Crowns & Courtships Compilation Volume 1

by Carol Moncado

  He stared out a window with his hands clasped behind his back.

  Anabelle started to leave but he stopped her with a word.

  “Wait.”

  She turned but didn’t curtsy. Though technically still an Eyjanian citizen, she just didn’t feel like it.

  “Good morning.” But she would be polite.

  “I was told breakfast would begin a few minutes ago.”

  “Everyone else must be running late. I know Kensington is dealing with something about the Village. I’m sure they all have unavoidable delays and will be here momentarily.”

  “I was sorry to hear about your sister.” His tone held no real emotion.

  “I’m sure you were.”

  His eyes narrowed at her snark. “What do you mean by that?”

  “You escaped being her legal guardian. Otherwise this wouldn’t have happened.”

  “I did?” He seemed genuinely perplexed at her words.

  She didn’t buy it. “Yeah. When I married Kensington instead of you.”

  He blinked. “You did?”

  “You don’t remember meeting me and telling your uncle I’d do?”

  King Benjamin’s brows knit together in concentration. “I remember meeting someone Isaiah said he believed might make a good wife for me. I was told it didn’t work out, but...” He shrugged. “I barely remember it, and he didn’t tell me why.”

  “Then you won’t stand in the way of the adoption? Even if Gracie is your daughter?” Anabelle clamped her lips together. She hadn’t meant to say that.

  “What are you talking about?”

  26

  Kensington offered Esme his arm as they walked toward the breakfast room together. “Did you enjoy the ball last night?” he asked, more to be polite than anything.

  Before she could answer, shouting reached them.

  “What are you talking about?”

  “You know what I’m talking about!”

  Anabelle and Benjamin?

  “You have to know!”

  Kensington let go of Esme and bolted ahead. This couldn’t be good.

  “What’s going on?” he asked as he burst into the room.

  Anabelle gestured toward Benjamin. “He doesn’t even remember being engaged to me, or whatever it was.” Her eyes flashed. “And he says he doesn’t know anything about Gracie being his daughter. Or why my parents had to die.”

  “I don’t!” Benjamin’s exasperation was the most emotion Kensington had ever seen from him. “I have, quite literally, less than no idea what you’re talking about. Your sister is not my daughter! How could she be if she’s your sister?”

  “She was adopted,” Kensington explained.

  “She’s still not my child,” Benjamin insisted.

  “How can you be so sure?” Anabelle challenged him. “How can you be certain you didn’t get her mother pregnant?”

  The king’s face became impassive. “I am certain. I owe you no other explanation than that.”

  Could it be that Benjamin wasn’t the same sort of philanderer his uncle was?

  The pieces clicked into place.

  “Benjamin isn’t Gracie’s father,” Kensington told Anabelle. He turned to the other king. “But Isaiah could be.”

  Benjamin shrugged. “I suppose it’s possible.”

  Anabelle gasped. “That explains it.” She turned to Esme. “Everything you said, it could all be just as true if Isaiah is Gracie’s biological father instead of Benjamin.”

  Kensington knew Anabelle had to be flustered if she didn’t use Benjamin’s title.

  “What could be true?” Benjamin folded his arms across his chest.

  Esme glanced at Kensington then played it nonchalant. “We were told there was a possibility you were Gracie’s father. Her biological mother worked in the palace. It made sense. If you insist you aren’t, then that rumor can be laid to rest.”

  Kensington moved to Anabelle’s side and slid his arm around her waist. She needed to let this drop for now.

  “That doesn’t mean he doesn’t know something.” Her anger was devolving into desperation. “You’re the king. You have to know something about why my parents were killed and where my sister is.”

  Benjamin shook his head. “I wish I had answers for you, ma’am, but quite simply, I do not.”

  Kensington needed to shift the focus. “Benjamin, I would appreciate it, if you have the time, if you would speak with our security team anyway. With the Eyjanian connection, it is always possible you know something you don’t realize you know.”

  “If I have time,” he replied, quite noncommittal.

  “We would also appreciate it if you would do anything you can on your end to expedite the adoption process. We would like to be Gracie’s legal parents as soon as possible.”

  “If I can.”

  Kensington didn’t hold out much hope of him doing anything, but further conversation was forestalled with the arrival of the rest of the family.

  “Good morning!” his father’s voice filled the room. “I hope you all slept well after last night’s excitement.”

  Benjamin shifted his focus from Kensington and Anabelle to the new attendees. “I did. However, I do need to get home soon. If we could have breakfast, I would like to speak quickly with your security teams, in case there is some way I can help with the Lady’s disappearance, and then I need to take my leave.”

  “Of course.” Kensington’s father motioned toward the table. “We appreciate anything you may be able to tell them that could help. Any detail, no matter how small, could be of the utmost importance.”

  Anabelle didn’t wait for others to be seated, but Kensington knew she chose a spot as far away from Benjamin’s seat as she could. It wasn’t quite where she should have been, but no one would quibble with her.

  Conversation around the table remained stilted to non-existent. Jacqueline Grace attempted to keep it going, but eventually she lapsed into silence as well.

  As soon as he could, Benjamin excused himself. A member of the staff escorted him toward the security office.

  Once he was clear of the room, Kensington’s father spoke. “Would someone care to tell me what was going on when we arrived?”

  “It’s my fault,” Anabelle blurted out. “We were the only two here, and I asked him about Gracie, accused him of being her father, and wanted to know why my parents had to die.”

  “What did he say?”

  “He’s not Gracie’s father,” Kensington answered for her. “I believe him when he appeared to have no idea what she was talking about. He categorically denied being her father, and I wondered, out loud, if Isaiah could be. Isaiah is known for his dalliances, but we’ve never really heard anything about Benjamin taking after him.”

  His father nodded slowly. “That actually makes a lot more sense. I’ve never believed Benjamin to be diabolical, but I believe it of Isaiah. I don’t know that I think he had anything to do with your parents’ death, but Gracie’s father? Possibly behind the kidnapping? That I can believe.”

  Esme nodded as well. “That would fit better with what my family knows as well. I don’t know why your parents believed Benjamin to be her father, but that was the information they had. Looking back on a couple things they said, it’s possible they weren’t even sure, or were going off what your grandfather said - possibly in the hopes of misleading them.”

  “I’ll check in with the security offices later,” the king told them. “Kensington, I know you’ll be busy with the Athletes’ Village opening. Anabelle, I’m sure you’ll be occupied as well since the souvenir stands will be in service.”

  Kensington and Anabelle pushed back from the table at the same time. “We both need to be leaving shortly. Thank you all for your continued support.” He rested his hand on Anabelle’s back as they left the breakfast room. The confrontation with Benjamin hadn’t been enjoyable, but at least it was over. With any luck, they’d have learned something new.

  He couldn’t focus on that, though.
The Village opening had to be at the forefront of his mind. He couldn’t dwell on Gracie, no matter how much he wanted to.

  Pointing with her middle finger wasn’t Anabelle’s favorite thing, but sometimes it was the only finger available. That was how she managed not to drop everything she was holding. “Why don’t we move that shirt to the bottom and the green one to the top? It makes the colors flow better, I think.”

  “Good eye.” Holly walked up beside her, arms filled with merchandise. “I would have suggested the same thing, despite the layout they sent us to use.”

  “Thanks. I did a little bit of retail the last couple of years. My best friend owns a yarn store in Akushla. It was a piece of cake compared to what this is going to be.”

  Holly glanced at the wall clock. “The insanity begins in half an hour. I’m really glad we don’t officially open until the Village opens at noon. Trying to get all of this done last night would have been impossible.”

  “At least I wouldn’t have been wearing heels all night,” Anabelle pointed out. “And breakfast this morning was a little awkward.”

  “I thought I heard the family had breakfast with King Benjamin and Princess Esmeralda. It wasn’t nice to talk with someone from home, even if he is the king?”

  Anabelle had to remind herself that Holly wasn’t really a friend, not yet. “Exactly. He’s the king. We had a not entirely pleasant encounter one time. He doesn’t remember it, but when you’re in the public eye you meet a lot of people. He unintentionally offended me.” She shrugged. “I’ve moved on, but that doesn’t mean I want to hang out with him, and it’s just awkward.”

  “I can understand that.”

  Twenty minutes later, they were as ready to open as they ever would be. Good thing, because she had ten minutes to get across the complex to the Village and join Kensington at the opening. “I have to go,” she told Holly. “You’ll officially open as soon as Kensington cuts the ribbon. I doubt you’ll have much business for the first half hour. Everyone will be at the ceremony before they start filtering around.” Holly knew all of this, but Anabelle couldn’t help but tell her again.

  Her security team caught her attention and ushered her to a golf cart used to whisk her away.

  When she reached Kensington’s side, he kissed her cheek despite the crowd milling about to the side of the stage. “My parents want to talk to us immediately after we’re done. There’s no news,” he hurried on, “but it seems to be an issue of some importance. We’ll go to the conference room in the building behind the stage.”

  Anabelle just nodded as their names were announced. Kensington took her hand and led the way up the stairs. They both waved as the crowd cheered then stood in front of their chairs.

  They took their seats as the rest of those on stage did. Several people gave short speeches before Kensington took his spot behind the microphones. He kept his address short and sweet. The stage had been situated just to the side of the main walkway leading into the Village. Kensington and several others went down those steps. Anabelle followed, though she hung back. Kensington, along with one of the athletes from San Majoria, used giant scissors to cut the red ribbon and symbolize the opening of the Village and the pre-Games events and venues, like the souvenir stands.

  For about ten minutes, they greeted people, mostly athletes, as they streamed into the Village. She noticed her in-laws were further down the line on the same side she and Kensington were stationed. As the crowd surging through dwindled to a trickle, security teams for the five of them surrounded her family and led them to a conference room, but no one said anything until they were all seated.

  She watched the king, expectant.

  “The nurse you spoke with the other day has stayed with the little girl non-stop, even getting her shift covered so she wouldn’t have to leave her side.” The king heaved a heavy sigh. “She noticed some oddities no one would have picked up on otherwise. After you left breakfast, we were notified the doctor in charge of her case, along with a nurse he often works closely with, had disappeared. Another doctor met us at the hospital. With our approval, he investigated further.”

  “And?” Kensington prompted when his father didn’t go on.

  “There’s nothing wrong with that little girl, except sedatives. There are no burns. No wounds of any kind. Blood work is being done to make sure we’re not missing anything, but she’s quite clearly not Gracie. Photos have been taken and will be distributed to the media today or tomorrow in hopes of identifying her.”

  Anabelle felt relief wash over her. “She’s really all right?”

  “She still wasn’t awake yet when we left, but they believe once the medication keeping her asleep is out of her system, she’ll be just fine.”

  “How could this happen?” Kensington asked. “How could a doctor manipulate the system so no one else questioned anything?”

  “Hospital administration is looking into that very thing. The doctor in question has impeccable credentials. He’d worked for the hospital for decades, won award after award, and no one had any reason to suspect him of anything.”

  They discussed it until Anabelle asked about something else weighing on her. “What about Astrid? How is she?”

  “Fine as can be. She’s resting but should be able to go home tomorrow. She’ll be out of circulation much earlier than originally planned, though. Her engagements will all be canceled or reassigned.”

  “The important thing is for her to take care of herself and the baby.” Anabelle knew they were all relieved the baby hadn’t been born overnight.

  The king stood. “That’s all we know for now. If anything changes, we’ll let you know.”

  Hugs were exchanged with each of her extended family members holding her tightly and whispering their reassurances.

  After a private moment with Kensington, Anabelle returned to the shop where Holly had things well in hand and threw herself into her work.

  As he expected, Kensington was so busy he didn’t know if he was coming or going. His time with Anabelle had been non-existent, except for a stolen moment or two.

  News about the little girl had taken over the airwaves for two days before Astrid’s trip to the hospital joined it. The girl hadn’t been identified, but seemed to have no lasting effects from the medications. She wasn’t talking to anyone at all. Her murmurs in her sleep told them she was capable, but the doctors seemed to think the trauma had caused her to refuse.

  The Opening Ceremonies had gone off without a hitch the night before - at least none visible to the public. As with any exhibition of that size, a few glitches occurred, but nothing that couldn’t be worked around.

  He walked toward the entrance to the track. He wouldn’t go out of the tunnel and cause a disturbance with his presence, but wanted to observe for a moment. After watching the high jump for several competitors, he made a few notes about what he saw in the periphery.

  Anabelle was working at one of the stores in a nearby venue. He rode in a golf cart to her location, but, once again, didn’t want to intrude.

  From the back office, he could watch her on the monitors that showed the entire store.

  He knew her face by heart. The worry lines much too prominent for someone so young, becoming so much more pronounced in the weeks since Gracie’s disappearance. The sparkling hazel eyes dimmed in recent times. The ready smile that made far too few appearances lately.

  But here... He could tell she was in her element.

  She answered questions, took selfies, hugged little children, gave fist bumps and high fives to kids - mostly boys - who likely deemed themselves too old for hugs.

  “She’s great at this.”

  Kensington glanced to the side to see Holly walk in with a stack of papers.

  “She was born to be with people. We’ve talked a bit, but mostly I’ve observed and read between the lines. Everything with Lady Gracie has taken a toll, but when things settle back down and life returns to normal, she needs to be around people. She’s like me.”
/>   “In what way?”

  “She’s very, very good at what she’s done the last few weeks. There was a learning curve because she’d never done it before, but I have absolutely no doubt she could do my job if she wanted to, and probably she could do it better. What I really mean, though, is that she’s an extrovert. She’s renewed and energized by time with people. I hate to say it, sir, but you and your family don’t really count in that sense. Given her own choice, she’d probably have a wide circle of friends, some closer to her than others, but she finds energy and renewal in times with others.”

  Kensington nodded. “I understand. I think I’m much the same way, but given my position and family, it’s not always possible. Sometimes I chafe at the restrictions. She likely will, too, when things are normal again.”

  A few comments she’d made back at Lowery House, the frustration in her voice at the limits on her movements, made more sense when viewed in light of extroversion, something he’d never really considered before. “I’ll do my best to make sure she has that interaction and the opportunity to work with charities or organizations so she can put those skills to good use. Thank you for helping her find her footing.”

  “My pleasure.” Holly grabbed another stack of papers. “But right now, there’s no rest for the weary. Good afternoon.” She bowed her head slightly and left.

  Kensington took the golf cart back to the track and field stadium and did something his security team would hate, but he didn’t much care.

  The concourse was filled with spectators, and he wanted to be a part of it, even for a few minutes.

  As expected, he was quickly noticed. It was good for him to be with people who didn’t really want something from him, just a moment of his time for a handshake and a selfie.

  Everyone said nice things about the Games so far, congratulated him on his marriage to Anabelle, and told him they were all in their prayers.

  He crouched down and reached for a little girl, to shake her hand, but his arms were grabbed, and he was lifted off his feet and pulled away. The girl’s eyes went wide as did her mother’s.