“You ruined everything.” She continues pacing. “Why couldn’t you just…” she stops speaking, rubbing her bloodied hand across her forehead. “I don’t understand,” she sobs. “You love Tristan. You love my parents, but you hate me. Why?”
“I never hated you, but I was not interested in a relationship with you, and you know why. We’ve discussed this so many times.” I step closer. “I don’t understand why you can’t just accept it.”
“It’s not fair. I’m pretty. I’m smart. I could’ve been a good princess.”
“What do you know about me, Gemma? What is my favorite color? Food? How do I like to spend my free time? What events shaped my life the most?”
She crinkles her forehead at me. “I don’t know.”
“Exactly. You don’t know and you never tried to know. You wanted me for a title, a lifestyle, but you never wanted me.”
“That’s not true. I do. Everyone does, but I would’ve done anything you wanted to make you happy. Anything.”
“Do you still want to make me happy?”
She nods rapidly. “Of course.”
“Then I want you to put the letter opener down and stop harming yourself. I want you to talk to your parents. I want you to tell the truth about my interactions with you. That would make me happy, Gemma.”
She wipes her tear stained cheeks. “I’d rather die. I’ve humiliated my family. I’ve ruined any chance I have of being accepted here. I’ll never marry. There is no point.” She glances at the balcony. “I will die here in the place I always wanted to live.”
“I will not let you die, Gemma. I will not let you destroy your family. I will not allow it.”
She hesitates, staring at the floor for a moment before looking up at me. “Will you kiss me? Just once and then I’ll go.”
“I cannot. I am engaged, and I am faithful.”
Gemma frowns. “I won’t tell her. Please?”
I sigh, trying to hide my frustration. “I’m sorry. I cannot.”
“You would deny me this one wish?”
“I must.”
She looks down at the floor again briefly before looking back at me and putting the letter opener against her throat. As alarming as this is, I don’t think it’s sharp enough to slit her throat, but I can’t be sure.
“Put it down. Let’s stop this now.”
“No.” She presses it against her flesh. “I’m sorry, Lathan. I didn’t mean to cause so much trouble.”
“No? It feels like you did.”
“I just wanted your attention. I just wanted you to want me.” She looks at the door. “Let them in. I want to say goodbye.”
I nod, deciding at least if others are here, they can help me. Opening the door, I gesture with my eyes. “She is not well. She intends to say goodbye.” Her mother gasps as they enter.
“I’ll wait here,” Delaney says.
“No,” Gemma calls out, “her too.” Delaney walks in cautiously. “I have something to say.”
“Gemma, darling,” her mother says. “Come home with me. We’ll take care of you.”
“No, mother. It’s gone too far.” She looks at Delaney with deeply sad eyes. “Since I will die soon, I want to tell the truth to my family.” She glances at her mother briefly. “Lathan… he has never had sex with me. I was not pregnant.” Tears stream down her cheeks as she shakes. “I am still a virgin.”
We’re all silent as this news sinks in.
“I saved myself for him. Every man that’s ever liked me, I sabotaged so I would always be available if Lathan wanted me.” She looks at her parents. “I am sorry I embarrassed you with my lies.”
“Put the opener down,” her father says softly. “We forgive you. Just, please…”
She shakes her head. “I’ve done such bad things to Lathan. I was going to tell everyone that you used me, left me pregnant, forced an abortion, but you found out, and you ruined it. I don’t know why or how, but suddenly, I can see how awful I’ve been. I’ve wanted you all my life, Lathan. I thought if I made myself extra pretty with makeup and hair dye, and plastic boobs, you would think me worthy of you, but you never did. No matter what I tried, I could not gain your attention. I thought if I could act like a princess, you would see me as one. As yours.” She backs away from us. “But then I ruined it with my jealousy when you went to Ibiza. You could never forgive me, and I knew it then. So I tried to hate you and ruin your life, but I cannot hate you. Because I love you.” Her eyes meet the many staring back at her. “I understand now that you cannot love me. You never did, and you never will. You love her. She is your princess.” Her voice cracks as tears take over, and I have to admit, I am affected by her sadness. I always thought she was shallow, but perhaps I was wrong.
“I am willing to forgive you,” I say, softly. “Let us talk about it.”
“No.” She shakes her head. “I don’t want to live anymore. I don’t want to be tormented day and night with thoughts of you and her. I don’t want to hear about your wedding and your babies and how beautiful and exotic and lovely and kind she is. I cannot bear it.”
“Gemma,” Delaney says softly, walking slowly toward her. Gemma reacts by backing away abruptly, so Delaney puts her hand up to calm her. “No, just listen. Just listen. I won’t touch you.”
Gemma eyes her suspiciously. “I hate you.”
“I know.” She steps closer and Gemma doesn’t move, a positive sign. “You don’t have to give up now. You are young and pretty and have your whole life to reinvent your future. You can leave Havendon and go somewhere else where no one knows you. You can still be whatever you want to be, Gemma. Maybe not a literal princess, I don’t know, but for some man out there, you could be his figurative princess, and that’s still really good.”
“Why should I listen to you? You should want me dead.”
“Why would I want that? That’s a horrible thought. Look at your parents and your brother standing here with tears in their eyes. Do you think they want you to die?”
“They should rather want that than be humiliated.”
“They don’t want it. They love you more than you know. Lathan doesn’t wish it. I don’t wish it. Think of the news stories tomorrow reporting the tragic loss of a young woman still in her prime. Imagine the faces of pity and condolence as your parents walk down the street. The whispers that their only daughter took her own life over what? A man? When there are so many others in the world?”
“I don’t care.”
“You do care, Gemma. I can see it in your eyes. If you really wanted to die, you would have done it by now.” She steps closer still. “But there’s a part of you somewhere that believes me. The part that knows you are pretty, and men desire you, and you can find love. There’s a part of you that thinks starting over elsewhere is exciting, and I know there is a part of you that loves your family so deeply you would never want to hurt them by leaving this earth too soon.” She extends her hand. “Give me the opener.”
Gemma shakes her head, still glancing at the balcony. “I’m afraid.”
“Of what?”
“Everything.”
“That’s okay. I’m afraid of a lot of stuff too. You can fix this. You can give me the opener, and go with your parents, and they will help you. It’s really what you want to do.”
Gemma starts to hand Delaney the letter opener, but then suddenly lunges toward the balcony. Before any of us can even react, Fallyn springs into action, grabbing Gemma by the arm and pulling her to the floor. Gemma, completely shocked, drops the opener as her parents and Tristan rush to her side. We watch as she cries hysterically, pulling at her own hair, and sobbing that she loved me. She won’t get up off the floor despite her mother’s pleadings.
“This is awful,” I murmur.
“It really is,” Delaney says. “I wish I could do more.”
“You did great,” Fallyn says, rubbing Delaney’s back. “I think you calmed her down a lot, but she’s just in a really bad place.”
Arlan motion
s for the palace guards and doctor to come in. The doctor kneels in front of Gemma, then injects a needle into her arm with something that causes her to immediately calm down. Once she’s sedated, Tristan lifts her from the floor and carries her out the door with the doctor and guards in tow. Her father walks toward us.
“Thank you for talking with her and being so kind. Both of you,” he says to Delaney and me. “After what she’s done, I would have understood if you could not find it in your heart to help.”
I pat his shoulder. “You know how I love you, as if you are my own blood. I could not sit back and let her break your hearts in front of me. Despite the events of late, I do not wish her harm. I only want her to get better and find happiness.”
“A wish we all want,” he says, then shifts his eyes to Delaney and Fallyn. “Thank you Delaney for speaking with her and to you Fallyn for your bravery. You have my unending gratitude.” He sighs. “I swear it to you that somewhere inside, she is not evil. I’ve never understood why her moods are so dark, her views of the world so negative, her hostility toward things that are good. She’s always been that way, even as a small child, but there are times when I would see a glimmer of kindness in her and hope it would take hold. Sadly, it never did.”
“It is nothing you did,” I say. “I know firsthand what wonderful parents you are. Tristan, and his big, kind heart is proof of that. I cannot explain why Gemma suffers as she does, but perhaps, with help, she can become new again.”
“I do hope so.”
“You and your family will always be welcome with me and mine. Always. I will never turn from you or speak ill of you, but please understand, I cannot extend that openness to your daughter.”
“Of course not. I would not expect you to. With help from your father, we located a facility in a remote area where she can be for a long time. It’s very nice there, picturesque in scenery with very fine doctors. She will be there for a long time, and then perhaps someday, she will be well and she can start over.” He bows slightly. “Away from Havendon.”
“Just know that if you need anything at all say the word.”
“Thank you, Lathan. Your support means everything to me.”
“I am sorry that I had to make a public announcement of these events.”
“I understand. Your father told me well in advance, and I agreed with that approach. While I love my daughter, I do not want her to be the reason the monarchy is stained. When she is able, she will release a statement of retraction, I assure you.”
“Thank you. Go be with your wife and son as they help her.”
He nods. “I will.”
As he exits the room, the four of us stand together in silence, then Fallyn, smiles. “So, I don’t know about the rest of you, but I could really use a big plate of pasta. Know any good countries we can get some from?”
We all laugh as I put my arm around Delaney’s shoulder. “As a matter of fact I do. Let’s pack ourselves up and get out of here a little earlier.”
We walk down the hall to our bedrooms, splitting off to pack and agreeing to meet up in a couple of hours. Once in our room, I pull Delaney into my arms and kiss her deeply.
“Very soon, my darling, we’ll be in Rome with St. Peter’s looming majestically in the background. Tomorrow at midnight, I will pull you close, and you will kiss your prince.”
Delaney smiles. “Correction, my love, I will kiss my king.”
Grinning, I gently pinch her cheek. “That sounds wicked awesome.”
As Delaney throws her head back in laughter, I take a moment to reflect on the past year of my life. So much has changed, but all of it for the better. I never thought I’d be back home so soon, a king at my young age, and about to marry the woman I could have only imagined in my dreams.
Scooping Delaney off her feet, I carry her to the bed and lay her down, then climb in hovering about her. She reaches up and runs her fingers through my hair with the sweetest smile on her face.
“What’s on your mind, Your Majesty?”
“Everything. I love you, my darling. So much.”
“I know.”
“I must dine on you once more before we go.”
“We really don’t have time for that.”
I smile. “Ah, but we are rebellious, are we not? Or have you been reformed?”
Delaney laughs softly. “I told you a long time ago, and I’ll tell you again today. I am yours in rebellion. Always.”
“I couldn’t ask for anything more.”
As I inch my way down her luscious body, a smile spreads across my face. With Delaney by my side, I most definitely could not ask for more.
June 2
As Olivia and several other women straighten and fluff my gown, I gaze at my reflection in the full length mirror. Fallyn and my mother sit in two chairs behind me watching the action take place. The day has been filled with so much royal protocol my head could explode, but I remind myself of the prize I get when it’s all done. Lathan.
“You look so beautiful,” my mother says softly. “Like a true princess.”
“Thanks, Mom. I feel like, I don’t know, like Cinderella at the ball.”
“You look way better than that,” Fallyn chimes in. “Is this crazy or what? Not only are you getting married, but it’s the most famous wedding in the country. It’s mind blowing.”
“For you and me both.” I turn slightly as Olivia finishes tying the corseted back of my gown. “My title is official today.”
“It’s not really that different,” Fallyn says. “If you think about it. You’ve been living this royal life for a year and they already call you a princess.”
“Yeah, but now it’s royal highness and all the curtsy and bowing business.” I notice how Olivia grins. “Right, Olivia?”
“Correct, Madam.”
“So,” Fallyn starts, “when you become queen, what is Lathan’s mom called?”
I realize I don’t know the answer. “Olivia?”
“The Queen Mother, Madam.”
“Oh, that’s what they call the queen’s mother in England too I think,” my mom says. “The Queen Mum.”
“They don’t say mum here,” I explain. “Although, I almost expect they would. Sometimes the speech here seems very British.”
“We were governed by the British Empire for hundreds of years,” Olivia adds. “Then we changed hands many times, Spain, France, Greece, Italy, Germany. Our influences are many, but our culture is distinct.”
“Yes, it is.” I smile. “I’m just glad English is spoken.”
Olivia smiles softly. “Almost exclusively. They’ve even talked about removing Havendonian from schools as the main language and offering it only as an elective.”
“How do you feel about that?”
“Concerned. Language is one thing we always maintained in spite of our many conquerors. I worry children won’t learn it, and eventually it will fade away.”
I nod considering her words. “Does the King have a say in what is taught in schools?”
“Yes, of course, Madam. He will be presented with a proposal that he will approve or decline.”
“I see. When is that expected to happen?”
“Next January.”
I pat her arm. “Well, don’t worry. I agree with you, and I happen to have some influence with the royal family.”
Olivia actually laughs, causing my eyes to open wide. I’m sure I’ve never heard it. “Of course you do, Madam. Now, enough talk of politics. I am finished.”
I turn back to the mirror to take in my appearance again, but then face the door when there’s a knock.
“I’ll get it,” Fallyn says, hopping up to answer. She steps into the hall, momentarily disappearing from view, then returns, smiling. “Her Majesty, the Queen approaches and wishes to speak to you alone.”
I nod. “I expected it. Lathan told me she would.”
“We’ll, uh, go get some water,” she says, motioning for everyone to join her. My mother, dabbing her eyes with a tissue,
pats my cheek before existing the room.
A moment later, the door opens and the Queen enters looking lovely in a dark purple full length gown. She smiles and walks toward me with a package in her hand.
“You look absolutely royal,” she says. “Beautiful, Delaney.”
I curtsy. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“Ah, what shall you call me?”
I smile. “Caterina. Thank you.”
“I could not be happier this day has arrived. I gain a daughter, my son a wife, my country a queen. It is a joyful event.”
“It is. I’m trying to keep it together and not mess up my makeup.”
“An important task. Every eye will be on you today. The country, all of Europe, even America.”
“No pressure.”
Caterina laughs softly. “You will do well. I am sure of it.” She lifts the package in her hand. “I want to give you something very important.”
“Okay.” She opens the box and when I see what it is, I gasp. “I couldn’t.”
“Oh, but you must. It is tradition. I knew when a second son was born, and not a girl, this would go to my first son’s wife. That is you. You will give it to your daughter, and if one is not born, you will give it to your first son’s wife.”
“It’s so beautiful.”
“It belonged to Lathan’s grandmother who gave it to me. It was given to her by her mother and so on. I do not know how old it actually is, but some say it was made when Michelangelo lived. May I put it on you?”
“Yes, please.”
Caterina lifts the delicate jeweled necklace from its velvet box then steps behind me to put it around my neck. As she does, I look in the mirror, lightly touching the diamond and sapphires decorating my throat.
“I heard in America you should have something blue on your wedding day,” Caterina says. “Now you do.”
I nod, smiling. “Now I do.” Turning toward her, I continue. “I am so honored.”
“You are deserving. Later, Lathan will show you the room where we keep our jewelry.”
“Room?”
“Oh yes. There are crowns, tiara’s, necklaces, rings…” she pauses, smiling. “All sorts of treasures. You are a very rich woman now.”
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