Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 117920 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 590(@200wpm)___ 472(@250wpm)___ 393(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 117920 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 590(@200wpm)___ 472(@250wpm)___ 393(@300wpm)
Meanwhile they were yelling at me.
“Why did you lie?”
“Were you an accessory to murder?”
“Will you be let go from the royal family?”
The only way we got them to back off was for the royal attendants to start pushing them back, while I scooped Freja and Clara up in my arms (Lord, they are heavier than Snarf Snarf).
Thankfully, once we were in the car, Clara and Freja didn’t seem traumatized. I guess they liked the attention.
I, on the other hand…
But the press and the ambush weren’t what I was the most worried about.
No, that would be stepping foot in the palace.
Seeing everyone.
Seeing on their faces how their opinions of me have changed.
“I am so sorry you had to go through that,” Aksel says beside me, taking my hand and turning it over to kiss my palm.
“It’s okay,” I tell him, trying to smile, trying to remain upbeat. He seemed a lot more hopeful than me up in the air, and I couldn’t tell if it was a mask or not. To be honest, I don’t know how he’s going to deal with Nicklas, but I guess it’s one thing at a time.
One horrible thing at a time.
We pull into the palace gates but instead of feeling relief at being home, I’m on edge. Normally at this time everyone moves to the Danish summer palace but because we went away, we postponed it to next week.
I wouldn’t have minded going elsewhere. Moving into another palace. Getting another fresh start.
But that’s the thing with second chances. Unless you put that first one to bed, it’s going to keep following you around.
Aksel holds my hand as we step out of the car and head into the house and this is already raising some eyebrows, especially as we run into Henrik in the foyer.
“How was your trip?” Henrik asks, smiling but cautious. He won’t even look me in the eyes.
“It was fine until the end,” Aksel says, pulling me along the hall. “By the way, Henrik, I want the entire staff gathered in the living room, now.”
“As you wish, sir,” he says warily before he scampers off, heading into one room before changing his mind and running into another. I bet he thinks they’re all getting fired.
Clara and Freja are following us and Aksel tells them to go and check out Snarf Snarf, which they do so happily.
Aksel then takes me to the living room, sits me down on the couch, and heads straight to the liquor cabinet, pulling out a bottle of port I knew he was saving, and two glasses.
Then he comes back to me with a corkscrew, gives me the glasses to hold, and proceeds to open it.
“Are you okay?” I ask.
“I’m fine,” he says, getting the cork most of the way out and pulling the rest with his teeth. “Better than ever.”
I frown, my hand starting to tremble as he pours a large splash of port into the glass. Despite his frantic mannerisms, his hands are steady. They’re always steady. He’s my rock.
He pours his own and then clinks the edge of his glass against mine, the sound of the crystal ringing clear across the room. “Here’s to the truth setting us free,” he says, looking me deep in the eyes as we both take a sip.
Someone’s throat clears from across the room and we turn to see the staff gathered by the doorway.
“Come on in, all of you,” Aksel says, waving them over. “Don’t be shy. You’re not in trouble. We’re the ones in trouble here.”
They all exchange glances and then come over. The only one who isn’t shy about it is Maja, because she’s part of the family, and of course bloody Nicklas, who thinks he can’t get fired.
They gather in the middle by the fireplace: Maja, Nicklas, Agnes, Karla, Henrik, and a few others, hands clasped at their middles, looking wary. The only one missing is Johan, but he picked us up from the airport earlier.
“I’m sure you all want to talk about what was reported in the tabloids earlier today. And we’ll get to that,” Aksel says before having a sip of his port. I take the time to do the same, while watching Nicklas, trying to see if he’s squirming. Of course, he’s not.
“But before I get into that, I have an announcement to make,” he continues, and then he holds his hand out for me, gesturing for me to get up.
I stare at him. Are you sure?
And he nods.
I put my hand in his and he helps me to my feet.
But he doesn’t let go of my hand.
All eyes in the room completely focus on that fact.
He’s holding my hand.
He speaks in Danish, looking everyone in the eye. “You’ve all been very loyal staff to me over the years, and I’d like to think of you all as friends. In some ways, family. It’s not easy running a palace and I know I don’t say it enough that you do a grand job—in fact, I don’t think I ever do and for that I am sorry. You do a grand job.”