by C R Riley
Suddenly Enthroned
The Royals
C.R. Riley
Copyright © 2019 C.R. Riley
All rights reserved.
The story in this book is fictional and all characters and events are not based on any events that actually happened.
C.R. Riley
[email protected]
Contents
Title Page
Copyright
Note from the Author
Introduction
Other Books by C. R. Riley
Dedication
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Epilogue
Note from the Author
I decided to write this book because who doesn’t enjoy a good book about the life of a Royal Family. We all are in some way I believe intrigued by a life so many of us will never be a part of or really understand. So, I decided to do my best to recreate this private world to give us all a better understanding of how different it really is from the one we live in.
This first book with introduce you to the Reyes Family and the country they live in. My hope is that you will be able to relate to each one of them and begin to understand how that life isn’t as glorious as we all dream it might be. Most of us would never be able to do what is necessary live in their world with all its restrictions and unwritten rules.
Like all my books this one has a Christian theme. Also like the rest of my books it pushes the limits and exposes real life situation. I write love scenes as real as it gets, do my best to give you a visual of what my characters are thinking and experiencing. If you are not a fan of reading sexual interactions, then you probably won’t like reading this book. I will not apologize for going there because I know so many do enjoy it, myself included.
If you enjoy this story please write a short review, I’d really appreciate it.
Happy reading and please look for more of my e-books. They are available often for less than a cup of coffee.
Introduction
It is a long-standing tradition that a Royal marries the person who was been chosen for them by those that believed they know best. Which would have probably been the case for King Antonio, if he hadn’t become King before he had the chance to do just that.
While he was determined to not wed out of obligation, like those before him had done. He planned to marry for love instead. It had been his intention long before he found himself as King, he had expected to have at least five more years to win that argument with his father. Now he is the first King in the history of his kingdom to be without a Queen.
King Antonio remains unwed for longer than anyone considered acceptable. The reason he is about to allow those who believe it is time to rectify that, attempt to secure him suitable wife. That is until he meets Larkin Cross, an architect who will be traveling to his country to do some historical restoration for his family and country.
Larkin had no idea who Antonio was when she first met him; therefore, she treated him like he was just a man, rather than a King. Something that had never happened to him until that very moment, and it was exactly what he found he liked most about her.
Now Antonio is determined to risk it all for love. He knows it will not be easy; that he will face off with those who believe it is wrong to break tradition. However, Larkin is his only hope to provide him a life that will be unlike any other, giving him the strength to fight for her.
Will love win, or will those powers fighting against him prevail?
Other Books by C. R. Riley
Jasper Shores Series
Returning Home
Reclaiming the Past
Moving Forward
A Fresh Start
Hidden Agenda
Eyes Wide Open
Crystal Lake Series
Facing the Storm
Uncharted Waters
Light in the Shadows
Life Series
The Good Life
A Transformed Life
Love of the Game
Sneaky Quarterback
Tight End Comeback
Kohl Family Series
Untouchable
The Royals
Suddenly Enthroned
My Amazon Author Page
https://www.amazon.com/C.-R.-Riley/e/B07QDFRH1S
This book is dedicated to my daughter, who like me loves reading all about Kings, Queens, Princes and Princesses. Together we have seen all the movies and read several of the books. And even though she knows she doesn’t need a Prince to come to her rescue, it doesn’t mean she won’t find her Prince one day to share her amazing life with.
I love you sweetheart.
You will forever be my little Princess.
Chapter 1
Antonio
A solid knock on my office door, while I am going over the agenda of the day with my private secretary Alejandra Sanchez, grabs my attention. Usually no one disturbs me during this time, because most understand how important it is that I get through this quickly, so I can get the day started.
“Enter,” I grant whoever is there permission to interrupt us.
“Excuse me Your Highness. I apologize for disturbing you, but this is of upmost importance.” The head of my father’s personal staff bows as he enters.
I should probably introduce myself before I continue. I mean it’s not all that customary for one person to address another person so formally.
I’m Prince Antonio Ramon Reyes of Hermosa Islas, heir to the throne.
You may not have heard of Hermosa Islas, many haven’t. We are a small group of islands in the Northern Atlantic. It is a country that was established when a Spanish prince decided he wanted to explore the world, instead of sitting on his thumbs wasting away. He wasn’t heir to the throne—seventh in line to be exact—so like many other arrogant princes, he did as he pleased. Hired a few former members of the Royal Navy and launched out on a new adventure. Ten day into his voyage he decided life at sea was not for him, which happened to be when they came upon a large uninhabited group of islands. Therefore, the prince ordered his captain to take him to the large cluster of islands so he could explore.
Long story short, the prince later arranged for his wife and children to be brought to him after a few months. Eventually he offered a safe refuge to all others who weren’t pleased with the current rulers of Spain and many of its surrounding countries. Over the next fifty years he erected a port for all to stop and rest from their travels, or trade routes. Even offered them a new land to settle in if they so desired. A place for other that had concluded life at sea wasn’t for them either. It became a new territory to colonize. He named the islands Hermosa, which means beautiful, because that is what the prince thought they were when he first discovered them.
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Once the prince died his son decided that the new colonized islands needed to have an established government to maintain the peace. Since his family was of royal blood, he declared himself the first King of Hermosa. Therefore in 1614 Hermosa Islas became a small kingdom with very little power, although it had a strong group of leaders who understood how to develop a flourishing kingdom.
That king was King Esteban Sergio Aragon, and since his reign our kingdom has gone through its share of worthy kings and queens.
My family—the House of Reyes—has been seated on the throne, since the mid-eighteen hundreds. Queen Juliana Teresa Aragon, the first Queen of Hermosa Islas, married Duke Tomas Philip Reyes from Portugal. They quickly had a son, Prince Nicolas Tomas Reyes, who acquired the thorn in 1872 after his mother’s death. Instead of ruling under the Aragon surname, King Nicolas elected to use his father’s surname Reyes. Moving his country into a completely different direction, one that would bring it into the twenty-century and change how this country governed.
Okay so now that you’ve had a short history lesson, and I am certain you are now bored to death, let’s get back to what is happening in the here and now.
I acknowledge the male servant who has been faithful to my father during his reign. “It’s fine Jorge. What seems to have you looking so on edge?”
“It’s just that we haven’t been able to locate the King this morning. He retreated to his private chambers last night and hasn’t yet emerged.”
I asked the obvious even though I know the answer before Jorge gives it to me. “Did you enter the King’s chambers? Perhaps he has … overslept.”
My father is an intolerant man. When he gives an order, he expects all to heed that order, no matter the circumstances. After all he is King and in this beloved country the King holds the majority of the power. (I’ll explain it to you in detail later.)
I stand.
When I do, my secretary also stands, because one does not remain seated, when a Royal stands. “Excuse me Sanchez.”
My secretary gathers his items and vacates my office as I am making my exit. No one is allowed in the office of a Royal unless that person is present. I know where to find Alejandra after I have checked in on my father.
While I am walking through the halls, making my way to the King’s chambers, I decide to call him. I am not at all surprised when he doesn’t pick up.
As soon as I arrive outside the large wooden door, I press the buzzer and wait. When no one responds, I press it again.
“Have you spoken with the Queen about this?” I have to hold back the bitter taste uttering those words about my father’s second wife that always fills my mouth.
“Yes, Your Highness. Princess Isabel was not feeling well last night, so the Queen spent the night in her chambers.” Jorge informs me.
I press the buzzer again. “I hope the young princess is feeling better this morning.”
Princess Isabel is my baby sister—technically my half-sister. I fell head over heels for the young princess the first day I met her. I swear she was born with a smile on her face and her innocents captivated my siblings and me immediately. We may not be very fond of her mother, although Sofia is a wonderful mother. We all however adore the little princess and treat her accordingly.
“Much Your Highness. Just a bit of a cold that will run its course rather quickly I’m sure. Dr. Torrez made a visit last night just to make certain when she sounded so wheezy.”
“Good.” I sigh because I hate that I have come to one conclusion now where my father is concerned. “Key Mr. Gomez.”
Jorge produces the key.
“Was he alone last night? Or do we not know for sure?” I ask as I shove the key in the lock and wait for the click.
“As far as I know he was alone.”
Another detail about my father is that he likes to entertain. That fact was what ultimately ended my parents’ eighteen-year marriage. My mother had tolerated it, turned the other cheek for a good long time. It was what she was advised a Queen does, so it is what she did. Until my sister Gabriela was born that is and my father missed it, all because he was not to be disturbed while philandering around with his latest mistress. That was when mother decided enough was enough, moved her children to the country citadel that we frequently retreated to when she desired a break. It became her permanent home where my two brothers and sister resided with her.
I however was not allowed to depart with the rest of my family, since I was intended to one day become the future king. At seventeen I was properly being groomed in the ways of a future king, and only the current King/Queen seated on the throne is allowed to oversee that process. Which means I was only allowed to visit them on holidays and special occasions. Tis the price one must pay when expected to one-day reign over his people.
“That will be all Jorge. If I need you, I’ll buzz.” I notify the older man as I enter my father’s chambers.
Chambers may be a vague description when describing these particular quarters. The king’s private chambers are more like a home. There is a large sitting room, a dining area, a kitchen—which is only used when one of our cooks is called up to prepare a private dinner, I can’t remember the last time that happened—a library that also serves as a second sitting room and home office, and four large bedrooms.
As you might suspect it is typical for the king to reside in these quarters with his family. It is where my siblings and I spent most of our time as a family when our parents were married. However, after my mother moved out, and once my father remarried Sophia, that all changed. Sophia and Isabel live in a much smaller but still very large quarters known as the queen’s chambers.
I head to my father’s bedroom first. Knock loudly several times before I dare to enter. “King Ramon, are you decent? Sir, it’s Prince Antonio. Father?”
After no one answers, I open the door and notice the bed has been drawn down—probably from the chambermaids—but hasn’t been slept in. That seem rather odd to me.
I continue on to the large attached bathroom to make sure he isn’t there. Nothing.
Next I make my way to the library.
Following my parents’ fallout, I found my often father passed out in here after a night of overindulging in the Royal scotch. That was always better than discovering him nailing one of his many lady conquests, which I also have had the unfortunate privilege of doing, more times than I care to recall.
The door to the library is slightly ajar so I can see a light has been left burning. Meaning that I expect to catch the king with an empty bottle in hand and passed out. And at first sight that is exactly what I have concluded to be the case.
My father, King Ramon, is seated in his favorite chair. A discarded tumbler is resting at his side on the floor, where he most likely dropped it when he passed out. He is slumped over in the chair in the most uncomfortable position. I begin to wonder how he could possibly stand to remain like that. Since I myself have never been a big drinker, I assume the alcohol in his system makes it so he doesn’t care.
“King Ramon.” I speak his name hoping to stir him. “Father.”
Nothing. Not even a little flinch from him when I clap my hands loudly.
Agitating my head, I bend down to pick up the tumbler, and that is when I notice the coloring of his hands. Grey skin with a blue tinge to his fingers, and I realize then this is not going to have a desirable outcome.
I close my eyes and take a deep breath before I reach up to take his hands in mine. They are ice cold and lifeless, so very cold.
Lowering my head, trying not to let emotions take over, I gather myself before I stand. Staggering over to his desk I place a phone call to the security office and wait for someone to pick up the phone.
“Your Majesty.”
“Prince Antonio actually. I require the King’s security team to report to his chambers immediately. Also, I require you to send Dr. Flores.” I drop down into my father’s chair.
“What should I tell them is the reason for
being summoned to his quarters, Your Highness?”
“Tell them that the King has had an … accident.”
“They are on their way now sir.”
I hang up the phone and force myself to stand so I can collect them at the main door. It only takes them a few minutes to arrive and once I have them all secured inside, I explain.
“King Ramon Reyes seems to have had one too many scotches last night. I found him a few minutes ago in the library.”
“I’ll take care of him immediately Your Highness. Sober him right up.” Dr. Flores starts to head that way.
“That won’t be necessary Dr. Flores. I require you to confirm that the King …” I swallow hard and try to breathe. “That my father has actually passed.”
“Passed?” Dr. Flores’ eyes widen. “Are you positive?”
“Cold. Gray. Blue. Yes, I am positive. Although I need you to confirm.” I motion for him to continue.
Sir Edward Perez, the King’s head of security, is right on our tail. As soon as we enter the room, he stops the doctor from proceeding. “Doctor, I order you to step aside. Is this how you found him Prince Antonio? Exactly how you found him?”
“Yes. I started to pick up the tumbler, but as soon as I noticed his hand, I stopped.”
“Very good.” Edward takes a slow perusal of the room. “I’m going to have to ask that you not touch anything until we have conducted a proper investigation. Doctor you may proceed to confirm, but please do not disturb the King’s body any more than necessary.”
“Do you suspect foul play?” I ask, disappointed that I hadn’t thought that as a possibility.
“I’m not certain. But one can never be too careful.”
Dr. Flores states what we all already know. “King Ramos Esteban Reyes, I am regretful to report, is most definitely deceased.”
I stare at my father’s lifeless body when it all hits me. Not just the fact that my father is dead, but also what that means. My legs suddenly are not able to hold me upright, which is when I feel Edward along with one of his men seize my arms to keep me on my feet.
