“I’m glad I can work from anywhere, and my boss gave me permission to work from here.”
That made Lani laugh. “You’re your own boss.”
Madi released her and tossed her hair as she sat in one of the chairs. “Your point?”
Lani sank back down onto the couch. “Thank you.”
“I didn’t even pay for the flight. By the way, Jonathan upgraded me to first class. Pretty sure I’ll never fly any other way ever again.”
“Good luck with that.”
“Any word?” Madi asked softly.
Lani shook her head as she slumped farther down. “No. I sent like five texts, maybe six or seven, but I don’t want to be a pest. I know Harrison has a lot going on, and his father may have even forbidden him from contacting me or something, so I stopped. I told him I’d be waiting, but I don’t want to wait. Not just wait, anyway.”
Madi leaned forward and whispered. “Think we can storm the castle? Or sneak in? You know where the secret passages are yet?”
Lani gave her a small smile. “No. Not yet. We’re not crashing the castle though. I just want to get outside. Go do something. Maybe some of the stuff that was on my agenda anyway. I think we were supposed to visit a nursing home or something later today. Why can’t I do that anyway? I doubt any press will be there, because they’ll have been told it’s canceled.”
“Do you have an assistant or something who can help us?”
Lani bounced up. “I have no idea. I have my original itinerary. We can sneak out of here, grab a Yfir, and go.” She looked down at her pajamas, ones she’d been wearing for nearly two full days, having changed into something comfortable as soon as she climbed out of the tub. “Let me change.”
It took half an hour for Lani to get ready, but Madi took far less time. She spent the rest of it looking up the care center and how far away it was.
By the time she finished getting ready, they had an hour before Lani was supposed to arrive.
“So how do we get out of here?”
“We head for the gardens.” Madi had used the map on her phone to get an idea of what the area looked like. “If we run into anyone, we just say we need some fresh air. It looks like there’s a service entrance. Maybe we can sneak out that. If not, the walls look easily scalable.”
“That doesn’t seem like it would be a thing, but we can try.” Or maybe the direct approach? Walk out the front door like they owned the place?
They went with Madi’s idea first. No one stopped them as they walked out the door to the gardens, or as they simply walked out the service drive. There was a guard stationed there, but he didn’t even look at them.
Of course, it wasn’t the palace, and they weren’t trying to get in.
They walked a few blocks then Madi used her phone to call a ride. Lani wore big sunglasses and tried to stay inconspicuous, but she still got looks from people walking near them. Did they recognize her or was there some other vibe she was giving off?
The car pulled up, and Madi let her get in first.
The driver wasn’t very talkative, which suited Lani fine. Madi had him drop them off close to the home but not directly in front. Five minutes before she was supposed to arrive, they crossed the street and walked across the parking lot.
A few people waited outside, maybe hoping against hope that the prince and new princess would show up after all.
None of them paid much attention to Lani or her sister as they walked in.
“See?” Madi said softly. “They’re looking for an entourage, not a couple of Missouri girls who might be coming to see a long-lost aunt.”
She had a point. People saw what they wanted to see.
“Can I help you?” the receptionist asked.
Lani pushed her sunglasses up into her hair. “I’m supposed to have a tour of the facility and perhaps chat with some residents.”
The woman’s eyes narrowed slight as she stared at Lani. “The only people who were supposed to have a tour today were Prince Harrison and his wife.”
“Yes.”
“That was canceled.”
Lani took a deep breath and tried to project a confidence she didn’t really feel. “Harrison is unable to be here, but my schedule was free after all. If it’s possible, my sister and I would love to have the tour and spend some time here anyway.”
She could see the wheels turning in the woman’s head and exactly when it registered who Lani was.
The woman curtsied as she grabbed for the phone, knocking the handset out of the cradle. “Of course, ma’am. Thank you for coming.” She bobbled the handset before managing to get it situated properly and hitting a button. “Ms. Harding, one of today’s special guests was able to make it after all and is waiting out here for you.” She listened for a moment then nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”
She hung up. “If you’ll both come with me.”
Lani and Madi exchanged an amused glance then followed the receptionist through secured doors. That made Lani feel better since she knew she wasn’t supposed to go anywhere without security present.
“Can I get a photo with you, ma’am?” the receptionist asked before clapping her hand over her mouth. “I’m sorry. We’re not supposed to ask that.”
Lani gave her best princess-y smile. “Of course.”
As Madi finished taking the photo, Ms. Harding hurried up to them.
Lani turned her attention to what the administrator was saying but knew her visit wouldn’t remain clandestine for long. Pictures would get out quickly.
What would Harrison - and his father - say when they found out?
Was that a smirk on his father’s face?
Harrison couldn’t be sure, and it was gone before he had a chance to fully evaluate the look.
“What is Lani up to?” he asked, sitting back in his desk chair after the reception ended. They had half an hour before his father had to meet with those gathered. They were meeting without his father, but he would join them momentarily.
Harrison blinked. “I have no idea. I haven’t had any contact with her since she was removed from the palace. I texted her once. She’s texted me several times but all innocuous. She didn’t say anything about doing anything.”
“She went to the care center. Unannounced and unaccompanied by anyone but her sister.”
“Then how do you know?” Harrison pulled his phone out. There she was on social media, her already blue-checked official page tagged in photos of her with residents and others at the facility.
Some were clearly posed, but not all of them, taken by friends or family members visiting the residents.
“Her security team is headed over there to pick her up.” Harrison’s assistant walked into the office.
“How did she get there?”
Dalton looked at his tablet. “We’re looking into that right now. Best first guess? They just walked out and caught a taxi or other ride. The security team there generally looks for threats coming in not wayward princesses sneaking out.”
“Be careful how you address her.” His father’s voice sounded resigned.
“Yes, sir.” Just as there was no censure in his father’s voice, there was no apology in his assistant’s reply.
“I demand to see the king!”
All three of them turned to the massive door leading to the outer office.
Dalton hurried to a side door that would allow him to enter the outer office from a different direction rather than the king’s office.
“Who is it?” Harrison asked.
“I would imagine it’s the Duke of Albertion. He likely saw the pictures and press coverage.”
“I didn’t think there was any press there.” Harrison looked at his phone again.
Articles were starting to pop up.
Prince-less Princess Keeps to Schedule at Elder Care Home
Amid Rumors of a Split, Princess Visits Elder Home
We Found Princess Lani. Where’s Harry?
The diminutive of his name grated on Harrison.
It was one thing when he used it occasionally, but for the tabloid press to? That annoyed him to no end.
He skimmed one article. Rumors abounded that he and Lani had a major fight, and she’d been kicked out of the palace.
According to the article, divorce attorneys had been called in. Lani was demanding half of everything. Harrison was fighting back.
Lani was pregnant.
The last was the most ridiculous claim, even if Harrison knew it was biologically impossible for Lani to be pregnant with his child.
The main office door opened, letting Dalton back in.
“Sir, the Duke of Albertion would like to see you to discuss, and I quote, ‘the strumpet’s exploits’.”
That look wasn’t a smirk but barely concealed anger. “Make him wait a few minutes then send him in.”
“Yes, sir.”
When it was just the two of them again, his father gave Harrison the look.
“Sit. Quietly. Do not say anything while he’s in here. Do I make myself clear?”
Harrison moved to one of the chairs across from his father’s desk. “Yes, sir.”
A minute later, the duke walked in. “What is all this?” He waved a tablet around like he expected them to be able to read it in motion.
Harrison’s father hadn’t risen, but motioned to the chair next to Harrison. The duke didn’t take it.
“I’m afraid I have no idea what you’re talking about,” the king said in his king voice.
“This so-called daughter-in-law of yours continuing the tour.”
“If she chose to go somewhere unannounced, there’s not much I can do about it. She’s a young woman who wanted to do something nice for some of our elder care residents. I’d imagine they quite enjoyed spending time with her. She’s a lovely young woman.”
“Then I demand the contract be upheld. Since Harry clearly has no intention of upholding his end, it’s time you upheld your end to compensate my family for the loss of partnership.” The man’s voice rose and his face grew redder with each word.
“I suggest you remember to address my son appropriately, until you have been given leave by him not to. Since you have yet to produce the actual contract for verification, and there’s no copy in the Hall of Records, there’s nothing I can do.”
The news about there not being a copy in the Hall clearly came as a surprise to the duke. “It’s been hidden or destroyed then. It’s not my fault, or my granddaughter’s, that your staff is incompetent.” He stood. “I’m going to the Council and Parliament to have them force you to cooperate.”
Harrison’s father slowly and deliberately pushed back from his desk and stood, buttoning his suit coat as he did. “Why don’t we do that? Do you have the original document with you to prove your side of the claim?”
The man stuttered then glared. “Of course not. Do you think I carry a priceless document around with me at all times? It’s safe. You have the copy.”
“I’m afraid the original will need to be verified before any concessions can be considered.” He unbuttoned his coat as he sat back down. “Now, I have work to do until it’s time for me to meet with the Council and Parliamentary leaders again. I do believe you are supposed to be in that meeting right now. I would hate for anyone to believe you’re shirking your duty as a member of Parliament’s leadership.”
That made him lose a bit of his bluster. “It’s authentic. Your family owes mine either a marriage or compensation.”
“Do you really want your granddaughter to marry a man whose heart already chose another woman?” the king asked quietly. “What kind of life would that be for her? I can’t imagine asking, much less demanding, it of Sofia, Gracie, Kiara, or Mary.”
Something seemed to get through to the duke, but he didn’t say anything as he stormed out of the office.
“Did it work?” Harrison asked his father.
His father just sighed. “We’ll see.”
20
Far sooner than Lani would have liked, security arrived at the care center and dragged her away from a pleasant conversation with an elderly San Majorian.
Dragged might be a bit of an exaggeration.
Quietly, but firmly, insisted it was time to leave.
Then ushered her out the back door to a waiting SUV where she and Madi were whisked away to the palace.
“This is the part where I get lectured,” Lani whispered to Madi as she replied to Mia’s text about the photos, promising to fill her in on everything later.
“I doubt that.” Madi didn’t sound convinced.
Lani had stopped gawking at the parts of the palace she’d been to more than once, but Madi didn’t even try to keep her amazement to herself.
“This is so cool,” she whispered loudly. “I bet Mom was beside herself.”
Lani managed to keep her groan to herself. “We’ll talk about them later.”
“That doesn’t sound good.”
“It wasn’t.” Lani glanced down one of the wide halls where the doors to the Hall of Records had beckoned her mother. There was now a guard in front of the doors.
They were ushered into a small anteroom and told to wait. A minute later, Harrison’s assistant walked in.
“Good afternoon, ladies.” Wasn’t his name Dalton? “Is there anything I can get you while you wait? Water? A small snack?”
“Water would be lovely, thank you.” Lani told him.
“What happened with Mom and Dad?” Madi asked when they were alone again.
“Mom decided the velvet ropes were just suggestions and went into a room that’s off limits to all but three people without authorization.”
“Why wasn’t it locked? Or a guard posted?”
Dalton came back in with a water for each of them.
Once he left, Lani shrugged. “Because no one would dare go in there without permission except Mom. I’d guess no one is allowed to wander unsupervised so it’s not an issue, but Mom managed it somehow. It seems like a waste of manpower for something that doesn’t have much chance of happening. She was in there less than a minute before security found her.”
“Enough time to wreak havoc if she really wanted to, though.”
“I can’t imagine she did. How would she know what to go after? She probably just gawked. I don’t think the staff was sad to see them go.” Lani let her head fall backward. “They both treated the staff like their own personal servants. Had everyone running hither and yon for them without so much as a thank you. Harrison’s family doesn’t treat them like that, and they’re the employers.”
“Does that surprise you?” Madi twisted the lid off her bottle of water.
“No, but I’d hoped.”
Before she could say anything else, the door opened. Lani recognized the head of security for the palace. “Your presence has been requested by the king.”
Lani and Madi followed him down a couple of hallways and up an impressive flight of stairs to a door that wasn’t the one Lani had used before to enter the king’s office.
That couldn’t be good.
Sure enough. They entered a large conference room with seating for probably fifty people. At least two-thirds of the seats were filled, mostly with dour-looking men.
As the door closed behind her, Lani turned to her father-in-law and curtsied. Madi followed her movements, just a second behind.
He stood. “Vilano Beach Cordova, Princess of San Majoria, come forward and be heard.”
Huh?
Lani glanced at Madi who had no more idea of what he was talking about.
A man walked to Lani’s side, standing close as he faced her. “Relax. I’m here to guide you through this.”
Whatever this was.
“I object!” A man seated to the right of the king stood.
“To what, Duke of Albertion?”
“The use of title and dynasty name.”
So this was the guy trying to nullify her marriage.
King Edward turned to her. “Can you tell us what your legal name is?
”
“Vilano Cordova,” she answered. “I don’t have a new Social Security card yet, but it’s on the way. My driver’s license should have arrived at Harrison’s house by now, but I have the paper one with me. I haven’t applied for a new passport yet. I hadn’t planned to use it just yet.”
“How long has this been your name?”
Lani tried not to look at Harrison, but she couldn’t help it. Instead of the silent encouragement she’d hoped for, he was staring at his hands where they were folded on the table in front of him.
“A couple of weeks? I don’t know when the effective date is. It could be our wedding day, but it was another week before I was able to get to the various offices to fill out the forms.”
“So in your homeland, you are married to Harrison Cordova?”
“Yeah.”
The man next to her cleared his throat so softly she doubted anyone else heard it.
“Yes, Your Majesty, sir.” Back home as long as she spoke respectfully, it likely wouldn’t matter if she used a title for someone or not. Here it did. She needed to remember that.
He turned back to the duke. “Your objection is noted and dismissed.”
“How am I supposed to get a fair hearing if the final arbiter of what’s allowed and what’s not is biased?” The man was going to blow a gasket if he wasn’t careful.
“Are you saying you believe the crown can’t put aside prejudices when necessary?”
The man backpedaled. “No, sir. Just that to avoid the appearance of familial preference, this should be handled by someone else.”
“Your objection has been noted and dismissed.”
During the exchange, Lani and the other man walked to the front of the room where he held a seat for her across from Sir Angry Duke.
“This special hearing is being held to determine if the marriage of Prince Harrison and Vilano Cordova, Princess of San Majoria, is to be invalidated in San Majoria, thereby requiring a dissolution to be obtained in the United States.”
Lani’s heart stood still and her breath caught in her throat.
She wasn’t ready for this.
And from the look on Harrison’s face when he finally glanced her way, she wasn’t going to like the outcome.
Small Town Girls Don't Marry Secret Princes: A Small Town Contemporary Christian Romance (Beaches of Trumanville Book 2) Page 14
