A Royal Surprise

by Nichole Blithe

  Dad and Elanor wave from the carriage as they pass. The flawless royal couple on their wedding day. Citizens line the streets all the way to the castle walls to be included in the tradition and give their blessings. People with next to nothing travel from all over the country just to see the king and his bride. Once again that disconnect between the classes bounces around my mind. Does my dad ever think about it? I want to bring it up to him soon.

  Inside the walls, the nobles and guards wait for the arrival of the king and his new bride. They make the customary pathway for the bride and groom to walk down so they may offer their blessings closing behind Dad and Elanor to follow them into the reception in the grand hall. Dad and Eleanor sit at the head table, which signals everyone else to find their seat.

  After we eat dinner and cake is served, Dad stands, kissing Eleanor on the cheek. “Thank you for celebrating with us today. My new bride and I are so pleased to have you all in attendance to share this happy occasion. Now the sun is setting if you would all join us outside for a special treat.”

  Dad and Eleanor lead the way, and I linger back as the crowd files out the doors into the foyer and travels to the back terrace spilling out into the gardens. I stay back on the terrace as the excited buzz spreads while the guests wait for the explosions of color take over the darkened sky and slip back inside.

  A princess who doesn’t do well with crowds and speeches. How will I survive this life? How will I ever be queen?

  It hits me so hard I stumble and grasp the window ledge. I want to be queen. I want to do good things for this country and the best way to achieve it is to be the leader. Why couldn’t I have realized this sooner? Dad just got married. I should think about this and be sure before I say anything to him. I’ve already caused enough trouble for him. I need to know, with no uncertainty, this is what I want.

  “Don’t care for fireworks?” Quinn asks, startling me. He stands in the doorway, studying me. With his hands in his pockets, he leans casually against the door looking like he belongs on a magazine cover for suits not hiding away from a party with me.

  “They’re great. I’m just taking advantage of the quiet.” And pondering my future. “Why aren’t you out there?”

  “Because you aren’t.” My heart leaps, jumping into my throat before plummeting to my stomach.

  “You shouldn’t say things like that. We both know how this ends,” I sigh and avoid his gaze. We can’t keep doing this. There are no good ways for this to end.

  He strides over, every move sexy and desirable. He doesn’t stop until he’s close enough to touch. “Don’t assume to know what will happen. I don’t. This is new for me. I’m sorry I haven’t seen you much lately.”

  “I was beginning to think I had gotten rid of you for good.” I haven’t brought up what I heard the night of the garden party. Partly because I’m not one hundred percent sure on everything I heard and partly because he did stay away when she said to. Her threats must have had some sort of affect.

  “Never.” He smiles at me taking my hand in his. “I just had some family things to take care of.”

  “Anything you want to talk about?” I don’t want to ask. I don’t want to admit I was listening that night, even if I don’t remember it all.

  “It’s not important.” He shakes his head before aiming that grin at me. “How about you Princess? Anything you want to talk about?”

  “Not that I can think of.” I pull my eyes away looking back out the window. The flashes of color still lighting up the sky and gardens.

  “We really haven’t gotten to discuss what didn’t happen.”

  Now he wants to talk about it?

  “I really don’t think it’s necessary.” I shake my head and a hand at him. “I’m grateful you kept me away from the public. I’ve had enough embarrassments. I’m sorry for how I behaved in the hallway, everything after that is a little fuzzy. Clara filled me in best she could. Thank you for being a gentleman.”

  “That’s why I said no. Not because I’m not attracted to you, but because I want all of you.” Then he says things like this. Heart wrenching romantic things. How am I supposed to ignore it? I want nothing more than to tell him I’m his. After today, everyone’s emotions are running high. Including mine.

  “Don’t get caught up in the romance of today. Can we just skip all the awkwardness I’ve caused and be friends?” I can’t let the romance of the wedding and our lusty feelings convince me there is something more than friendship that can come out of this.

  “Friends.” His face goes blank and after a moment he gives a small nod. “Sure friends. So, what do friends do?”

  “Friends…” what do friends do? The first explosion bursts bright and glittering out the window. “Friends watch fireworks.”

  “Okay.” He puts his arm around me and focuses on the sky. I let him and lean against him. I guess we need to work a little on this friends thing.

  Chapter Eleven

  The waves lap against the boat and the warm salty breeze blows against my cheeks. The sun is shining and warming my skin and melting the frozen peach bellini in my hand faster than I can drink it. It’s the most peaceful I’ve felt in days.

  Eleanor runs past for the third time hand covering her mouth and looking pale.

  “Looks like your Auntie can’t handle the water.”

  We aren’t friends and probably never will be, but it’s been nice not having the nagging in my head that I need to worry about her.

  Quinn looks up from his book on the lounge chair next to mine. “I don’t remember her ever being sick when we were kids. My grandfather loved to sail and took the family often. I would have teased her about it if she had gotten sick.”

  I roll my eyes and swing my feet over the side of my chair to face him. “She’s sick now. I’ve seen her go below deck three times.”

  He shrugs laying the book face down on the little table between us. “Did you two become best friends, and I missed it? You’re concern for Eleanor is a little alarming.”

  “Hardly. It’s just a little hard to miss.” The water isn’t rough at all. It’s been a nice day for everyone except Eleanor.

  “Maybe it was something she ate. She’s been doing a lot of that lately. I didn’t even get to have a pastry this morning.” He pouts rubbing his abs.

  Concerns of Eleanor quickly forgotten when he draws attention to his physique. I’ve never ogled a friend as much as I do Quinn. Being friends with him means spending more time with him and more time looking at him.

  “You won’t look like that if you eat too many pastries, you know.”

  “Worried you won’t have anyone this sexy to look at?” He stretches back on the chair, his muscles flexing as he moves. Things are starting to become less awkward between us since we’re friends now, but he likes to push those boundaries every chance he gets.

  Don’t stare. Don’t drool. Don’t show weakness.

  “I’ll survive.” My voice is strong unlike my slowly failing composure.

  He swings his legs over the side toward me, putting us face to face and much too close. The corners of his mouth turn up and his eyes twinkle as he searches my face.

  “Would you?”

  Crap! I roll my eyes and stand to put more space between us.

  Swallowing the last of my melted drink I slide my feet back into my shoes. “I’m going to go get some water.”

  “You have staff for that. Come on sit back down.” He nods to my seat. “I’ll quit teasing you.”

  “I want to stretch my legs anyway.” I’m fully capable of getting a bottle of water. But I also need a little space from Quinn, it’s something I’ve started doing a lot these past couple days when I think we’re getting to close to crossing the friends boundary line.

  “If you insist.” He picks up his book and settles back into the lounge chair to read.

  I pass through the kitchen to get a bottle of water saying hello to the staff members I know. Then wander around to the bow sipping my water and app
reciating the view until I lose the urge to run my hands over Quinn’s sun kissed abs and chest.

  When I return to the deck Quinn is asleep, the book laying across his chest. Eleanor is nowhere to be seen and Dad is giving orders to head back to the manor. I stop beside him and wait until everyone has scurried off to their duties.

  “Is everything okay?”

  “Eleanor isn’t feeling well, so we’re heading in. I’m sorry to cut the day short Adella. With the wedding and the end of summer festival I haven’t gotten to spend as much time with you as I would have liked, and now tomorrow we leave for Greece.”

  It would be nice to get to spend some time with my dad at the festival, but there is always next year. I’ve had plenty of my own things keeping me busy anyway, so this isn’t all on him.

  “Don’t apologize, Dad. I understand. You two need a honeymoon and time to yourselves.” I might need some time for myself as well. “Would you mind if I stayed a couple of days longer at the manor? With everyone leaving I wouldn’t mind a little quiet time.”

  “Of course not. It’s your home, too. If you want to stay, you’re welcome to.” The engine revs as the boat turns to head back to the dock. “You have taken on so many responsibilities in such a short time, you deserve a break.”

  “I enjoy it. I like helping people.” Back home, any spare time I had I spent it volunteering. Now, I get to do that all day here. Staying at the manor is more about having some quiet time with my thoughts than having a break.

  “It shows.” His smile stretches across his cheeks. I’m so glad he approves of what I’ve done.

  Staying at Seaside Manor has been the perfect place to hide away for a couple days and come to a decision. The silence is a welcome change from the noisy summer celebrations, giving me plenty of time to think and I’ve taken the time to consider my change about ruling the country. Taking my role as queen will put me in a position to do so much more for the people and the country. I can’t leave these peoples fate in the hands of a hypothetical baby or some cousin I know nothing about.

  What my father will say, worries me the most. Will he be upset? He just got married making a big commitment and sacrifice because I didn’t want to be queen. He could tell me it’s too late, and I have to live with my choice.

  On my birthday, I have a ceremony to formally deny the crown or take my place. I want my mom to be here for the ceremony. Oddly enough, we’ve gotten closer since I’ve been gone than we ever were before. Closer than I ever thought we could be. Hopefully with very little convincing, I can get her to come out here.

  I dial the number and wait for her to answer pacing across the room.

  “Adella? I haven’t talked to you in so long. How are you?” It’s only been a week, but she’s right it feels like much longer.

  “I’m sorry I’ve been busy. It’s the end of summer festival.” I swipe at the air. “That’s not important. There’s something I want to talk to you about and it might be hard to hear. I’ve decided to stay in Messalinia and take on my role as queen.” I chew on my thumb nail waiting on a response. Her long exhale causes me to brace not knowing what will come next.

  “You certainly have the sense of duty of your father. I’m proud of what you’ve become since learning who your father is, even if it means losing my daughter in the very way I was afraid of.” That wasn’t what I was expecting. I was ready for anger, outrage, or even a cold detachment. I’m glad though, even if it is melodramatic.

  “You’ll never lose me. I won’t be able to come visit you whenever I please, but you can always come here.” If she’s here, I can see her even if she stays away from the castle and Dad. Traveling into the city is easier than across the world.

  “I know I need to work on my reservations about coming there. I told myself I would never go back and spent the past two decades firmly believing that.” Enough time has passed, she’s lost so much from how she let it shape her. I think coming here could help her move forward.

  “Please tell me you’ll come here for the ceremony. I would really love if you could be here and I hope you can put your past with Dad aside long enough to come.”

  “Of course, I’ll come for the ceremony. I don’t want you to ever believe again that I don’t support you, Adella. I made some poor choices, but I want what’s best for you.” I stop pacing in front of the sofa and sink into it. She’ll be here. Everything else we can worry about later.

  “I would love for you to stay here at the castle, so I can see you more. I know you wouldn’t be comfortable though.” I frown. “I’ll arrange a hotel in town or maybe you could stay at the house of a family friend. It would be less crowded than town and you might prefer that.”

  “I wouldn’t want to put anyone out.”

  “You wouldn’t be. I wouldn’t offer it if I wasn’t sure.” I know Quinn won’t mind, he’ll be staying at the castle anyway.

  “Arrange whatever is easiest. I can’t wait to see you.”

  “Me either.”

  “We’ll talk again soon. I have to get to my next class.”

  That went surprisingly well. Now for a little lunch and then a trip down to the private beach. I have today and tomorrow before I have to go back to the castle. Maybe I’ll have lunch on the beach too. Downstairs on don’t make it past the foyer on my way to the kitchen when I run into Cristian. I thought everyone was gone.

  “How fortunate I ran into you. I’ll be leaving soon, and I can escort you back to the castle, Adella. I can be ready to leave whenever you are.” He presses up on his toes smiling at me.

  “How very sweet to offer Cristian, but I’m going to stay a day or two longer and then visit the children’s hospital.” His smile falters for only a second then nods his head.

  “It’s wonderful how dedicated you are to the children. To this country. To your position. I find it admirable and charming.”

  “I do love the children and this country. I hope everyone knows I’m doing it for them.” So often I get praise and recognition for the hospital, and I don’t want it. I want the hospital and the program to get the attention.

  “No one could doubt your love for the children. I’ll see you when you return to the castle. I’ll be staying on the remainder of the week for the festival.”

  When Dad gets back, I need to ask him if it’s always like this. People coming to stay at the castle. I know we live life under a lot of scrutiny, but it would be nice to have a little privacy in my own home.

  “Then I’ll see you in a few days.”

  “I look forward to it.” He bows, kisses my hand then turns hurrying up the stairs.

  Turning to head back to the kitchen, I stop and suck in a breath. Quinn steps out from the hall to the side of the foyer. Of course, he’s still here too.

  “You shouldn’t encourage him.”

  “Shouldn’t you be getting packed to go back to the castle?”

  He shrugs his shoulders and edges closer. “If you’re staying, so am I. You need someone to keep you out of trouble.”

  “You’re joking. The only trouble I ever seem to find you’re somehow involved in.” I skirt around him to continue down the hall to the kitchen.

  He chuckles and falls into step beside me.

  “It’s nonnegotiable. I’m staying.”

  “I’m visiting the children at the hospital.”

  “Looks like I will, too.” He grins and puts his arm around my shoulders.

  “I don’t need a nanny.” He rolls his eyes and raises his eyebrows at me. “If you’re going to insist on this, you need to be on your best behavior.”

  “When am I not.” He gives me his most charming lopsided grin. The one I’m sure he’s figured out affects me. I’ve seen it more and more since we became friends. Awkward, sexually frustrated friends.

  I stop walking and his steps falter. Putting my hands on my hips, I give him my most stern glare.

  “I’m serious. These kids are sick, and they don’t need someone making things harder on them.”

>   “I’m serious, too. I would love to visit the children.”

  I’ll give him this chance because we are friends now and because he did come to the gala. He should get to see the result of the project.

  “Tomorrow then after lunch. If you’re late, I’ll leave without you.”

  “I’ll be ready, early in fact. What are you doing today?”

  “I’m spending some time at the beach. I thought I might have lunch there.” Now that’s dealt with I continue down the hall to the kitchen.

  “The beach sounds perfect. I think I’ll join you if you don’t mind.”

  His words stop me. I do mind, but it’s easier to just agree with him, he’ll end up tagging along anyway.

  “Fine. Just let me arrange lunch and go get changed, then I’ll meet you in the foyer.”

  “Will you be wearing that little flower swimsuit you normally wear at the castle?”

  My heart races as images of us tangled together in the pool rush through my mind. That definitely isn’t friendly thoughts. I’m constantly finding it hard to remain friends with Quinn. I don’t want to give him up completely, but I know we will never be more. I guess settling for torture will have to do.

  “Clara made sure I have proper princess attire.” I can get away with a somewhat skimpy swimsuit in the privacy of the castle pool, but not at the beach. Although its private and you can only get to it from the property or a boat there are still some places that are accessible by foot and in view of the beach. The media doesn’t care about trespassing.

  “What a shame.” He clears his throat, tugging at the collar.

  “Sorry to disappoint you.” I pivot to finally get to the kitchen and he grabs my arm turning me back.

  “I’m sure I won’t be disappointed.” He winks, and my heart flutters. “You go change, I’ll take care of lunch.”

  Maybe this is an even worse idea than I thought.

  Our afternoon at the beach wasn’t as bad as I feared. We had a nice time aside from the one moment I thought he might kiss me. Being with him laughing and enjoying myself it’s easy to forget that we can’t slip back into those stolen moments.