Chelsea. Her sister, Stefano and Rossie. She’d told her friends she didn’t want to shop, so why were they here, with Stefano and Rossie? Adrenaline rushed in her veins—what could be wrong? Matteo held the door for her with a shrug. “It seems we’ll see our friends every day.”
Her heart was still on her honeymoon, but she linked her arm with his and walked beside him into the hall as she said, “It seems. Let’s go see what’s going on.”
He patted her elbow and nodded. “Then Fiji.”
A huge weight disappeared from her shoulders. She picked up her pace slightly as she said, “Absolutely. I can’t wait to be alone with you, my love.”
He kissed her cheek and then they raced down the stairs toward the sitting room where his staff directed them.
As they entered, tea and small sandwiches had already been served. Good. She would tell Ms. Pierce, Fiona, that the staff was doing an amazing job. Sheena greeted everyone as they stood near them and curtsied or hugged them in the order they were in. “Stefano, Chelsea. Cassidy. And Rossie, lovely to see you again.”
Stefano’s face was red but he looked at Matteo and said, “Sorry we barged in, but Chelsea and Cassidy had a bit of a shock with their mother. Rossie and I were there too, and I thought it best to tell you both, straight away.”
Chelsea had mentioned her mother at their party on the phone earlier but Sheena hadn’t understood at all how that mattered. She nodded at the sisters. “Tell us what?”
Cassidy squeezed Chelsea’s shoulder. “Apparently our mother, before she married our father, and before the king married his wife…”
Sheena’s face pinched and she wished she could close her ears. This wasn’t her business. She tightened her grip on Matteo’s hand as she gave her guests a curt nod. “This seems so long ago.”
Chelsea said, “Well, yes, but it seems my mother had a son that she gave to the nuns to raise without telling anyone, except the king.”
This wasn’t her business or her life. She pressed her hand to her heart as she asked, “Why would she tell the king?”
“Because he’s the father,” Cassidy clarified, her mouth tight, “and he was about to marry the queen.”
Matteo scooted closer to her but said, “Wait. What?”
Stefano’s jaw clenched. “There is more and it matters to you both.”
How could it? Matteo’s parents weren’t involved, and both deceased. Her mother had died in childbirth and her father had raised her, in his restaurant, without nuns. “What?”
Chelsea took Sheena’s hands and Sheena braced for bad news. “Your Charles. He’s our half-brother.”
Oh. Charles. She breathed easier. He didn’t matter. Not when she had Matteo. She glanced to her side and saw Matteo pale beneath his olive skin-tone. She looked at Chelsea again. “He’s what?”
Cassidy shook her head and stared at the chandelier in the room. “He’s a royal bastard, our half-brother, and he can prove his lineage, as the nuns kept proof. Our mother didn’t deny it.”
Royal. She squeezed Matteo’s hand. “Does he inherit the throne?” She thought of Crown Prince Antonio.
Chelsea let out a loud sigh. “Thankfully, no.”
Sheena remembered that Chelsea’s sister would inherit her parents’ estate as she was the oldest child. In this case, Charles would be older. Would that change things for the sisters? “Does he inherit your father’s estate then?”
Cassidy met their gazes with steel in her eyes. “No. He’s not my father’s child, but Charles has money and the connections to cause everyone in Avce problems.”
From what they’d said, it would just be drama. Charles wasn’t going to ruin their lives. “What does he intend to do?”
Stefano put his teacup aside. “He’s speaking to the king now.” Pointing to Chelsea and Cassidy with his thumb, he continued, “Their husbands are in court and texting me, as I said we were coming here right away. From what we’re hearing that’s happening, all Charles wants is you, Sheena.”
She jumped backward like she’d just been slapped. Her body was suddenly cold as she asked, “Me?”
Chelsea sucked in her breath and hesitated before saying, “Yes. He said that if the king grants you a divorce, he’ll leave quietly.”
Her heart refused to consider this. She had icicles growing inside her veins, but she squeezed Matteo’s hand and lifted her chin. His hand was all that was keeping her steady as she said, “Absolutely not. Matteo and I are going go Fiji for our honeymoon.”
Stefano pointed them toward the door and said, “Then you better get to the palace and tell the king that’s a no-go.”
Would the king listen? She left the room without saying goodbye, forgetting protocol or manners. Once they stepped outside onto the front porch, the staff brought them a black Mercedes limo that had official Avce flags flying. Her husband guided her toward the backseat. “Matteo?”
“Yes?” He motioned for her to get inside.
She scooted over so he could get in next to her. Once he was in, she pressed her knee to his. “I don’t want a divorce. I want to stay married to you because I love you.”
Matteo’s face brightened. He curved his palm over her knee and said, “Fiji can wait a day if we need to straighten things out at the palace.”
The ice inside her thawed as she relaxed into the seat. “Okay, but you believe me?”
He gave her a sly smile that made her lips tingle for a kiss or more. “Absolutely. I love you too and I’m not letting my jealousy cloud my trust in the sweetest girl I ever knew.”
The driver held out the limo door and Chelsea popped her head inside. “Wait.”
Chelsea, Cassidy, Stefano and then Rossie all joined them inside the spacious limousine.
Chelsea adjusted in her seat. “We’re going. He’s apparently our older brother and Cassidy is good at talking sense into people.”
As long as no one ordered an official divorce, Sheena would be fine. Even if the king had already granted it, no one was going to force her to be with Charles. She and Matteo could still go to Fiji together. She didn’t allow herself to consider anything beyond that.
Once everyone was inside, the driver closed the door. Matteo said, “Then by all means, let’s get going.”
Cassidy’s face turned red as she stared out the window. “I still can’t believe our mother had an affair with the king and only mentioned it when Charles showed up. And how did she keep this a secret? She’s horrible at keeping a secret.”
“This is absolutely like her.” Chelsea tapped her sister’s shoulder. “It’s exactly her MO. Our mother would have gone to the grave keeping it a secret if she was paid off—this makes her look bad. Let’s hope our brother isn’t like her and more like us.”
Cassidy laughed softly. “Us? I like hearing how my sister is in touch with her heart now. My husband is already at the palace so he’ll ensure nothing happens without informing me.”
Sheena breathed rapidly. Hopefully that was true and no one ordered her divorce. She and Matteo intended to live happily-ever-after, and Charles was only an obstacle to being with Matteo, the man she loved, forever.
Chapter 19
Matteo held his wife’s hand as they walked up the steps of the palace and into the main hall where knights of old would have greeted the castle guests in the outside corridors.
Inside, a huge marble stairwell descended into the main hall where the king had once sat above his knights as a way of being with his men, but overlooking his knights. The history of the place flowed through Matteo’s blood as he was taught from his tutors that his family name had meant something.
Once, long ago, his ancestors would have had a place upstairs, though these days he had little reason to visit the royal palace.
A stiff-postured servant in full royal blue livery greeted them and guided them through the hall, toward the antechamber that stood between the hall and the throne room itself.
Sheena darted nervous glances around the palace but she held her
head high as they arrived inside the teal and dark blue waiting area with wooden benches outside the actual throne room to see the king.
The side door to the antechamber flew open, and they all turned toward Crown Prince Antonio Aussa, who skidded to a halt the moment he saw them.
The servant knelt as he announced to Antonio, “Your Highness. The Marquis and Lady of Normanni, the Count and Lady of Golchin, Lady Sky, and Lady Chelsea have all arrived.”
Antonio shook hands immediately as he said, “I’m glad you’re all here.”
Sheena was stiff at his side as she curtsied and said, “Thank you, Your Highness.”
Antonio motioned for everyone to come closer as if they were conspiring together as he said, “Our father has been discussing Lady Golchin in open court. He was going to call for you shortly to appear so it’s good you showed up now.”
Sheena’s face was white and she held him tight as she said, “I don’t want a divorce. I love my husband.”
Antonio gave her a curt nod. “Good. Now tell my father.”
Matteo saw how this news had affected the royal family, as Antonio had unusual wrinkles next to his eyes. Matteo said, “Thank you.”
Antonio patted him on the back like they were old friends though they hardly ever talked, as the Aussas grew up in the Americas. “We’re all in shock about this. Marcus and Lucio are going over Charles’s entire history to ensure he’s not conspiring with others who wish to take over the kingdom.”
Stefano said, “We all support you, Prince Antonio.”
Antonio broke the circle and they all lined up according to rank. Antonio was first. Second, Stefano and his wife, and third was Cassidy. Him, Sheena, and behind them, Chelsea. Antonio waited for them to be ready and once they were all lined up, he told the servant in front of him, “It’s time.”
The servant made the announcement.
Half the kingdom had to be in attendance today, drawn to the drama of a royal bastard. Matteo nodded toward everyone and kept Sheena with him as they took their places on the edges of the court while Antonio strode up to the throne where his father and mother sat.
Charles stood beside the king, in serious conversation.
However, all gazes settled on him and his wife. Sheena trembled slightly as the king stood and waved for them. “Count and Lady Golchin. Please come up. My…son has pleaded his case that your marriage should be annulled.”
“No.” Sheena spoke loudly. Her face went red as she realized she’d broken protocol, but Matteo stayed at her side until the servant made it clear that Sheena was being singled out. Matteo tensed, ready to jump ahead if Sheena needed him.
With her hands to her heart, Sheena said, “I mean, Your Highness, my husband and I love each other.”
Charles took a step down from the dais and glared at Sheena. “Don’t lie, Sheena.”
In the old days, Matteo would have issued a challenge to a duel on horseback but this wasn’t the fourteenth century anymore.
And the smartest thing he could do was stay close to his wife to protect her from harm.
And if Charles so much as touched his wife, Matteo would defend her.
Sheena stood taller and faced Charles down. There was no mistaking her words. “You and I were a fling that ended long before I married Matteo.” She inched backward without turning her back to the throne and reached for his hand—he joined her as she lifted their clasped hands. “My husband and I love each other. Even if the king forces our marriage to end, I won’t marry you. My heart belongs to Matteo Korbel.”
Charles shifted toward them. Matteo squared his shoulders and widened his stance to protect what was his.
Charles strode down the aisle, his face a mask of fury.
Matteo stood in front of Sheena. “I would rather be without title or money if I get to keep Sheena, Your Highness.”
Charles stopped—Matteo would not let him near his wife.
At last, the king stood. The queen joined him and took his hand. The king said, “There is no need for that. If you’re both happy together, then it seems my son must learn to recognize other people’s happiness above his own desires.”
Charles turned toward his father and argued, “But-”
The queen interrupted and stared directly at Sheena as she said, “Our apologies that you were both troubled to come to the castle today.”
Sheena blushed but asked, “So, we’re free to go on our honeymoon tonight as planned?”
The king didn’t move from his wife’s side. “Yes. Though all of you are invited to a royal ball in three months’ time, where we will announce Charles as a member of the royal family and find him a wife.”
If the man was married, then he’d stop salivating after his wife. Matteo tugged Sheena next to him. “We’ll happily be at your ball, Your Highness.”
Sheena came closer to Matteo and her brief touch sparked through him as she asked, “What does this mean for Avce? In school, all you Avceans claimed you had the longest ruling family in Europe, blessed by God, to rule.”
The king announced, “Charles is my son. My wife and I have decided he will be granted the Del Pescatore duke title and the village and ducal property that accompanies the position, near the sea.”
The other end of the country as Matteo and Sheena were by the mountains.
The queen was a good woman to not punish Charles for something that hadn’t been his fault and had happened before she’d married the king.
Matteo didn’t dare leave Sheena’s side and she looped her arm closer to his, using her body language to let everyone know they were together. She gave a cold glare across the room and said, “Charles, I hope this will satisfy your rumblings about titles and nobles.”
Charles scowled. “Sheena, I would walk away from all of this if you came with me.”
She lifted her chin. “Never mention that again to me. I love Matteo.”
If Charles disrespected his wife in the future, there was a court record of her feelings and he’d be justified in defending his family.
Charles risked looking Sheena in the eye. “I never had a real chance with you.”
“Absolutely not,” Sheena said.
The country newspapers would be full of these proclamations that had flown in court today.
This wasn’t the worst gossip his title had gone through, but hopefully in his life, this would be the end of it. His heart beat a little faster as he asked the king, “Your Highness, may we be excused now? We had plans to head to Fiji…”
The queen answered for them both. “Yes. Go on your honeymoon and be happy.”
He took a step backward with Sheena at his side without turning around as he said, “Thank you, Your Highnesses.”
They backed from the room so as not to show the royal family any disrespect.
Once they made it into the antechamber, Matteo relaxed. They were alone and Sheena tapped his chest with her small hands. “That’s it?”
“Yes.” They walked together and she tugged on his hand as they reentered the grand hall and motioned with her head toward Chelsea’s painting that hung among the Monets. Sheena’s benefit had been a success.
“It seems we’ll never be truly rid of Charles,” she said.
He guided her through the hall toward the front entrance and fresh air. “As long as he doesn’t have your heart, I don’t care that he’s on the other side of the country.”
She winked at him as they crossed the palace doors and headed outside. The air smelled like the rose gardens and the sun was shining down on their heads, much warmer than the mountains. “That’s good of you. I knew he had secret funding, but I’m happy to see far less of Charles and far more of you.”
The limo picked them up from the royal carriage steps that circled the huge water fountains and lawn. The driver stopped in front of them, between two angel fountains. On either side of the lawn, both shot water in unison. “It’s fine because I get to go home every night, to you.”
She wrapped her arms around his wa
ist and twirled in front of him as she said, “Let’s get home and pack. I’m wanting Fiji.”
His lips tingled for her kiss. This was finally the beginning of their lives together. He pulled her closer. “Or we can head to the airport right now and buy whatever we need.”
She stood on her tiptoes and hugged his neck. “That’s an even better idea.”
If he kissed her on the palace steps, they’d be featured in the newspaper. And from now on, he wanted no one to know about his life. His lips ached to claim her, but he tugged her toward the limo and said, “Good. Let’s go.”
They ducked inside the limo and as soon as the door closed, Matteo tugged on her knee so she’d look at him. He wanted to kiss her senseless now that they were alone, but she stared at him with wide eyes and asked, “One question?”
Laughter filled his heart as he leaned closer and said, “You always have a question.”
She shrugged like that was a foregone conclusion and then nodded. “When we get back, you’ll teach me to ride a skateboard again? I loved the feel of exhilaration, and trust you to catch me if I fall.”
“I’ll always be there for you.” Everything but the two of them faded away as they drove off the palace grounds. “We can board the countryside till we’re old and gray.”
“Perfect.” She curled her legs over his.
Finally. Her eyes closed and her pink lips pursed. He held her tight and refused to ever let go, not now, not ever again. He kissed her hard and pulled her toward him.
Happily-ever-after started right now.
Epilogue
The beaches of Fiji had been spectacular. The turquoise water and humid climate made her skin smooth and soft.
As their plane landed the palm trees were now truly just a memory, though the green maples near the private Avce airport were pretty in a different way.
She stretched in her leather seat and stood after the plane rumbled to a stop.
Matteo came toward her and kissed her cheek.
Her phone in her back pocket beeped so she checked her messages. Her father was here? She showed her screen to Matteo as she said, “Papa is waiting to see us when we get back.” What could he want? What a nice surprise.
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