“I’m not sure.” Levi contemplated for a moment. “Do you think your father would be willing to join you here?”

Cassie shook her head. “He would never leave our country unless another family member was there to rule in his stead.”

“Then maybe I need to see what is being done to enhance the security of your home.”

Hope bloomed through the fragments of fear. “I think that’s an excellent idea.”

* * *

Levi lifted his hand and knocked on Cassie’s door, feeling as though he were picking her up for a first date. In a way, he supposed he was. No longer was he her fake boyfriend, but he wasn’t her real one either.

Throughout the day, the question had surfaced in his mind of whether she would even consider dating a commoner if her world wasn’t turned upside down. He kept telling himself the kiss they had shared earlier had been simple and natural, something based on their mutual attraction. But what if it was more than that? What if it could be more than that?

The door swung open, and his breath caught. Cassie’s hair hung over her shoulders in loose ringlets, her eyes expertly emphasized with makeup to give her a more mysterious look. Her lipstick was a shade darker than the pink dress she wore, which complemented her complexion.

Levi took her hand and brought it to his lips. “You’re stunning.”

“Thank you.” Her cheeks flushed. “I don’t look too royal, do I?”

“You look perfect.”

The blush deepened. “Thank you.”

Levi offered his arm, and she slipped her hand through the crook of his elbow.

Cassie glanced around the empty hallway. “Have you heard anything else about the matter we discussed earlier?”

“Not yet,” he said. “Let’s not worry about that for a few hours.” His lips twitched into the beginning of a smile. “It’s not often we get to double date with royalty.”

“I suppose that’s true.” Amusement reflected in her eyes. “Kind of like how rare it is for you to take a night off.”

“Touché.” Levi escorted her downstairs into the kitchen, where Janessa stood beside Patrice, both women wearing aprons.

Janessa spotted them and waved toward the breakfast room. “Go ahead and sit down. Garrett should be here in a minute.”

Levi watched Janessa load dinner rolls into a bread basket. The woman had been a royal for nearly a year, and she still couldn’t resist lending a hand whenever she had the chance.

“Are you coming?” Levi bit back a smile. “Or are you trying to bribe Patrice to make you chocolate mousse again?”

Patrice chuckled. “You’ll find out soon enough.”

Levi guided Cassie into the breakfast room and pulled out a chair for her. He took the seat beside her but rose to his feet when Janessa entered a moment later sans apron, the bread basket in her hand. She set it down as Garrett walked in behind her.

Garrett put his hand on Janessa’s waist in a gesture that was both natural and intimate. “I hope I didn’t keep you waiting.”