The King Takes A Bride (Royals Book 4) by Danielle Bourdon Read Free Book Online Page A

mind, she let herself in and locked the doors behind her.
     
    Journal,
    I have a couple hours until my first formal dinner in the presence of Royal guests. This is what all the etiquette training has been for, though I know that the advisers were probably hoping I would get a few more sessions in before my skills were put to the test. Being the date of a Prince at some foreign gala is completely different than standing next to a King who will shortly become your husband. All I hope is that I do Sander justice and don't make a critical mistake.
    We met the Crown Prince earlier, a man who seems very sure of himself. Of course he would—he will one day also become King. He was bred and raised for the role, like Sander. There was something strange about the meeting however that I can't put my finger on. Sander felt it, too, so I know I'm not imagining things. Who can say? Maybe the Crown Prince was waiting for a display of entertainment or otherwise.
    Natalia showed up to my fitting, after a discussion with Mattias, and though she tried on the dress, she hated every second of it. She also hated the dress. Why am I not surprised? The upside was that for a change, she was sober. Then, later on my way back to the suite, I ran into Mattias and asked him if he'd had a talk with his sister. Natalia came upon us unexpectedly, hearing every word, and whatever progress we might have made vanished when she referred to me as the enemy.
    The only thing I care about at this point is that the wedding goes smoothly. I prefer Natalia and that one cousin, Katrin, not be present, but this isn't my wedding exactly, it's a wedding for the nation and there are certain protocols I need to abide by.
    Too bad Natalia won't do the same.
    I can't wait for Wynn to arrive. She should be here at the beginning of next week.
    Signing off for now,
    Chey
     
    It didn't matter that she had showered and changed earlier in the day. Chey repeated the process, taking her time under the hot spray to help relax the knot between her shoulders. Getting used to queenly duties was more stressful than she thought it might be. Mostly because she didn't want to make a gauche mistake in front of such important company.
    The one comfort was that with each interaction, she had a chance to watch Sander and learn from him. That and common sense, more than her lessons, let her know where to toe the line.
    Choosing an ankle length, sensible dress the color of plums, she secured the buttons at the cuffs around her wrist and rechecked her make up. Sander showed up not long after and hit the showers after a quick kiss.
    He complimented her outfit with a dark gray suit, tie that matched her dress and polished shoes of black. Chey stole glances at him in the mirror as he splashed on a bit of cologne once he was done shaving. He caught her looking and gave her a deviant, knowing grin.
    Chey returned the favor with an expression that clearly said, Well? Look at you. How else am I supposed to react?
    Laughing, he gathered her elbow in a hand and guided her toward the door. “Try to keep the flirting at a minimum tonight in front of our guest, hm?”
    She snorted a laugh. “I would never ruin my etiquette lessons by making eyes at you in front of visiting royalty. What goes on under the table is fair game.”
    “I dare you,” he said through another laugh.
    Chey gasped. “Don't dare me! Wynn isn't here to tell you, but if she was, she would say that I never, ever turn down dares. It's written in my DNA.”
    “I dare you,” he repeated, looking mighty amused as he guided her along the richly decorated hall toward the staircase.
    “You're worse than bad.” Chey couldn't turn the dare down. Now she had to figure out how to create havoc under the table without their guest catching on.
    “Of course. You wouldn't want it any other way.” He slipped a handsome smile sidelong.
    In the foyer, a fresh bouquet of flowers greeted them on the center table. A light floral scent hung on the air