Chapter 12: Chapter Twelve

**Leonardo**

That night, I had to stop myself—physically stop myself—from knocking on Alexander’s door. The idea of a little argument leading to make-up smooches was so tempting…. But no, I decided to play it cool. It was a long trip, and there’d be plenty of time to test his patience later.

Instead, I spent the morning mentally rehearsing ways to impress him. I was determined to work the field—literally and metaphorically. If he thought I was some soft-handed, silver-spoon playboy, he was in for a surprise.

By the time we reached the reforestation site, the sun was high, casting a warm glow over the open clearing. The villagers greeted us with smiles and handshakes, explaining that we’d be replanting trees to replace those cut down for logging years ago. Rows of saplings were ready, tools were laid out, and the locals were already digging and planting with practiced ease.

“Let’s get to it,” Alexander said, his voice calm and composed as ever. He rolled up his sleeves with a deliberate precision, revealing forearms that were criminally perfect—cords of lean muscle rippling under smooth, sun-kissed skin. The way his veins traced along his arms made my mouth dry, and I had to fight the urge to run my hands all over them. *So, my Charming has big biceps…. I wonder what other big 'muscles’ he has.* 

He moved with an effortless grace that made it clear he wasn’t just some pampered prince—there was strength there, and damn it, it was distracting. Those sharp blue eyes flicked toward me for a brief moment, and I nearly dropped the shovel in my hands.

Then, as if the universe were testing my self-control, he did something that almost made my heart stop. He reached behind his neck, grabbed the back of his shirt, and peeled it off in one smooth motion.

My breath hitched.

I was used to *being* the shirtless distraction, not watching my prudish boy casually turn into a Greek god in the middle of a field. His torso was lean and sculpted, his chest firm with just the right amount of definition—not bulky, but cut like he’d been crafted by some royal sculptor. A thin trail of golden hair led down his abdomen, disappearing into the waistband of those fitted, utterly sinful work pants. 

*Jesus Christ. Don’t tear them off, Leo. Not yet. Later.* I swallowed hard.

The sunlight hit his skin, highlighting every subtle ridge and hollow of his body, and I had to bite the inside of my cheek to keep myself from audibly groaning.

*I’m supposed to be working,* I reminded myself, though it was hard to focus on planting trees when all I could think about was how much I wanted to pin him against one.

For a guy who pretended to be uptight and buttoned up, he had no business looking like that.

He bent slightly to lift a sack of soil, and my gaze dropped before I could stop it. My throat went dry, and my thoughts went... somewhere they absolutely shouldn’t have.

*God, he’s not just hot. He’s unfair.*

When he turned back toward me, catching me mid-stare, I forced a smirk to cover my tracks. “Careful, Alexander,” I said, my voice low and teasing. “If you keep showing off like that, I might start thinking you actually want me to look.”

His cheeks flushed faintly—just a flicker, but it was enough to make my chest swell with victory. “I’m not showing off, just working as we’re supposed to be doing here,” he said stiffly, picking up a sapling and planting it with precision.

“Could’ve fooled me,” I muttered, dragging my gaze away with great effort. 

I grabbed a shovel, determined to show him just how capable I could be too. “Right behind you, Your Highness,” I said with a grin, throwing in just enough charm to make him roll his eyes.

We worked hard. The task wasn’t glamorous—digging holes, carefully placing saplings, covering them with soil—but it was surprisingly satisfying. I threw myself into it, carrying the heaviest loads, cracking jokes with the villagers, and occasionally flexing for good measure.

Alexander, of course, remained composed, methodical in his work, and maddeningly reserved. But I caught him glancing my way a few times, especially when I hefted a particularly large sack of soil onto my shoulder.

“Impressive,” he said quietly at one point, barely looking at me.

I froze, the word hanging in the air like an unexpected melody. Was that... a compliment? From *him*?

“Careful, Alexander," I said, smirking. “Nice words from you might shock my system.” 

He didn’t respond, but the faintest hint of a smile tugged at his lips before he turned back to his work. “You are not bad at physical work,” he added eventually. 

“You know, in Italy, every guy gets mandatory military training.” I said.

Alexander glanced over, clearly intrigued despite himself. “Mandatory? Even for you?”

“Oh, *especially* for me,” I said, smirking. “They figured being the president’s son meant I’d need extra discipline, so I got sent to military school. It was… intense, to say the least. Early mornings, brutal drills, hours of physical training to last a lifetime.”

Alexander paused, his brow furrowing slightly. “I can’t imagine being forced into something like that. I would’ve hated it.”

I shrugged, wiping sweat from my brow. “It wasn’t all bad. I learned a lot about endurance, teamwork, and how to stay calm under pressure. And, of course, I came out looking like this.” I gestured to myself with a playful grin.

He gave me a look that was equal parts exasperation and reluctant amusement. “In Sweden, our training is more... academic. Politics, history, diplomacy. It’s all about knowledge and preparation.”

I nodded thoughtfully. “Well, we’re perfectly balanced then. I’ll be the muscle, and you can be the brain.”

Alexander actually laughed—a short, soft sound that sent an unexpected thrill through me. For a moment, it felt like we were just two guys working side by side, no titles or politics hanging over us.

But, of course, the moment couldn’t last.

As I turned to grab another sapling, I caught sight of him talking to a petite blonde with a bright smile and an annoyingly natural charm. They stood close, her head tilted as she spoke animatedly about something I couldn’t hear. Alexander nodded, his expression warm and relaxed, and she reached out to brush dirt from his arm.

*No, you didn’t…*. I felt my chest tighten. *You did not just touch my royal property...*

Who the hell was that, and how dare she? How dared he give her the famous guy flirty laugh I’d been fishing for all freaking day?

Jealousy flared hot and fast, making my grip on the shovel tighten. She was too close, too friendly, and Alexander... he wasn’t pulling away.

When he returned to our section of the field, I couldn’t hold it in any longer.

“Who was that?” I asked, trying to sound casual and failing miserably.

He raised an eyebrow. “Who?”

“That blonde volunteer. The one you were talking to,” I said, my voice sharper than intended.

“She’s a local volunteer helping with the project; she offered to teach me a few things and show me around," he replied evenly. “Why?”

“Lose her,” I snapped before I could stop myself. “I don’t like her, and you don’t need her help. I can help.”

Alexander stared at me, incredulous. “You know nothing about this work, Leonardo.”

“Then she can teach *me*,” I shot back.

His jaw tightened, his composure slipping. “Who do you think you are, telling me who I can and can’t talk to? She’s part of the team, and I don’t need your approval.”

I stepped closer, my voice low and possessive. “Lose the lumberjill, or I will.”

Alexander’s eyes blazed with anger. “You need to learn some boundaries.”

Without waiting for his response, I turned and stalked off, my blood boiling. She could teach him about trees all she wanted, but I wasn’t about to let her—or anyone else—come between me and my prince.

****

Back at the inn that night, I paced my room, still seething. I could hear Alexander’s muffled movements through the wall, and it only fueled my frustration.

*Boundaries?* Who did he think he was, lecturing me about boundaries when he was out there smiling and laughing with some random farmer girl?

No. This wouldn’t do.

If he wanted to talk about boundaries, we were going to have that conversation right now. Face-to-face.