Nicholas shocked outburst startled Kinsley. From the alarmed look on Octavius' face and the surprise
that now claimed Nicholas’ something was happening, and it now had her worried.
Nicholas turned his face to Octavius with a look of horror on his face. “Why are they here?”
“After the incident, I made a progress report to your father, and now the whole family is sitting in the
parlour.”
“You did what?” Nicholas snapped with anger.
“Forgive me, Your Majesty, but he is the King. I had to notify him.”
“King?” Kinsley said anxiously. “Are you saying that the King is in the next room?”
“The whole royal family,” Octavius told her.
“Oh,” she felt nervous and out of place. She never thought she would meet his family. What would they
think of her when they found out about the arraignment between her and their son? This was a terrible
turn of events.
“They are demanding your presence,” Octavius told Nicholas.
“Of course, they are.”
“Please forgive me, Your Majesty.”
The fact that Octavius was begging for forgiveness filled Kinsley with dread. Nicholas rose to his feet
and placed one hand on Octavius’ shoulder. “You are forgiven, old friend. Your hands were tied.” He
then reached out for Brutus’ harness, grabbing at empty air. Kinsley rose and guided his hand to the
dog. He thanked her and then awkwardly made his way to the door. “Octavius,” He said, reaching out
blindly. “Show me to my parents.”
Kinsley stood up, and out of sheer curiosity, she followed. They made their way to the room by the front
door, the one Octavius had made her wait the first night she came to the palace. Kinsley remained by
the entrance while Octavius walked Nicholas into the middle of the room.
There were four of them. Two men and two women. Parents and siblings, she would guess by their
ages and the amazingly expensive wardrobes. The older woman with the long copper hair swept up in
an elegant configuration rushed across the room and startled Nicholas as she took him in her arms,
and she wept. She stepped back, and her hands framed his face as she kissed his cheek. “
“Oh, my boy,” she wept. “My poor son,” she held his arms and looked him over. “You are so thin,” she
then glared at Octavius. “Are you not feeding him?”
“Mother, I am fine,” Nicholas assured her.
A young man in a fine suit leaned in with a curious look and waved his hand in front of Nicholas’ face,
but Nicholas did not respond. “You really cannot see?” He asked with disbelief.
Nicholas turned his head in the direction of the voice addressing him. “Hello, Matthew.”
“Father says you went blind?” The young woman piped up.
“Essentially,” Nicholas said with a frown. “Not totally, but enough to make life challenging. It is like
looking down a long dark tunnel, and at the end of that tunnel, all I can make out are fuzzy shapes and
colours. I can see silhouettes and movement, but that is it. The doctor says it will only get worse until I
am completely blind.”
“How are you coping?” His mother asked as she supportively rubbed his arm.
“I am distorted, obviously. But I am learning to navigate my new world. I have a cane, and I just got
Brutus here,” he said, leaning over to pet his new pal. “He is my eyes. And of course, I have a friend
who helps keep my morale up.”
“Really,” His mother smiled, “Octavius?”
“No, Mother… Kinsley, come here,” he ordered, holding his hand out for her to take. Until now, no one
had noticed her, but now everyone except Nicholas was looking at her. “I know you are there,” Nicholas
chuckled. “I heard your heels follow us, and I can smell your perfume. Come forth,” with a nervous
smile, she slowly walked over to Nicholas, and he took her hand in his and held it to his chest. “I want
to introduce you to my family. “May I introduce my mother, her Majesty, Queen Naya Kane,” the woman
nodded her head at Kinsley. “My father, his Majesty King Samuel Kane the Third,” the man bowed his
head politely. “My brother Prince Matthew Kane and my sister Teegan Kane,” they both nodded at her.
“Everyone, this is Miss Kinsley Wells… my girlfriend,” that last word surprised everyone in the room,
including Kinsley.
“Girlfriend?” His father repeated, surprised. “Octavius did not tell me you were seeing someone.”
“It happened somewhat recently. I saw no reason to tell anyone.”
“Well, it is so nice to meet you, child,” Naya said, shaking Kinsley’s hand.
“And you… um…” She looked at Octavius for guidance. He gestured for her to be respectful. “Your
Majesty,” she then curtsied. Hoping that was what she should do.
“Oh, child, no formalities. I do not want you to feel uncomfortable around us. Especially if you are the
reason for the smile on my son’s face?” Kinsley looked at Nicholas to see he was indeed smiling. “I do
not think I have seen my son smile in four years. So, you may call me Naya.”
“Alright, and you may call me Kinsley.”
“Glorious.”
“Octavius,” Nicholas spoke up.
“Yes, Your Majesty?”
“Show my family to their rooms so they may freshen up and relax before dinner. Surely they are
jetlagged.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“And notify the kitchen that there will be four more for dinner.”
“Of course,” Kinsley watched as Octavius led the royal family from the room.
Once they were alone, she stepped in front of him so he could see her. “Girlfriend?”
He smiled. “Do you take offence to the term?” He teased and took her hand. “I thought it an easier
explanation than the truth. Unless you wish them to know the truth, in which case I can certainly retract
my previous statement and tell them you are an escort paid to sleep with me.”
She did not like that idea at all. She did not think his family would respect her if they knew the truth of
their involvement. “No, I think the girlfriend is more respectable.”
“I agree. With my family here, I will have your things moved to my room. We will have to share to make
space,” he chuckled. “Believe it or not, this palace just got a lot smaller.”
“I do not know why you seemed so upset; your family seems nice,” she said, not sure why Octavius
had been begging for forgiveness.
He scoffed. “Give them time; they will show their colours,” he said as they turned to leave the room, his
hand in hers. As they walked, his hand gripped hers tighter. “Just try to avoid being alone with
Matthew.”
She did not understand. “Why?”
“He has got boundary issues,” which seemed very cryptic. “He gets grabby,” he said, releasing her
hand. “And the only person I want grabbing you is me,” he grinned as he reached down and grabbed
her bottom.
Kinsley laughed and stepped in front of him, stopping him in his tracks. “You think you are allowed to
grab me?” She teased, and his smile grew. Let’s go back to the bedroom, and I will do more than just
grab your ass,” he leaned in, and his lips brushed her ear. “I will crawl up inside that tight little body and
make you cum so hard and loud the rest of the house will need a cigarette.”
Just the suggestion made her damp with anticipation. “Then why are we standing here when we could
be upstairs fucking?”
He groaned with approval. “Girl, I love your libido.”
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