From Substitute To Queen novel Chapter 179

Chapter 179

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Two hours later, Edward approached where I stood overlooking the cemetery. The grave had been properly filled, Melissa’s ashes restored to their rightful place.

“The search is complete, Your Majesty. We’ve checked every hiding spot we could find. Tim appears to have been telling the truth- there’s no one else here.”

I nodded. “And the other locations on our list?”

“Teams have confirmed that the three safe houses we identified have all been abandoned. No signs of recent activity.”

“So we’ve eliminated the entire network.”

“It appears so.” Edward paused. “Your Majesty, should we question Tim further? Make sure he hasn’t forgotten any details?”

“No. He’s told us what he knows.” I turned toward the village. “Have the jet prepared. We’re returning to Blackwood.”

The sun was beginning to rise as our plane lifted off. Through the small window, I watched the remote village disappear beneath the clouds. Below us, the cemetery where Lucian now rested beside his mother grew smaller and smaller until it vanished entirely.

Sable’s POV

The morning sunlight streamed through my kitchen window as I buttered toast, the smell of coffee filling the apartment. My phone

buzzed on the counter.

Chris: Good morning, Sable! Had a great time getting to know you last night. Would you like to have lunch today? I know a great Italian place. – Chris

I stared at the message, surprised by how quickly he’d followed up. It was sweet, actually-polite but not pushy.

Before I could respond, the bathroom door opened and Scarlett emerged, her hair still damp from the shower. She was wearing one of my oversized sleep shirts that barely covered her thighs.

“Why do you look so serious this early in the morning?” She padded over to the coffee maker. “Please tell me you have caffeine.”

“Someone texted.” I held up my phone.

Scarlett’s eyes lit up immediately. “Chris?”

I nodded.

“Let me see!” She snatched the phone from my hands before I could protest. Her grin widened as she read. “Oh my God, he works fast! This is perfect!”

‘I don’t know…”

“What do you mean you don’t know? Scarlett set down her coffee mug and turned to face me fully. He’s asking you to lunch, not to elope.”

I began typing: Thanks for the invitation, but I don’t think…

“Stop right there.” Scarlett grabbed my wrist. “What are you doing?”

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Chapter 179

“Declining politely.”

“Why would you do that? You had fun last night, didn’t you?

I had enjoyed myself. Chris was funny, charming, easy to talk to. “That’s not the point.

“Then what is the point?”

I sighed, setting the phone down. “Scarlett, I’m not ready to date anyone. It wouldn’t be fair to him.”

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Scarlett crossed her arms. “Sable, this isn’t a marriage proposal. It’s lunch between two adults who enjoyed each other’s company.”

‘But he’s interested in more than friendship. You could see it in his eyes.”

“So? That doesn’t mean you have to marry him today.” Scarlett moved closer. “Look, you need to get out, meet people, remember what it’s like to have normal conversations with someone who doesn’t know your entire romantic history.”

She had a point.

“Besides, Scarlett continued, “maybe if you spend time with Chris, you can figure out what you actually want. Instead of just running away from everything.”

I opened my mouth to argue, then closed it. She was right.

“Sable, Chris is a good guy. He made you laugh last night-really laugh. When’s the last time that happened?”

I couldn’t remember.

“This is just lunch, Scarlett said gently. “Two friends getting to know each other. And who knows? Maybe you’ll realize you’re ready for something new. Or maybe you’ll confirm that you’re not. Either way, at least you’ll know.”

I picked up my phone again, staring at Chris’s message. Maybe Scarlett was right. Maybe I could use this opportunity to be honest about where I stood.

“Fine,” I said finally. “But I’m going to be upfront with him about not being ready for anything serious.”

“Perfect! Honesty is always the best policy.” Scarlett clapped her hands together. “What are you going to wear?”

Good idea. What time? I typed back.

The response came quickly: 12:307 I can pick you up if you’d like.

I’ll meet you there. Send me the address.

Within seconds, he’d shared the location of a cozy Italian restaurant downtown.

“There,” I showed Scarlett the exchange. “‘Happy?

“Ecstatic. Now, let’s pick out something cute but not too dressy. You want to look like you made an effort without looking like you’re trying too hard.”

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Chapter 179

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At 11:30, I stood in front of my closet wearing dark jeans and holding up two different tops.

“The blue one,” Scarlett called from the living room.

I pulled on the soft blue sweater and checked myself in the mirror. It was nice-casual but flattering. Paired with my favorite boots, I looked put-together without being overdressed.

“Perfect,” Scarlett appeared in the doorway. “You look beautiful but approachable.”

“I’m nervous,” I admitted.

“Good nervous or bad nervous?”

“I’m not sure.”

Scarlett smiled. “That means it’s the right kind of nervous. It means you care enough to be a little scared.”

Chris was already seated at a corner table when I arrived. He stood as soon as he saw me, a genuine smile lighting up his face.

“You look lovely,” he said, pulling out my chair.

“Thank you.” I settled into my seat, appreciating the gentlemanly gesture. “This place is nice. How did you find it?”

“Family secret,” he said with a wink. “My grandmother’s Italian. She has very strong opinions about authentic pasta.”

The server approached, and Chris recommended the house special-homemade ravioli with sage butter sauce. “Trust me on this one,” he said. “It’s incredible.”

As we waited for our food, the conversation flowed easily. Chris told me about a recent mishap at one of his work sites where a new employee had accidentally directed a logging truck into a decorative pond.

“The driver was fine,” Chris said, gesturing animatedly, “but he was so embarrassed he refused to get out of the truck for twenty minutes. Just sat there in three feet of water, honking the horn.”

I laughed, the sound surprising me with its genuineness. “What did you do?”

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From Substitute To Queen