Chapter Nine

Willow

The cottage looks as inviting as I expected, with warm light spilling through the windows, and a soft glow against the December dusk. Leo’s place always feels coxy, like it’s removed from the rest of the world.

I step forward, my boots crunching on the gravel. Just as I approach, I catch a glimpse through the window —a man standing by the door, dressed in an impeccably tailored suit, looking out of place among the rustic charm of Leo’s cottage. He’s handling something to Leo, a folder, I think, as he dips his head with an air of deference that feels…off.

Then through the open door, I hear words that make me freeze.

“Sign on pages three and seven, Your Highness.” the man says softly.

My heart skips, then thuds. Did he just call Leo “Your Highness”? My brain scrambles, trying to make sense of the words, but nothing adds up.

Leo is a businessman on vacation, a private guy. The kind of guy who tells me as little as possible, who’s secretive, who…who has a well-dressed man addressing him as if he’s royalty.

I feel dizzy as if the earth just tilted beneath my feet. Could Leo actually be? No. No way. This isn’t some fairytale. But “Your Highness”? Suddenly it’s clear as day, a truth that’s been there all along, one that I should have seen sooner.

I back up, the blood pounding in my ears, my heart slamming against my ribs. Leo’s face turns toward the window and I duck away. I don’t want him to see me. I turn and walk quickly back to the main road, feeling like a fool for not seeing it sooner.

By the time I get back to Luke’s house, I’m barely holding it together. Every emotion churns inside me. I’d been falling for him, letting myself get swept up in him, and now it all feels like a lie. Sure, he’s not a serial killer, but being royalty somewhere is a pretty big thing to hide from someone you’ve been intimate with for a month.

I burst through the door, tossing my coat onto the rack and barely noticing that Luke was in the kitchen. He glances up, sensing something’s off immediately.

“Willa?” he says, concern clear in his voice. “What’s going on? Are you okay? Did something happen?”

I take a shaky breath, forcing myself to look at him as the words tumble out. “Leo. Leo’s not just a businessman. He’s a freaking prince.”

The words hang in the air, echoing in the quiet kitchen. Luke blinks, then slowly comes closer, pulling a chair out and motioning for me to sit down. “Hold on. You’re saying Leo is a prince?”

“Yea! This guy in a suit was calling him “Your Highness” like it was just…normal!” I throw my hands up, unable to contain the flood of emotions. “How could he not tell me? How could he keep something like that from me?”

Luke’s gaze is steady, his expression thoughtful as he listens. “Did he ever actually lie to you, Willa? Or did he just…not say anything?”

I let out a bitter laugh. “What’s the difference, Luke? It’s a lie by omission. He’s been hiding his whole identity, his entire life, this whole time. And I’m just here falling for him, thinking he’s some simple guy on vacation.”

“Maybe he just wanted to be seen as a normal guy, for once,” Luke says gently, surprising me. “Did you ever think about that?”

I shake my head, not wanting to accept the possibility, but it sticks with me anyway. I sink into the chair, my anger starting to mingle with confusion, hurt, and something else…regret, maybe. “Why wouldn’t he tell me? I thought we were something.”

“Maybe he didn’t tell you because he wanted you to know the real him, without all the baggage that comes with his title.” Luke leans forward, his voice softening. “You said yourself he was quiet, private. Maybe he didn’t think you’d want to be with him if you’d knew.”

I cross my arms, feeling raw and exposed. “What am I supposed to do now?”

Luke sighs, sitting back in his chair, and watches me with that big-brother look that’s both frustrating and comforting. “Willa, think about it from his side. Maybe he was worried you’d only see him as “a prince” if you knew the truth. That’s got to be exhausting, having people treat you differently all the time because of the circumstance of birth.”

I look down, my anger softening just a bit. “I feel like a fool for not seeing it.”

“You’re not a fool.” Luke’s voice is firm and reassuring. “You trusted him. That’s not a bad thing. It sounds like he cares about you. The fact that he wanted to tell you the truth tonight says a lot, don’t you think?”

I don’t answer right away, letting his words settle. Luke’s right, in his own frustratingly logical way. Leo was planning to tell me the truth tonight. I just happened to overhear the truth before he could. That part hurts, and I still feel betrayed, but I don’t think this was how he meant for this to happen at all.

Luke stands, grabbing two mugs and filling them with boiling water from the tea kettle before adding a tea bag. He hands me one and sits across from me, giving me time to gather my thoughts.

“So what are you going to do?” he asks, his tone gentle.

I swallow, taking a sip of the tea, letting the warmth calm me. “I don’t know, Luke.”

“Then maybe you owe it to yourself and Leo to at least hear him out. If he’s worth it, you’ll know.”

I nod, my fingers tightening around the mug. Maybe Luke’s right. Leo was planning to tell me something tonight and I can’t ignore the way my heart feels when I think about him.

I take a deep breath, meeting Luke’s gaze. “Thanks, Luke.”

“Anytime.” He reaches over, squeezing my hand, a familiar warmth in his eyes. “And Willa, whatever happens, just remember that isn’t okay to give people a second chance.”