“It’s alright, ma’am. I wasn’t expecting a warm reception. Lathan warned me it would be difficult.”
She smiles. “Listen to me, child, if he comes out of this ordeal, you have my assurance, that he will not only accept you, but he will apologize to you. He owes you his very life. Not a soul in Havendon would have been brave enough to defy the rules and do what you did. Everyone would have stepped back and waited for the doctor, and in the process, my husband would be lost.” She looks at her son. “Beyond her beauty, elegance, and kind spirit, she is a brave and bold soul. I understand even more why you love her.”
“She is all those things,” Lathan says.
The Queen walks over to Arlan and sits beside him, taking her hand in his. “I have a promise for you too, my son.” He looks up at her with expectant eyes. “I have sat back too long in this regard. I have watched both my sons suffer from the King’s lack of affection. You have my word that when he wakes, I will implore him to speak with you. We do not know how many days we have left, but each that we have, should be spent enjoying the people we love. I know he loves you. He has trouble showing it, but we talk about you every night. Both of you,” she says, looking up at Lathan. “Every night he prays for your safety and happiness. Only a father that loves his children deeply prays for them.”
“Why can he not show his love?” Arlan asks. “Am I such an awful disappointment that I do not deserve a kind word? Now, I am the cause of why he lies in a hospital bed again.”
“You are not the cause,” the Queen says. “He was strictly ordered, no walking around beyond a few steps, yet he traveled by foot from his chambers to Lathan’s office, a far distance. The doctor said it’s likely his heart was very strained at the moment when he lost his temper. This event was inevitable since the first incident. He has outlived his expectation twice. So you did not cause this to happen. He could have been watching a baseball game, or eating his favorite meal, or walking back to his chambers. It was inevitable.”
Arlan nods somberly. “I will try to believe that.”
“Now, we wait,” she says. “Please sit with me, my children.” Lathan sits on the other side of his mother, while I sit across from them. She smiles at me, reaching for my hand. I offer it to her and she squeezes. “You, too, are my family now, Delaney. I see how Lathan loves you so, and we will have the biggest festival Havendon has ever seen to celebrate your integration to our lives. Whether the King likes it or not.” She smiles, leaning back. “I believe the time is now to make a public announcement about the King’s status. It will be a week of chaos, interviews, and speculation. Then as soon as everyone calms down, we’ll have a new announcement to make.” She winks. “Then the real fun begins. When your father wakes up, we’ll tell him.”
Lathan looks at me and smiles. “Her Majesty, the Queen has spoken.”
Remembering what Ophelia taught me, I reply, “And so it shall be.”
“Very good,” Lathan says. “You’re going to be just fine here.”
I look around the room for a moment, then at the woman smiling at me, then finally back at Lathan. “I think so too.”
As we wait for news about my father, I watch Delaney’s every move. She is even more graceful than she was before. Ophelia’s lessons did exactly what they were designed to do. She will make an incredible partner for me.
My mother paces in front of the window and Arlan is a nervous wreck. Shortly, the news of my father’s condition will be public, and then everything changes. All eyes will be on me, more than ever before.
Delaney flashes her pretty smile. “Are you okay?”
“I am. I have resigned myself to this situation. My father will not live much longer, so I must be prepared emotionally for the upcoming events.”
“Are you sure about announcing this and then presenting me at the ball?”
“I am. I think it’s best. I don’t want to hide anymore.” I take her hand and kiss it. “Thank you for your patience and understanding. I know it must have been so difficult for you.”
“It wasn’t too bad. Ophelia is fun to hang out with and at least I had visits with you. I do miss Fallyn though.”
“We’ll have her come out as soon as possible.”
She nods. “I’d really like that.”
Arlan shifts in his chair and sighs. Delaney pats my hand, and stands, walking over to my brother. She sits next to him and says something softly that I cannot hear. His eyes shift up to hers, and he nods his head. I watch as Delaney wraps her arms around him in a sweet embrace, patting his back as she does. It’s such a sweet gesture, very sisterly, and it makes my heart swell with pride that this woman is mine. She gives her heart to my family so freely. After a moment, she sits back and smiles, and they continue their quiet conversation. My mother appears at my side.
“She is perfect for you, son.”
“I know, Mother. Look at how she nurtures my wounded brother.”
“Yes, I see. I hope he can release the guilt he has over his father. I feel I have failed you both in this regard by not standing up to the King sooner.”
“It isn’t your fault, Mother. Arlan and I both knew our expectations as his sons, and we intentionally failed them time and time again. We created our own circumstances. I’m sure he is going through the same river of emotions I did. First, you are angry he does not accept you as you are, so you do bad things to prove him right. Second, you are hurt that he does not, cannot, show his love, and you believe he does not love you, so you go away so as not to be faced with his abandonment. Third, you go through guilt when you realize he is dying and you were nothing but a mark of sadness in his life. Arlan is at the third stage.”
Mother nods. “You went through these emotions?”
“Oh yes. The trifecta of anger, loss, and guilt was my constant companion, until I met her.” I nod in Delaney’s direction. “I didn’t even realize it at first how she was changing me, but I knew it when I saw my father’s face and decided it was time to share my feelings. I credit her with filling my heart with so much love, I had no ability to withhold it any longer, not from anyone, and certainly not from my father. I was healed the moment he said he loved me. I pray Arlan receives the same gift.”
“So do I, son.”
We all look up as Ophelia and her family walk in, quickly followed by Tristan and his. Mother stands, greeting them and explaining the situation. They were here for her the first time, when my brother and I could not be, and I am grateful for them. Other than Tristan and Ophelia, everyone looks at Delaney with questioning glances. I stand to make introductions.
“Everyone, I’d like to introduce you to Delaney. She’s visiting from America, but I do hope she stays. She’s my girlfriend.”
Some eyebrows raise as my Uncle George approaches me. “Your girlfriend?”
“Yes. I met her while living in Boston.”
Uncle George turns to her, and she curtsies, averting her eyes. She never misses a beat.
“You may look up at me, Delaney,” Uncle George says, as Delaney glances up. “How have you enjoyed your time so far?”
“It’s been wonderful, Your Highness.”
“I’ve been spending time with her, papa,” Ophelia offers, stepping closer. “I’m teaching her how to be part of this life.”
My uncle nods. “Ah. So this is the secret project you’ve been working on.” He chuckles. “I never suspected it was a person.”
Ophelia grins. “We call it ‘making a princess’.”
Uncle George shifts his gaze to me. “Will she be a princess, nephew?”
“That is my intention, uncle.”
“Well, what a surprise. How does your father feel about this?”
“Considering the event that keeps us in this hospital happened moments after discovering her, I’d say not great.”
Uncle George nods, patting my back. “He always was the more stubborn one between us. He’ll come around.”
“I hope so, Uncle, but quite honestly, it doesn’t matter. I
’m in love with her.” My eyes shift to Delaney. “I am positive she will make a fine partner for me.”
“That is all that matters.” He turns to my aunt, motioning her to step forward. “Delaney, my wife, Beatrice.”
Delaney curtsies again and my aunt giggles, just like her daughter does. “Oh, please, child, no formalities with me.”
Delaney nods. “Pleased to meet you.”
“You as well.” Beatrice looks at me. “You must have chosen the most beautiful woman in America.”
I smile as Delaney’s cheeks turn pink. “I believe I did.”
“Thank you,” Delaney murmurs.
“You know,” Beatrice continues. “I was a commoner before I married my husband. If you ever have questions, I’m happy to help.”
“Thank you again.”
Delaney meets Harris, Ophelia’s husband, Abigail, Tristan’s wife, and Tristan’s parents, Michael and Samantha. As the women gather to talk, and the men go off in their own corner, Tristan and I sit down.
“How do you fair, dear friend?”
“Better than my brother, certainly. He is filled with guilt and grief.”
He nods. “What happened?”
I explain the events that led to the second heart attack. “Delaney performed CPR and revived his heart.”
Tristan’s eyes open wide. “Did she?”
“Yes, she sprang into action, after receiving permission from my mother.”
“Incredible.”
“Yes, she is.” We both gaze at the beauty that speaks with Ophelia and Beatrice. “She has surpassed even my expectations for her. I knew that eventually she would find her way here with us, but I expected challenges along the way. She has adapted to it like she was always meant to be here.”
“That’s how you know she is the right choice.”
“Yes. Ophelia suggested she be formally presented at the Independence Ball and my mother agrees.”
“Grand idea. I love it.”
I nod. “Me too. I do hope I am not announcing my father’s death at the same time.”
Tristan pats my hand. “That is what we all hope.”
I glance at Delaney again. “What of Gemma? Is she in town?”
“No, actually she’s gone on some kind of safari or some nonsense with the South African fellow she met. I’m not sure when she’ll be back.”
I exhale slowly. “After the ball, I hope. I really don’t know how she’ll react to my news.”
“Poorly, most certainly.”
“Right.”
“Did you tell Delaney the dirty bits about that?”
“No.”
Tristan shakes his head. “And why not?”
I shrug. “I didn’t feel like going into it. I briefly mentioned that she wasn’t my favorite person.”
“Not your favorite person? Is that some sort of American way of saying you despise her?”
I laugh softly. “It is. I guess I just didn’t want Delaney preoccupied with something that doesn’t really matter.”
“I understand that. Just as long as Gemma keeps her mouth shut, everything should be fine. And she’s so good at that.”
I sigh. “You’re right, but if she has this other chap, perhaps she won’t care anymore.”
Tristan nods. “Perhaps.” He pats my hand. “And perhaps the sky will turn green tomorrow, and the sea yellow, and the moon purple.”
I glance at my friend. “It’s been so long. She must be over it by now.”
“She is not. Every time I see her, she asks about you.”
I look back at Delaney as she makes eye contact. “I owe her the truth. She’s given up so much to be with me. I just hope Gemma doesn’t cause any trouble, because Delaney may look sweet, but she’s very tough when necessary.”
“We’ll all hope Gemma behaves, but honestly, she could use someone to put her in her place. Someone has to be able to.”
“We’ll see.”
At least an hour later, the doctor finally comes in to address us. He walks straight to my mother and bows his head.
“Your Majesty, the operation went extremely well. Your husband, the King, is resting and stable.”
My mother smiles as she looks around at all of us. “He lives.” She turns, and walks directly to Delaney, extending her hand. Delaney briefly glances at me, before taking it and standing. “What I owe you is beyond all the riches in Havendon, and all the riches in the world. I cannot thank you enough.”
“It was my honor to assist, Your Majesty.”
She smiles, cupping Delaney’s cheek. “I would like you to call me Caterina.”
Ophelia gasps while the others look upon the interaction wide-eyed. Even I am surprised at the gesture. Not even our own family members use her first name.
Mother continues. “I hope you will be my daughter-in-law very soon, and I wish to have an intimate relationship with you. We must break down the formal barriers between us.”
Delaney’s eyes tear up and she curtsies. “I am most honored, Your…” she pauses and smiles. “Caterina.”
Mother smiles and pulls her into a full embrace, another gesture rarely seen outside her two sons. After my mother releases her, she leans close. “Truth be told, I love my boys, but I did always hope for a daughter.”
Delaney smiles and sits next to me, and I wrap my arm around her shoulder.
“I am so proud of you, my love,” I whisper. “For a million reasons. You have endeared yourself to my family, won the Queen’s heart, and completely stolen mine.”
“I’m really happy right now. Do you know why?”
“Tell me?”
“I didn’t have to become something I’m not. Sure, there’s a public persona I have to have, but Tristan, Ophelia, your mother, all accept me the way I am, before they even met me. You love me knowing everything about me. There honestly isn’t anything better than being loved as you are.”
I smile. “I have come to experience that myself. I always wanted to be loved for the man I am, not the title I hold, but didn’t think it was possible. Then I met you and realized it was. Even once you found out, it did not change how you felt about me. I’ve known for a long time that you were the woman for me, but now, well, I would be a fool not to make you my wife and very soon. Are you ready for that?”
She smiles. “Are you proposing?”
I chuckle. “Absolutely not. You know I can do much better.”
“I do know.” She leans her head on my shoulder. “I am ready.”
“Good. I’ll meet with the palace advisors later today to discuss the plan to officially announce my father’s condition. Once we get through that and the ball, you and I can start making future plans.”
“Okay.”
I kiss her forehead. “Do you remember the time you told me how you dreamt of being a princess in a castle with Prince Charming and you thought it was silly?”
She laughs softly. “I do. You said it wasn’t silly, and now I know why. I thought you were just being sweet.”
“No, I was thinking how much I wanted to be your Prince Charming and how I would carry you off to my castle and make you a princess, and well, here we are.”
She looks up at me and smiles. “I guess fairytales can be true.”
“Yes. Our lives won’t be perfect. We will have challenges as we navigate the future, but I am positive that with you by my side, I can handle anything.”
She sits up slightly to be able to kiss my lips. “I’m not supposed to do that in public, but I don’t care. It doesn’t matter what happens next. I chose you and you chose me, and together, we’re unstoppable.”
“Yes, we are.” I smile. “Kiss me again, my rebellious princess. Let’s break the rules.”
Leaning close, I pull her into my arms and kiss her passionately. When I look up, my mother is smiling at me, Tristan winks, Ophelia beams, and Arlan looks truly happy for me. I look down at Delaney gazing up at me.
“I’m dying to know what you said to Arlan earlier.”
&n
bsp; “I told him that he looked like he needed a hug, and if he’d let me, I would like to give him one.”
“Very kind.”
“Then he just started talking about how sad he felt and how much he missed out on by leaving. I told him he was home now and needed to focus only on what he could. The past is gone.”
“Wise words.”
“He said he worries he would never see his father again, and if he does, that he won’t forgive him.”
“What did you say to that?”
“That his father’s actions are not in his control. All he can do is be here and offer his love to him. He needs to make peace with that.”
“True,” I reply, nodding. “I do hope he comes around. Arlan did far less than I did.”
“No one has his naked penis pics on their phones?”
I laugh softly. “No, indeed.”
A few minutes pass and the doctor comes out to lead my mother in to see my father. The rest of us stand and chat then I decide to suggest something crazy.
“My love?”
Delaney looks up at me. “Yes?”
“I have an idea. Since we’ll all be here well into the evening, why don’t you and I prepare a meal for everyone?”
Delaney’s expression is utterly hilarious as she looks at me as though I’ve gone completely mad. Then she bursts into laughter.
“You want us all in the hospital tonight?”
I chuckle. “We can make a mean clam chowdah,” I say slowly, exaggerating her accent. “What do you think?”
She tilts her head. “Do we have everything we need?”
“We can get it.”
“Okay then, but we need a backup plan in case that was a fluke or something.”
“Fair enough.” I walk over to Arlan, Ophelia, and Tristan, with Delaney following me. “Would the three of you like to join us on an adventure?”
After ensuring my mother has support from the others, the five of us, with Harris and Abigail in tow, set off to return to the palace. As we ride back, I glance at Delaney. She looks nervous, but excited, exactly how I feel. Once we arrive back, I lead us into the kitchen, where the staff looks up positively shocked to see several members of the royal family among them. They all immediately bow or curtsy.
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