A Royal Departure Page 3

  Another round of chuckles ensued. Leo breathed a sigh of relief but was fuming inside. His hand gripped the speech so hard it crinkled and ripped in his hands. Annabelle took a slight step towards him. He wished she would touch his arm, flip her hair, anything to draw attention to them and away from his father and this line of questioning.

  She remained silent.

  He’d have to handle it himself.

  “Thank you all for being here. I think we have some packing to do.” He smiled at the cameras and held out his hand for Annabelle’s. He held his breath. She took it, but there was no comforting squeeze this time.

  He led her away from the public area of the palace and into their private apartments. His office was thankfully empty of his staff; they were all finishing up from the press conference.

  “Thanks for all your help,” he said, dropping Annabelle’s hand and settling in behind his desk. His eyes flicked up to her face to see her reaction, but she remained a blank slate. He bristled behind his desk. “On the trip, you’ll have to appear to at least like me a little.”

  She shook her head, as if waking up from a dream.

  “Like you? I barely see you, Leo.” Her voice was tired.

  He turned his eyes away and started to shuffle some papers on his desk.

  “You realize this is the first time we’ve been alone together in a room in weeks?” she continued.

  He had been very aware of that, and the thought had made him happy. Apparently, it had made her feel the opposite.

  “I barely see anyone besides my staff.” He gestured around the room covered in maps and photos from around the country. “This is who I am. This is who I’ll always be. My life is given to the service of my country, my people.”

  She crossed her arms and tiled her chin up.

  “I’m your wife. The children and I should come first.”

  He put his elbows on the desk and buried his head in his hands, massaging his temples. They’d had this argument before. This wasn’t something he could change. It wasn’t like he was president of a bank or something and could just quit.

  “You knew this would be my life when you met me.”

  He heard her sigh and looked up.

  “I didn’t realize…” She bit her lip.

  “What?” He cringed at how harsh his voice was. He hated speaking to her like this. All they ever seemed to do was fight.

  She looked down at her hands clenched tightly around her purse. He couldn’t remember the last time they’d been wrapped that tightly around him like that.

  “I didn’t realize how much I’d have to share you,” she said softly.

  His heart sank.

  “Well, this is how it is. You need to learn to live with it.” He kept his voice soft as well, but she raised her chin in response to his words, her eyes blazing.

  “And what if I can’t?”

  His eyes widened. That wasn’t what he’d expected. Finally, a glimpse of the fire that had made him fall head over heels for her. More than the boring clothes, seeing her retreat into herself over the past few years has been impossibly hard.

  As happy as he was to see a bit of her stubbornness again, the unspoken threat behind her question scared him. Would she leave if she couldn’t have what she wanted from him?

  He couldn’t lose her. He missed her. He loved her, wanted her. How could she not see that? He was aching for her touch.

  He cleared his throat.

  “Let’s see how this trip goes. It will be nice to be together outside of the palace together. The whole family.”

  After what felt like an eternity, she nodded and smiled. It was probably the smallest smile he’d ever seen from her, but it warmed his heart nevertheless.

  She turned to leave, and he buried his face in his arms once again and let out a groan. As if this trip wasn’t important enough, with the outcome of the referendum and the success of his reign on the line, now the success of his marriage would also hang in the balance.

  Chapter 8

  With her twin on the other side of the Atlantic, HRH Princess Helena has been a lonely figure in recent months. Is she pining for the life she can’t have or just getting frostier the older she gets without a ring on her finger?

  - Prynessian Women’s Daily

  When Annabelle had called Helena, her sister-in-law, to invite her over for the afternoon, she’d been hoping for some advice. But that wasn’t what the princess wanted to talk about.

  “Do you think when you get back from this trip you could remind Leo of his promise to change a certain marriage law?”

  Annabelle sighed. Helena brought this up nearly every single time they were alone, yet never when Leo was around.

  “You can always remind him yourself,” she said, setting out another pair of sandals next to the bed. She could have let Samantha pick out everything for her, but it gave her something to occupy her hands and mind.

  Helena grumbled something Annabelle couldn’t quite hear, and she flopped on the couch with her head dangling near the edge. It was strange for Annabelle to remember that she was actually a few years younger than Helena, but two children and a crown made quite the difference.

  It wasn’t her fault, though. Helena wanted to be married to her girlfriend, Diane, more than anything. They had been waiting for years.

  “Leo’s told me how much he wants to change the law, but he says it’s just not the right time.”

  Helena scoffed.

  “He means father won’t allow it.”

  Annabelle raised an eyebrow but said nothing. She grew up with Carl as her king, and it was still extremely odd to have him as a father-in-law. Was the Queen a traitor if she spoke badly of the Konigslaast? It was a bit confusing. She decided it was best to remain silent and simply nod.

  Annabelle thought back to what Sebastian had said, however, about the former king receiving the information before Leo. And then a reporter had asked about it, too. She’d been frozen on the spot when it had happened. How had he found out? Though with over a hundred staff at the palace, the chance of bits leaking out was always there.

  “Isn’t your father supposed to be retiring to the south of France sometime soon?” Annabelle said as casually as possible.

  “I don’t know how eager he is to go now that Mother’s gone.”

  Queen Marie had died unexpectedly from an aneurism just before the birth of Sophia. Marie had always been so kind to Annabelle, and had led what small bit of training the palace had provided upon her engagement to Leo, but they’d barely had the chance to get to know each other. Leo had suggested ‘Marie’ as a middle name for Sophia, and Annabelle had heartily agreed, hoping her daughter would inherit some of her grandmother’s grace and beauty.

  “He doesn’t want to relax and detach from all of this?”

  Helena smiled sadly.

  “This was his life for thirty-five years. He can’t just walk away overnight.”

  Annabelle frowned. Leo’s words from their fight after the press conference came back to her. His life was in service to the country. Why had it taken her three years to fully realize that?

  Oh right, because she was exhausted and distracted by being queen and mother to two toddlers.

  “Leo is king now. He makes the decisions; not his father.”

  “If you say so.” Helena picked at some lint on one of the jackets Annabelle had laid out. “This is too warm for Aclana. Don’t you have anything lighter?”

  She shrugged.

  “Samantha will probably just pack whatever she wants anyway.” She sighed. “At least, this way, I can pretend to have picked my own clothes.”

  Helena’s eyes softened at her miserable tone. She took her hands and gave them a squeeze.

  “Hey, I know this isn’t what you thought your life would look like.”

  That was the understatement of the year. Annabelle stopped herself from rolling her eyes. Rule number seven for queens-to-be: absolutely no eye rolling.

  “I just don’t think I f
it into this world. I want to. I really do.” She felt tears prick at her eyes. She blinked them back. “But everything I do, the press is all over me. What I wear, who I talk to, who I don’t talk to, how I walk. Even last night, with Leo there, they only wanted to talk about me. All the papers this morning, talking about me and how I just stood there. What was I supposed to do? It was his press conference!”

  She sat on the bed with her head in her hands. Helena sat next to her.

  “My brothers and I have been doing this our entire lives. You’ve barely been doing it for three years. It takes some getting used to. You’re doing great, really.”

  Annabelle shook her head.

  “Anyone else would make a better queen.”

  “Not for Leo. He picked you. He was ready to give all this up for you.”

  Annabelle had known when she first met him that it could never be more than a fling. She was a commoner and the royal princes of Prynesse could only marry nobles. But they fell in love so fast and so hard, and it had been as unexpected for her as it had been for him. He’d gone to his parents and told them he didn’t want a life as king if she couldn’t be at his side.

  It had been the happiest month of her life, thinking that she’d have a quiet life with Leo maybe in London or Paris. She’d finish her doctorate in political science and maybe teach or work for the UN. He’d get to stay in banking. They’d had it all planned out.

  Until an unplanned pregnancy had shifted their lives to something completely different. Her family was pulled from lower-middle class anonymity, given a title and lands all overnight. Then there had been the rushed wedding and then Felix came, and then Sophia and now, somehow, here she was three years later still struggling. They hadn’t even tried to train her properly. It was like they’d known she wouldn’t last. She didn’t belong here. She had no business being queen.

  “The press still hates me,” she mumbled, standing up and starting to fold clothes again. “And the press on Aclana is so much worse. They don’t have the same privacy laws as they do here. Felix and Sophia will be followed around. It will be crazy for them. They’re not used to that.”

  “It’s only for a few days. And you’ll have so much security at the events they’ll be attending there’s almost no danger.”

  Annabelle’s heart fluttered at the word “almost.” She took a deep breath and reminded herself that this was her life now, and theirs. She had to get them used to it. If they stayed inside a bubble their whole lives, all bets would be off once they turned eighteen and, they’d be taken by surprise.

  “How do you deal with the press when you’re there?”

  Helena shrugged.

  “I’m usually only there on vacation. They don’t really bother me. I’m not that interesting.”

  Annabelle couldn’t help but laugh. Helena was more than a little interesting, but with no chance of ever ruling, even her most scandalous actions weren’t seen as that much of a threat. Not that she ever did anything terribly scandalous. That had been her younger brother Anton’s specialty until Stella had come along and tamed the erstwhile bachelor.

  Thinking of Stella and Anton made Annabelle realize how long it had been since she’d seen them at the palace.

  “Have you heard from your other brothers lately?” Helena’s twin Duncan was in New York with Alix, keeping busy while his super ambitious wife finished medical school. When Leo had nearly abdicated, they’d started to prepare Duncan to rule. While he wouldn’t have been a total disaster on the throne, it was clear he was much happier following his wife and supporting her dreams instead of ruling a country. Annabelle still had twinges of jealousy whenever someone spoke proudly of Alix’s achievements.

  “No news from either of them. Too busy being happy and in love.” Helena rolled her eyes (no restriction on eye rolling for princesses), but Annabelle saw the sadness in them. She wanted to reach out and hug her, but she had learned her sister-in-law was proud and didn’t like her weaknesses pointed out.

  “Things have changed a lot in the past few years I guess, huh?” Annabelle said softly.

  Helena nodded slowly and made her way over to the window that looked out on the main square in front of the palace. Surrounded by the old city center, the palace was older than Prynesse itself, which had only established itself as its own country in the late 18th century. The Stohlmatten family had ruled over the land for hundreds of years before attempts to grab at the fertile land had finally pushed them to assert themselves against their neighbors. The first king of Prynesse had also been named Felix. It had been very important to Annabelle that his name serve as a reminder that he was from a long line of royal blood, even if she was not.

  “Hopefully things will calm down a bit after this visit and Leo will have more time for his family.” Annabelle meant Helena and her brothers, but she also desperately hoped he would finally find the time for her. If this trip didn’t go well, she wasn’t sure how much longer she could put up with the constant scrutiny and criticisms while being ignored by the one man who was supposed to love her more than anyone—and anything—else.

  Chapter 9

  After last night’s unexpected announcement from King Leo, all of Prynesse is wondering ‘why doesn’t the Queen look more excited to visit Aclana?’ A favorite holiday spot of the royal family, this is her chance to see one of the most beautiful parts of the kingdom. But perhaps nothing can compare with the backwater hills she grew up with?

  - City Chatter Daily

  “That performance last night was abysmal.”

  Leo felt his throat tighten at his father’s harsh words. He kept his head high, but his eyes were fixed on the wall behind his head.

  “It was a press conference, not a matinee at the theater.”

  “Everything is a performance. You know that. Why doesn’t she?” He leaned back in his chair and threw his hands in the air.

  Leo bit his tongue. His father avoided using Annabelle’s name as often as possible. He’d said it only a handful of times in the past few years.

  “It’s not easy adjusting to a life under the spotlight.”

  “She’s had her chance. Three years is long enough. Most people in this country only get six months as a trial period in a new job. We’ve been more than generous.”

  “What on earth are you talking about?” Leo turned his eyes to look into his father’s and was surprised how cold and calculating they were. The two men were similar in height and build, with the same dark hair and dark eyes, but Leo hoped he’d never had such a devious glare in his.

  “This trip will be her final chance, Leo. If she can’t do her part to keep the best interests of this country, and this family, at the forefront, then there’s no need for her to stay.”

  Leo suddenly felt very unsteady but did not reach out for the chair in front of him. He couldn’t show any weakness.

  “And the fact that I love her means nothing?” Leo tried not to let his voice tremble.

  His father waved a hand.

  “Love from women comes and goes. I doubt she even loved you that much anyway. All women care about is the Crown. As should you. Your duty is to your country above all else. You must do what is best for the monarchy.”

  Leo shook his head. This had to be some kind of joke.

  “Are you seriously telling me that I have to divorce the woman I love, the mother of my children, one of whom will be the future king of Prynesse, just because she gets a little shy in front of the camera?”

  “What I’m telling you is that there is more at stake here than you realize.” Carl placed his hands on the desk and pushed off to stand. “This trip is essential. You must convince them to remain under our flag.”

  Leo threw up his hands and let out a frustrated breath.

  “Tell me what it is then. Why protect me? I am king now. I am making the decisions. You stepped down so that I could do just that.”

  “And I’m questioning now how wise that was given how you’ve been acting. I should have just let you li
ve in exile with that woman.”

  Leo swayed again and this time did reach out for a chair. This conversation had gotten very serious, very fast.

  “It’s not too late for me to change my mind. Duncan has been doing well in New York. He might be better suited to this life. And Alix is an actual noble at least.”

  Leo’s hands gripped the chair tightly. A deep, slow breath through his nose kept him from exploding.

  “That law is outdated and medieval in its intention.” His father had ignored the previous ninety-nine times he’d said it, maybe he’d actually listen the hundredth.

  “It has kept this bloodline pure for hundreds of years. It’s an embarrassment that I had to see it so weakened during my lifetime.”

  Leo bit his tongue. This was not the moment to stoke his father’s anger and bring up the other outdated law he wanted to change for his sister. That had been one of the very first proposals he’d brought before his advisors and the prime minister. They were all for it, but his father was opposed. Not even his mother’s entreaty had made any difference, and now she was no longer here to side with Leo. He realized now she must have been the only thing keeping his father from overruling most of the important modernizing efforts of parliament.

  That was the whole reason Leo had to go to Aclana now, to prove he would be a more modern and inclusive ruler than his father had been. And while he needed Annabelle with him to do that, he also wanted her there.

  “As it stands, I have no intention of leaving Annabelle. She is my queen for life.”

  “Until she realizes that this job is your life, if she hasn’t already. She’s probably already found a page or guard who has more than enough time for her.” His father sat back down, a smirk on his face.

  Leo felt the heat rise in his cheeks. He wished they were in his study instead of his father’s. He felt like a child in here.

  “This isn’t a romantic vacation for you two. You have one goal for this trip. Get Aclana to vote to stay. Otherwise, there’s no hope for the future of the monarchy or for your marriage.”