Princess Lea (Part 1) Eng.

Chapter 20

He sat down in front of her and watched her as she meticulously arranged the screws and caps in a row, depending on how many she needed for a particular part of the wardrobe. Ned went back to his apartment, changed his clothes, and grabbed the food he had bought on the way. It was strangely quiet when he entered Samuel's apartment. He went into the kitchen and set the containers down on the counter. Lea was sitting in concentration with a screwdriver and was screwing a drawer together. Samuel handed her the screws and had a look at her.

– Oh, you're here – Samuel didn't hear Ned enter the apartment. He was too lost in thought.

– What is it? Have you lost your hearing? – Ned replied, crouching down next to Lea and hugging her from behind – come and have some food, that's enough work for today.

Samuel put the plates on the table and handed them the cutlery. Ned brought sushi.

– Working hard today? – Lea asked as she handed him a plate.

– Not as much as last time, thank God. But I'm exhausted. We're going to see my parents tomorrow - he said to Samuel, who raised his eyebrows in amazement.

– We'll need more security – he replied – I'm a little unprepared for that.

– I'd rather not have that happen - Ned began.

– And I'd rather do my job well – Samuel tossed – I'll see if they can get some guys – he added after a second.

– Thank you – Ned nodded his head.

Samuel got up from the stool and went into the bedroom, phone in hand.

– Did he annoy you a lot? – Ned asked when they were alone.

– Not really, after the incident in the morning he had calmed down a bit – she smiled at him.

– Your eyes are looking a lot better today – he took her chin and looked at her eyes.

– I had no time to look in the mirror, I didn't even notice.

– I never thought he'd give you an assignment like this.

– It was better than sitting around trying to find a way to annoy him.

– I have no idea what's the matter with you two, the way you're teasing each other.

Samuel came back and sat down where he used to sit.

– Lea's father doesn't agree, he suggested that the meeting take place here – he said, putting down the phone.

– It's going to be fussed about, just like I thought it would be – Lea muttered.

– That's even better – Ned said – the parents will come here, we won't have to reveal where they live unnecessarily to those hyenas from the press and TV – he looked at Samuel who nodded.

– That makes sense – Samuel said.

– Don't worry – Ned turned to Lea. I'll take care of everything.

Lea knew that there would be a lot of trouble in the future. She was happy to meet Ned, she felt comfortable around him, but as the King's daughter there were many things Ned was not aware of. They couldn't go for a walk, or to the movies, because the paparazzi would be on their heels. Her sense of privacy was almost non-existent. She had no intention of being cooped up in Ned's apartment or her parents' house, it was a bad idea for her. She needed to be free and feel like she controlled the situation and not be constantly babysat.

– Don't even think about it – Samuel said after a moment of silence, watching her as she fell into a reverie.

She looked at him, it pissed her off that he read what she thought so effortlessly.