Charlotte & Nate (Royals of Valleria #4) Read Free Page A

Princess Arianna expecting a child with her beau in Brazenbourg, we’ll soon have a new generation of royals tugging at our legs for a treat.” Coco shook her head. “Much as I love them, I’ve been charmed by one generation of royals, and that is more than enough for me.”
     
    Charlie could just imagine Prince Nathaniel as a young boy, running around with his brothers, years before the weight of privilege and responsibility fell on their shoulders. She could easily see them charming Coco out of a treat here and there.
     
    Coco finished her tea and set the cup down. “You’re a good woman, Charlie. I’d like to train you to take over for me, if you’re up for it. I’ve been thinking about it for a while now, and I think you’re the one.”
     
    “But I’m not even Vallerian. I was born in America.”
     
    “We can have your work visa altered, and you can work your way to citizenship. I think it’s time for you to make Valleria your permanent home.”
     
    Home . Another word she had trouble digesting. “Could I think about it?” Charlie knew that if the royal family didn’t want her because of what happened earlier, no amount of talking from Coco would help her case. She had to know she was safe before she committed to anything.
     
    “All right. Let’s make it through the upcoming state dinner in a few days, and you can tell me after that.” Coco stood up, though it took a few tries and Charlie’s help for her to do so. “Oh, these old bones just aren’t what they used to be.”
     
    A frown marred Charlie’s eyebrows. Was there something else besides old age prompting Coco to retire? “Are you feeling all right, Coco?”
     
    She waved away Charlie’s question. “Just the same as yesterday, and the day before that.”
     
    “That’s not an answer.”
     
    “It’s the closest thing to one you’ll get.” Coco gave Charlie’s arm a squeeze before she headed for the door. “Bring the tea tray back with you when you come.”
     
    “I will. Coco?”
     
    “Yes, Charlie?”
     
    “Why me?”
     
    Coco paused in the door, giving Charlie a look over. She wondered what she saw in her. “Because, Charlie, you’re one of the few who gets my tea just right.”
     
    Charlie’s eyes widened. “Your tea?” Of all the answers she was expecting, it wasn’t that.
     
    “Oh, yes. You were so determined to get it right, and you kept trying until you did. The others, they may try, but they don’t have your determination, Charlie Wyler. That’s how I know you’ll be the best for the job. You’ll never give up. Even just now, one cake was destroyed and your first thought was to make another. No, you’ll never give up.” Coco left a moment later, shutting the door behind her.
     
    Sinking back into a chair, Charlie’s head whirled. She had gone from thinking she was fired to potentially being promoted into her dream job in a space of an hour. Shaking her head, Charlie stood up and prepared to go back to work. She had to redeem herself, and she didn’t have much time.
     
     

Chapter 2
     
    Nate should have gone back to his royal apartment in the castle to change. Instead, he had lingered in the kitchen, smudges of creamy filling and cake now ingrained into his suit. He had removed his jacket and rolled up his sleeves, then washed what he could from his face and hair. He would need to take a shower before meeting with his father and Alex. The grimness of the task that lay before him sat heavy once more.
     
    “Your Highness, what are you doing here?”
     
    Nate turned at the voice, his face still dripping. He grabbed a hand towel nearby and wiped the wet away. He saw Charlotte’s eyes flit to the tattoos on his exposed forearms before focusing on his eyes again. He quirked an eyebrow at her.
     
    “Oh, I’m sorry,” she said and dipped into a curtsy, mistaking the look on his face. “I didn’t mean to be disrespectful or to, well–”
     
    “Shove a cake in my face?” he finished for