Page 58 of The Wrong Royal
Truthfully, I enjoyed sparring with her. She tried to make all of this seem like it was all about duty, but that wasn’t true. I saw the passion in her eyes. She had a hero complex, too. She wanted to be the hero that saved her family’s holdings. She wanted to marry the guy that was going to do it.
She was undeniably more type-A, meticulous and focused on every aspect of the plan. I, on the other hand, tended to take a more relaxed approach, preferring to see the bigger picture. But our differences didn’t create tension. Instead, they led to spirited debates that ultimately resulted in better solutions.
“Emilie, I understand your concern about the layout of the visitor center,” I said as we stood in front of the building in question. “But I think this place speaks for itself. Do we really need a visitor center? People can see with their own eyes.”
She looked at me, her brow furrowed in thought. “I just want to ensure that the visitor experience is really good.”
As we continued our tour, discussing plans and ideas for the property, I felt a sense of satisfaction. She challenged me and I hoped I challenged her as well.
By the time our meeting concluded, we had a list of updates and projects that would transform the estate into a thriving tourist destination. I was excited to get started, eager to see the property reach its full potential.
“Thank you, Emilie,” I said, as we made our way back to the house where we would be staying.
“I look forward to seeing this place flourish.” She smiled and squeezed my hand. “My parents are going to be ecstatic to see the change. You did all of this with a single meeting.”
“I haven’t actually done anything yet,” I said, laughing. “I laid out a plan.”
“That’s enough.”
After our productive meeting with Mark, Emilie offered to take me on a little sightseeing adventure. We had already accomplished a great deal, and now it was time to relax and enjoy the scenery.
We ventured to a nearby castle, its ancient stone walls steeped in history.
“I love history,” I said.
“Me too. Isn’t it crazy that these places have withstood the test of time and so many of our new houses fall apart in a decade?”
“I think part of that might be attributed to the use of stone,” I said, laughing. “Not a lot of people want to live in stone houses.”
“True,” she said, grinning.
We found ourselves in a charming coffee shop, nestled in a picturesque corner of the town. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, and the cozy atmosphere was a welcome contrast to the cold castle.
We settled into a corner table, our conversation turning to the property. The warmth of the café and the comfort of Emilie’s presence made me realize just how much I enjoyed spending time with her.
I leaned back in my chair, a content smile on my face. “Emilie, I like seeing you with your business hat on,” I teased.
She chuckled, a glint of amusement in her eyes. “Well, I do take my responsibilities seriously, Theo.”
I nodded in agreement. “You do. But you know, there’s more to life than just business.”
Emilie looked away. I felt a tug in my stomach. I saw the change in her. I wished I could just stop time. I didn’t want to hear anything else.
I opened my mouth to talk about anything other than what she was about to say to me, but she beat me to it.
“See, a life with a good business partner wouldn’t be so bad, huh?” She said it with a pretty smile, but it didn’t really soften the blow.
Her words weren’t anything new, but it seemed I kept forgetting. She wanted a business relationship.
I leaned in closer, my voice low and sincere. “Emilie, I am looking for a wife. I really want someone to share my life with. Someone who understands me, challenges me, and makes every day an adventure.”
Emilie didn’t respond immediately, and I feared I had overstepped. But then a soft smile tugged at the corners of her lips, and her eyes held a hint of vulnerability.
It felt like the world stopped spinning. The ball was in her court.
26
EMILIE