I took my time that morning getting ready and packing my bags. I didn’t want to risk finishing early and then coming into contact with Luke’s mother on my own again. It had been a grave mistake that affected the rest of the banquet for Luke and me. I couldn’t get out of my head, but I tried my hardest to appear like everything was okay between the two of us. I had no issue with Luke, other than his mother. I felt bad that he had to be related to someone like her, but I’d never tell him that.

Avoiding her was my number one priority.

After packing, I responded to the slew of texts from Matt and ignored the ones from the newspaper. I knew Mr. Fraser would want something soon, but after last night, I had no urge to interview Luke.

Tricking Luke’s family had been bad enough. Now, I had to go on record and exploit him in front of the world. While I kept up my half of the bargain, I was hard-pressed to want anything else to do with it.

The night before, Luke had said that he would come get me around ten-thirty, but it was close to eleven. Had something held him up?

I’d paced the room too many times to count. I couldn’t wait any longer. Even if he was held up, I wasn’t going to be the damsel who waited for her knight to arrive. If I happened to run into Gia, then I would be as polite as possible, but I couldn’t stay in the room for a minute more.

Grabbing my rolling suitcase, I exited the room, saying a silent farewell to the gorgeous gowns that were still hanging in the armoire. Even though Luke wouldn’t have cared if I took one or two, I didn’t want a reminder of last night. Besides, it wasn’t as if I was going to be invited to any more events anytime soon. Once I returned home, it was back to jeans and T-shirts for me, eating takeout, and staying up all night writing stories. Though with the promotion, I wondered what sort of stories they might be and if I’d be able to choose the best ones for my talents.

The idea brought a smile to my face as I walked the halls, looking for Luke. At least anyone who saw me would think I was happy. I held onto the feeling of reaching my goal to keep my spirits up.

Turning one of the corners, I realized that I had some idea where I was going. I’d tried Luke’s room first, but it was empty. I hoped he hadn’t eaten breakfast without me. I was starving. But I didn’t doubt there was delicious food on the plane as well.

“I’m afraid you don’t have much more time to live,” a voice said from inside one of the bedrooms.

I stopped in my tracks and stared at the small open crack in the doorway. My reporter senses went off, and I could almost see flashing red lights in my vision.

I glanced behind me and down both ends of the hallway. I was alone.

Stepping closer to the door, I got as close as I could without alerting anyone that I was there. Which dignitary or guest was about to die?

“I suggest you get your affairs in order, King Shamon,” the voice said.

I clamped a hand over my mouth, willing any sound to be swallowed up.

“Thank you, doctor,” Luke’s father said from inside the room. “Let me show you out.”

His voice was louder, and there wasn’t enough time for me to get feeling back into my legs enough for me to move.

The door opened, and I came face to face with the king and another man, who I assumed was the doctor. They were dressed similarly in their white and black robes. If I had seen them on the street, I would have no idea how to tell them apart.

The king’s eyes locked on mine. “Sophia.”

The doctor bowed his head and hurried away, clearly aware of what was happening. How had I ended up alone with one of Luke’s parents again? At least this time, I knew where the conversation was going.

“How long have you been standing there?” he asked me in an even tone.

Lying wasn’t going to get me anywhere with this family anymore. “Long enough.”

He sighed. “I trust that you will keep this to yourself. I have not informed my family about my diagnosis.”

I shook my head. “I won’t say a word.”

He considered me for a moment before nodding. “I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors. Take care of my son.”

“I will,” I said, shaking his hand.

He walked away and left me standing in the middle of the hallway, clutching the handle of my bag.

What the hell had just happened?

Several chairs and tables lined the hallway, and I found the closest chair, needing to sit down before I collapsed. My entire body heated up and my head spun. The king was dying. That was why he was pushing Luke to the throne before he was ready. The fate of the kingdom was really in Luke’s hands as his father didn’t have much longer to live.

Tears pricked at my eyes. This was the story that Mr. Fraser wanted, probably more than a piece on Luke. A secret scandal within the palace would hand me the promotion on a silver platter.

How long would Erol wait to tell his family? Would he be on his deathbed before he said anything? Once I told Mr. Fraser about this, then he’d want the story as soon as possible so we’d be the first to break it.

I couldn’t hide it from my boss, could I? Once the story broke on the national level, then he would be furious if hadn’t brought it up first. He wouldn’t believe that the king would hide something like this from his family, but he didn’t know Erol at all. The king was a proud man and only trying to do the best he could for his family. I knew that now. Reading about this family online gave a microscopic view of what went on. Mr. Fraser wouldn’t understand, and I’d probably lose my promotion before I got it.

“Sophia, are you all right?” Luke asked, coming up next to me.

“Yes,” I said, jumping up from the chair. “I, um, bumped my leg with the suitcase. Not a big deal.”

“Do you need ice?”

“Nope. I’m fine.” I didn’t want to stay in the palace any longer than necessary. I could barely make eye contact with Luke. It wasn’t fair that his father was keeping him in the dark about his illness. I was sure that Luke would want to spend more time with him if he knew.

Erol would be furious if I told Luke. He’d probably cast me out of the family and never allow me back. Not that I ever thought I was coming back, but it would ruin any hope for Luke to keep me on as his fake girlfriend to get his mother off his back.

“Let’s say goodbye to Father,” he said. “The car is waiting for us outside.”

I swallowed and tagged along as Luke pulled my suitcase in front of me.

I tried to keep my expression as passive as possible as we approached Luke’s parents.

Erol shot me a look but hid it well as his face split into a smile. “It was so nice to meet you, Sophia.” He shook my hand as if our conversation in the hallway had never happened. “Do come visit us again soon.”

I nodded. “Thank you for having me. I truly had a wonderful time. And if I can convince Luke to come back here again soon, then I hope to tag along.” The lie tasted sour on my tongue, but it was enough of a pleasantry to keep Luke away from the truth.

I said goodbye to Luke’s mother, but she had returned to the sullen woman that had graced our presence at the first dinner we shared. After the confrontation with her the night before, I didn’t push it.

Abir kissed both my cheeks, and then a shrill ringing came from my bag. I grabbed it and saw the name on the screen. Mr. Fraser. My heart leaped into my throat, cutting off my air supply.

“Excuse me,” I choked, allowing Luke to say his goodbyes to his parents. As soon as I left to answer my phone, Gia smiled at her son and hugged him.

Stifling an eye roll at her rotating attitude, I steeled myself for the conversation with my boss.

“Hi, Mr. Fraser,” I said.

“Sophia, I wanted to know how you were getting on.”

I stepped farther away from the Shamons, not wanting to alert them to who I was talking to. While they knew I was a journalist, Luke was the only other person who knew that my next story was about the royal family. “I’m heading out shortly to go back to the UK.”

“Did you get the story?”

I glanced at Luke. He was smiling and laughing with Abir and their father. My chest tightened. It might be the last time that Luke laughed with his father.

“Your promotion relies on this,” Mr. Fraser said, prodding.

I realized I hadn’t answered his question yet. “I have a story. I just haven’t had time to write it. There are people all over the place here. I need a little more time.”

“You have one week,” he said firmly.

“Thank you, Mr. Fraser.”

Luke waved me over, and it was the perfect opportunity to get off the phone with my boss. “I have to go now. We’re headed to the airport.”

“One week, Sophia,” Mr. Fraser said before hanging up, as if I needed a reminder.

I forced a smile as I approached Luke. He couldn’t know what I intended to write. Another lie I had to tell since arriving at the palace.