A Royal Surprise

by Nichole Blithe

  “I can, and I will.” He steps out from behind his desk and begins pacing in front of the window. “I don’t know why it didn’t occur to me sooner. It’s no different than an arranged marriage. Everything can go back as it was before, you can deny the crown and just be my daughter.”

  “What if it doesn’t work out again?”

  “You let me worry about that.” He strides to the sofa with his regal grace to sit next to me. “Will you stay the rest of the summer?”

  “I’ll stay.”

  “After you renounce the crown, we can discuss you visiting. perhaps you can become the ambassador to Messalinia — you can live in America and travel here freely.”

  It’s a nice gesture and maybe I would have considered it, if I still wanted to go back to America. “If there’s no pressure to be queen, I’ll stay permanently.”

  “You will?”

  “I love it here. The country, the people... I love everything about this place. I just can’t be the ruler.” It’s too much in too little time. Maybe it would be different if I had more than two months to consider it.

  He pulls me into a hug so tight I can barely breath.

  “Dad?”

  He chokes and clears his throat. “Yes?”

  “Thank you for putting me first.” I can’t believe there was a time when I thought he wouldn’t make time for me. My father is a great man and king, always putting his responsibilities first. The fact I have some cousin who wants to take the throne from him and people support him is absurd.

  He turns toward the persistent knocking on the door. “Enter.” He stands, so I do too.

  I quickly try to wipe my tears as Wendell steps in. He pulls a crisp white handkerchief from his pocket shaking it out before offering it to me. I still find him a bit stuffy and rigid at times, but he’s a kind man that’s always been considerate of me, and fiercely loyal to my dad.

  “Is everything alright, Your Highness?”

  My dad’s huge smile somehow grows larger. “Everything is wonderful. My daughter has just told me she is staying in Messalinia permanently.”

  “That is spectacular, Your Majesty.”

  “That is wonderful news.” I turn my head to the new voice; a tall, attractive man stands in the doorway. His dark hair has a little bit of curl making it unruly, contrasting with his sculpted features and giving him a much younger appearance.

  “The Duke of Gedge, Your Majesty.” Wendell bows and steps out of the room.

  The Duke closes the distance stopping in front of us, wearing a perfect smile to match his perfect clothes. He stands tall and imposing, looking every bit like he belongs in this world I’m trying so hard to fit in.

  “Your Majesty.”

  “Cristian. How good to see you again, and you’ve heard our good news. Adella, allow me to introduce you to Cristian, Duke of Gedge.”

  “Your Highness.” He bows deeply, deeper than anyone has so far. My attention flits back to my father. He nods his approval.

  “It’s lovely to meet you Cristian.” He stands, holding a hand out to me. I place mine in his and he presses his lips to my hand. The jolt I feel every time Quinn does the same action is missing. No. I won’t let Quinn invade my thoughts again.

  “What can we do for you?” Dad returns to his desk to sort through the papers he was looking at when I walked in and turned things upside down on him a couple times.

  “I admit most of my reason for requesting to meet with you today was meeting the princess. The rest can easily be handled at our quarterly civic meeting. There has been so much talk about your daughter, I just had to meet her for myself.” He turns to me smiling, a smile that has probably broken a few hearts. It’s a charming smile, but it’s not the smile that I see everywhere, even in my sleep.

  “In that case, let the business wait. Adella why don’t you and Cristian visit the solarium? The plants are lovely this time of year. The two of you can get to know each other.” He stands and ushers us to the door.

  “Dad I—”

  “Coffee would be nice wouldn’t it? I’ll have Wendell take care of it.” He’s really pushing for this. What is he up to? I don’t want to have coffee with this duke, I want to talk to my dad about my staying here.

  “That would be great.” I try to keep the annoyance out of my voice and turn to Cristian and smile. “Coffee?”

  “I would love some.” He offers me his arm, and we leave my father’s office.

  Cristian did nothing but talk about himself the entire time we were together. It was insanely boring. He was insanely boring. Why my father was pushing me to spend time with him I don’t know.

  “Would you like for me to run you a bath, dear?” As marvelous as that sounds, I need to let off some restlessness after that dinner.

  No thanks, Mrs. B. I’ll do it later. I’m going to go down to the pool for a bit. Swim some laps.”

  “If you need anything let Clara or me know.”

  “You go on to bed. I can get anything if I need it.” I pull my swimsuit out of the drawer and walk toward the bathroom to change and grab my robe.

  “You need to get used to being doted on like the princess you are. It isn’t right you do so much on your own.

  “I promise I’m well taken care of. Please get some rest and stop worrying about me.” This poor woman has been looking after my dad for over forty years, it’s time she had a break.

  “It’s been my job to worry about the children of the royal family since I was seventeen years old, even if you did come along later and are grown up. That won’t change.” She smiles before shutting the door.

  I change into the swimsuit that probably isn’t appropriate for a princess with the revealing cutouts, but Seneca picked it out and I love it. At least it’s a one piece. Covering with my robe, I grab my towel and hurry down the back steps cutting through the kitchen area to the pool. The guards know I come down often and give me privacy just sweeping through the area every so often and not hovering as much as they do when dad is around.

  I grab a towel from the shelf as I walk in, toss it on a chair, and hit the button that opens the partition separating the indoor and outdoor portions of the pool. As the glass panels slide open, I slip off my robe and put it on the chair too. I dive right in to the cool water and start swimming. Once I’ve swam enough laps that my muscles burn, I float on my back staring up at the sky through the glass ceiling. Mrs. B’s words bounce in my head. What will it be like when they find out I’m not the princess they think I am? Not a future queen, not planning to be their ruler one day. Will they treat me differently when they learn I’m refusing the crown? I have so much to talk to my father about.

  Water sprays me in the face as a splash disturbs the water. I squeal and stand up sputtering, wiping the water from my face. Quinn surfaces too close to me. The water droplets glisten as they slide down his tan muscles, causing my brain to disconnect from the rest of me.

  Samuel, the guard that has been passing through steps in, smiles and then leaves.

  “I scream, and he just smiles about it.”

  “They know I’m harmless.” He shrugs and bats at the water.

  I make my way to the steps, but Quinn moves in front of them, leaning one arm against the side of the pool.

  “That’s not what I hear. From all the talk, I gather you’re quite the heartbreaker and never in short supply of victims or hearts.” I attempt to pass him again, but he put a hand on my arm and stops me.

  “I would never break your heart, Adella.” The familiar tingles from his touch distract me, allowing him the chance to move even closer. I haven’t let him get this close since the night in The Kings Lounge. I’ve kept my distance as best I could and tried to keep my head. I’ve been warned about him and know he isn’t a good choice for me. That’s not the part I should be focusing on. I don’t even want a relationship right now. My body just doesn’t seem to get the memo when he’s around.

  “My heart isn’t yours to break.” Now, just walk away. Do it. Go.


  My hesitation gives him the opportunity to close the rest of the distance. He pulls me into is arms, wrapping them around me, pulling me close to his muscular body. Too much of our skin is touching and all I can think is how I want more. Stupid girl.

  “You’re so beautiful. It’s been killing me that you won’t let me touch you. Always leaving the room when I come in or taking an alternate route in the halls.” He pushes hair away from my face letting his fingers linger on my skin and leans closer. His lips hovering just out of reach, torturing me with longing.

  “I’m not that girl you met in a bar. I’m not fun and easy going. I’m boring and plain. I’ll only disappoint you.” My voice barely a whisper, it’s better he knows and gets over this interest in me. I look away, studying the water as it laps against the deep blue tiles of the pool.

  He lifts my chin, forcing my attention back to his eyes. “You could never. I knew that the first night I met you that you aren’t like anyone I’ve ever known before. It’s me that will disappoint you. The smart, beautiful princess of Messalinia. You’re so much more than you give yourself credit for.”

  I run my hands up his chest feeling every muscle as I go. His breath grows ragged. When I wrap my arms around his neck, he closes the last bit of distance. Kissing me with a bruising intensity that feels so right.“Oh, pardon me, Your Highness.” I disentangle myself from Quinn’s arms spotting Clara a few steps inside the doorway. Climbing the steps out of the pool I grab my robe to cover up.

  “No Clara, it’s okay. This isn’t what you think,” I say, pointing between myself and Quinn. Why is everyone coming down here tonight? Splashing behind me lets me know Quinn is getting out of the pool. His footsteps don’t stop until he’s standing next to me. He doesn’t bother to cover himself and the water running off his body puddles at his feet.

  “I don’t think anything, Your Highness.” She looks over Quinn’s dripping chest. My god the whole castle will know before morning. “I was just checking on you for the night ma’am. You were down here longer than usual, and I wanted to make sure you had everything you need to turn in for the night.”

  “Yes Clara, I’m fine. Goodnight.” She curtseys and scurries out the door.

  “So, where were we?” Quinn asks, pulling me back into his arms.

  “I don’t know what you’re doing.” Stepping back, I pull from his grasp. “But I’m going to bed.”

  “Come on Adella, I was just breaking down that icy wall.” He reaches for my wrist, and I step farther away.

  “I’m not icy.” Heat flushes over me as my breath puffs out.

  “No, I didn’t mean that you were icy. I just meant—”

  “I know what you meant.” I cross my arms and glare at him. “I was just stupid enough to let you get close. Not again, Quinn. I’m not one of your bimbos, some conquest.”

  “I know you’re not. I meant every word I said. You’re special.”

  I throw my hands in the air at his words. Words I’m sure he’s told to countless girls.

  “I’m done with this. No more lines, no more games. I’m sure there’s a girl somewhere willing to play with you, but it’s not me. I press my hand on my chest emphasizing the me and sigh. Now our flirtation has truly come to an end. “If you would excuse me.”

  He steps in front of my blocking the door. “You can hide from me forever. I’ll see you at dinner every night.”

  “How lovely, will you continue to fight with all of the dinner guests?”

  “I’m sorry about dinner. Cristian is my cousin. We’ve never had a great relationship, even as children.” He looks down at the ground like a scolded child. “Our mothers were sisters and very close. However, we didn’t feel the same way about each other. I dreaded having to spend summers with him.”

  Great a childhood rivalry and I got to spend dinner in the middle of it. “You’re a grown man, Quinn, act like it. Your meanie cousin came to dinner. Big deal. That’s no reason to act a two-year old. Goodnight.”

  “Goodnight, Princess.” He tips my chin, so I have to look into his eyes, “but don’t think we’re done talking. There is still plenty to say.”

  “We have nothing more to discuss.”

  “Keep saying it, maybe you can make yourself believe it.” His lips land on mine demanding and hungry, just as quickly he pulls away and leaves me standing alone. One time I act like someone else and this is my punishment.

  Chapter Six

  At my dad’s insistence, today I will speak at the parliament meeting to share my ideas for a children’s hospital. I am petrified. Any number of things could happen, but most of all I worry they won’t even listen. What a terrible way to start my relationship with the members of parliament.

  Once we arrive at the parliament building, Wendall swipes his badge for a side entrance. He leads me down a long hall and through another door into the room where the meeting is taking place. All the conversation ceases at our presence. Men are gathered around a semi-circle table, some I recognize, with my dad at the head. Others are in the theater style seating. Wendell gestures for me to follow him up the steps to the front row.

  “Gentlemen, may we begin?” Always respected, all attention turns back to my dad.

  I sit with Wendall to watch the meeting until the new business portion when I get to propose my idea. It’s like they are purposefully making it hard for me to follow what they are talking about. Several times dad stopped them to remind them I wasn’t familiar with last month’s decisions or Amendment A to the shipping laws and to elaborate on the specifics if they will be citing something.

  “On to new business. Does anyone have anything they would like to call to attention?”

  I stand and wait to be recognized like my dad and Wendall practiced with me.

  “Your Highness, you wish to present new business?”

  “I do.” My mouth is dry and my heart jumps at the thought of addressing the room.

  “Please come forward.”

  I walk to the podium that sits facing the table and smile. Here it goes. “Ladies and gentlemen, I come to you today full of concern for the Messalinians who do not have a voice of their own. We have children in our country, very sick children, who cannot receive adequate care at even our biggest hospital. These children need specialized equipment and doctors that we do not have. I propose we build a children’s hospital fully equipped for their care.”

  “Medical facilities receive a lot of tax cuts princess, we wouldn’t make much money from such a facility.”

  “Actually, we wouldn’t make any money. The new children’s hospital will allow any child in the country in need of specialized care to be treated one hundred percent free of charge.” The murmurs of shock and disapproval quickly spread throughout the room. I knew it would be met with skepticism but didn’t expect it to be quite this bad. “The children’s center at the main hospital is too small to do anything other than basic treatments. Families have been traveling to neighboring countries to get treated at specialty children’s centers. They spend their money at hospitals in that country, on lodging and food in that country, and often lose their job or house here when they are gone for too long or the family is ripped apart while one parents stays and the other travels with the child. By opening the specialty children’s hospital, we keep the families here, together, and their money stays in their pocket and our economy. Once they are able, we hope they will be able to donate their time or money so other families can receive the same care they did.”

  “You want to build a state-of-the-art hospital that will never make any money?”

  I make the extra attempt to smile and keep the annoyance from my voice. “The point isn’t for money.”

  “Let the girl speak.” One of the most elderly of the members stands and all eyes shift to him. “She isnt trying to rob you from your pocket, she has the citizens in mind as a leader should. Continue child.”

  I nod my thanks to him and go on. “As you will see in the outlines I have provided, there a
re some monetary benefits to a program such as this, but most of the benefit will be to the sick child. Thank you for your time and consideration.”

  I sit back next to Wendall hoping the rest of the meeting passes quickly. That went terribly and now that it’s over I’m ready to retreat and hide away at the castle.

  Wendell’s phone vibrates several times in quick succession and pulls it out glancing over whatever has been sent to him.

  He leans toward me just a hair and whispers, “Ma’am, do you know a Xavier?”

  “I do.” What a strange thing to ask. How would Wendall even know of Xavier?

  “I’m afraid I have some news that may be upsetting. He is here in Messalinia. He has been detained for belligerent behavior and attempted assault on a guard.”

  “Oh goodness. Are they alright?”

  “Yes ma’am. I just had to verify if this man knew you.”

  That doesn’t sound like Xavier at all. What is he even doing here? It can’t look good on my father that his daughter comes with so much drama. He’s the king of this country for goodness sake.

  Throbbing spreads across my forehead and behind my eyes. First the horrible attempt at getting parliament excited about the hospital and now this. This day couldn’t possibly get worse.

  Once the meeting is over, I run down the stairs to my father, waiting along the wall while my father talks with the media. Growing up, I never had a father to run to when I was hurt or to ask for advice. Now I do, and I don’t care if I’m twenty. When my dad is finished with the reporters and turns to me, I wrap my arms around his middle, struggling to keep the burning tears from coming out.

  One of the stuffier nobles that spends too much time sucking up to my father clears his throat from behind me. “Your Highness, it isn’t proper to have overly showy displays of affection in public.”

  I step back fearing I’m not going to win the battle with the tears. I don’t care if I’m royalty and I should always appear rested, happy, and put together. I could use some comfort, understanding, gentleness, compassion, or anything remotely close to any of them right now.