The Royal Pain Read Free Page B

Let’s move on.”
    â€œYou’re not,” Dr. Pohl said quietly, “or we would.”
    â€œB-besides, when has safety ever been a guarantee? For anyone, never mind someone in the public eye? Even for the good guys? My family didn’t take this country from Russia by being nice. I’m sure felony assault was involved.”
    â€œSo this is how it’s supposed to be? You’re a closed-off wreck who can’t sleep because people aren’t nice?”
    â€œBut my family’s okay for now. If that’s the trade-off, I’ll take it.”
    â€œPrincess Alexandria, it wasn’t a deal.” Dr. Pohl was leaning forward, her gaze so compassionate Alex had to look away again. “In fact, it’s not a trade-off. Why shouldn’t your family be alive and well—all respect to your late mother, the queen—and why shouldn’t you have a happy and fulfilling life?”
    â€œWell, for one thing, if I did, you’d be out of business.”
    â€œHardly,” she muttered. “Your sister-in-law keeps me on my toes.” Then, louder, “How is the medication working for you?”
    â€œFine.”
    â€œIt’s amazing,” Dr. Pohl said, amused. “You look like a perfect angel when you lie.”
    â€œThanks.”
    â€œBut I think we should try to make some kind of progress.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œYour Highness.”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œYour Highness.”
    â€œNone of this is my idea.” Alex crossed her arms over her chest and jiggled a foot up and down. “Have you seen my schedule? I’ve got other things to do. Like I said, this wasn’t my idea. Blame my father, the big hen.”
    â€œI think it’s safe to say I have never heard the king referred to as a chicken. Your Highness, in all seriousness, I can’t help you if you won’t let me.”
    â€œThen it sounds like we’re done,” she said, cheering up.
    â€œSit back down, Your Nice Tryness.”
    Glaring at the duck pencil sharpener, she did. She wondered if Congress would give her the power to have Dr. Pohl beheaded. Or at least suspended.
    â€œHave you given any more thought to my suggestion?”
    â€œNo.” This was another lie. Some nights, it was all she thought about. But ultimately…“It’d be like running away.”
    â€œI disagree, Your Highness.”
    â€œOf course you do. By the way, you should return that blouse. Babyshit tan is not a good color for you.”
    â€œYour transparent attempt to pick a fight about my admittedly eclectic wardrobe so we get off the subject won’t work.”
    â€œWhatever you say, cotton ball.”
    â€œThere’s nothing wrong with trying something new, getting a little perspective. You’ll be doing good work and at the same time, if you got out of the country for a while, it could do you a world of good. And since your brother can’t go, it seems almost…fortuitous.”
    â€œEverything I need is right here.”
    â€œYou don’t have to stay to keep an eye on them, Alexandria.”
    And Alexandria, whose mother had been taken from her when she was still a child, and whose father had recently escaped death, put her head in her hands and wept.

Chapter 4
    â€œI guess I’m confused,” Princess Christina said.
    â€œThen it must be Wednesday,” Alex replied, not looking up from her travel itinerary.
    â€œHa, ha, Princess Sarcasto. Look, don’t get me wrong, I think a change of scenery is just the thing. Just exactly the right thing. God knows it always cheered me up.”
    â€œDo you miss working for the cruise line?”
    â€œNo,” Christina replied shortly. “And don’t change the subject. You’re not a marine biologist. You’re not even—I mean, your specialty is—okay, this is kind of embarrassing, I’m trying to remember, I’m sure I read about this a couple of