A True King

by S. E. Rose

I nod.

  “Mia, might I have a moment with my son?” he asks, giving her a warm smile.

  “Of course.” She walks over to him and kisses his cheek. He pats her arm as she leaves us.

  I look to my dad. So much has changed in such a little time.

  “I want to give you something,” he says as he hobbles over to me. Even with all the physical therapy, his legs are still not quite right. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out two boxes. I watch as he opens the first one.

  “This is our family crest ring. It belonged to my father and his father before him. And now, it belongs to you. Every king in our family has worn it on coronation day. And I couldn’t be prouder to have you wear it today,” he says, offering the ring to me. I take it and put it on.

  “Thank you, Father.”

  He holds up the second box. “This is the ring you requested.” I grin as I reach for the box, opening it and peering in at a ring I had fashioned from my mother’s favorite ring and a setting belonging to my grandmother.

  “Fit for a queen,” I muse as I close the box and stick it in my pocket.

  “The official law change was signed this morning,” Dad says. We asked parliament to change the laws on marriage for the king. I no longer have to be betrothed to a princess, leaving me free to marry my one true love. The irony that she is a princess is not lost on me.

  Another knock on the door tells me it’s time. I turn to find my sister and brother standing at the doorway looking as royal as they get. Auggie has on his royal military uniform, but he also has on a friendship bracelet made by a kid at the local hospital where he and Kate volunteer. And Anna has on a ballgown, which covers her baby bump. She sees me eyeing her up and grins, raising the ballgown just enough for me to see her Converse sneakers underneath. I shake my head, but I can’t contain my grin. Having almost lost them all, I couldn’t be happier to have them all here with me right now.

  “Let’s get this show on the road,” Anna says with a smile.

  “Yeah, go break some hearts, big brother,” Auggie adds with a laugh. He knows I’m proposing afterward.

  I shake my head as I walk toward the coronation room with my family. We may have suffered greatly but we’re stronger than ever.

  * * *

  Mia

  I wipe a tear of pride away as the prime minister declares Christian the king. Christian stands tall as the crown is placed on his head. He walks to the podium in front of me to make his speech.

  “I hope this ends soon. I have to pee,” Anna whispers to me. I press my lips together, stifling a giggle.

  “I didn’t see a bathroom break in the agenda,” I note.

  “Damn shame. At least we don’t have to stand the entire time,” she laments.

  “What’s wrong?” Logan asks, leaning over to check on his wife.

  She looks at him and whispers her issue. He glances around as though trying to figure out a way they can leave without being seen, which is impossible because we are all sitting in front of a crowd on international television.

  “Duty before bathroom breaks,” Auggie whispers from behind us.

  Anna gives him side-eye and he smiles one of his patented smiles.

  “Better be careful. I made her mad last week and I’m pretty sure my credit score is ruined for life,” Logan mutters.

  “It was just a glitch. I fixed it,” Anna assures him. Kate can’t hold back the giggle that escapes. She places her hand over her mouth. “You guys, stop it. You’re going to get us all in trouble.”

  We settle down and listen as Christian begins talking.

  I listen intently as he speaks of unity and healing. He talks of changing the monarchy and of making our country a better one. His words draw applause. I wish I could speak half as eloquently as he does. When he finishes, the room explodes with clapping and cheers.

  He waves to everyone motioning them to sit back down. I’m confused as I try to remember what happens next. I swear that was it. He waves. We all stand and wave and then we head back into the palace for a night of partying.

  He turns to us and smiles at me. I smile back and give him a confused look.

  I’m about to ask what’s wrong when he drops to his knee in front of me and pulls out a box. When he opens the box, my body trembles. It’s the most beautiful ring I’ve ever seen.

  “Mia, I knew you would be my queen the first time I saw you. You’re my perfect match. For every weakness I have, your strength fills the void. You are the most beautiful, intelligent, kind person I know. You risked everything, your own life, to save me and my family. I can’t ever repay you for that. But I’d like to spend the rest of my life trying to. I stand before you not as a king, but as a man in love. Marry me, Mia. Be my queen, be my wife,” he says. The only sign of his overwhelming emotion is the slight tremble of his hand as he holds up the ring to me.

  “Yes!” I exclaim. I leap out of my seat and into his waiting arms. I don’t care that we’re on television. I don’t care that everyone can see us. I lean down and kiss the king as he rises to his feet, wrapping his arms around me and twirling me in a circle. The room erupts into chaos, applause, cheers, and whistles as we continue to kiss.

  I pull back slightly and find his eyes shining. I hold out my hand and he sets me down and slips the ring on my finger.

  Looking up at him, I grin like a fool. “I can’t believe you just did that.”

  “I wanted the whole world to know that I’m madly in love with you. No more hiding our love. The road ahead might be hard, hell, it might be downright scary, but as long as we have each other, then we can conquer anything,” he says as he takes my face in his hands and leans down, so only I can hear him over the deafening applause, “I know it’ll be hard. I don’t know if I can promise you a happily ever after like in a fairy tale, but I can promise you all of me and all of my heart, always, my queen.”

  I gaze into the eyes of the man I love as tears spill down my cheeks. “That is my happily ever after,” I whisper as I lean up and kiss him.

  And they lived happily ever after.

  The end.

  Did you enjoy this series? Want to learn more about Jack Ross? You can read Jack’s story in Island (Deceitful Destiny Series Book 1).

  Want a free story? Join my newsletter so we can stay connected and receive Occupied with Love. Want more information about my newsletter and books, visit my website at: www.seroseauthor.com.

  Acknowledgments

  I started The Poisoned Pawn world back in early 2019 because I wanted to write a royal romance and my mother said that I should make sure that the princess was strong and independent. So, a big thanks to my mother, because without that conversation, there would be no Princess Susanna, Prince August, or Prince Christian.

  A second thank you goes to all the amazing women who write royal romance stories. There are so many, and I don’t want to forget any names, but you know who you are. Also, never stop writing royal romances because I will never tire of reading them.

  My third thank you is to my readers. It’s taken over two years to finish this series, and I know so many of you have been asking for Prince Christian’s story and waiting patiently. Thank you for hanging in there as I worked on other projects before returning to Norddale!

  And lastly, thank you to my amazing beta readers and editor. You all were instrumental in helping me perfect these stories for my readers. Evette and Judy, you both are the best!

  About the Author

  USA Today & International bestselling romance author, S.E. Rose lives near Washington D.C. with her family. When she's not wrangling her cats or keeping up with her kids, she's plotting her next story.

  * * *

  She loves all things wine, coffee, and cats. In her non-existent free time, she enjoys traveling, going to concerts, binging on her favorite shows, and reading, especially if it's a good mystery or comedy.

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  Learn more about upcoming books from S.E. Rose at www.seroseauthor.com or follow her on Facebook,
Twitter, and Instagram.

  Also by S.E. Rose

  Deceitful Destiny Series

  Island (Book 1)

  Secrets (Book 2)

  Bravura (Book 3)

  Determination (Book 4)

  Home (Book 5)

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  The Poisoned Pawn World

  A Fierce Princess

  A Valiant Prince

  A Wise Prince

  A True King

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  Perfectly Imperfect Love Series

  Undeniably Perfect

  Hopelessly Perfect

  Romantically Perfect

  Awkwardly Perfect

  Reluctantly Perfect

  * * *

  Fanning the Flames Series (Co-Authored with Sierra Hill)

  Burned (Book 1)

  Ignited (Book 2)

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  Novels

  Chronicles of a Hot Mess

  Chronicles of a Rockin’ Mess

  The Decoy

  Second Start (A Holiday Springs Resort Novel)

  Endeavor (A Drive World Novel)

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  Novellas

  Neighbor in Apartment No. 5

  The Tinsel Tango

  The Fighter

  A Polar Pursuit (Vagabond Series)

  * * *

  Want to learn more? Visit www.seroseauthor.com.

  Sneak Peek at Island (Deceitful Destiny Series, Book 1)

  Beginning of August

  Laura’s Playlist: “A Bad Dream” by Keane

  As I open one eye, I can see the sunlight starting to creep across the sky in a small line above the water. My face is half-buried in a pillow and half-facing the open window. The fresh sea breeze gently blows in, filling my nostrils and making me want to eat and curl deeper under my blanket.

  It is a little too early to go for my morning walk and meditation ritual, so perhaps a few more minutes lying in bed wouldn’t hurt anything. I breathe in deeply and close my eye again.

  It is as I lie there breathing in the salty sea breeze that I hear a noise. My eyes shoot open and I gaze out the window. The cottage is a mere one hundred feet from a walking path along the North Sea. It was far enough from town that there had been very few people out here over the past few weeks. The cliffs of the shoreline are several feet farther out from the path and then the sea lies beneath.

  My eyes readjust to the barely visible light outside and I can just make out a figure on the path. Whoever it is stands there looking at the cottage. My skin prickles as I realize that someone is watching me. Of course, it is too dark to see inside, or is it? Had I locked the door last night? I had not been locking the door. The cottage is two miles from town or a twenty-minute drive by car on winding back roads. Who is there? Maybe it’s Jack? But it seems much too early for him. I blink and look again as a million thoughts begin flying through my head and my imagination at this early hour begins working double time.

  Squinting in the darkness, I see that the person is holding something. But I can’t make it out, a bag, a suitcase, what? Slowly I roll out of bed. I am used to having my cat lying next to me, so I move cautiously. After a minute, I chide myself, remembering he isn’t there. I position myself to look out a nearby window that is closed, but when I get there the figure is gone. I stand staring out the window and decide to investigate further. I realize I need something to protect myself. Glancing around the room, I see a hiking stick in the corner and grab it. I quickly shut all the windows and lock the back door. And then very slowly I turn the handle on the front door and peek my head around it. The sunlight is starting to invade the night sky now and I can see a little better than before. There is no one there. I push the door farther open, and holding the hiking stick in my right hand like a bat, I very slowly step out onto the front path. I swivel around quickly assessing that no one is against the house and then continue walking toward the hiking path out front. There are woods about a quarter mile behind the house but the forest ends abruptly on either side with fields cutting into it. There are very few trees in the forest as it is maybe an eighth of a mile wide and a quarter mile deep. It is dark in there and I can’t see anything but the treetops. I scan the trail looking right and left. I see no one. I peer down over the cliff and watch the sea crash against the rocky coast below. A little ways down from me, there is a small fishing boat not far from the breaking waves. There is a light coming from it, maybe a flashlight or a small lantern, but there doesn’t appear to be anyone on it. Strange, I think to myself. Perhaps my eyes are playing tricks on me. I decide to go lock the door and head back to watch the boat until the sun reveals whether it has an occupant or not.

  I turn and walk the short distance back to the cottage while continuing to scan my surroundings for movement, nothing. I open the door and grab the key from the hook. Then I shut the door and lock it before heading back down to the cliff. Now I can clearly see the bright orange glow of the sun just starting to peek up over the horizon. I glance back down toward the boat, but it is gone. I look out at the sea, no boat. I look up and down the jagged coastline and see nothing. How is this possible, it was just here? It hadn’t even taken me five minutes to walk back and forth from the house.

  I look back at the sea. It is choppy and I wonder if perhaps the boat is out there, and I just can’t see it over the waves. I scan the waters again and again and see nothing except the rolling white tips of each wave. Finally, as the full sun makes its way over the horizon, I turn and walk back to the cottage.

  I lock the front door behind me and decide to make tea. I throw on my yoga pants and a t-shirt. I’ll wait for Jack before going to walk today. I always walked to the left for some reason and pass him while he goes in the other direction, away from town. I don’t like the idea of going right, as the grass in the fields is taller in that direction and I am not able to see people coming toward me. My city girl instincts have always told me to stay where I can see my surroundings.

  I put the kettle on while I pull the tea out of the cupboard. I stare at the window, willing Jack to appear. The whistling of the tea kettle startles me and I jump. Sighing at my irrational fear, I pour the water into my teacup and continue staring out the window.

  The minutes tick by slowly. Being so far north, the sun rises very early and it makes me wake when I should be sleeping. I normally wake at 6:30 a.m. at home, but here I had gotten up with bright sunshine each morning by 5:00 a.m. I peer over at the clock on the microwave, 6:45 a.m. I have been standing there for over an hour and still no Jack. Jack is methodical, since the first day I saw him, he always passes my cottage at 6:50 a.m., just a few minutes after I leave for my morning stroll. We pass each other not far down the path from the cottage, so that it is still in plain view as we speak. Sometimes, if I am fast enough, I make it to a big rock near the path where I lay out my travel yoga blanket and meditate to the sound of the sea below.

  Tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock. I begin to feel like a schoolgirl waiting for the bell to ring at the end of a long day. Come on, Jack, come on, where are you?

  I don’t bother looking out at the woods as I know my eyes would play tricks on me against the darkness of the forest. Alright, Laura, you are now officially being ridiculous, I think to myself. It could have just been a local going for an early morning walk. It could have been the priest, sometimes he does walk up this way although he hadn’t ever come up this far, but maybe he did today. It could be a backpacker walking the coastal trails. It’s not like the person tried to come into the cottage. And the boat, maybe it sped away and I couldn’t see it between the waves. Sure, that’s right, no big deal. But deep down, I know better. With everything that is happening, I know perfectly well who it might be and that thought sends a shiver down my spine.

  I look once more at the clock—6:51 a.m. Jack is never late. He is as predictable as the sunrise or the phases of the moon. I have only known him for ten weeks, but this I know beyond a shadow of a doubt. I glance at my phone and contemplate calling Oliver. Too ear
ly. I decide on a text instead. Wait, no, I’ll text Jack. If he didn’t go for his walk then he will be home and he will have his phone. I slap my head for not having thought of this earlier.

  Laura: I just wanted 2 make sure u r ok. I didn’t c u this morning.

  Tick, tock, tick, tock.

  Nothing. I look at my phone—7:20 a.m. Time to text Oliver.

  Laura: Jack never came by today and he isn’t replying to my txt. Do u know if he is OK?

  I wait and wait for what seems like an eternity. And then my phone buzzes.

  Oliver: Don’t know. Haven’t seen him since last night. I saw him pull in when I was checking the gate. I’m sure he is fine. I’ll txt him.

  I wait some more and then feel the buzzing and look down.

  Oliver: His lights are off and he doesn’t answer the door. I’m going to walk the trail and make sure he didn’t fall. I will come by the cottage on my way.

  I look out the window at the morning sun and blue sky. Birds chirp in the distance. It is still outside, too still. Jack, where are you?

  Click here to get Island!