Angelica accepted the valet’s hand as he helped her out of Abelardo’s car, frowning as she looked up at the hotel. It was one of the priciest hotels in all of Aragon, known for its extravagant meals and elegant decor, but Angelica truly did not like the place. She thought it overdone and gaudy with its gold embellishments and marble floors, but many visitors flocked to the place regularly.

“Come, Princess,” Abelardo said, a warm smile on his face. “I have a surprise for you.”

She walked ahead of him, not wishing to make a scene for the gawkers watching them. All eyes were on her and her family right now and the last thing she needed to do was cause bad publicity. She excused herself for a moment when she saw a plaque indicating the lady’s room.

Inside, she sent a text to Ludwig:

While she waited for his answer, she took the scarf off her shoulders and folding it into a triangle, wrapped it around her waist, transforming the simple black dress into a more stylized version.

Less than a minute later, his answer blinked on her screen:

She could read the disappointment behind the funny words. She sighed at her image and vowed to end this quickly.

Outside again, she said to Abelardo, “I thought we were going to talk about the good of the country.”

“We are,” Abelardo said, as they were shown to a luxurious dining room. He pulled a chair out for her. “But no one said we could not do it in style, my dear princess.”

Angelica took the seat, wishing now that she had insisted they eat somewhere discreet, even his house would do. Abelardo was up to something, she just knew it and she had walked directly into his trap. And looking around at the faces of the other diners, she was not seeing the approval she hoped for after the man on the street was so pleased to see them talking together.

Abelardo took the seat across from her and a waiter came forth immediately, pouring them each a glass of the bubbly champagne. Angelica did not immediately drink hers, setting it on the table before her. “Why are we really here?”

Abelardo stared at her, a corner of his mouth lifting into a smile. “You’ve changed, Angelica.”

“I’ve learned some valuable lessons,” she said tightly. “You said you wanted to help.”

He settled back in his chair, that same expression she was used to on his handsome face. At one time in her life, that look had done a number to her insides.

Now, she just thought it was very overdone. “I want to help, Princess. I’ve always wanted to help you.”

Angelica crossed her arms over her chest, not excited about the way this conversation was going. He was wasting her time. “Then tell me how. You asked for dinner to discuss working together. Here I am, and you’re not discussing anything. Start talking.”

Abelardo shook his head, letting out a chuckle. “Why didn’t we wed?”

Angelica laughed then, because this conversation had just gone from time-wasting to utterly absurd. “Are you really asking me that question?”

“I made a mistake,” Abelardo said solemnly. “I wish to wed you now.”

Angelica let him talk, proclaiming his alleged undying love for her, and she ticked off the minutes that he talked.

And talked.

And talked. She had been wrong to even think that Abelardo was willing to help her, to help her family! He always had his own agenda, and unfortunately, it had once included her heart.

But not now.

After a few minutes of listening to him list all the reasons that they would be good together, she pushed back her chair. “I’m leaving.”

Abelardo was quick to rise as well, skirting the table. “Please, Angelica, listen to me.”

She dodged his touch, taking a few rapid steps back. “I have, and I don’t like what I am hearing. We are done, have been for quite some time.”

“But I love you,” he pleaded, reaching for her once more, catching her arm, and pulling her against his body. His hands wandered over her back and squeezed her ass. “I love you.”

Angelica was furious, attempting to shake off his touch. She hissed, “Let me go. You’re making a scene.”

Now everyone was watching them, alarmed, and apparently concerned for her well-being. Some looked around, wondering where her guards were.

“Not until you agree to listen to me.” He tried to kiss her, but she moved her face and his mouth landed on her cheek. He ran his lips over her jaw and bit her earlobe. “Please, let me love you once more.”

“Ugh!” Angelica said, fed up with this night and with him. When she was unsuccessful at shaking off his touch once more, she balled up her first and aimed for his face, that perfect nose.

Her fist collided with his face and she felt the impact against her fist, moving backward when he let her go with a yell. “You hit me!”

Some of the diners, no doubt remembering how their wedding had ended, cheered when Abelardo got what he’d had coming for so long.

God, that feels good. “I should have done that a long time ago,” Angelica countered, before she turned her back to him and exited the room. She walked away to the surreal sound of applause behind her.

Outside, she took a deep breath. And another. Until she felt confident enough to walk to the lobby and flag a cab.

If Angelica had just bothered to look to her right side, she would have noticed an old and punchy man leaving the same room immediately after she did, following her, and flagging the next cab.