by M. S. Parker
The thing was, I really didn’t believe she didn't want me. Granted, she'd told me to leave, but she'd also said this was her duty. That meant she wasn't making the decision based on her feelings for me. I just didn't know what to do with that information.
If only I had more time, I was certain I could convince her that I was the right choice for her. The realization hit me and I swore under my breath. I didn't need to convince her. I needed to convince her parents.
Nami felt that it was her duty to marry who her parents chose because that person would be the best for the country. I'd been thinking all this time that I needed to take Nami away from here, that she needed to escape Saja as much as I had Philadelphia. She loved her country and her family though. She didn't necessarily want to get away from them or not be queen. She could still do that and be with me.
If I could convince her parents to let her have a choice in the matter.
I wasn't exactly some pauper bent on marrying her for her wealth or title. I wasn't royalty or anything like that, but my name did mean something back home. With my liquidated assets, I had plenty of money to bring to the table, enough to prove that my interest wasn't financially motivated. I could tell them that I'd fallen for her before I'd known she was a princess. I'd never reveal that we slept together, but I'd at least be able to tell them that we'd spent time together and that I loved their daughter.
I could also tell them how my parents had forced me into a loveless marriage and how badly that had ended. If her parents truly loved her, they would see that they needed to change their traditions and allow her to choose a husband. And if she chose me, I'd agree to sign whatever they wanted. Hand over my assets. Pledge my loyalty. Renounce my citizenship if it would mean Nami and I could be together. They couldn't fail to see my dedication to Nami if I did all of that.
There was no guarantee it would work. No way of knowing if they'd even care that I loved her. In their minds, doing what was right for the country might be what was right for Nami. Securing her position as future queen, giving her a husband who would have the support and backing of the people. I had to consider that as well. Perhaps they wanted to be able to let Nami choose but knew that if she chose poorly, the people wouldn't follow her.
She'd been right when she'd said that I didn't understand, that I wasn't like her. I didn't know the people of Saja. I'd done as much research as I could while on the plane over here, but there wasn't a lot of information. It was an isolated country with no prominent citizens in any particular field. For all I knew, this isolation caused the people to be suspicious of outsiders. I'd gotten no feelings of animosity, but I appeared to be a tourist. A rich American here to spend money and strengthen their economy. Would they feel different if they knew I wanted to be a member of their royal family? Not to rule them, but simply because I loved one of them. Would love make a difference to them? Just because they were progressive enough to accept a female monarch didn't mean they would allow an outsider in.
There were hundreds of questions, thousands of possibilities, and no way of knowing without trying. Nami had told me to leave, that she was choosing Tanek, but I'd come too far to completely give up without even an attempt.
First thing tomorrow, I told myself. I'd go back to the palace, but not to sneak in this time. I'd ask to see the king and queen. I hoped they'd be intrigued enough at the idea of some random American man wanting to talk to them that they'd overlook the fact that I didn't have an appointment. Once there, I would tell them who I was and what I wanted. If they threw me out, at least I'd know I'd tried.
And what if they agreed? What if they said Nami could choose without losing her birthright? Was I willing to stay in Saja, a king in name while my wife ruled? Yes, I thought, I would do that. I didn't care about the power and I'd already made up my mind that I wasn't going back to Philadelphia anytime soon.
Then there was the alternative. What if her parents allowed her the choice, but she didn't choose me? What if, once she'd met Tanek, she'd fallen for him, realized that what she felt for me was nothing more than the thrill of the forbidden, that she wanted a man of Saja at her side, someone who understood her world. I wasn't sure my heart could take another blow like that, especially not with Nami. I'd run to Europe to escape the pain when Piper had chosen Julien over me. Where could I go if it happened again? Where else could I run?
I had a sudden and laughable flash of me in Australia with surfers and kangaroos. I didn't laugh though. Nothing about this was funny.
Time crept by, each agonizing second worse than the last. I was torn between elation at my plan and the certainty of success, and depression at the thought that it would fail miserably, that I'd end up adrift again, no future, no plans, no hope. Logically, I knew it was foolish to put all of my hopes and dreams into a woman, but this wasn't exactly a normal situation. Everything hinged on what happened tomorrow.
I'd always loved the Robert Frost poem about the two roads and taking the one less traveled, mostly because I'd never done that myself. I could honestly say that, until I'd met Piper, I'd never actually felt like I was at that fork. I'd screwed things up with her, no matter how I ended up feeling about her, but I wasn't going to do that now. I didn't know what would happen tomorrow, but I knew that, no matter what, I'd be on one of two paths that I'd never even considered before.
I stayed up until midnight before heading to bed again. This time, my busy brain was louder than my need for sleep and I spent hours tossing and turning. Some of it was the time difference, but enough was my inability to turn off my thoughts. It was well into the early morning hours before I finally fell asleep. I woke a few hours later, still tired, but at least coherent enough to think straight.
I showered and shaved, scraping off two days' worth of stubble, and then went about the task of figuring out what to wear. I had a suit and a tux in my bags, but I wasn't sure if I wanted to appear in either one. I didn't know enough about Saja practices and customs to know if too formal was bad. Would they see the suit as me trying to impress them? It was an expensive one. Or, would they take it as a sign that I respected them, understanding their position? The tux was definitely too much.
In the end, I decided that a suit and a humble attitude would be the best possible combination. I'd show her family that I had money, but that I didn't care about it. Some guys couldn't pull that off, generally because they were lying, but since I really didn't care about money, I could do it. It was a fine line to walk. That was good though. It gave me something to concentrate on besides worrying about what could happen. And that, at least, I had some control over.
By mid-morning, I was ready to go. Well, at least physically. I was dressed and looked like my old self, the CEO who'd been managing his family's company for years. The son of a prominent Philadelphia family. I wasn't conceited, but I knew that I was considered quite the catch back home, and if my time in Europe was any indication, I wasn't exactly considered unappealing outside of the States either. But I wasn't trying to impress Nami. I needed to impress her parents, and I had a feeling that my normal charming self might not be up to the task.
I pushed aside the negative thought and headed down to the front of the hotel to catch a cab. There weren't very many cabs on the island, but it was easy enough to find one here. I got the same strange look as before when I asked to be taken to the palace, but he didn't pry, which was good because I didn't have any idea what I'd say.
When I got out at the gates, my heart was hammering and my mouth was dry. This was it. I could either get back in the cab and give up or I could do what I came to do. I took a breath as the cab drove off. I didn't really have a strategy here, so I figured the most obvious thing was my best bet. I walked up to the gate and hit the buzzer.
A minute later, a heavily muscled guy with what looked like a very big gun on his belt approached. He wasn't smiling, but he also wasn't pointing the gun, so I took that as a good sign.
“Hello.” I was tempted to put my hands in my pockets but I didn't wa
nt him thinking I was reaching for something. I had to approach this place like I was walking up to the White House.
“American?” The guard seemed mildly amused, which I supposed was better than angry or wary.
I nodded and grinned. “My name's Reed Stirling and I'm from Philadelphia. I'd like to speak with the king and queen.”
His eyes widened and, for a moment, I thought he was going to call the cops. Instead, he laughed. “And for what reason should I tell them you are here?”
Shit. I hadn't thought about that. I couldn't exactly tell this guy that I was in love with Nami. He'd either call someone to lock me up because I was crazy or think I was a threat. Besides, I had a feeling that wasn't something her family would want getting out, even if they did end up accepting me. I'd definitely have to be part of some big PR thing. I could, however, tell a partial truth.
“I met their daughter.” I almost called her Nami and then remembered that wouldn't be how she was known here. “Princess Namisa. While she was in Paris. Saja sounded wonderful, so I came to visit, and I'd like to pay my respects.”
He looked skeptical, but he didn't tell me to leave. He picked up his radio and said something in his native language. After a minute, someone answered back and the guard came over to the gate and punched in a code. The gate slid open and I stepped through. I stopped, letting the guard pat me down.
“The king and queen will see you in the receiving room.”
Chapter 14
Reed
My first thought as I walked into the receiving room was that I was glad they hadn't taken me to their throne room – if they had one. This room was intimidating enough. I was rich and I'd seen the best of Philadelphia's best, but I was impressed. Expensive furnishings, beautiful artwork. I didn't even see the people for several seconds.
A pair that I felt confident assuming were the king and queen sat directly across from the door. They weren't on thrones, but I was willing to bet the chairs were at least a couple hundred thousand dollars. Their clothes were even more expensive than mine.
“May I present Mr. Reed Stirling of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania?” A man I couldn't see announced me and I stepped further into the room.
And that's when I saw her.
Nami was sitting at her father's other side, back straight, face carefully expressionless. A man sat next to her. He had black hair, ice blue eyes and an arrogant look that made me want to hit him. Then I saw his hand clasp Nami's possessively and my fingers curls into fists. If I hadn't suspected who he was before, I knew it now.
Tanek.
Nami's fucking fiancé.
I'd not really thought of him at all except in the vague idea of the engagement, but now I realized I hated him. Marrying Nami might not have been his choice any more than he was truly hers, but the way he was holding her hand said that he was staking his claim. He didn't know who I was, I was sure of it, but he was making sure I knew what his position here was.
“Mr. Stirling, I present King Amir, Queen Persephone, their daughter Princess Namisa and her betrothed, Tanek Nekane,” the same man spoke again.
I gave a bit of a bow, feeling awkward as I did it, but based on the expression on the king and queen's faces, it had been the right thing to do.
“We do not find many Americans willing to make the appropriate gestures to royalty,” King Amir spoke.
I gave a smile and a slight nod. I wasn't sure if they were the kind of monarchs who'd take offense with someone looking at them directly, but I figured I'd risk it. I wanted to see what I could of them, see what of Nami I could find. The physical part was easy. She looked like both of them. The personality was harder. I wondered from which she'd gotten her stubborn streak.
“You mentioned you met our daughter in Paris?” Queen Persephone spoke. Her tone was polite, but empty. She would've done well in business...and poker.
“I did.” I risked a glance at Nami now, expecting to see her worried that I would give her away. She didn't look concerned though, or at least from what I could see. She wouldn't meet my gaze.
“And may I inquire just how that occurred?” King Amir asked.
I was on dangerous ground here, and I knew it. Anything I said to her parents could possibly hurt her, but with Tanek sitting right there, it could do even more damage. I opened my mouth to give them some sort of lie about how I'd met Nami, but I didn't get a chance.
“Mr. Stirling was on the train with me,” Nami said. “From Paris to Venice. When the train was delayed, the two of us talked to pass the time.”
The smile on my face felt fake, but I knew it looked fine. I'd had a lot of practice at home. I nodded as if in agreement. I would've preferred to keep it as close to the truth as possible, but she knew her parents. If this was the best transition into my declaration, then I'd go along with it. I just wished Nami's fucking fiancé would stop staring at me. I was nervous enough about proclaiming my feelings without him giving me the evil eye. I'd hoped to talk to the king and queen only, to convince them and then surprise Nami. But, if this was my only choice, I would do what needed to be done.
“Mr. Stirling is the head of his family's business in America,” Nami continued. Her tone was pleasant, but there was no warmth in it. Nothing to let me know what she was thinking. “I believe he mentioned something about coming to Saja to determine if he might find business opportunities here.”
“So you have come to introduce yourself and present us with a business proposal?” King Amir asked.
I kept my eyes on Nami for a few seconds longer, willing her to look at me, to show me what she was feeling. Was she saying this because she knew my real reason for being here and didn't want me to do it? Who was she more worried about me speaking to, her parents or her fiancé? Or did she think I'd tell too much?
I looked back at the king and queen. “I don't have a business proposal ready, your Majesties. I simply wished to meet you and establish an acquaintance in the hopes that we may someday have a working relationship.”
I chose each work carefully. When Nami and I told them the truth, at least about what we meant to each other, my words could be interpreted different ways so they wouldn't think I'd been completely dishonest.
“That is quite enterprising of you.”
I couldn't tell if Nami's father was impressed or being sarcastic in that subtle, annoying way that only members of high society – and apparently, nobility – could manage.
“Thank you,” I said, giving a bland smile that he could either take as genuine or as me letting him know that I knew how he meant it.
“Now, Mr. Stirling, if you will please excuse us.” Queen Persephone stood. “As a visitor, I am sure you have not heard, but Princess Namisa will be married on Saturday, and we have much planning to do.”
“Of course.” I resisted the urge to look at Nami again. The way the queen was looking at me made me think it was possible she suspected there was more to the story than we were saying. I didn't think that was a good thing, particularly based on what she'd just said. Nami's expression hadn't changed, and she still wasn't looking at me.
“Tomas and Kai will show you out,” King Amir said.
Fuck.
The pair came towards me, their faces blank, but their eyes clearly said that if they had their way, they'd be throwing me rather than showing me, and making sure I had a few 'accidents' along the way. I smiled towards the king and queen one last time before turning around to allow myself to be escorted from the room. It took everything I had not to look at Nami again, but I could feel the tension radiating off of the two bodyguards and knew they were looking for any excuse to teach me a lesson.
We walked down the hallway towards the front doors, the guards half a step behind me so they could react if I tried to move. I wasn't dumb enough to run. Nami's parents would never accept me if I disrespected them in such a manner. I did need to see her though, talk to her alone. I needed her to know that I was willing to fight for her if she'd let me.
As we reached the
front of the palace, another man opened the door, his face professionally blank. I stepped through the door, stopping as Kai grabbed my arm. His voice was low in my ear, but the volume didn't detract from the sincerity or the menace in his words.
“Stay away from the princess. If I see you again, I will present your balls to the king.”
I didn't make any indication of acknowledgement, but he didn't seem to need one. He released my arm with a bit of a shove and I walked down the stairs. The front gates opened and I walked through them, turning the corner so that I was hidden from sight. I needed to figure out what I was going to do. I hadn't been able to complete my plan, so I didn't know where to go next.
I wasn't sure if it was smart to try for the other entrance again, so I began to walk in the opposite direction, hoping I'd be able to spot some way in. The security I'd seen had been good, but not fool-proof. It was clear that, while the royal family warranted protection, they weren't expecting some sort of attack. From what I'd read about Saja, it made sense. They were a peaceful country. Barely any crime at all, and only a small portion of it violent. Most of those were mild, like fist fights over stupid things, often while drunk. Saja had only one prison, and it had never been filled to capacity. In a country like this, excessive security would've been perceived as either a barrier between the people and their sovereign, or as a show of mistrust.
I fully planned to take advantage of that.
As I rounded the corner and headed along a quiet side street, I spotted something several yards ahead. A gate, barely big enough for one person to fit through, was opening. Covered with plants, I never would've known it was there, and based on how loudly it squeaked, it wasn't a commonly used entrance.
I wasn't sure if I should hide or hurry towards it and I stopped, caught in indecision. Then I saw a familiar figure step out onto the sidewalk.
“Nami.” I breathed a sigh of relief and jogged towards her.
As I grew closer, I saw more than I had in the throne room. Her expression wasn't just impassive, but rather guarded, like there was something she didn't want me to see. Something else seemed off too, but I couldn't figure out what it was. She looked different, as if in the short time since I'd last seen her, something had changed.
