He wouldn’t even mention the unflattering news pieces going around about him.
“You could say that,” he said, his words clipped. He did not find the situation as funny as she did. But then, in his mind, none of this was terribly funny. It was all his worst nightmare as far as he was concerned.
He was back here, in the suffocating atmosphere of the palace, trying to pretend like he fit when he didn’t. Trying to pretend the scars the past had left on him didn’t hurt when they did. Trying to act like this was a future he was entitled to when he knew full well it wasn’t.
But he was the only one who did know that. The only one who was still alive who knew it, anyway.
“Sorry I’m making it difficult for you to use me,” she said, wiping her eyes. “I’m sure that must really mess things up.”
“I thought you lived for the service of others.”
“The poor and downtrodden, not entitled royal princes who don’t know you can’t find responsibility, honor or purpose in the bottom of a gin bottle.”
He laughed, bitterness in the sound. “No, I know you can’t, but that’s not what I was looking for.”
“What were you looking for?” she asked.
“I wasn’t looking for anything. I was trying to lose something. Now are you ready to go or not?”
“I’m ready,” she said, her eyes far too assessing for his liking.
“Fine then, let’s go. And do your best to look saintly. If you can cultivate a halo on our way there I would really appreciate it.”
* * *
Layna held her breath until she thought she would pass out. The press was already waiting at the hospital when they pulled up, so clearly someone on staff had leaked the news. It would be huge, of course it would. The heir to the throne back on Kyonos.
The implications were huge.
And all she could think about was that they would be taking her picture. That people would look at her.
Xander made her revert to a stupid, silly girl who cared about insubstantial things. It was annoying beyond belief.
Just focus on all the good you can do with the kind of budget he has.
Yes, that was the key. She would direct him to the needs she knew existed. It would benefit Kyonos and it would benefit him. Everyone came out a winner. Having her picture in the paper was a small price to pay for doing that kind of good.
It really was. It didn’t matter what they said. It didn’t matter what they thought. Her body was just the place her soul lived, and the only beauty she had to be concerned with was the kind that was inside.
She repeated that, over and over again, but still when the car came to a stop and Xander got out, her hands started to shake.
They were taking pictures already. Xander’s return would be the biggest news since his abandoning the island and it would be on every news station, in every paper.
He opened the limo door and before she could fully process her movements, she got out and was assaulted by a barrage of flashes and shouts. He took her arm and she kept her face tilted down as they walked into the hospital.
He released his hold on her when they were near the doors, then stood in front of her, the gesture oddly protective as he turned, addressing the press. “I will speak to you when we are done here. For now, my priority is to see how the most vulnerable of my country are getting on. I have brought with me an ambassador, one who knows the struggles of all of you. Please treat her with respect.”
He turned back to the doors, his hand on her arm again as he led her into the hospital.
The hospital administrator was waiting for them and after making introductions it was clear Xander was waiting for her to lead things. “Is the hospital large enough to accommodate all of the patients that you need to see?” she asked.
“Prince Stavros has done an amazing job of building up our research center,” the woman said. Her manner was reserved. Almost cold. She was trying to be friendly, especially since Xander was there to give money, but there was a brittleness there she wasn’t hiding well. “As a result we’re well-equipped in many areas, but yes, things are starting to feel understaffed, and the children’s ward especially is very small. People travel here seeking treatment.”
“A wonderful thing,” Xander said, for the first time, his confidence sounding blunted. He knew when to tone himself down, which was a surprise to Layna, and a credit to him.
“Yes,” Layna said. “What about emergency medical services?”
They finished the tour of the hospital, which included a trip through the cafeteria. Layna nearly laughed at Xander, trying to deal with a hospital version of a gyro. He was clearly not impressed.
“She was not thrilled to have me here, was she?” Xander asked as he took another bite of food.