Resilient Reign Page 9

  She nodded.

  Going closer, I laid my hand on her shoulder. “What haven’t you told me?”

  When she turned and peered up at me, the color had drained from her cheeks, making her ghostly pale.

  “Roman, we need to go. At the banquet, we must talk and laugh. And King Theo…”

  “Tell me.” My tone was gruffer than I intended.

  She inhaled. “The royal physician may think I know the truth about you.”

  “Why?”

  “He didn’t believe me that we’d not had sexual relations.”

  “He called you, the princess, a liar?”

  “No,” she explained. “He said according to my temperature charts, he believed I was ovulating.”

  “Three days ago?” I asked, my mind working frantically to come up with our last time to have sex. It would be easier to remember a night we didn’t. “You could be pregnant.”

  She nodded. “He suggested that I go through with the procedure.”

  “I said no.”

  “I know, Roman.” Desperation infiltrated her words. “Mr. Davies said that if I became pregnant without the procedure while not engaging in sexual relations…don’t you see?” She didn’t let me reply. “He was saying if I become pregnant with a child and that child isn’t an heir... I couldn’t let on that I understood what he was doing, but he was right. If I’m pregnant with your child, the king will never allow it.”

  “Are you telling me you did it? You had the procedure?” Again, my volume was raised.

  “Yes, Roman. I did it. If I end up with a child, the king can believe it happened with IUI.”

  “But where did they get the sperm?”

  “I believe it was Roman’s. Mr. Davies said it was frozen. He said sperm can be frozen for up to ten years. I checked when I got back here, and the internet said the same thing.”

  That made it official.

  I started to run my hand over my hair and stopped, seeing the sleeves of the black jacket. “Shit, Lucille. When did you plan on telling me?”

  “Not now, but if it’s my last chance…” Her blue eyes glistened with unshed tears.

  My tone softened. “Obviously, Mr. Davies knows I’m not Roman. He examined me upon my arrival. I made it clear to him upon our arrival back to Molave Palace that I didn’t want you to undergo the IUI. Maybe he put the clues together that we’re intimate. That doesn’t mean he knows you know I’m an impostor.”

  She nodded. “You’re right. We need to go to the king.”

  Reaching for Lucille’s hand, I lifted it and left a kiss on her knuckles. “Whatever comes, I won’t leave your side.”

  “Then the banquet will be the talk of Molave. Princess Lucille and two Prince Romans.”

  “How are you feeling?”

  Lucille shook her head. “No different.”

  This was crazy.

  I took a role to play a part, not to have a child.

  Shaking my head, I said, “This is certainly a fucked-up situation.”

  “You should have left after our first meeting. You could be safe in the States.”

  “I was ready to, and then we spoke.” I wanted to tell her that she would be safe with a divorce, but I couldn’t bring myself to say the words, not after the way they upset her days ago. Instead, I offered her my arm. “Come, my princess. We will meet whatever awaits us together.”

  On our way through the palace corridors, Lucille told me what Queen Anne had said, that I seemed calmer. Perhaps I should be more boisterous, but that personality was exhausting. Over the nearly three months, I’d tried to tone Roman down in small increments. Apparently, the queen had noticed.

  I’d also convinced Lady Caroline that we could slowly decrease the padding in the shirt. While I still wore one, it wasn’t as padded as when I’d arrived. If the real Roman was back, he’d need to alter his appearance to match mine.

  “She also saw the video of us in Brynad.”

  “She did?”

  Lucille nodded. “I believe she’s more aware of things than King Theo gives her credit.”

  We stopped talking as we approached the king’s offices.

  The royal guards bowed as the princess and I passed through the first doors and through the front offices. The king’s assistant greeted us and led us toward Theodore’s private office. Although I’d been in the same room earlier in the day, this felt different.

  I looked down at Lucille. “We’ll be fine.”

  Shaking her head only slightly, she pressed her lips together.

  “Your Majesties, the prince and princess are here.”

  Majesties?

  “Mum,” I said, surprised to see the queen standing near the king.

  They were both dressed in their formal white-tie attire. It was the first time I’d seen the queen wearing a crown. They weren’t alone. Francis and Isabella were also present.

  Lucille released my arm and curtsied.

  After bowing, I went to the queen. “You look lovely, Mum.”

  “Thank you, Roman.”

  Isabella came forward and gave Lucille a hug.

  “I didn’t realize you’d be here,” Lucille said.

  “Papa wanted us here for banquet,” Isabella replied.

  “Yes, Anne, we have a banquet,” King Theodore said.

  “Right, right,” the queen said, lifting a small box from the top of Theodore’s desk. “Lucille, please come closer.”

  What the hell was happening?

  Lucille’s blue eyes quickly met mine before she did as the queen bid.

  “I know this is unusual timing,” the queen began as she held the box, “however, Lucille, you are a blessing and an asset to the Molave crown. This should have been presented to you years ago.” She looked over at me and back to Lucille. “I spoke to Theo, and we wanted you to have it before tonight’s banquet.”

  “Ma’am?”

  Lucille gasped and her fingers went to her painted lips as the queen opened the box.

  “Now, no tears. We have banquet.”

  I stepped closer and peered over Lucille’s shoulder.

  “The badge of the royal family order,” I said, seeing the blue ribbon with the portrait of King Theodore surrounded with diamonds. I’d learned about the royal family order sometime during my training.

  “I’m honored, Your Grace,” Lucille said.

  “Here, son,” the queen said, handing me the ribbon. “Help your beautiful wife with her well-deserved badge.”

  Francis and Isabella’s expressions were neither positive nor negative as they observed the informal ceremony.

  If this was one of those moments when I should be rude or abrupt, I failed miserably. I was too in shock that our summons was a positive thing and more so, by the grace and strength of the woman I called my princess.

  Opening the pin on the back of the ribbon, I scanned Lucille’s dress and had flashbacks of being an awkward teenager trying to pin a corsage on a girl for prom. Lucille’s laughter filtered through the air like a melody.

  Feeling the warmth in my cheeks, I stepped forward and after placing my fingers behind the fabric of her neckline, I slid the pin in and out. “You deserve this,” I whispered as I clasped the pin.

  “Did you know?”

  “He was the reason you hadn’t received it,” King Theodore said. His booming voice caused the three of us to turn his direction. “However, after Brynad, Roman and I spoke. Afterward, I told Anne I thought he would no longer object.”

  “You objected?” Lucille asked.

  It wasn’t me.

  I would never.

  “You heard him, no longer.” I kissed her forehead.

  “Did you know?”

  This time I answered, “I didn’t know you’d receive it tonight, but I’m glad you did.”

  Lucille looked down at the badge, covered it with her hand, and turned to the king and queen. “I will wear it with honor.” She curtsied. “Thank you. I will remain in Molave’s service.”

  Queen Anne whispered something to Lucille who smiled in return.

  King Theodore stood. “It is nearing time for our procession.” He reached for Lucille’s hands. “Thank you.”

  “Sir?”

  “We Godfreys aren’t always the easiest men.”

  I offered Lucille my arm. “My princess, shall we?”

  “Roman and Francis,” King Theodore said. “If the queen and princesses would give us a minute.”

  Lucille, Isabella, and Queen Anne nodded, going out of the inner office and closing the door.

  “Is there a problem, sir?” I asked.

  “Our ambassador to Norway informed me of a development with Borinkia. Tomorrow first thing in the morning, Mrs. Drake and I will have a formal meeting with him. I want you both present.”

  My gaze went to Francis. “How does this affect him?”

  Francis nodded. “I’m sure I wouldn’t have been invited if my presence was irrelevant.”

  “Yes, sir,” I said to the king. “I’ll be there.”

  “As will I.”

  “Then we should go to banquet,” the king said, gesturing for Francis to step ahead of us. Once he was through the doorway, the king looked my direction and spoke low. “Your mother mentioned that you seem calmer.”

  I didn’t respond.

  “Don’t stay too calm,” he warned.

  “I shall throw a plate at the banquet.”

  King Theodore laughed. “Perhaps another time.”

  “The royal family order,” I said, “wouldn’t be given to the princess if I were expected to divorce her.”

  “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”

  The questions grew as we joined our wives.

  Lucille

  The Molavian national anthem played as Roman a
nd I followed a few paces behind King Theodore and Queen Anne. The Duke and Duchess of Wilmington were behind us. The guests stood, rising from their seats, bowing and curtsying as we passed. For a sliver in time, I completely forgot the man at my side was an impostor. As he nodded his greeting and recounted names of different guests, he was my husband, the man I’d vowed to love.

  My earlier talk with the queen brought new meaning to what we were doing.

  Yes, I still wanted to help the citizens of Molave in more fundamental ways.

  Looking down, I suppressed a snicker as I recalled Roman describing us as playing dress-up or make-believe. Seeing him in his formal attire with his medals and ribbons, I realized we were playing dress-up, especially him. And still, the eyes of the guests in the room were fixed on the six of us.

  Even what we were doing now was helping the people.

  This was part of our job.

  One of the butlers pulled out my chair as another one pulled out Queen Anne’s and Princess Isabella’s. Once Roman, Francis, and King Theodore were seated, the room of people also took their seats. The king gave the first speech, followed by Mrs. Drake. Lord Landon, Molave’s ambassador to the United Nations, had the next address, and Molave’s representative to the Security Council was the final speaker.

  Champagne was poured into fine crystal stemmed glasses all around the room.

  Everyone waited until King Theodore reached for his glass. Once he did, everyone in the room stood. It was Lord Landon who gave the opening toast. Glasses were raised in salute before taking a sip. Protocol had guests sitting between each royal. Even though Roman was a few seats away, I felt his gaze as I lifted the champagne to my lips.

  Pretending to drink, I tipped the glass before setting it back down.

  My lack of consumption wasn’t due to fear of his wrath but the reality that whether by him or the procedure, I could possibly be pregnant. There had been too much happening to give that scenario more thought.

  I was seated between Mr. Drake and Molave’s ambassador to the United States. Customarily, we spoke with the person on our right during the first course and the left during the second, alternating back and forth.

  Geoffrey Drake was a good conversationalist, but it was Dame Sydney Robinson whose company I thoroughly enjoyed. This wasn’t our first meeting, and I found myself more than a little homesick for the States after listening to her stories. I’d spent a fair amount of time in Washington DC, where she currently resided, due to my father’s work in Congress.

  Following our final course, when King Theodore laid his napkin on the bottom of his plate, the room grew silent.

  After his farewell message to the guests, we all stood, ready to follow him out. On our procession out of the hall, I stayed beside Dame Robinson, caught up in our discussion.

  It wasn’t until we were all gathered in one of the elaborate parlors that I thought about Roman. I’d been so involved in my duties and conversations I’d forgotten to worry about him. Now, gazing at him from across the room, I realized there was no need to be concerned.

  He was standing and speaking with Lord Landon.

  Seeing him in his role as prince and future king filled me with the same feelings I’d had before we were married. It was a concoction of pride, admiration, and attraction. I hadn’t realized those feelings had gone away, but they had. And now they were back.

  Turning, Roman’s dark stare met mine as he smiled and went back to his conversation.

  “It appears the rumors are untrue,” Dame Robinson said.

  “I’m sorry, what rumors?”

  “There is talk in the States that you’re unhappy in your marriage.”

  I lifted my eyebrows. “Surely, the people in the States have better things to discuss.”

  “Oh, you’re always a topic of discussion, Princess. I was hoping that gossip wasn’t true. You know, people love to believe in fairy tales.”

  “Well, real life is a bit more complicated.”

  “You just blushed when Prince Roman smiled at you.” She leaned closer. “I wish I had a picture. The Americans would eat it up.”

  “The king has spoken about a tour in the States.”

  “I was told.”

  My eyes opened wide. “You were?”

  “Yes, there are many logistical and security issues to plan. I told Lord Landon I believed it would be successful as long as…” Her lips came together.

  “As long as…” I prompted.

  “The prince. I suggested he stay in Molave and that you would do a solo tour.”

  I shook my head. “That would never be allowed.”

  “That’s all right. If what I’m witnessing is real, something has changed since the Eurasia tour, and the crowds will love you. I’m working with the planning committee. Is there anywhere you want to visit?”

  Sighing, I said, “Home. New York City.”

  “I’m sure that can be arranged.”

  Roman appeared at my side.

  “Your Royal Highness,” Dame Robinson said with a neck bow.

  “Dame Robinson.” Roman’s accent was spot-on as he spoke with the ambassador from the United States. Their discussion continued the one we’d started, talking about possible destinations throughout the States. It wasn’t until a Los Angeles stop was brought up that I noticed Roman’s stance stiffen.

  Of course.

  Los Angeles would find us in familiar country for Roman—for Oliver.

  “The destinations will need to be cleared with our offices,” I said with a smile. “I’m sure it will be lovely.”

  “In the past,” Dame Robinson said, “the affairs have been much like this.” She looked around the palatial room. “To show the States and the world that you are a modern couple willing to take the monarchy forward, I suggest less stuffy venues.”

  “Is this stuffy?” Roman joked.

  “A bit,” Dame Robinson admitted.

  “What are you proposing?” I asked.

  She shook her head. “I truly have only been thinking. However, I would suggest a basketball game while in New York. Perhaps a hockey game in Chicago or a museum.”

  “That’s not stuffy,” I said with a smile. “I love the Met in New York City.”

  “Let my office do some investigation. I’m imagining something as when the Prince and Princess of Wales are seen at Wimbledon. It’s about letting people see you enjoy everyday activities.” Her eyes opened wide. “I know, a movie premiere in Hollywood.”

  “Is that something everyday people enjoy?” Roman asked.

  “I suppose my ideas need a little work.”

  I nodded. “I’m getting excited already, Dame Robinson. Thank you. Our offices will be happy to consult with you and Lord Landon. Oh, and the king’s office, of course.”

  “Of course.”

  Roman nudged me in time to see King Theodore leaving the room with the queen. “I believe,” he said, “that’s our cue.”

  Dame Robinson bowed her head and looked back up with a smile. “Whatever is happening, I approve and so will the American people.”

  Roman’s dark gaze came to me questioningly before turning back to the ambassador. “It’s been a pleasure.”

  “It has, Your Royal Highnesses.”

  “Shall we, my princess?” he asked, offering me his arm.

  The sea of people parted as heads bowed and people wished us good night. As when we entered, Francis and Isabella were behind us. It wasn’t until we bid goodnight to the king and queen, that Isabella reached for my hand.

  “We will leave midday tomorrow. I’d like to see you in the morning.”

  “I’d like that,” I replied honestly.

  It wasn’t until Roman and I were on our way up the grand staircase that my husband reached for my hand and questioned me.

  “Are you sure you can trust Isabella?”

  I peered around, making sure our conversation was not being overheard. “I believe so.” That said, I wouldn’t share the truth about Roman.

  “What did Dame Robinson mean—whatever is happening?” Roman asked.

  Feeling the warmth of his hand surrounding mine, I replied, “I think we should take the king’s advice.”

  “Which advice would that be?”

  “The cardinal’s blessing from the Church of Molave. According to Dame Robinson, there are rumors of our discontent. Based upon her observations tonight, she believes those rumors are false.” Warmth filled my cheeks as I turned my head, meeting his gaze. “She said the people would love to see us happy.”