Carla’s Prince

“So, on the same day we somehow found ourselves in the tabloids while on a trip only we knew about, you coincidentally managed to get rehired for the photo shoot that restarted your career.” He held her chin as he looked into her eyes, a light smile on his lips. “I always knew it was you and that is why I would not make you my queen if you were the last woman on earth.”

“Cristoff…” she whimpered.

“Bye, Stephie,” he said in a cold voice before he turned around and walked away leaving her there, staring at him.

He was happy that he was finally rid of Stephanie Tempest. There were no grey areas this time around. It was a clean break. They both knew where they stood. He did not want her and she did not have some false hope that he would one day come back to her because the truth was, she never really had him.

“There you are,” Isabella said when he walked back into the foyer. “Where have you been?”

“I went out for some fresh air and Stephie accosted me,” he said.

“What do you mean she accosted you?” Isabella asked. He could tell from the way she was looking at him that she was trying hard not to laugh.

“Of course not physically, but I was right to think that Father and Uncle set me up.”

“You are overthinking things, Cristoff,” Isabella said dismissively.

“Really, little sister? So, did I also overthink the conversation I just had with Stephie where she told me that she wanted to spend enough time with me before we got married?”

Isabella raised an eyebrow over the other.

“What the hell…where would she get that from?”

He shrugged.

“I don’t know but it definitely sounds like something our dear parents would do.” He shook his head. “If that is the plan they have for me, then they are in for the surprise of their lives when I walk up with Carla on my arm.”

Isabella smiled.

“You really love her, don’t you?”

He took a long deep breath and nodded.

“Yeah, I think I do. I sent her an email during the service and told her that much…I just hope that she will give me time to explain myself to her.”

“Love always wins, Cristoff. You have nothing to worry about…but remember this one thing, you cannot treat her as if you own her. Women hate that.”

Cristoff shrugged.

“When have I ever done that?” he asked and Isabella smiled.

“I know you, big brother. It is your biggest flaw. If anything, let her own you and not the other way around.”

“How does that even help anything?” he asked.

“Well, it is quite simple really. Normal people like me know where the boundaries are as far as relationships go, but you, Cristoff, you have this thing where you just want everything to go your way. But for you to make it work with Carla, it has to be a give and take relationship.”

“I give a little and she gives a little?”

Isabella shook her head.

“She gives a little and you give a whole lot.”

“How is that fair?” Cristoff asked.

“How much do you want her to be in your life?” she asked and Cristoff took a long deep breath.

“A lot. I want her to be the one by my side during my coronation,” he said simply.

“Good, then it is very fair because you will be asking her to leave everything she knows and loves behind to be with you. Her whole world is going to change because of you so she is already giving much more than you could ever give her.”

He frowned. Somehow, his sister made a lot of sense but at the same time, everything she had said was as confusing as ever. Isabella leaned in and kissed his cheek.

“Go get your girl, Cristoff,” she said when she pulled away. “And send me my wine.”

He forced out a laugh.

“Will do.”

“I want to meet her, Carla.” She looked into his eyes. “I want to meet the woman who broke you.”

“I’ll let her know.”

Isabella smiled at him and exhaled loudly.

“I am leaving with some of the guys to the Tempest chateau in France. Do you want to come?” she asked.

Cristoff shook his head.

“The last thing I want is to be in the same room as a Tempest,” he said.