A Love that Endures

by Forrest, Bella

  “Pardon me, madam,” the pilot said, turning to Cassie. “I can call security to get an escort service over here for you. But it might be a while. I heard that there were a few other high-priority private landings this morning. Security might be stretched thin.”

  High-priority private landings? Who else would be coming to this part of Lorria right now? The king and queen were already here.

  “Can I help?” David asked.

  Katy, Cassie, and the pilot turned nervously in his direction.

  “I mean,” he sputtered. “If all we have to do is get to the car down there, maybe I can help shield the girls. Who’s going to care if they get a picture of me? If they don’t see the girls’ faces then they won’t be able to sell the photos.”

  “How do we keep them from seeing our faces, though?” Katy asked.

  “Put your coat over your head. Might not be dignified, but I can direct you down to the car, keeping you covered, and then come back up for Cassie.”

  Katy looked back out the window at the ravenous herd of photographers. She didn’t want to have to wait in the jet like a prisoner until someone could come and shoo the paps away. And she wanted to get David out of the situation as well.

  “Okay,” Katy said. “I think it’s a plan.”

  Cassie looked at Katy incredulously. “Are you sure? It’ll be dangerous going down those steps sight unseen. And that crowd is going to try to surround you as soon as you get down there.”

  Katy looked over at David.

  “I can do this,” David said. “Trust me.”

  Katy’s heart clenched. “I do.”

  “I’ll work with the chauffeur to get all of your things in the car then, madam,” the pilot said. And then he opened the cabin door again and stepped out, leaving the trio alone—and filling the air with the sound of flashbulbs and excited cries of “Princess! Princess!”

  Katy grabbed her coat.

  “Be careful,” Cassie said.

  Katy nodded and threw on a pair of oversized sunglasses from her purse, then looked over at David. “Are you ready?”

  David nodded, and she threw the coat over her head, pulling it closed around her face. She stepped toward the cabin door and immediately felt David’s strong hands on her shoulders.

  “I’m going to walk you to the first step,” David said over the shouting from the paps. “Then I’ll get in front. You just stay pressed against my back. If you trip, I’ll be holding us up against the handrails. Focus on staying hidden. When we get to the bottom, I’ll guide you into the car.”

  “Okay,” Katy replied, trying to sound light and airy despite her nerves.

  Katy could hear the cameras already flashing rapid-fire. David led Katy to the steps of the air stairs; she felt him squeeze by her, then his hand at her waist, positioning her behind himself.

  Katy pressed her body against David’s. She looked straight down at the steel stairs to see where to step while David slowly stepped down in front of her.

  “Princess Katerina! Who’s the mystery man?”

  “Princess! What happened with Alexei?”

  “Princess!”

  Katy steadied her breathing and focused on the steel stairs as they came into view one by one. Right foot. Left foot. Right foot. Left foot.

  When they reached the bottom, Katy tightened her coat and felt David’s hands around her waist again.

  “Princess!”

  “Princess, when will you settle down and get married?”

  “Princess, what do you have to say about the pregnancy rumors?”

  “Princess Katerina!”

  Katy swallowed hard as the crowd surrounded her and David.

  “MOVE,” David bellowed as he pushed through them. Katy felt someone pull at her coat, but David wrapped his arm around her shoulders, and then, with the help of someone Katy assumed was the chauffeur, she felt herself being ushered into the warm cabin of another private car. She scooted blindly across the seats, then the warmth of David’s assisting arms retreated, and she heard the door shut and lock behind her.

  With the windows tinted too dark to see in, Katy was finally able to take her coat down and get a good look at the paparazzi who had just been hounding her. They stared ominously at her window—a money-hungry horde of media zombies—but they were clearly unable to see her. Disappointedly, they finally walked away. She was safe.

  Katy breathed a sigh of relief. Within a few minutes, Cassie was also bundled into the car, and then David pushed his way through and slammed the door shut behind himself.

  For a few seconds, they were silent after the stress of the experience. Finally, Katy spoke.

  “David, thank you so much. I hope that wasn’t too trying for you.”

  David exhaled, his voice a little tighter than usual. “It was definitely . . . a new experience.” Katy felt disappointment course through her. This was going to be too much for him. It had already been a nightmare. She wouldn’t blame him if he just wanted to go back home.

  “But it wasn’t a bad one. Just new,” David went on. He winked at her.

  Katy felt her spirits soar again.

  Shortly after, the car began to roll off the tarmac and toward the palace at last. What a journey. Through it all, David had maintained his composure and been a perfect gentleman. And he was excited about the woods! Katy usually found herself exploring them alone. Cassie preferred the warmth of the palace, and Katy’s parents only strolled in the manicured part of the grounds. But Katy was fond of the untamed wilderness that surrounded the palace. She relished the brightness of sun reflecting off the snowy boughs of pine trees. She liked hearing the chittering of the winter-white squirrels. She loved the thrill of seeing an elusive fox race across her path. And now, finally, she’d have someone to enjoy the sights with her.

  David peered out the window in quiet appreciation as the car drove through the winding mountain roads of northern Lorria, taking them to their isolated destination. Katy tried to imagine him learning to ski beside her. Alexei was always so proud and masculine; he never would’ve deigned to allow his girlfriend to teach him anything. But David seemed so self-assured, rather than prideful, that Katy knew he’d be willing and happy to learn something from her. And she was inordinately touched at the thought.

  She thought about her parents, too. She hadn’t told them that she was bringing a friend, though she knew that they’d be accommodating. But how could they not like David? He was gentle and kind and polite. All things that they cared deeply about. The only thing they might not like would be . . . well, his gender. Lorrellian customs made close friendships between royal women and members of the opposite sex very tricky.

  But Katy didn’t agree with all of her country’s customs. She had already decided that when she took the crown, modernizing old traditions would be one of her cornerstones. Although, ordinarily, she tried not to think about taking the crown at all. It only stressed her out.

  After a short drive, the car pulled up to the palace. Katy was back home at last.

  “Oh, I’m so happy to be here! Finally!” Cassie intoned, pressing her hands against the glass and looking out excitedly. “You’re going to love it, David.”

  The stone palace was a classic architectural masterpiece. It stretched five stories into the air and had over a hundred bedrooms for hosting diplomats, celebrities, and other friends of the crown. There was a ballroom, a gorgeous library, old-fashioned pulley elevators, and, of course, no fewer than ten massive and opulent state rooms for family members and high-profile guests.

  David was looking out, too. His eyes were wide with a childlike excitement that plucked at Katy’s heartstrings. He was going to love this place. Katy was sure of it. She felt on top of the world, actually. Cassie had relinquished David with such love and grace, allowing Katy the ability to totally be herself around him. He was excited about skiing and the woods, her two favorite things. And, as much as they drove her crazy, she was glad she was about to be reunited with her mother and father after mo
nths away from home. There was nothing that could ruin the perfect vacation that she had planned. She smiled as the car came to a halt and the chauffeur came around to open the door.

  Katy stepped out into the bright, crisp mountain landscape and gazed up at the sweeping stone steps. The king and queen, dressed in Lorrellian fineries, were already awaiting their arrival from the palace entrance at the top of the steps. Katy waved excitedly, and her mother offered a regal, cupped-hand wave in return, using one hand to hold up the heavy skirts of her full-length gown. Just like Mama. I’ve been gone for months, and she still has to practice restraint. Katy was excited nonetheless.

  David and Cassie stepped out after her. Looking closely, Katy couldn’t help but notice the surprise that passed across her parents’ faces when David made his appearance. She hoped that he hadn’t seen it himself.

  Katy bounded up the steps, reaching her mother and embracing her tightly.

  The queen hugged back, maintaining a royal composure all the while, and then pulled away to look at Katy.

  “Dear! I almost didn’t recognize you in person with that hair color.”

  Katy bristled. Thanks, Mama. Missed you, too!

  “My Queen! My King!” Cassie exclaimed politely from the step behind Katy, dropping into a curtsey.

  “Cassie, dear. So happy to have you back in Lorria,” the queen said, nodding politely. Then she turned to David. “How do you do? I’m afraid we haven’t been properly introduced.”

  I was getting to that, Mama!

  “Papa, Mama, this is David. He’s a friend from Harvard. He’s from London.” Katy turned to David. “David, these are my parents: King Frederick and Queen Margery of Lorria.”

  “Took you for an American,” the king said, stepping forward and jutting out his hand to shake. David grasped in firmly.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir. Er, Your Majesty.” David blushed lightly. He turned to the queen, who did not offer her hand. “You have a magnificent home.”

  “So kind of you to say, dear,” the queen replied. “This is our smallest home. I really do wish Katy had brought you to our summer palace. It’s much more presentable.”

  David nodded politely while Katy suppressed a scream. Nice humility there, Mama!

  “Well, now,” the king started, “no use standing out here in this cold. Let’s get inside and warm up by the fire in the parlor.”

  “Driver, fetch the luggage,” the queen said before turning on her heel. “We’ll have your things taken to the unoccupied state rooms,” she said over her shoulder as she walked through the entry hall toward the parlor.

  The palace was decorated in an old-fashioned style that Katy wasn’t fond of. David, however, was looking around at the décor (a mounted rhino, several standing armored suits, and a Renoir just in the entryway) with great interest.

  “Unoccupied rooms?” Katy echoed. “Do we have other guests?”

  “Hosting some diplomats, dear. Lovely people. Can’t wait for you to meet them.”

  The group continued through the tall-ceilinged rooms, over Persian runners, until they reached a towering wooden door.

  “Our guests are in the parlor now,” the queen went on. “Katy, I must introduce you.”

  “Of course,” Katy replied. She wasn’t looking forward to it, but she was used to rubbing elbows with esteemed visitors. She had been playing nice for company ever since she was a little girl; it was one of the decided downfalls of royal life. But, she reminded herself, once she got this over with, she could take David for a private tour of the palace.

  That thought was still lingering in her head when the door opened, revealing three young men sitting around the grand stone fireplace, sipping from crystal glasses and talking amongst themselves. At her entrance, the three men stood in unison and approached Katy.

  Diplomats? Katy watched in wonder as the men walked over to her. They looked so young to have established political careers. Of course, that was the name of the game with royalty: you were born into it and didn’t really have to earn a career. But even so, Mama and Papa tended to deal more with people their own age. Why were all these young guys here?

  Her mother introduced them in turn. “Katy, please meet Oliver, Duke of Esserby.”

  A blond man, tall and strapping, bowed. “A pleasure, My Princess,” he said in a rich, British accent.

  “Lukas, Prince of Belgium.”

  A brown-haired man with brilliant green eyes stepped forward and took Katy’s hand, raising it to his lips to kiss. “I am honored to be in your presence,” Lukas said.

  “And Victor, Count of Burgundy,” the queen finished.

  A dark-haired man with intense gray eyes came up to Katy and bowed. “Your Highness,” he said simply in a French accent.

  Katy smiled, nodded, and bowed at each of the men in turn, her suspicions growing with every introduction. What were all of these young, handsome men doing in Lorria? And why was her family hosting them?

  “Katy, perhaps you should show them around the palace once you get settled in,” the king offered.

  Katy looked back over her shoulder at a surprised-looking Cassie and an uncomfortable-looking David. She turned back to her parents, who were smiling at her expectantly. Then she turned her eyes again to the “diplomats,” who hadn’t taken their eyes off her. Finally, it clicked. They weren’t diplomats at all.

  They were suitors.

  36

  David

  David was pretty sure that he knew before Katy did.

  As soon as their small group entered the parlor, with its old-world tapestries and velvet sofas, David spotted the men and noticed how their eyes all immediately looked to Katy. Not that that in and of itself was unusual. Katy was a singularly striking woman, and David himself had been stunned by her beauty when he first met her. No, it was something about the way that they had all practically lined up to bow or kiss her hand that raised his suspicions. They had offered only cursory greetings to Cassie and David. Some diplomats.

  After a while, Katy seemed to catch on as well. David watched as she awkwardly cast a glare back at her parents (who smiled innocently in return) and then looked at David in embarrassment and apology. An awkward silence descended over everyone. What was there to say?

  David didn’t blame Katy, of course. He knew that she was as unpleasantly surprised as he was. He didn’t blame her parents either. Or even the suitors. No, if anything, David blamed himself. He wondered how he could’ve committed himself to over two weeks in a foreign land with a royal family that he obviously wouldn’t fit in with. He couldn’t believe that he had thought, even with a tiny glimmer of hope, that this might be a romantic getaway. And, more than anything, he wished he could turn around and run out into the woods to get far away from the pretentious palace, the princess who probably felt sorry for him, and the three blokes who were about to start vying for her attention.

  But, because he was a guest in their home, he just stood still behind Katy and waited for his first chance to escape the conversation.

  “There will be plenty of time for the tour later, of course,” the British suitor said. “I’m sure you’d like to get settled into your rooms first.”

  He was the tallest (about the same height as David), the most handsome, and apparently the most polite. Therefore, David immediately disliked him the most.

  “Thank you, Oliver, Duke of Esserby,” Katy replied courteously. Though there was an indignation in her voice that David imagined was probably pointed toward her parents. “It has been a long journey, and I would like to freshen up and show my friend to his room.”

  David almost physically winced. My friend.

  Obviously they were just friends. But even though that word kept being tossed around, David had really been hoping that the vacation might bring them closer together, as the New York City trip had. Somewhere in his mind, he had still been nurturing the prospect of arriving in Lorria as “just friends” with Katy and leaving as something more. But with this dodgy ne
w situation, that plan had probably just been ripped to pieces. And, although Katy was telling the truth, calling David a friend would signal to the Three Royal Stooges that they had a chance.

  Oliver, Duke of Whatever, nodded politely at Cassie and then David, bidding them a temporary farewell. Katy turned to face him and Cassie again.

  “I’ll show you the state room,” she said to David, then turned to her mother, her stare icy, her voice flat. “Which rooms are available?”

  “Davin can take a room in the west wing, where our diplomatic visitors are staying. I believe there’s one available state room there,” the queen replied.

  David did physically wince this time, though he hoped it was subtle enough not to attract notice.

  “David,” Katy replied.

  “Oh, I apologize, dear,” the queen said, turning to David and dropping her head slowly in an apologetic bow.

  “No worries, Your Majesty,” David replied. Then he began to analyze his statement. No one else had called the king or queen Your Majesty. Was that only a thing in movies? And what about no worries? Was that too casual to say to royalty? Duke Ollie probably knew exactly what to say at all times, and then here was David, Orphaned Bumpkin of London via Boston.

  “Right. We’ll freshen up, then. Gentlemen,” Cassie said in the direction of the suitors, curtsying again.

  David felt like he was in Wonderland, with all the curtsies and titles and formalities and ridiculousness. And he probably looked and sounded just as alien, like he didn’t fit in at all. Thankfully, Katy and Cassie turned and walked out of the parlor, and David was able to follow them away from the tapestries and the dark wallpaper and the thoroughly awkward encounter.

  He followed the girls back to the entryway and toward a grand wooden staircase.

  “Can you believe this?” Katy said, turning to Cassie. David trailed behind them, peering around at the décor—lots of tacky taxidermy and commissioned portraits of stuffy-looking relatives—and trying not to appear too nosy.

  “Yes, actually. And I’m sure you can believe it, too,” Cassie replied, shaking her head. “But don’t let it ruin your visit home!”