I pressed my thumbprint to the lodestar. It beeped and I opened the cover. I skimmed the top page, checking the royal schedule.

Henri was leaving the country for two days. He had personal business in London. He had agreed to attend a dinner while he was away.

Next to the lodestar was the file on the olive grove irrigation. I remembered Eden’s suggestion last night. Something about the simplicity of her words struck me. Juliette was scheduled to return today to the southern part of the country, but I needed to change her itinerary. I had agreed.

That meant there was a gap in today’s schedule.

I grinned.

I picked up the royal line. Wallace answered.

“Good morning, Your Majesty.”

I still wasn’t pleased about his interference with Eden’s departure from the palace.

“I need you to change the itinerary for Princess Juliette today.”

“Sir, she’s scheduled to leave in one hour for Sangreaux.”

“I’m going in her place.”

“Today is your preparation for the cabinet meeting.”

I clenched my fist. “Wallace, change the princess’s schedule. I will be taking a guest with me to Sangreaux.”

I could hear his breath through the phone. “Your Highness, who is attending?”

“Miss Jacobs,” I answered. “Make sure the arrangements are complete and that someone informs the princess she has the day off. She has traveled non-stop for two weeks. I will be downstairs in forty-five minutes.”

“But the cabinet vote.”

Damn it. Wallace pissed me off. He was replaceable. If he couldn’t do what I directed, I’d find another palace manager.

“I know exactly when it is.”

“Yes, sir. I will make sure the arrangements are made.”

I chuckled, knowing he had to scramble to make everything happen. He deserved it after the way he had meddled. The security detail would have to increase. My requirements were double what my sister had.

I looked up when Eden walked in the office. She grinned shyly.

“Hi.”

“Bonjour.” I walked around the desk to greet her. “How did you sleep?”

She ran her fingers through her long hair. “Like I was in a cloud.”

“Good. We have plans,” I announced.

“Oh?” She looked confused.

“Remember that problem I discussed with you last night?”

“The olive groves?”

I nodded. “Oui. That one.”

“What about it?” She cocked her head to the side, exposing her neck. I couldn’t resist kissing her skin. I inhaled her scent. This woman had me upside down.

“We’re headed there this morning. It’s an overnight trip. I thought about what you said. I need to speak to the farmers. I need to see the groves. How else am I going to convince the cabinet without first-hand accounts?”

“You want me to go with you?”

“You are going with me. Juliette can’t handle the country side anymore.”

“Excuse me? Are you asking or telling me?” She wiggled out of my hands.

I scowled. “Is there a difference?”

Eden crossed her arms. “Yes.”

I sighed. “Let me guess. You would like me to ask you to go?”

She nodded. “That’s usually how it works.”

“I don’t have time for usual. I need you to go with me.”

“But you haven’t asked what I have going on. How is this different from when security picked me up at the library? I realize you are the king, but you can’t order me to do things, Alaric. Ask me.”

I saw the sapphire hues shimmer in her eyes.

“I don’t think that’s necessary—”

She held her hand forward. “Ask me.”

I shoved my hands in my pockets. No one spoke to me this way. “Eden Jacobs.” I gritted my teeth. “Would you like to go to Sangreaux to tour the olive groves with me?”

She smiled sweetly. “Yes, I’d love to.” She threw her hands around my neck and I felt the tenseness loosen in my chest. “That wasn’t so hard, was it?”

I stared at her. “Same result.”

She laughed. “Not the point. At all.”

“We now have thirty minutes.” I untangled her from my neck. “There will be a bag packed for you. Would you like to speak to Cosette about personal items? She will be assigned to you.”

“Assigned to me? What are you talking about?”

I folded the lodestar and stacked it on top of my desk. “You need a royal manager to assist you on the trip. I trust her. Elena would be better, but she’s with Corbin today. She knows how to deal with him.”

“I don’t need a manager. And I’m capable of packing my own bag.”

I faced her. “Have you ever attended an official royal event of any kind? A tea? A dinner? A ball?”

She shook her head, her eyes falling to the floor.

I lifted her chin. “That is why you have a royal manager. Cosette will prepare everything. She will get you through it.”

“This seems intense.”

“It’s life as a royal.” There was no other way to explain it.

I saw her fidget with the T-shirt. “I need to call my roommate. Bonnie is probably freaking out. And my laptop. Shit, I forgot about it. All my notes.” She covered her eyes with her palms. “Everything is at the library.”

I pointed to a bag next to the elevator. “That laptop?”

Eden ran to the entrance and bent. I smiled at the view.

She unzipped the top and pulled out the contents. “My phone!” She pressed the buttons and began chatting. I walked to the bedroom. There were a few things I wanted to include in my bag, and it was none of my royal manager’s damned business what I needed for a night with Eden. Last night my bear had decided she was going to be my queen. There was only one step left to claim her. And for that, I needed her to know exactly what she was getting into. Our night in Sangreaux had to be perfect. The royal line depended on it. My bear depended on it. The fate of the country was in her hands.