n_wilkinson | A Royal Pursuit ~ Secret (Reply)

They meet in public frequently.

There’s no law barring the princess from leaving the palace. She’ not prevented from mingling with her citizens. In fact, she no longer even needs to take a bodyguard with her as she’s proven the capability to defend herself.

Though Layla swears she still sometimes sees Quen, a shadow in the crowd. Old habits die hard, after all. Once a guardian, always a guardian.

So, yes, there’s nothing odd in their twice-weekly lunches. Their weekend dinners. The strolls through the market. The fruitless and longing stares through the glass of the bakery windows…

No one looks twice.

It’s an odd sense of privacy for a relationship that ought to garner more scrutiny. But the princess can have as many friends as she likes.

Lovers, however, those are a different story. Those rendezvous have to be furtive, conducted in secret.

No one can know about Layla and Serena. Not yet. Especially since their friendly fling has stretched years into a serious commitment.

A princess should be with someone who can stand at her side. And right now, Layla, daughter of Nolan’s Guard, doesn’t count.