Princess - A Love Story

Chapter 22

"Hey you want to get a drink?" Philip paused mid stride to look back at Matthew.

"No, I'm going to head back now."

"Oh come on. I'm sure your wife can do without you for another hour."

Philip smiled at his friend. "Yes but I need to speak to her about something urgent."

Matthew raised his brows and grinned. Philip laughed and lightly punched his shoulder. "Get your head out of the gutter."

Matthew raised his hand in conciliatory gesture, "Hey, when a man runs home to see his pretty wife...Its been five years though. You'd think you'd get over it by now."

Philip waved him off and got into the waiting car. At home, he jumped out of the car and went straight to the library. Gathering some papers, he went to his rooms. He walked faster as he got closer. He couldn't wait to talk to her. Loosening his tie, he opened the door.

Emily was curled up in the large wing chair, fast asleep. A book was lying face down in her lap and she was snuggled under a blanket. He frowned. Was she ok? She seemed to be doing that a lot lately.

Leaning down he kissed her lightly on the tip of her nose. "Em," he whispered softly. Stirring, she blinked. "You're back. Hi." She lifted her face for another kiss and he gladly obliged.

"Are you ok?"

"I'm fine," she said around a huge yawn. "It's so cold this time of the year. How was your meeting today?"

"It's finally official! Grandmamma's proposal has been accepted."

"Congratulations!" She beamed at him. "Your Majesty..." She smiled again. "I just wanted to try it out. It suits you."

He grinned at her. "I can't believe Grandmamma is stepping down and handing me the reins."

"She did say she wanted to spend time resting now. It's been hard on her. All those years doing it on her own. Especially with your Mom and Dad passing away so early."

He bent down, resting his hands on the arms of the chair to look into her face. "You know that means you will be Queen."

She smiled mischievously. "I was always a queen. About time someone actually made me one."

Philip put his hand on his heart in mock theatrics. "You have always been Queen of my heart."

She laughed then her expression turned serious. "Will you be all right?"

"What do you mean?"

She rolled her eyes at him. "We both know you put too much pressure on yourself in search of that elusive perfection. You were a nightmare as a Prince. As King, I'm worried you'll kill yourself working."

To everyone in this country he was Prince and now King. But Emily didn't care about any of that. He was first and always, her husband. His heart swelled at her concern for him. Lifting her up from the chair he sat down then settled her back on his lap. She snuggled against him while he absently rubbed his chin on her head.

"It will be hard. I'm nervous," he admitted. She hugged him hard and kissed his jaw.

"Those are huge shoes to fill and I'm afraid I'm not going to be good enough."

"You will be a wonderful King."

He gave a look that was part amused and all love. "You're my wife. You're supposed to think that."

"You will be just fine," she reassured him then noticed the official looking "What's that?"

"That," he placed a soft kiss on her lips, "is my early Christmas present."

"What is it?"

"Take a look."

She reached over for the envelope and opened it. She scanned the documents for a bit, smiling as she did so. When she got to the end she looked up at him in exasperation. "Have you seriously been worried about this all this time?"

"Not worried. Exactly."

She raised her brows in question.

"See, there's no clause in our contract to change it inside the stipulated five-year period."

"Why? Didn't think you'd fall madly in love with that Stylianou girl?" she teased

"No actually. If anyone had told me I'd fall in love with you within a month of your being here, I'd have laughed them out of the country. Then, here you were and I just couldn't help it."

"I did tell you I was staying."

"Yes, but we still need to close the contract."

She sighed. "Fine. Where do I sign." She signed it quickly. "Happy now?"

He gathered her close. "So happy I might start to float."

"Me too. His Majesty, Prince Philip of Miionis. That's quite some title you have to live up to."

"I hope I can. I've worked my whole life for this title. This moment." He looked at her seriously. "I'll be very busy for a while now. Will you be all right?"

"I'll be fine. I'm not exactly sitting around doing nothing now, am I?"

No, she wasn't. Emily had thrown herself into education policy as well as several different institutions she patronized.

"But," she continued, "You'll need to find some time on your busy schedule because King is not the only title you're about to get."

"What other title...?" He frowned as she grinned at him hugely.

"Dad."