<b>Chapter </b><b>186 </b>
Maria straightened, her polite mask slipping for just a moment before sliding back into ce. “I’m sorry?”
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“You heard me.” Keira crossed her arms, fixing the other woman with a level stare. “Ever since you introduced yourself, you’ve been making little digs disguised as pleasantries. So, what’s your issue with me?”
“I’m sure I don’t know what you mean-”
“Cut the crap.” Keira’s voice sharpened. “Thements about my background, about how ‘overwhelming‘ royal life must
be for an outsider, about how I need to learn the ‘unspoken rules.‘ You’ve been condescending to me since the moment we
met.”
Maria smiled, but Keira could tell it was all performance, nothing genuine behind it. “I was merely trying to prepare you for
“For what? For the fact that you don’t think I belong here?” Keira took a step closer. “Look, I get it. You’re from a royal family, I’m not. You’ve known Alexei your whole life, I haven’t. But if you have something to say, just say it instead of hiding behind fake politeness. Because I work better with honesty.”
For a moment, Maria simply stared at her, as if she couldn’t quite believe Keira had called her out so directly. Then
something shifted in her expression, the carefulposure cracking.
“You want honesty?” Maria’s voice dropped its artificial sweetness. “Fine. You’re right. I don’t think you belong here.”
“Finally. Progress.” Keira gestured for her to continue. “Please do go on.”
“Alexei deserves someone who understands this world, who was raised to handle the pressures of royal life.” Maria’s dark eyes shed. “Not some American secretary who stumbled into his bed during a crisis.”
“Assistant, not secretary. And I didn’t stumble anywhere.” Keira’s tone remained steady despite the insult. “But thanks for making your position known.”
“You have no idea what you’re getting into,” Maria continued, her voice gaining heat. “The scrutiny, the protocols, the
expectations. You’ll make mistakes… embarrassing ones, and they’ll reflect badly on the entire royal family.”
“Maybe I will,” Keira agreed. “But that’s for me and Alexei to figure out, not you.”
“Alexei has a responsibility to his country-”
<i>“</i>Which he takes very seriously, despite what the tabloids <b>say</b>.” <b>Keira’s </b>patience was wearing thin. “But here’s the thing, Maria. Alexei is a grown man who can make his own choices about who he wants in his life. And clearly, he wants me here.”
Maria’s jaw tightened, “For now, But what <b>happens </b>when the novelty wears off? When he realizes you can’t give him what he really needs?”
“And what’s that? What does he really need that I supposedly can’t provide?”
“A partner whoplements his status<b>, </b>not one who diminishes it.” Maria’s voice turned cold as she gave Keira a once- over, her expression making it clear she found her wanting. “Someone who brings something valuable to the union
08:22 Sat, 30 Aug
beyond… physical attraction.”
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Keira felt heat rise in her cheeks, but she kept her voice level. “You think that’s all this is? Sex?”
“What else could it be? You’ve known him professionally for what, two years? Then suddenly you’re kidnapped together and emerge as his great love?” Maria shook her head. “Please. It’s trauma bonding at best, lust at worst, and we both know how long theyst for Alexei.”
“You seem to have done your homework and given this a lot of thought.” Keira studied the other woman’s face, looking for the real motivation behind her hostility. “Why do you care so much about who Alexei is with?”
Something flickered across Maria’s features, something that looked suspiciously like jealousy before she masked it. “I care about the family’s reputation.”
“Bullshit.” The pieces clicked into ce. “You’re in love with him or you’re after the royal match for yourself. What, is
kissing cousins allowed here? I thought inbreeding in royalty ended years ago.<i>” </i>
Maria’s face went pale, then flushed red. “Don’t be ridiculous-”
“That’s what this is really about, isn’t it? You’ve been waiting for your chance with Alexei, and now some American outsider has swooped in and ruined your ns. Uh–oh, poor you.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about.” But Maria’s voicecked conviction.
“I think I do.” Keira felt a stab of sympathy despite her anger. “How long have you been nning on marrying him? I mean
Iwould hate to think I crush your little girly dreams. Because you’re not a princess, are you? Unless you marry into Alexei’s
line.”
“My family has served this crown for generations,” Maria continued, her voice rising. “I’ve been groomed since childhood to understand what it means to be royal, to put duty above personal desire. I speak fournguages, I understand diplomatic protocol, I know the history of every alliance Wystovia has ever made.”
Keira watched as years of careful breeding and restraint dissolved before her eyes. She almost felt like pping but just
restrained herself.
And you think that makes you entitled to Alexei?”
“Entitled?” Mariaughed bitterly. “I’ve watched him parade through a string of meaningless affairs while I waited. While I hoped that someday he’d realize what was right in front of him. That someday duty and desire might align for once.”
“So what, you’ve been practicing being the perfect royal wife while waiting for him to notice?” Keira’s voice carried a mix of anger and pity. “That sounds exhausting. And quite honestly pathetic.”
Maria’sposure crackedpletely Pathetic? You think loving someone for years, supporting them, being there when they needed guidance, is pathety <i>7</i><i>” </i>
“I don’t believe you love him, Maria. I think this is about power and the need to be a princess. This isn’t about seeing Alexei as the man he truly is this is about the title he carries. I think sitting around hoping someone will eventually settle for you is pathetic, yes.” Keira’s wordy were harsh but not cruet “It Alexei wanted you, Maria, he would have chosen you. The fact that he didn’t isn’t my fault.”
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“He would have, given time… had you not-
“No.” Keira shook her head firmly. “That’s what you told yourself to make the waiting bearable. But deep down, you know the truth. Alexei sees you as family. Period. Had he wanted you, he would have told the King before he agreed to our engagement.”
Maria’s face turned red. “You think you’ve won, don’t you?” Her voice turned vicious. “This little fairy tale engagement?”
“I’m not ying games with you, Maria.”
“Neither am 1.” Maria stepped closer, her dark eyes shing with something ugly. “You want to know the truth? Fine. I’ll make sure this engagement fails. I’ll make sure everyone sees you for what you really are–a gold–digging American who trapped a prince with her legs.”
Keira’s temper finally snapped. This woman knew nothing about her or her family. “Maybe you need to do your homework better next time, bitch. I don’t need Alexei’s money. You’re delusional if you think I’m going to let you-”
“Let me what?” Maria snapped. “You can’t stop me. I know this world, these people. I know exactly what buttons to push, what whispers to spread. By the time I’m finished, you’ll be begging to go back <i>to </i><i>your </i>littlemon life in America.”
“Bring it on.” Keira’s voice went deadly quiet. “But let me be crystal clear about something, Maria. I didn’te here to y pce politics with some bitter wannabe princess. I came here for Alexei. And if <i>you </i>think <i>you </i>can intimidate me into walking away, you’ve seriously misjudged who you’re dealing with.”
Maria’s face flushed with fury. “We’ll see about that. I’ll make sure you don’t marry Alexei if it’s thest thing I do.”
“Good luck with that.” Keira moved into Maria’s personal space; she was done with this conversation. “But just so we’re clear, if youe for me, get <i>your </i>big girl boots on because I’ll bury you. You’d better be ready, because I fight dirty. Now get the fuck out of my room because your presence is wrecking my mood.”
Keira could see the shock in Maria’s eyes at her blunt dismissal. She stood frozen, mouth opening and closing like a fish
out of water.
“You–you can’t speak to me that way,” she sputtered, “I’m royalty. I’m-”
“I’m pretty sure I just did… you’re nothing but a bitter woman with delusions of grandeur,” Keira cut her off, stepping closer until Maria instinctively backed toward the door. “And if you don’t leave my room right now, I’ll show you exactly how an American handles pce politics.”
Maria stood there for a moment longer, not moving towards the door, but she seemed to recognize that she’d lost this particr battle. She straightened her shoulders, trying to reim some dignity.
“This isn’t over,” she hissed.
“You’re right. It’s not.” Keira’s smile was all teeth. “Because the next time you try your passive–aggressive bullshit with me, I won’t be nearly as polite about putting you in your ce, publicly if need be.”
Maria turned on her heel and stalked out. Keira happily stammed the door behind her with enough force to rattle the ornate frame. “Shame I missed your ass,” she said to the room.
She leaned against the closed door. Well, that had escted quickly. But at least now she knew exactly where she stood
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with Alexei’s dear cousin. What a bitch.
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“Wee to the royal family,” she muttered to herself, looking around the beautiful suite that suddenly felt more like a gilded cage than a luxury amodation. She moved to her bags that had been ced near the bed. She needed to video call her sisters and update them… before they sent out another rescue party. God, she loved her family.
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