Resilient Reign Read online

  Lady Buckingham curtsied and muttered the appropriate response, yet the entire time, her gaze was on me. I went forward and reached for her hand. “Enjoy an hour to yourself.”

  She forced a smile. “I know you’ll do well. I wanted to see it.”

  I turned to Roman. “Perhaps my mistress could ride with me and you…”

  Roman shook his head. “Lady Buckingham is welcome in one of the other cars. I want to hear what you plan to say.”

  Nodding, I smiled at my mistress. “It’s your decision. Stay or you may ride with the royal guards.”

  Once Roman and I were in the back seat of the royal vehicle, I spoke low. “Does the king know you’re with me?”

  “He will.”

  I shook my head. “Roman…”

  His hand covered mine on the seat between us. “As soon as I was told that you had met with Lord Rowlings and Mrs. Drake, I hurried to find you.” His dark orbs focused straight ahead, but his tone and timbre made my heart beat faster. “I want you to succeed, Lucille.”

  “They don’t?”

  “The jury is out.” He feigned a smile as the car began moving. “Now, tell me what you plan to say.”

  For the next half an hour, I spoke and Roman critiqued. It wasn’t negative but instructional, refining some points and giving me additional background on others. By the time we arrived in Brynad, Roman’s aid increased my confidence.

  The crowd was larger than it had been yesterday. No doubt, word had gotten out that the market would soon be open. As the caravan approached, Roman again covered my hand with his. “I believe it’s best if you speak first.” He tilted his chin. “Only after the guards are confident that you’re safe.”

  “Who would want to hurt me?”

  “Don’t think about that now. Think about what you plan to say.” His cheeks rose as his lips curled. “Show them your heart, Princess.”

  I swallowed the lump in my throat. “Thank you.”

  My ears rang with cheers and the sound of my name as a guard opened the car door and I stepped out. To my surprise, Roman stayed within the car. I hadn’t realized when he’d said first, he meant alone. Taking a deep breath, I stood tall. This was my plan all along. I never dreamt he’d join me.

  With a long wool coat covering my blouse and slacks, my hands covered by leather gloves, and high-heeled boots on my feet, I made my way to the front door of the market.

  “Thank you, Princess,” a woman standing nearby said.

  I lifted my hands. “First, let me thank you. Each one of you who was here yesterday. I’m sorry I wasn’t aware of your plight. Thank you for informing me.”

  “Did you speak to King Theodore?” a man asked.

  “I did as I promised. The good news is that this grocer’s as well as those in Deca and Gekfjord will today and onward, each day be open for three hours.” The crowd murmured. “The crown appreciates your patience as the cold weather has caused delays in shipping.”

  “For how many days or weeks will the stores be open for only three hours?”

  “What of those who are working during those hours?”

  The questions came from all sides.

  Utilizing what Lord Rowlings and Mrs. Drake had shared, I did my best to answer what I could. It was one question that prompted a new speaker.

  “Where is the prince? Does he approve of what you’re doing?”

  The back door to the vehicle opened and Roman stepped out. The crowd that had gotten louder grew eerily silent as they parted, allowing the prince to step to my side. He looked over the crowd.

  “I believe someone asked if I approve.” Roman’s gaze came my way as a smile formed. “Your Princess brought her concerns for you to the king and to me as soon as she arrived at Molave Palace.” He grinned. “I approve.”

  The crowd began chanting my name.

  Roman lifted his hand. “The crown is working with Parliament to form commissions in each province to have direct communication with a royal director. The crown shouldn’t be informed of your difficulties or successes because they are accidentally observed. The commissions will form means of communication with the foreign affairs ministry who will in turn report to me.”

  The people listened as Roman spoke. Many of the older citizens nodded their approval. As elated as I’d been to speak, standing beside Roman, watching and hearing his sincerity, filled me with a new sense of pride. Not only for what we stood for as prince and princess but also for what we could accomplish.

  When he finished, Roman looked at me. “Princess, I believe it’s time to let these good people shop.”

  I lifted my hand to wave.

  The door behind us jingled as we started to step away.

  With a royal guard at my side, the heel of my boot caught on something. Stumbling forward, I reached out, trying to balance myself.

  The door to the store opened.

  Still unsteady, I gasped as people lunged toward me. Lost in a sea of people, I searched for my husband and the guards. With guards leading him away, Roman faded into the crowd. The people came from all directions, lurching as I tried to back away.

  My arms covered my face, as I fell to my knee, and the crowd surrounded me.

  A stampede.

  Pushing and shoving.

  Unable to fight, I closed my eyes and concentrated on righting myself.

  A vise-like grip of my arm came, lifting me to my feet and hurling me against a solid wall.

  It wasn’t a wall.

  I peered upward as Roman’s brow furrowed, and he cradled my face against his chest.

  The royal guards gathered and surrounded us as we moved in a pod toward our cars.

  It wasn’t until Roman ushered me into the back seat that I finally caught my breath and found my bearings. The door behind us was closed, muting the sound of the crowd, as Roman’s gloved hands framed my cheeks. His intense stare swirled with shades of brown and black as he looked directly into my gaze.

  “Lucille, are you hurt?”

  “I-I…” I stammered as I looked over myself and my husband. “I think I’m well.”

  His jaw clenched as he ran a gloved finger over my cheek. When he pulled it back, the leather was red. “You’re bleeding.”

  I reached up, touching my cheek.

  “Get the princess a bandage,” he called to the guards in the front seat as the car began to move.

  Carefully framing my cheeks, Roman held my face as his lips landed on my forehead. Warmth from his rapid breaths covered my skin.

  His soft words were for my ears alone. “I turned around, and you were gone. I was so fucking scared.”

  “It all happened so fast.” I pulled away from his hold as the car began to move, focusing on Roman’s dark orbs. “It was an accident. They didn’t mean to hurt me.”

  Roman shook his head as he reached for the packet our security offered. A strong scent of alcohol came with a simultaneous sting causing me to wince as he dabbed my cheek.

  “I’m sorry,” he whispered.

  The tears prickling my eyes weren’t from the pain. They were from the tenderness in Roman’s touch, the concern in his gaze, and the sincerity in his words. “We’ll have the physician check you over.”

  “I’m okay.”

  Carefully, Roman peeled back the adhesive from the bandage and placed it on my cheek. “This will do until you can get to the infirmary.”

  I reached for Roman’s hand. “Thank you.”

  Squaring his shoulders, he said, “I never should have allowed this.” He tilted his head. “I also agree. The people didn’t mean to hurt you. It was a rush on the market.” His jaw clenched. “It should have been predicted.” Sitting back, he pulled his cellphone from his pocket.

  My thoughts were a blur as he spoke.

  The reception. My speech. Roman’s public approval…it was all perfect until...

  Once he was done speaking, I turned to my husband. “Who did you call?”

  “Mrs. Drake. If this happened in Brynad, there’s the possibility for rushes at all the opening grocers. They could even be worse in larger villages. I instructed her to send ministry guards to all the markets and manage the crowds. No one should be injured going to the market.”

  Despite my still trembling hands, I reached out to Roman’s arm and spoke low so as to not be overheard by the guards in the front seat. “You saved me, and you’re concerned about the citizens.”

  “Princess,” he said in a whisper, “saving you is my main objective.”

  “But that call…it was to help the citizens.” I spoke softly, a lump of emotion forming within me. “He would have been angry. Helping the people wouldn’t have been on his mind.”

  “You were magnificent today,” he said with his smile returning. “They love you.”

  “I should make an official statement.”

  Roman nodded. “Once we’re back, we’ll speak with Lord Rowlings and Mrs. Drake. I agree, you should be proactive. Speak about the positive.”

  As Roman’s phone vibrated, I sat back and laid my head against his shoulder. His wool overcoat abraded my cheek as I closed my eyes, and the weight of what happened settled over me.

  The rush wasn’t about me.

  And still, for a moment or longer, I was lost and frightened.

  I’d said Roman—the old one—wouldn’t have thought about the citizens.

  Would he have thought to turn back and save me?

  In my heart, I feared the answer was no. He wouldn’t have tried to save me because he never would have allowed me to speak in the first place.

  Roman’s hand came to my leg. “We’ve been summoned to King Theodore’s offices.”

  Roman

  As the door opened and Lucille and I were announced, the king’s inner office came into view
. With Mrs. Drake sitting opposite the desk from King Theodore, both sets of eyes were upon us as Lucille curtsied and I bowed. After speaking our proper greetings to the king, my focus went to Mrs. Drake. “Have the ministry guards been deployed?”

  “Yes.”

  “Their only mission is to keep the peace,” I said.

  Before Mrs. Drake could reply, the king stood. Walking around his desk with his focus on Lucille’s bandaged cheek, he asked, “Are you harmed, Princess?”

  Her hand went to her cheek. “No, sir. More frightened than anything.”

  The king shook his head. “It was a mistake to authorize your outing.”

  “It wasn’t the people’s fault,” Lucille began, giving the king the same speech she’d given me in the car. “…are worried and concerned about food.”

  Mrs. Drake looked up from her phone. “Your Majesty, there appears to be an unexpected development.”

  “What now?”

  “The video of the prince helping the princess to the car has gone viral. There are already nearly a million views worldwide. The comments are overwhelmingly positive.” She turned to Lucille. “The people are concerned about you.”

  The princess looked up at me and back to the chief minister. “I should make a formal statement. Something to tell the people I’m well and that I understand the incident was unintentional.”

  Mrs. Drake nodded. “This could work.” She turned toward the king. “With everything that’s happened recently, this is the most positive press the crown has seen in too long.” She looked down and back up. “Prince Roman, the people seem to admire your quick thinking to save your wife.”

  “It wasn’t thinking,” I admitted. “It was panic.”

  “The guards were there,” Lucille said, “but it was Roman who got me out of the crowd.”

  King Theodore reached for Lucille’s hands and smiled down at her. “You made Molave proud today. Now, go directly to Mr. Davies. He will make sure your injuries are properly treated.”

  Lucille curtsied. “Yes, Your Majesty. My mistress is waiting. We’ll go together.”

  “Our office will release a joint statement with yours, Princess,” Mrs. Drake said.

  “Thank you.”

  King Theodore spoke, “The queen is expecting your help in the grand dining hall this afternoon. If you’re up to it.”

  “I am, sir.”

  “Don’t mention anything about what happened. Queen Anne is delicate. She has a lot to think about before the state banquet.”

  “As you wish.”

  As they spoke, I questioned what I should have questioned sooner. Everyone spoke of the king’s health, yet the queen lived in a bubble of his making. Not only that, but her own son had been replaced at least twice before her eyes, and she seemed oblivious.

  Lucille nodded toward me before turning and disappearing behind a closing door.

  “What the hell happened?” Theodore’s voice echoed off the walls. “I didn’t approve your accompanying the princess.”

  “I’m glad I was there,” I replied.

  “It was fortunate,” Mrs. Drake said. “The unexpected response could help the crown. As you know, the prince’s popularity was dwindling. Your popularity,” she rephrased. “Perhaps it would be beneficial for the two of you to make more appearances throughout the provinces and ride this wave of goodwill.”

  King Theodore sat back against his chair and templed his fingers beneath his chin. His dark stare came to me. “What is your opinion, Roman?”

  My opinion was that Lucille had always been popular with the citizens. Not utilizing her talents and glowing personality to their fullest extent was an obvious error of the three people in this office. I didn’t verbalize that. Instead, I replied, “My vow is to Molave. If such visits would help, I’m willing.”

  “What of the princess?”

  “If it is your and the ministry’s wish, Lucille will abide.”

  The king inhaled and exhaled. “This could benefit more than the crown. It could help repair what was destroyed before you arrived.”

  “Our marriage?”

  I wanted to ask what that would mean about the Princess of Borinkia. However, with Mrs. Drake present, I wasn’t sure of what she knew.

  “You want that?” Mrs. Drake asked. She sat tall, her words edged with indignation. “You truly are a man of many talents: learning about Molave, courting the princess, and wowing the Molavian people.”

  “If anything I’ve done is unsatisfactory,” I said, “I expect to be told.”

  “No, Your Highness,” Mrs. Drake said as she stood, “we’re pleased.”

  If that were the case, she should alert her expression.

  I looked from her to the king and back. “Thank you.” It was the closest to a review of my work I would get. “In our perfect world, I would assume that Roman would be able to retake his duties soon.”

  “In the perfect world,” the chief minister replied.

  “Our world isn’t perfect,” the king said. “I was informed you have appointments waiting in your office. I wouldn’t be surprised if you’re questioned about today’s incident. Damn social media. There was a time…”

  When he didn’t finish his thought, I prodded. “And if questioned, I will say…”

  “Exactly what was said here,” the chief minister said. “The incident was unintentional. You and the princess are safe. Stores are restocking and reopening. All is right with the world.”

  “Perfect world,” I said.

  “Not quite, sir,” she said with a quirk of her smile. “Improving.”

  Leaving Mrs. Drake and King Theodore alone, I entered the king’s outer offices where Lord Martin was waiting. With his lips pinched together in a straight line, he bowed his head at my approach. For the first part of our journey through the palace corridors, we remained silent. My mind was back in Brynad.

  Finally, I spoke, “Why didn’t the guards get to her faster?”

  “I wasn’t there, sir.”

  My nostrils flared as I recalled Lucille’s trembling body as I whisked her to the safety of our car. She believed that together we were safe.

  Could this have happened on purpose?

  What if she’d been alone?

  “Have one of my secretaries contact Lady Buckingham,” I said.

  “Yes, sir. May I ask what this is about?”

  “The chief minister and king think it would be helpful to the crown’s PR for the princess and me to visit the provinces affected by the recent supply shortages. Find out which towns and devise a schedule. It will need to be coordinated with both of our offices.”

  “The king agreed?”

  “He did.”

  Lord Martin lowered his voice. “Your Highness, this is very good news. I was afraid that—” He took a deep breath. “Publicity such as today’s isn’t usually welcome. The king doesn’t appreciate a negative reflection on the crown.”

  “Such as the Eurasia tour last summer?”

  Lord Martin nodded.

  I stopped before entering the corridor to my offices. “What became of Lord Avery?”

  “Your Highness?”

  “I’ve been asked about him,” I lied. “Apparently, he held a position similar to yours.”

  “Lord Avery retired, sir. I apologize for not mentioning him earlier. You should have been informed on how to respond.”

  I clapped my hand on Lord Martin’s shoulder. “No concerns. I’ve always enjoyed improv. The audience is more engaged.”

  “If you fail, sir…”

  Swallowing, I felt my Adam’s apple bob. “You will be encouraged to retire?”

  Lord Martin nodded.

  “Then I say I won’t fail.”

  “I’m concerned about the princess.”

  My neck straightened. “What is your concern?”

  “You’re attracted to her,” he said. “Go slow on your relationship. We can’t risk her questioning you—a change in you.”

  “Slow.” I smiled. “Good advice.” I tilted my head toward the offices. “Any advice for in there?”

  “No, Your Highness. If Mrs. Drake and the king are pleased, keep doing what you’re doing.”

  “Gather a list of villages and provinces, and have a tentative schedule arranged.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Lucille