Chapter 6

Ava’s POV:

While I nervously fiddled with the delicate lace hem of the dress that my maid Elizabeth had carefully laid out for me, I heard a gentle, almost tentative tapping against my door, breaking the stillness of the room.

“Come in,” I mumbled, turning around just as Axel walked into the room.

My face heated up instantly, and memories of falling asleep in his arms after bawling my eyes out plagued my mind.

“Good morning,” He said with a half-smile.

He was wearing a dark green Oxford shirt that had its sleeves rolled up and a simple pair of blue jeans. His golden hair was tousled. I couldn’t help but notice the way the green of the shirt made his eyes look almost teal. God, Ava keep it together.

“Thanks– I... I mean, good morning,” I stumbled over my words and mentally smacked myself on the forehead.

It’s not even 9:00 am yet and I’ve already managed to humiliate myself. Axel threw his head back and laughed. I decided that I really liked his laugh. It was rather genuine and contagious. When his laughter subsided he leaned against the doorframe, clearing his throat nervously.

“I know that you’re probably not in the mood to deal with Jax or maybe even me, but… I’d really like it if you joined us for breakfast today,” Axel said cautiously, seemingly worried about my reaction.

He’s right. I’m really not in the mood for Jaxon.

I took a deep breath before I answered. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea..”

“Ava, look, I won’t force you to come with me. I will, however, implore you to consider this. You’ve been in this room for a week and, frankly, that’s unhealthy. Just give it a chance.”

I sighed because I knew he was right.

“Alright.”

“What? Really?” He asked with disbelief.

“Yes, Axel, I’ll come,” I said with a laugh.

The prince smiled like he had solved the world’s biggest crisis.

The dining hall met all of my expectations despite its rather homey style. There was a large mahogany table that took up the majority of the vast space the room had to offer. Six chairs were set up around the table and Axel led me to sit by his side while he sat closer to his mother, who was sitting at one head of the table, directly across from his father who occupied the other head. The two chairs that were across from Axel and me remained empty, so I assumed they belonged to Eleanor and Jaxon.

“Good morning, my darling. I’m so glad that you could join us,” The queen said, smiling at me like I was the highlight of her morning and I blushed. Again.

“Yes, so very glad that you graced us with your presence,” A familiar husky voice mocked from behind me.

Jaxon. Normally I would return the biting remark or at the very least glare at him, but I had to be on my best behavior in front of the king and queen. So instead I only tipped my head in his direction. As he took his seat across from Axel, I found my concern growing. Where was Eleanor? Why hadn't she come with him?

“Good morning, love,” His mother said to him.

“Mornin’, mum.”

I gaped at his unusual tone and attitude. The softness of his voice would make it hard to believe that he had broken my door down just yesterday.

“Where’s Eleanor, Jaxon?” The king asked his son patiently.

“Yeah, where is Eleanor, Jax?” Axel pushed.

“There is no need for you to repeat what has already been said, Axel.”

His father's voice was stern enough to make me wince. Axel looked down at his plate after muttering a quiet apology. I put my hand on his without thinking. He gave it a grateful squeeze.

“She wasn’t feeling well, father. I thought I’d best let her get some rest,” Jaxon said.

I frowned at his words skeptically.

The king, however, nodded, not doubting his son for a single moment.

“Very well, then. Let’s begin.”

How could such an intelligent king believe that load of crap? Axel noticed my deadly glare towards his brother and gave me a reassuring look.

“She’s fine. Eat your food before it gets cold,” he suggested, digging in.

I nodded silently and piled my plate high with whatever I could get my hands on.