden with Mummy. She flatly refused to run with me, even when I took my shirt off for her.” He flashes us a grin and I shake my head at him. Alex has always been a bit of a show off, but at least he’s got the physique for it.
“Clever girl.” Amelia hands her bow and arrow to Tomas. “Thanks, Tom,” she says before she waves goodbye to us and bounces toward the garden.
“Where are you going?” I call out after her. “You’ve only taken one shot.”
She turns to face us, walking backwards. “To see my future sister-in-law, of course. Some things are more important than archery, you know.”
I give Alex a knowing look. Amelia and Maddie became firm friends from the moment they laid eyes on one another. But then that’s the way our sister is: open to everything that comes her way.
So very different from me.
“If you’re also finished, I’ll take those from you, ma’am,” Tomas says and with a resigned sigh, I hand him my bow and arrow.
“Same time next week,” I tell him.
He bows. “Of course, ma’am.”
I relish my time at archery. I may only get to do it once a week, but the concentration it takes to focus on the target, to hear the satisfyingthunkas the arrow hits the bullseye, brings me peace. I suppose it’s my way to relax and recharge amidst my busy royal life.
“Were you looking for me?” I ask Alex as we begin the walk back to the palace.
“A man by the name of Lord Strozzi and his personal secretary have arrived for you. Said you had an appointment with him? I was surprised because you’re Sofia and you never miss appointments.”
I glance at my watch in shock. “That’s because he’s half an hour early!”
“Eager, perhaps?” he questions with a smirk.
I chew on my lip. “Maybe he is? I don’t know. Father and I are due to meet him, but not until 10:30 a.m.”
“And?”
Nerves twist my belly. “Well, he’s here, isn’t he?”
“Wait. Are you telling me I just met the man who could be my future brother-in-law?”
I pull my lips into a line and nod, my belly churning. “Maybe?”
Alex lets out a laugh. “Try not to look so happy about it, Sofe.”
“I am happy,” I insist.
Alex raises his brows. “Convincing.”
I place my hand against his arm and shove him. “Euw. You’re sweaty.”
“It’s all part of my natural charm, don’t you know? Come on. Pick up the pace. You’ve got a bloke to charm and he’s stuck in a room with Father.” He moves into a slow jog. “Who knows what might happen to him in the lion’s den.”
“I’m not running, if that’s what you think. The last thing I want to do is be even half as sweaty as you when I… well, when Father and I meet with him.”
Alex comes to a stop and turns to face me, his hands on his hips. “Are you planning on proposing to this man today?”