Willem murmured to his host while his bodyguards filed inside the dining room and did their best to blend with the beige walls. Security had ramped up since someone with a vendetta against the de Konigh family had attacked one of his cousins, and since it was by the order of the queen herself, even Willem was not excused. His security team, however, appeared only to impress Shane’s mother, who tittered at the sight of them before gushing, “You know you’re always welcome here.” “And of course,” Shane said breezily, “you know my dear half-sister Serenity.” His arm still around Shane’s waist, Willem turned towards Serenity’s direction. Ah. The Serenity that stared at him was a paler and thinner version of the one he knew, but she was still as exquisitely beautiful as ever. Her salmon-colored sweater was a loose semi-crop, and he imagined that she only had to raise her arms a little to bare her undoubtedly flat tummy and tiny waist. Her denim shorts were no better. They were just as loose and androgynously styled, and while it should have made Serenity look mannish, the knee-length shorts had just ended up making her legs look longer and shapelier.
