by Violet Paige
I wasn’t doing this. Sutcliffe could fuck off. There wasn’t an argument he could present to make me back down. Tonight, Molly was going to be presented to the royals and to the Galonian government as the Royal Consort.
The position would entitle her to apartments in the palace. Behind closed doors, it was no one’s damned business where she slept.
“I appreciate your counsel, Sutcliffe. I know exactly where you stand.” I interrupted his incessant argument that I was breaking every royal protocol known to generations of kings. “But this is my decision. There will be a ball in the blue ball room tonight. If it’s too late notice for any of the members, they can read about the announcement tomorrow morning with the rest of the country.”
“Your Highness—”
“No.” I glared at him. “If there isn’t a loophole we can use, then we’re going to pave our own way. I appreciate your perspective on the institute my family represents, but I’ve made my decision.”
I rose, straightening my jacket. I looked at Molly, but she wasn’t paying attention. I wondered how much of my stance she had heard.
“Molly?”
“Yes?” Her head jerked upward.
“Let’s go.”
I held out my hand and led her away from the study. The staff carried on their usual tasks, but in about ten minutes they would find out we were hosting a ball. This place would come alive like a bee hive.
We turned down the corridor for the residence elevators.
“Are you ok?” I asked. She hadn’t spoken since the meeting.
The security officers opened the elevator for us. The doors closed.
“Molly, are you tired from the trip?” This morning we had awakened on the yacht, flew to Freychon, and completed an aggravating protocol meeting. Hell, I was tired.
“Royal Consort? What is that? Mistress or advisor?”
“I didn’t think you’d care what the title was as long as I made this work.”
“I don’t care about having a title at all.” She walked into the apartment. “I do care that people are going to hear ‘consort’ and think I’m the royal call girl.”
“You’re not.” I pressed my lips together. This was supposed to be settled.
“Why didn’t you mention Dominic’s past to me before?”
I ruffled my hair. “And give you more reason to run out of here?”
She looked startled. “I wouldn’t do that.”
“No? Isn’t that where we were last night? You were ready to quit before we even began.”
She sighed. “For completely different reasons. It’s not the same.”
“I can’t make this perfect for you, Molly. I’m trying my fucking best here. But this is my life. I’m the king of Galona. And I want you. I’m willing to break traditions and laws to make that happen. What are you willing to do?”
I saw the look of hurt flash across her eyes.
“What if we both sacrifice too much?” she whispered. “Is it supposed to be this hard?”
I wrapped my arms around her. “I’m ready to announce to the world that you are the king’s Royal Consort. To clear up any confusion, that means you’re my advisor.”
“Not a concubine?”
I chuckled. “No, love. Not a concubine.”
Her shoulders relaxed. “I’m sorry. The meeting freaked me out. Sutcliffe isn’t a fan of me.”
“He doesn’t like anyone new. Try not to take it personally.”
“It’s hard not to. His job is to protect you, not me.”
I shrugged. “He has a new job now. He’ll get used to it. He’ll warm up to you. I swear.”
“And this ball tonight, I guess I get to meet the rest of your family?”
I nodded. “They will be there.”
“Where’s Ayla?” I saw the panic.
“You have plenty of time to prepare. In the meantime, I need to address the cabinet. I have a strong set of arguments to present thanks to you.”
“Oh God. The vote is today.”
I gripped her shoulders. “It is. I am going to the cabinet room. Will you be here when I get back this time?”
She smiled. “I will. But I’d like to have my own things. Can I pack them and bring them over?”
“It’s already taken care of. Everything will be here in a few hours.”
“How’d you do that?”
“Helps to know the king.” I winked.
I turned to leave. I had a few notes I wanted to collect from my office.
“Wait, I know you have to leave, but can I ask a favor?”
“What is it?”
“Since we’re having a ball, can I invite someone? I’d like Brooklyn to be here. She’s my best friend. I need a friendly face other than yours,” she added.
I knew Sutcliffe would advise me to forbid it, but this was Molly’s night. “Sure. Tell her it’s formal.”
Molly nodded. “Thank you. Good luck with the vote.”
I grumbled. I needed more than luck. Yesterday’s publicity stunt had blown up. I didn’t know whether I had enough sway to convince the rest of the cabinet to change their votes. They could be stuck on my damn love life instead of the critical infrastructure system our agriculture needed.
“I’ll let you know how it goes, love.”
I picked up my files in the office and headed for the cabinet room. I didn’t know how today turned into the one day when I had to fight for everything that mattered. There wasn’t time to second-guess how I had arrived at this intersection. I had to make it through two huge obstacles to come out on the other side victorious. Failure was not an option.
Thirty
Molly
I knew the elevator had reached the main floor. The air always changed when Damon was gone. I sank on the sofa, curling my feet underneath me. I leaned over and pulled my phone from my purse.
I called Brooklyn. “Hey.”
“Mol, what is going on? These people just showed up and started packing your things. I’m freaking out.”
“Shit. Already?”
“You know about this?”
How was I going to explain it? “I’m moving into the palace.” I went for the rip-the-Band-Aid-off approach.
“You’re what? Hey, that’s mine, not hers,” she called to one of the movers.
“I’m moving. Damon wants me to move into the palace with him.”
“You’re not coming home? Ever?”
I sat forward. “Not back to the apartment. I’m sorry. It’s not safe for me anymore. Damon thinks royal security will be able to keep a closer eye on me here.”
“What am I going to do? You’re my roommate, Mol. We have a lease. Rent.”
“And I’ll cover all of that. I promise. I wouldn’t do that to you.” I didn’t know how she would take it. I hadn’t had much time to process it myself.
“This is so weird. They’re going through everything.”
“I’m sorry. I’d be there if I could, but it would only upset everyone in the building. I don’t want our neighbors to be harassed for an interview.” I looked out the window. Everything was peaceful and serene here. Surrounded by beautiful grass and ocean scenes, it was hard to imagine what Brooklyn was dealing with.
“I can’t believe you would just leave like this.”
“I meant to call you before they got there, but Damon is a little impatient sometimes.” I pulled the curtains together and returned to the sofa. “But I have something I think will cheer you up.”
“What?” she snapped. She tried to stay annoyed but I could tell she was intrigued.
“How would you like to attend a royal ball?”
“Go on,” she prodded.
I smiled. “Damon is throwing a ball tonight to announce my position at the palace. It’s a protocol thing. I could really use a friend. And I know you would have fun. It’s exactly the kind of party you’d love. All the royals in one place,” I teased.
“You aren’t kidding. He is impatient.”
“Will you c
ome? Please?”
“Does this mean I have to go shopping for a dress?” she asked. The previous anger in her voice had been replaced with excitement.
“Probably.”
“Then, yes. I’d love to go.”
I grinned. “Thank, God. I thought you were going to turn me down.”
She laughed. “I would like to kick these movers out of the apartment.”
“Soon. They’ll be gone and you’ll have your own place.”
“You know I never really wanted my own place.”
“I know. I’m sorry. But we can hang out tonight and we’ll make some plans. You can come to the palace anytime. I’m going to have my own apartment here.”
“Holy shit.”
I looked up when the elevator dinged. Ayla walked into the suites.
“Brooklyn, I have to go, but I’ll make sure you have all the details and an invitation. And a car.” I smiled. If I was dating the king, I could send a car.
“Wow. You can do that?”
I wasn’t completely sure, but I thought it was worth trying. Sutcliffe would go crazy. I decided I’d try to flex my muscle with him a little.
“I can’t wait to see you.”
“You too, Mol.”
“Thanks for doing this.”
“I can’t believe I’m going to a ball.” I smiled. Maybe there was a way to smooth things over with my best friend.
“See you soon.”
I hung up and looked at Ayla. She was holding a leather-bound notebook. I was nervous about whatever was in there. It looked like a lot of information to cram into my head in such a short amount of time.
“Are you ready to get started?” she asked.
I nodded. “Lesson number three hundred fifty-two.” I sighed.
“I promise to make it as painless as possible.” She smiled lightly. “But as usual, we are pressed for time. We need to review the guest list, royal customs for balls, and I think we’ll need at least three hours for your wardrobe.”
“Three hours?” My eyes popped. “Shouldn’t I spend more time studying the attendees than having my hair done?”
Ayla laughed. “It’s all equally important.”
“I don’t see how that’s possible.”
She patted the sofa. I sat next to her, making sure my ankles rested against each other in a slight slant as she had taught me. I was amazed at how quickly I had started to adapt to the nuances of acting royal.
“As Royal Consort you’ll have to reconcile what is important to the king against what you’re accustomed to as an American. I don’t pretend that it’s easy. If it were, there wouldn’t be a position for someone like me. Royal expertise is an honored and respected profession in Galona. I trained for years, Molly. Becoming royal isn’t something to be taken lightly.
“It’s not any of my business to know whether that’s something you need to consider. It’s my job to make sure that you have every tool you need to be on the king’s arm. I’m here to help you.”
Ayla was too polite to be rude. She wouldn’t be callous like Sutcliffe. She wouldn’t push me like Damon. I believed she genuinely wanted me to succeed, but I heard her subtle messages. This role was unlike anything else I’d ever experienced. And it wasn’t for everyone. Dominic’s story had taught me that some relationships weren’t strong enough to withstand the cloud over the crown.
To Ayla, spending hours to choose fabric and accessories wasn’t a waste of time. It completed the package. Being dressed in a well-known designer with a stunning clutch held just right was equally as important as knowing the names of foreign dignitaries.
“Ayla, I’m not actually becoming royal. This is for show. For Damon.”
It must have sounded sacrilegious. But why should we all continue with the charade behind closed doors?
“You are going to be the king’s Royal Consort. That is not a show.” She flipped open the leather cover. “Let’s get started.”
“I didn’t mean to offend you, Ayla. Or the crown.”
“First we will cover the differences between the king’s cabinet and the royal advisory board. One is a part of Galona’s government and the other is part of royal tradition.”
“And where do I fall as the consort?”
“You are under the royal side. But since the ball tonight includes both, you’ll have to study each group and understand how they fall under the king’s rule.”
“All right. I can do that.”
I’d spent the past year doing nothing but studying. I was a professional student. If I thought about tonight like an exam I had to cram for, I could nail the details down, no problem. I twisted my hair into a bun and grabbed a pencil from the desk, jamming it into place. Now I was almost ready.
“Ayla, can I have some note cards?”
She tilted her head sideways. “Note cards?”
“Yes. I need note cards if I’m going to make this work.”
“Anything else?”
“Coffee?”
She grinned. “Coffee is a must.”
I wanted to think I had found a new friend in this woman who advised me, but there was a noticeable distance between us that I feared Ayla would never let me shorten.
Thirty-One
Damon
Who wore fucking tails anymore? I shirked the jacket off and searched through my closet, banging hangers together looking for a different tuxedo. I reached for a fitted coat, but Sutcliffe’s voice nagged in my ear. If I didn’t show up ready to present the new Royal Consort in true Galona style, I’d essentially be slapping everyone in the face.
I didn’t know if I was willing to do that. Molly was the goal. The reason the palace had turned into a circus today.
Guests were arriving. Champagne was being poured.
I threaded one arm through the jacket and then the other, grumbling as I buttoned it together. When the fuck had I become this man?
There was a knock at the bedroom door. I turned to see Sutcliffe glance over the tux with approval.
“Your Majesty.” He bowed.
“Did you pull it off, Sutcliffe?” I smirked, knowing he was containing his anger.
“I believe so, sir.”
He walked over, brushed the front of my lapel and took a step back. There may have been a time when Sutcliffe could have been a fatherly figure to me. A man I could look up to after my father’s death. But the minute he started to try to control my decisions, any chance of that was eliminated. I wasn’t going to let an advisor manipulate me.
His agenda was stuck in the past. He was aligned with my father’s philosophies. My uncle wasn’t far from their ideology either. I had wrested with him the first two years and finally realized I may be a young king, but I was their king.
A king who had served his country in the military. A king who had been groomed for the crown. A king who was going to do whatever the hell he wanted.
“Good,” I responded quickly. “Is my Royal Consort ready?” I looked at my watch.
“She is getting dressed, sir.”
I hadn’t seen Molly since the morning meeting. I was sure she had been briefed on the vote, but I wanted to talk to her about it.
“What is the order of events, Sutcliffe?”
“The royal family will be introduced. Your arrival will be announced, followed by the presentation of your mother.”
“She’s here?” I was stunned.
“Of course.” He flicked his mustache.
She hadn’t made an official royal appearance in months. If there was one person Ayla couldn’t prepare Molly for, it was my mother. Damn it.
“Then Molly will be introduced?”
He nodded. “Yes. First to the government. She will go through cabinet introductions, and then to the opposite side of the ball room to meet the royal family.”
“Standard,” I muttered.
“It is, sir. Except that we are doing this for a woman no one knows.”
“And that bothers you, doesn’t it?” I straightened my cufflinks
one last time. I only had a few minutes before I needed to be downstairs.
Sutcliffe pressed his lips together.
“You may speak freely. What is it about Molly that you don’t like?”
“I am to speak freely?”
“Yes.” I didn’t have time for this, especially if he was going to make me repeat myself.
“I’m not the only member of the palace household who knows where she came from.”
“You have something against Americans?” I questioned. I didn’t need political issues along with family ones.
“No, Your Highness. I’m talking about The Titan.”
My eyes darted across the room. “The Titan?”
He folded his hands behind his back. “A woman who would participate in the gala is not someone I would choose to be our next queen.”
“Queen?” What the fuck was he talking about?
“You’ve moved her into the palace, given her a title, and tonight she meets the entire royal family and every member of government. Do you not want to marry her?”
I balled my fists at my side. “That’s none of your damn business.”
“It is my business. I am a citizen of Galona. I serve the crown. And if that gold digging harlot thinks she has the right to rule next to you, I’m going to have a say.”
“Is that so?” I arched my eyebrows.
“Your Majesty, you asked me to speak freely.” He wasn’t backing down. There wasn’t an ounce of fear in his eyes.
“I did.” I walked toward the bedroom door. I turned before I exited. “You are the last of my father’s advisors.”
“I am, sir.”
My eyes set on him. “Did you ever question his decisions as you have mine?”
“Your father was king for years. He was much older when he had the crown.”
“Don’t confuse age with wisdom. I’ve learned they aren’t synonymous.”
Sutcliffe puffed his chest forward. “She’ll do the same thing to you that Sophia did to Dominic. I’m only trying to protect the crown.”
I glared. “I’m the one who protects the crown.”
I walked toward the elevator, not giving a fuck how rude or abruptly I ended our conversation. Sutcliffe was here because I allowed him to be. If he didn’t embrace the new Royal Consort, he would not remain for long.