Chapter 60: Lord Wiggles and Lord Giggles
Startled at first, Aideen abruptly recoiled from the door, pressing both of her hands against her chest. Although she had indeed been hoping to find Tillian still awake, the princess was now overwhelmed with a strange sense of embarrassment.
The Duke’s insistent tone helped her regain her confidence as it seeped through the door once more,
"Please, come inside already, Your Highness; you are making my friends wait."
’Friends?’
Pushing the study door, Aideen stepped inside the room, immediately offering a polite apology she had rehearsed at least a dozen times while on her way to see Duke Valentine,
"Forgive me for bothering you so late, Your Grace. I know you mentioned working most of the time, but I was wondering if I could sit here with you in the study, just to pass the time until I finally calm down and get tired..."
Tillian raised a curious brow at the princess’s adorable request, then rose to his feet. He marched up to her and closed the door behind her back before finally replying,
"Well, of course, you can spend time here; I don’t mind. However," the man redirected his gaze to the two Dobermans lying leisurely on the big leather couch in the middle of the room and continued, "I first need to check if my friends are alright with sharing my company with you."
Another mention of the Duke’s friends prompted Aideen to take a little, somewhat timid, step back to the door. She offered Tillian a shy look as she whispered,
"I am truly sorry, Your Grace; I had no idea you were having company here."
This yet another adorable reply made Duke Valentine release a hearty chuckle as he shook his head, explaining,