After spending a small fortune at Gucci, Prada and Louis Vuitton, they were ready to check in to their hotel and get ready. Pearl had heard from Erik. He was almost finished with dinner and wanted them all to meet him at his suite at the Danieli. They had a suite at the Gritti, compliments of Holden Tomlinson. Pearl looked in the mirror. "The Prada Duchess dress." Fi said, smiling. "There isn't much to it."She smiled. It was a black dress with deep V neck top that had cross fabric barely holding in her breasts and a full skirt with an open back. It was elegant and daringly sexy. Pearl loved it. "This is a four thousand dollar dress." Pearl said. "Yes. And you're wearing it for a goddamn royal. I'd say it's worth it." Fi said. Pearl wanted to feel bad for using Rhys and his card. But she couldn't find one bit of feeling bad inside herself. Pearl put on way too much black eyeliner and shadow but the smoky eye looked perfect with the smoky color of the dress. Her hair was big and curl

Pearl woke up in an empty bed. No! She thought when the panic came. He left, too? She jumped out of bed and walked over to the bathroom and then the living room. He was gone. She went back to the bed and sat down. She couldn't take another man doing this to her, she thought. Just as she felt the tears begin to fall, she heard the door open. She didn't know what to do, so she laid back down in bed and pretended to be asleep. She heard him come in and lay something next to her on the bed. She heard a little more movement and heard him leave the room. She looked over and saw two dozen pink and cream colored roses and a beautiful long white and light blue dress, undergarments and shoes along with a note. "I know I told you I don't do romance, but after last night's religious experience, I thought I might give it a go. Get dressed and meet me on the roof for breakfast. And hurry your ass." She jumped out of bed. The dress for her perfectly and made her body look amazing. His stylist was

"Get up, sleepy head,” Erik said to Pearl. "It's after 10 am and you've slept way past breakfast." Pearl sat up and yawned. "Damn. I'm sorry. I didn't realize how tired I was." Erik laughed at her messy hair and half open eyes. She was absolutely adorable. "After brunch, we are going shopping,” Erik said. "Shopping? For what?" Pearl asked. "A dress,” he said, picking her lazy butt up out of bed and carrying her to the kitchen. "You can put me down, I can walk." She laughed and swatted at him. There was a huge spread of scones and fruit and bacon and other breakfast foods. "Are we going to another ball again? I'm still recovering from the last one,” she said, drinking her coffee. "No. I'm taking you to the Vienna State Opera house tonight. We have a private box." He smiled as he put sugar in his tea. "You can't visit Vienna and not go." He explained it as if Pearl needed him to. She was all in. "This is going to be awesome!" She walked behind him and slapped his bottom, headin

Erik looked at Pearl. She hand both her hands over her mouth. The shock of what has just transpired was more than she could process. "Come here." Erik said and pulled her into his arms. He kissed the top of her head and then her forehead. He moved down to her arms, kissing them, which were still throbbing where Rhys grabbed her and shook her. He took her face into his hands and asked "Are you alright?" She nodded. "I'm so sorry. I'm sorry you had to hear and see that. And do that. I feel awful. I never meant to involve you in this." She said, tears running down her face. "You're apologizing to me? Are you kidding me? Only you, nightingale. You just had your heart and soul ripped out and the first thing you are worried about is how it affected me?" Erik wiped her face. "Well, let me tell you how it affected me. I didn't like it. I didn't like it at all. I didn't like the way he talked to you. I didn't like the way he turned everything around on you. I didn't like the way it made me

"There you are. I was worried,” Erik said. "I'm fine, Lancelot.” Pearl rolled her eyes. "I am both Arthur and Lancelot to you, M'Lady Guinevere." He said, picking her up and spinning her around. They heard a throat clear behind them. Erik put her down and Pearl adjusted her dress. Pearl whispered to Erik,”She's got a whole little speech for you. It's adorable." Phoebe curtsied and said "Your highness, crown prince Friederike Pilsen-Chamberlain, it is an honor and a privilege to meet you. I am Phoebe Davies, a friend of his highness prince Augustus Pilsen-Chamberlain." She curtsied again. Erik, in full form, looked formal and stern and took her hand and kissed it. "It is lovely to meet you, Phoebe Davies." Then, to her and everyone else's surprise, he picked her up and twirled her around too, giving her a hug. "Any friend of my brother's is a friend of mine. Welcome and make yourself at home." He said, then turning back to Pearl. "Now where were we? Ah yes." He said, picking her up