His phone rang again. Talk about saved by the bell. Alexei looked at the screen and his face tightened for a moment.

“My father.” He looked at Keira with something close to frustration. Well, she knew the frigging feeling. “I have to take this.”

She waved her hand dismissively, still seething. “By all means. Don’t let me stop you from answering to daddy.”

Alexei’s jaw tightened at her tone, but he swiped to answer. “Father,” he said, moving to the other side of the room. Keira wasn’t sure why, even from across the room, she could hear the angry voice on the other end, rapid–fire words which she didn’t understand because he was speaking Italian, Wystovia’s native tongue. Alexei’s responses were clipped, defensive. His free hand gesturing wildly. He wasn’t happy with what his father was saying.

But as the conversation continued, Alexei switched back to English every so often, clearly upset.

“I understand… No, it wasn’t planned… She’s not-” He glanced at Keira, then turned away. “Father, I really don’t think that’s necessary… Yes, sir.”

The conversation continued for several minutes, Alexei’s shoulders growing more rigid with each exchange. When he finally ended the call, his face was a mask of controlled fury.

“Let me guess,” Keira said bitterly. “Daddy’s not happy with you for being in yet another headline.”

This has escalated beyond what either of us anticipated.” His voice was neutral, but she caught the undercurrent of something else. “My father has been fielding calls from the Wystovian parliament. The press secretary has been bombarded with requests for statements.”

“And?”

Alexei met her eyes, and what she saw there made her stomach drop. “There are… expectations now. My father warned me about the damage my ongoing scandals were having on our country.”

What Alexei didn’t tell her was the reminder that if Niko did not produce an heir, then he must… and soon. Alexei felt trapped with what his father expected from him now. He hadn’t been given a choice. His father had also reminded him that he was still a Wystovian citizen therefore under the rule of his king.

“What kind of expectations?” But even as she asked, dread was building in her chest. If the look on Alexei’s face was anything to go by, he wasn’t happy, so she knew she wasn’t going to like his reply.

“My father believes the best way to control this narrative is to make it official. To frame it as…” He paused, searching for words.

“A slutty one–night stand?” she supplied acidly.

“No.. That’s not what he is planning,” he sighed knowing his next words would go down like a lead balloon. Most women would jump at the chance, but not Keira. “He wants to announce our engagement.”

And just like he predicted his words hit her like a physical blow. “Our what?”

“It would solve everything. Turn the story from Prince beds assistant to ‘Royal romance leads to engagement. The press loves a fairy tale

Keira stared at him in horror. “You cannot be serious”

“My father is very serious. He’s already had his people draft a statement Alexei’s phone buzzed again, but he ignored it. “A royal engagement would redirect the narrative entirely

9:43 pm 432

“But we’re not engaged!” She was pacing again, her bare feet silent on the hardwood. “We’re not even dating! We had sex, Alexei. Great sex, mind–blowing sex, but that doesn’t make us engaged!”

“I know that-”

“Do you?” She whirled to face him. “Because you’re standing there talking about announcements and statements like this is a business deal.”

His expression hardened. “Like my father just reminded me every decision, every public appearance…. it all serves the

crown.”

“Well, I’m not part of your crown.” Her voice was deadly quiet now. “I’m not a problem to be solved or a scandal to be managed. You may have to bow down to your father and do as you’re told. But I’m not from Wystovia and he isn’t my king.”

“Keira-

“Don’t ‘Keira‘ me.” She crossed her arms again. “Because ten minutes ago you were talking about wanting to see where this goes, before our lives got blown to hell and now, you’re talking about fake engagements for damage control.”

Alexei ran a hand through his hair, frustration evident in every line of his body. “It doesn’t have to be fake.”

The words hung between them like a live wire.

“What did you just say?”

“I said it doesn’t have to be fake.” He stepped toward her, but she backed away. “What if we made it real?”

Are you proposing to me?” Her voice cracked on the words. “Right now? In my living room while there are reporters outside waiting to document your walk of shame?”

Tm saying maybe this doesn’t have to be the disaster we think it is.” His eyes were intense, searching her face. “Maybe it’s an opportunity

“An opportunity for what? To turn me into your royal wife? To parade me around in tiaras and designer gowns while pretending I belong in your world?” Oh my God. She had no filter, and she would definitely end up embarrassing the royal family. She wasn’t cut out for that life. She would turn into that other horrible mess another royal family had going on. That woman no one liked. She couldn’t think of her name.

“You would belong because you’d be with me.”

Keira laughed, but there was no humor in it. Listen to yourself, Alexei. Yesterday you were a playboy prince. Today you want to marry me to save face. Do you not see how insane that sounds? Plus, it’s not very flattering to me.”

“Sometimes the heart and duty align-

“Don’t” She held up a hand. “Don’t you dare try to make this about love. This is about damage control, pure and simple. What… has Daddy finally had enough? Don’t try and tell me you love me because I wouldn’t believe you”

Pain flashed across his features, quickly masked. “Yes, he has, Alexei admitted. “My father’s had enough of my scandals, my headlines, my complete disregard for what my actions cost our family’s reputation. He’s had enough of me being the spare who acts like a liability instead of an asset. They are his words”

“Then maybe you should have thought about that before you came here.” Keira’s voice shook with fury. She would not fake an engagement or even get married to fix this. But then she remembered how Sutton had faced the press, and Luca had stood by her side through it all. She wanted that. She may have had mixed feelings about Luca at the start, but anyone could see he truly loved Sutton. Keira did not want to be a problem that needed fixing.

9:43 pm 45

“Maybe I shouldn’t have. But it’s too late now. Mitchell should be here soon…”

“So, this is it then,” she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper. “You get dragged back to Wystovia to face daddy’s disappointment, and I get to be the cautionary tale. The assistant who thought she could play with princes.”

“That’s not what this is” Alexei felt the distance between them growing with every word, every accusation. He was watching Keira slip away, watching her build walls he might never break through again. The fear in her eyes wasn’t just about the reporters outside or the scandal brewing. It was about him. About trusting him and about laying herself bare.

Alexei more than anything hated the walls she was building and wanted to smash them down. He grabbed one of her hands. and pulled her into his arms, his mouth crashing over hers as she started to protest.

“Let me go- The words were muffled against his lips as he backed her against the wall, his body caging her in.

“No.” His voice was rough, “I won’t let you run from this. From us.”

Keira’s hands pushed against his chest, but her body betrayed her, melting into his touch even as her mind screamed at her to resist. This isn’t solving anything-”

“It’s solving everything.” His lips moved to her throat, finding that spot that made her knees weak. “You think I’m just following orders? You think this is all duty and damage control?”

“Isn’t it?” But her voice lacked conviction now, her treacherous body responding to his touch. Before his father’s call he had been about to leave. So, something had changed. It’s why she found it so hard to believe him right now.

Then why am I still here instead of on a plane home?” His hands framed her face, forcing her to meet his eyes. “Why did I risk escaping the hospital to see you last night? Why am I willing to tell my father to go to hell if it means making you happy?”

Keira’s breath caught. “You would do that?” With all this back and forth… him ready to leave one second, now wanting to stay, she felt completely dizzy. Almost like whiplash.

“I would do it if that’s what you want.” His thumb traced her bottom lip. “The engagement announcement? I haven’t agreed to anything. Won’t agree to anything you don’t want.”

“But the scandal-

“Will pass” His forehead pressed against hers. “But you’re right. It will blow over for me given time. I will most likely be forced to marry soon. Like my father has reminded me Niko still hasn’t produced an heir and that will fall onto my shoulders. But if I do walk through that door, Keira, if you push me away, I don’t believe you will get off so hightly because you are right, the media is harsher on women than men He looked into her blue eyes, running his thumb down to her chin and ulung her face up ‘So, what’s it to be? The choice is yours

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