Princess Thief: Stealing Your Heart

by Jennifer Enander

  “That’s enough, Olivia,” Guillermo commanded. “What’s all of this about?”

  “I just wanted to see the place before we took over. You know, so we could make plans for the remodeling. Oh, and,” Olivia gave Guillermo a coy glance, “I thought I’d give you one more chance to reconsider my marriage proposal.”

  “Marriage?!” Juliette interjected.

  “Oh?” Olivia turned. “Is the flower girl still here?” She faced Guillermo again, “What is she still doing here?”

  Guillermo replied, “She is my fiancée, Olivia, and I’d appreciate it if you would treat her with the respect she is due.”

  “Fiancée, eh?” Olivia looked Juliette up and down, then muttered, “For how much longer, I wonder… Well, no matter.” She spun on Guillermo and continued, “Surely you see how pointless it would be to proceed with that marriage to her? Your only reasonable option is to marry me. If you do, I’m sure daddy would let you keep the throne without any strings attached. You could go play with your orphans in North Africa or whatever; I wouldn’t mind.” Her tone was a disgusting mixture of sugary sweet and condescending.

  Guillermo frowned. “Olivia, listen to me. We dated for 6 weeks when I was in college. That was over 10 years ago. I can’t even remember a single one of our dates. I don’t love you. I never loved you. And I never will love you.”

  Olivia’s face grew red with rage and embarrassment. “Fine. Fine. That’s just fine! I thought I would give you a chance but I should have known better? Well, no matter. With or without you, this castle will be mine within a few days.”

  She turned on her heels with such force that her gauche necklace flew upwards and landed at an angle around her neck. Her venomous eyes found Sofia. “And you! You… you smug little bitch. Always so high and mighty. I’ve waited for years to see you-”

  Wait a minute. That’s not right. Could it be? Is that what this is really all about? Only one way to find out.

  “My, my, my,” Juliette interrupted loudly. “I guess it’s true what they say; money can’t buy class.”

  “What’s that?” Olivia focused her wrath on Juliette. “What’s that? The flower girl has something to say? Say it to my face, you low-rent trash!”

  Juliette chuckled. “Are you always so noisy? No wonder you don’t have a man.”

  Olivia stomped over to Juliette, bent forward and screamed, inches from her face, “How dare you talk to me like that! When I’m queen, I’ll make damned sure you know your place!”

  Juliette pounced — she grabbed the large jewel in Olivia’s necklace and inspected it closely.

  “What?! What are you doing?” Olivia demanded.

  Juliette released the red jewel, leaned back in her chair, and grinned like the Cheshire Cat. “Nice necklace, Olivia.”

  Olivia blanched. She stared at Juliette, frozen.

  Juliette met her gaze and nodded.

  “What?” Roslynne asked, confused. “What is it?”

  Olivia, obviously flustered, declared, “Come, Roslynne. We’re leaving!” Olivia stormed towards the exit, then yelled over her shoulder, “Now!”

  Roslynne, looking lost, finally sighed, shook her head, and followed.

  As soon as they left the room, Juliette turned to Guillermo. “I need to see you and Armand in the King’s Study. We need to talk.”

  “Olivia’s jewelry is fake.”

  Juliette sat across the conference table from Guillermo; Armand stood at his side.

  “They’re expertly done,” Juliette continued, “but they’re fake. Their weight is all wrong, their color is too uniform. I’ve always thought she looked cheap and garish — now I know why. She’s been wearing fake jewelry the entire time.”

  Guillermo leaned forward and asked in a serious tone, “Are you sure?”

  Juliette gave him a withering look. “Who do you think you’re talking to? Hello? Jewel thief over here.”

  Guillermo looked up at Armand, puzzled.

  “Oh, come on. Don’t you see?” Juliette continued. “It’s not a power grab. It’s a money grab! Olivia’s father — the baron — doesn’t want the throne for power or glory or his legacy. He needs the throne for the money.”

  Guillermo’s brow furrowed in thought; he asked Armand, “Wasn’t there a rumor that the baron lost his entire investment in China three years ago? Some resort that was abandoned due to pollution?”

  Armand nodded, “Indeed, there was, sir. I believe the rumor stated that the resort’s construction had been shoddily managed. If I recall correctly, the Chinese government ultimately stepped in and confiscated the entire property a mere weeks before it was completed.”

  “If the Chinese government seized the property, he would have lost everything,” Guillermo noted.

  “Most likely, sir,” Armand agreed.

  Guillermo considered this, then continued, “Do you think he could have sold the jewelry to hide the losses on his investments? Could he have sold them, then had them replaced with fakes?”

  “I think that’s a distinct possibility, yes, sir — especially in light of what Miss Juliette has discovered.”

  “Wait a minute — of course he did!” Guillermo slapped his hands together as a smile spread across his face. “That’s why my brother was looking over the royal ledgers, Armand! That’s why he was so concerned with jewelry thefts before he died. He must have known that something was happening to the jewelry somehow. He just didn’t know what.”

  Armand matched Guillermo’s smile, “That does seem to fit, yes, indeed, sir.”

  “Do you see what this means? We have him, Armand,” Guillermo leapt up and patted Armand’s shoulders. “We have him!”

  “I believe we do, sir,” Armand beamed.

  Juliette interrupted this moment of male bonding with a question. “Wait — what am I missing?”

  “Ah, Juliette,” Guillermo sat back in his chair and smiled a relaxed smile for the first time in hours. “This is even better than your realize. The jewelry that Olivia wears is actually part of the Crown Jewels — or they are supposed to be.”

  “Allow me to explain, miss,” Armand interrupted. “It is a royal tradition — dating back centuries — to loan out certain pieces of the Crown Jewels to members of the aristocracy and members of Parliament. They are allowed to hold onto the jewelry as long as they like; in many instances, this can be decades. We, meaning the royal house, seldom ask for them back unless there is a special event-”

  “-such as a royal coronation,” Guillermo finished triumphantly.

  “Wait a minute,” Juliette said, “You’re saying that you actually own Olivia’s jewelry?”

  “Yep,” Guillermo nodded. “Sofia and I technically own all of the Crown Jewels. Not the fakes, but the real thing. And, with the coronation coming up,” Guillermo’s expression changed to a sly grin, “I’m suddenly in the mood to ask Baron Amsel to return the jewels that we loaned to him.”

  Guillermo turned to Armand. “I’d like to issue a royal proclamation.”

  “Oh! Right away, sir.” Armand reached into the inside pocket of his jacket and produced a small black book and a pen. “Go ahead, sir.”

  Guillermo began dictating, “My dear Baron Amsel. Let me begin by thanking you for your sage words of advice since my return to San Morrando. I have always held your wise guidance in the highest esteem. Your daughter, Lady Olivia, has graced the castle with her presence many times throughout the years. Her gentle demeanor is certainly a credit to her father’s house.”

  Juliette snorted, “Yeah. Right!”

  Guillermo chuckled, then continued, “After weighing all of the options, and after much careful deliberation, I have decided to accept the burden of the crown and proceed with the coronation ceremony. To that end, I must reluctantly ask for the return of the Crown Jewels that we have lent your family over the years. Because we are so pressed for time, I must insist that all of the Royal Jewels be returned to our possession within the next 24 hours.

  “I realize what
a tremendous burden this will be on such a short notice so I am dispatching our Royal Jeweler, Señor Rohner, along with four of our most trusted royal guardsmen to help with the collection. They should arrive at Casa Amsel by mid-afternoon today.

  “As the monetary value of the jewelry to be returned is well over a million dollars, I will not attempt to list all of the pieces here. Instead, Señor Rohner will arrive with an itemized list detailing each piece.

  “Sign it, ‘Yours in San Morrando, Prince Guillermo,’” he concluded.

  Armand could barely contain his laughter. “Oh, very good, sir!”

  “Armand, have that delivered to the baron immediately — even if it’s on the Parliament floor.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “And get a copy to the Solicitor General, too. Attach a note that I must speak with him immediately. We can’t leave him out of the loop.”

  “Yes, sir. It will be done, sir.” Armand briskly left the room.

  As the door closed, Juliette smiled at Guillermo and said, “You’re kind of scary, you know that?”

  Guillermo gazed at Juliette, a huge grin on his face, “I couldn’t have done it without you, my dear.”

  Chapter 16

  Guillermo, Juliette, and Sofia were gathered around a laptop in the Solicitor General’s office, watching the video stream of a local newscast, while the Solicitor General sat at his desk, typing on his computer.

  On the laptop screen, a reporter seated behind an anchor desk smiled pleasantly into the camera, “We take you now to our live coverage at the Palais d’Or. Eulalia?”

  The video cut to a shot of a reporter holding a microphone with a big numeral 6 printed on it. “Reina, I’m standing in front of the Palais d’Or where we are awaiting the arrival of Baron Silvio Michel Amsel, the senior Senator of the San Morrando Parliament. As everyone has heard by now, the senator abruptly suspended debate on his new bill today, a bill designed to restrict the movements of the royal family — many would say, unfairly restrict those movements. After pulling that bill, he then adjourned Parliament in mid-session and, we’re told, is rushing to an urgent meeting here at the castle with Prince Guillermo.”

  “Eulalia, the producers are telling me that suspending Parliament in mid-session is highly unusual. Do you have any more information on that?”

  The reporter nodded. “It is highly unusual, Reina. We have only seen something this bizarre during a time of war. It’s almost unprecedented. In fact, the last time this happened— oh, wait, Reina.” The reporter looked off camera. “Yes, I can see him. Here is the baron’s car now, just entering the compound. I’m going to try to get a word with him.”

  The picture bounced unsteadily as the cameraman chased after the reporter. A black limousine pulled to a halt in the driveway; multiple microphones stretched out as the chauffeur opened the rear door. “Baron Amsel! Baron Amsel!” shouts rose up from the reporters.

  “Why did you suspend Parliament?”

  “Is it true that you’re reconsidering your bill?”

  The baron emerged from the car, looking ashen and shaken. He waved off the reporters and stormed inside the castle.

  “Baron Amsel! What are you hiding?”

  “Do you have anything to say to your constituents?”

  The camera hastily jerked away from the castle entrance and refocused on the reporter. “Well, there you have it, Reina. Baron Amsel entering Palais d’Or under a cloud of mystery. We’ll stand by for further developments.”

  Guillermo bent down and pressed the mute button.

  Armand entered the Solicitor General’s office and closed the door behind him. “The baron is in the King’s Study, sir.”

  “Good. Let him wait,” Guillermo chuckled. “Was it difficult getting the media out here on such short notice?”

  “Oh, no, sir,” Armand responded. “They were most cooperative.”

  Guillermo nodded. “And the press secretary knows that I want a podium with a row of microphones set up for the baron’s exit, right?”

  “Yes, sir,” Armand assured him. “It will be done.”

  Guillermo called over to the Solicitor General, “Ordaz, do we have the ‘terms of surrender’ ready to go?”

  “Yes, sir, right here,” the Solicitor General, Señor Ordaz, held up a sheet of paper. “All it needs is his signature. But, sir, I must reiterate, I feel that you are being far too generous with the baron.”

  “I appreciate that, Ordaz, but I don’t want to start a constitutional crisis,” Guillermo responded. “He is the senior Senator in Parliament after all. A public humiliation would be bad for the country.”

  Juliette interjected, “All I can say is he’s lucky you’re the prince. I’d have him tarred and feathered and paraded down Main Street at high noon. And that little snit Olivia, too!”

  Guillermo and Sofia laughed.

  “One must show restraint, Juliette,” Sofia winked, rubbing her sore shin.

  Juliette smiled.

  Guillermo straightened his coat and asked, “Well, Señor Ordaz, Armand, shall we go and see what the baron wants?”

  Juliette and Sofia were still seated on the couch watching the news channel’s video stream on Sofia’s laptop when Guillermo, Armand, and Señor Ordaz all entered the room. Guillermo sighed and began shrugging off his jacket. Armand closed the door, then rushed over to help the prince.

  “Is it over?” Juliette asked.

  Guillermo nodded. “He signed.”

  “Yay!” Sofia clapped her hands happily.

  Guillermo nodded at the laptop. “Raise the volume. I want to hear this.”

  Juliette leaned forward and pressed the volume button.

  “-is just stepping up to the podium now,” the reporter’s tinny voice poured out of the laptop speakers. “We’re told he’ll be making an official statement. Here he is now.”

  “My fellow citizens of San Morrando,” the baron stood in front of the podium and began speaking. “As you know, we in the Parliament have been weighing several important issues concerning the future of the monarchy of this country. I’ve always considered it my duty to be true to the spirit of our forefathers-”

  “This guy can’t even say, ‘I’m done,’ without a thesaurus in his hand,” Juliette mumbled.

  Sofia giggled. Guillermo shushed them both.

  “-that the citizenry of San Morrando demands — nay, I dare say, deserves,” the baron pontificated. “And so, after receiving assurances from the crown, I feel there is no need to advance the Royal Traditions Bill any further at this time.”

  “Baron Amsel!”

  “Baron Amsel! Does this mean you’ll be pulling the bill from the floor permanently?”

  The baron gripped the podium. “One can never say never, young lady, so I would hesitate to use the word ‘permanently.’”

  “Baron Amsel!”

  “But you are pulling the bill, are you not?”

  The baron nodded solemnly, “That is my intention, yes.”

  “Baron Amsel!”

  “Baron Amsel!”

  “You can shut it off,” Guillermo said. “That’s the important part. The rest will just be more hot air.”

  Sofia clicked the stop button and said, “The nerve of that guy.”

  “It’s what he does,” Guillermo shrugged. “Making a loss seem like a win. He’s a politician through and through. But he won’t be causing us any more trouble. We’ve got his signature now.” Guillermo turned. “Armand, I’m in the mood for a nice meal tonight. Would you let the kitchen staff know that we’ll be eating in the formal dining room this evening?”

  Armand bowed and smiled. “Very good, sir.”

  Juliette wandered through the Royal Garden, pausing occasionally to sniff the many colorful flowers. It was just after 9:00; she was pleasantly full; sleepy, but not tired; content and strangely happy. The celebration dinner in the formal dining room had been sumptuously prepared. Everyone was laughing — even the servants. The conversation flowed easily and cheerfu
lly. She had never seen Guillermo look so happy — nor Sofia, for that matter. Señor Ordaz told such wonderfully entertaining stories that time flew by.

  She stretched her hands over her head and gazed up at the twinkling stars in the sky. She felt a profound sense of accomplishment, proud of how things had resolved themselves — and of the small part that she had played.

  There’s just one last piece to this puzzle and then I can leave without any regrets.

  “Sorry I’m late,” Guillermo said, jogging up to her. “I was talking with Sofia and making some last minute arrangements.” He had changed into casual clothes; jeans and a sports shirt. The scent of his cologne mixed with the fresh flowers; Juliette inhaled deeply and smiled.

  She glanced behind him. “Where is Sofia?”

  “She’s out celebrating with friends,” Guillermo answered, then displayed a proud grin. “I told her that I would be staying on as king after the year was up and that she wouldn’t have to worry about becoming queen for a long, long time.”

  “Oh, Guillermo, that’s music to my ears!” Juliette hopped up and down like a little girl overwhelmed with joy.

  “Yes, I had a feeling that you might be happy to hear that.”

  Guillermo and Juliette began casually strolling down the garden path side by side.

  “Can I ask you something?” Juliette said. “What exactly was written on that paper that you made Baron Amsel sign?”

  “Oh, that,” Guillermo replied. “I simply agreed to extend his loan of the Crown Jewels indefinitely. In exchange, he agreed to drop the Royal Traditions Bill. And I agreed to stay silent about his theft.”

  “No wonder Señor Ordaz was upset,” Juliette said. “That’s a steep price to pay! Weren’t those jewels valued at over a million dollars?”

  Guillermo nodded, “And I was quite willing to sacrifice that for the good of the country. But when we were bargaining earlier, the baron let slip that the jewels were only being used as collateral. In other words, that means that he pawned the jewelry, but he didn’t actually sell them, so we should be able to get at least some of them back. Eventually.”