Royal Mistake: The Complete Series

by Ember Casey

  I glance at my watch. I have almost two hours until King Maximilian and I are supposed to meet. I should be able to manage a quick visit to my Father.

  “I don’t have long,” I tell my brother. “Is there a car waiting?”

  “Of course,” Nicholas says with a nod.

  “Thank you.” I haven’t been a very good heir the past few days, but at least I can be a good son.

  Not that he’ll be very happy when he hears you’ve turned down Princess Justine. And proposed to Victoria, a woman who can never bear an heir. And brought King Maximilian right to our gates.

  My mind whirls as I walk with Nicholas down to the courtyard and climb into the car. Perhaps it would be best if I don’t mention any of those things to my father just yet. I’ll wait until he’s recovered a little more before telling him exactly how much I’ve fucked up. Right now, I just need to show my support.

  In a matter of moments, we’re at the hospital. I make my way straight to Father’s room. My mother is speaking to one of the nurses just outside, and she gives me a small smile when she sees me.

  She looks so tired, I think as she pulls me into a hug.

  “When was the last time you slept?” I ask her. “Or ate anything?”

  “They brought me breakfast about an hour ago,” she says. “And I’ll sleep when we’re all back at the palace again.

  I start to argue with her, but before I can, she takes my hand and squeezes it.

  “Your father wants to speak with you,” she says. “He’s going to try and discuss business, but don’t let him stress himself. He still needs to rest.”

  “I’m not going to tell him anything yet,” I tell her. “He doesn’t need to hear about everything right now.”

  My mother’s eyes flicker. “Well, forgive me…but I’ve already told him a couple of things. I knew he would hear about them soon enough, and I thought it would be better coming from me. Besides, he refused to go to sleep last night before I updated him on Montovia’s affairs.” She gives a small shake of her head. “Stubborn fool.”

  “What did you tell him?” I ask.

  “I told him you weren’t going to marry Justine. And that King Maximilian and Prince Reginald were here.” Her expression tells me exactly what she thinks about our neighboring monarch. “He needed to know that Maximilian was here. It would have done him no good to lie about it.”

  I nod. “Anything about Victoria?”

  “I told him he needed to trust you to make your own decisions, that was all.” Her eyes gleam slightly, her fingers tightening on mine again. “Have you given her a ring yet?”

  “Yes,” I say. “The black pearl that belonged to Great-Grandmother.”

  “Ah, that’s a perfect choice for her,” she says, smiling. “I’m very proud of you, Andrew. You’ve listened to your heart and trusted yourself—that’s a very fine trait in a future king. You do your country proud.”

  “Not yet, I haven’t,” I say. “But I will.” I glance at the door to my father’s room. “Is he awake now?”

  “Yes,” my mother says. “I’ll leave you two to speak in private. I’m going to go see if Nicholas and I can find your sister.”

  She gives me one more hug before taking Nicholas’s arm and heading down the corridor. I turn toward the door.

  This is it. This is where I admit how much I’ve screwed up. I don’t care what my mother has said—I know my father well enough to know he’ll be disappointed by my actions.

  I take a deep breath and push open the door.

  My father is sitting up in the hospital bed. Even though I’ve been by his side on and off since he was taken ill, his appearance now still shocks me. He looks too thin. Too old. His cheeks are hollow, his skin sallow, and there are thick bags under his eyes. Even his hair looks grayer now.

  His eyebrow rises as he looks at me. “Don’t just stand there gawking, Son. I don’t have time for that nonsense.”

  With a frown, I pull the door closed behind me. “Glad to see you awake, Father.”

  “Where has your mother gone?”

  “She’s looking for Sophia,” I say.

  He shakes his head, muttering to himself. “Someone needs to force her to get some sleep. I swear, she’s going to make herself ill with the fussing she’s been doing.” His eyes snap back up to me. “I don’t care that she’s your mother—I want you to force her to get some rest. She sure as hell won’t listen to me.”

  In spite of myself, I find myself fighting a smile. It’s rare I hear my father openly express concern for anyone.

  “Well, what are you waiting for?” he says in response to my silence. “Get over here. We have business to discuss.”

  I obediently walk over to the chair next to his bed, but I remember my mother’s words. “I really don’t think we need to discuss business—”

  “We do. Welcome to being king, Son. Monarchs don’t get vacations, even when they’re ill.”

  “I assure you, Father, I’m taking care of everything in your stead—”

  “Bullshit,” my father snaps. “Your mother’s told me everything. That bastard Maximilian is here throwing up a fuss because you decided you weren’t going to marry his blasted daughter.”

  I take a deep breath. I deserve a lecture, I know. And I don’t want my father to get any more worked up than he already is. “I know it probably was a rash, unwise decision—”

  “It was a bloody stupid decision,” he says. “No probably about it.”

  “I’m doing everything in my power to come to an agreement with him, Father.”

  His eyebrows snap together. “Why in God’s name are you doing that?”

  I blink. “I… Why wouldn’t I try to come to an agreement?”

  He looks at me like I’m a complete fool. “That Maximilian is a snake. I’m glad you aren’t marrying his daughter.”

  I stare at my father. Did he fall and hit his head when he had that heart attack? “I don’t understand.”

  “What’s there to understand?” he says, still looking at me like I’m completely dense. “I don’t want you linking yourself to that bloody bastard. The fact he thinks he can demand such things—”

  “Wait a moment,” I say. “Just last week you were insisting I marry her.”

  “And you rightfully refused. Good for you for growing some balls. I wasn’t sure you had it in you.”

  My God, I’m not even sure who I’m talking to right now. Perhaps I should speak with his physicians—he’s probably on some pretty powerful medications at the moment.

  I start to stand, but he reaches out and grabs me by the wrist. In spite of his weak appearance, his grip is like iron.

  “Is that American reporter still around?” he says. “The one who turned you into a blasted moon-faced fool?”

  My jaw tightens. I’m not sure I want to discuss Victoria with my father, not until he’s fully well again. But lying to him won’t help either of us.

  “Yes,” I say. “She is.”

  He gives a firm nod, as if he’s decided something. “I thought she might be.”

  Is that a good thing or a bad thing?

  I withdraw my wrist from his grip. “I love her, Father. If you—”

  “Well, that’s bloody obvious,” he says. “Didn’t exactly take a detective to figure that out.”

  I straighten my shoulders. There’s no point in shying away from the rest of the truth. “I intend to marry her.”

  “Good.”

  I nearly fall off the chair. Good? My father thinks that’s good?

  Yes, he must definitely be on some powerful drugs right now.

  “I’ve had some time to think since yesterday,” he says. “Frankly, I’m not sure how many of my thoughts were actual thoughts and how many were hallucinations, but I know one thing to be true.” His sharp eyes focus on me, pinning me in place. “The first thing I saw when I woke up was your mother. I had no idea what had happened to me—all I know is I woke up and saw her face and knew right away, deep down, tha
t it’s only because of God’s good grace that I’m still here on this earth. Something in her eyes…” His voice becomes almost strangled as he trails off. He takes a moment to compose himself before clearing his throat a continuing. “That woman means everything to me. She’s made me a better man—and a better king. Somewhere along the way, I allowed myself to forget that…but in that moment, seeing myself reflected back in her, I remembered. I know what that kind of love can do for a person. I know what that kind of love can do for a king.”

  His hand moves again, reaching for mine, and I find myself taking it, holding it tight.

  “Does this woman make you better?” he asks me. “Stronger?”

  “Every single day.”

  He gives another nod. “Then perhaps she would make the perfect future queen for this country.”

  I squeeze his hand. “I know she will. There’s only one problem.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Maximilian.” I practically growl his name. “He’s threatened war—”

  “War?!” My father starts to sit up in bed, but I reach out an arm to calm him.

  “I’ve talked him down from that,” I say, “but he still thinks he can pressure me into giving up the Amhurst Valley. And into marrying Justine.”

  My father’s brow wrinkles. “That blasted snake of a man…” He shakes his head, but already I can see the wheels turning in his mind. “He thinks he can back you into a corner. Call the physician. I’m getting dressed and getting back to the palace—”

  “No, you aren’t,” I see. “You need to recover.”

  “I’m not going to let Maximilian take advantage of my son or my country.”

  “Neither am I,” I say.

  Something about my tone calms him a little. He studies me, then relaxes back onto the bed.

  “You think you can handle him?” he asks me.

  “I don’t know,” I admit. “But I intend to try.” I tilt my head. “Though if you have any pearls of wisdom you’d like to share, I’d be grateful for them.”

  However much I dislike discussing business with my father right now, I’m also relieved to see the spark has returned to his eyes—this is his element. And for the first time in a long time, he’s looking at me as if he respects me. As if he believes in me.

  And as he beckons me closer, ready to pass on his knowledge, I suddenly feel as if anything is possible.

  Victoria

  There are so many reasons for me to leave Montovia, not the least of which is the threat of war from King Maximilian. I wish I could make him—and everyone—understand that I never meant for any of this to happen. If I had a magic wand, I’d go back in time and make Andrew see the error of his ways before he even had the idea of a pageant in the first place.

  But I have no wand. And no magic. What I do have is the ring on my finger—the one I haven’t been able to take off, even though I know I should—and the strength that comes with knowing that Andrew loves me. I’m still not sure how we’re going to figure this out, but we have to somehow.

  As nice as it was to catch up with Elle, seeing her so incredibly happy with her prince—so unbelievably blissful with her pregnancy—made my stomach twist with a very uncomfortable feeling. It’s never been easy for me to be around pregnant women since I lost my twins. When I had a celebrity pregnancy story to cover, it was pretty easy to pawn them off on other reporters—people love those stories and they get huge ratings. I’ve been able to avoid being around pregnant women for the most part. Oh, who am I kidding? I’ve willfully avoided pregnant women like the plague for the past seven years.

  It isn’t helping me with finding a reason to stay in Montovia. And it definitely isn’t helping me with the ugly jealousy bubbling inside me.

  I go to my room to change into workout clothes. If there’s been one great thing about being in Montovia, it’s been finding out that my fencing abilities haven’t left me at all. In fact, if I ever do return home, signing up for a fencing club is the first thing I’m going to do. I’d forgotten how much I love the sport.

  I walk to the gym and see by the lights that as usual, I’ll not be alone. My heart races a little, thinking maybe Andrew will be here. As I enter, I can see by his build it’s William practicing.

  He drops his weapon and lifts his face mask when I enter, giving me one of his dashing smiles. He’s so much like Andrew—and Leopold, for that matter—with the way he’s able to smile and charm anyone into doing anything he asks.

  “Victoria.” His grin grows even wider. “I’m so pleased you’ve arrived. It’s so boring practicing alone.”

  “I thought I might work off some of this…energy.” Jealousy. I need to work off this jealousy.

  He nods, almost as though he can read my mind. “I can’t imagine it’s easy for you, being around Elle right now.”

  I shrug, but I’m sure he can see right through me. I walk over to the wall where the practice gear is located and pull on a chest guard before I choose my epée. After I put on my face mask, I walk back over to where William is waiting for me.

  He flips his mask down and raises his weapon. “We don’t have to spar, you know. If you’d rather talk—”

  “En garde.” I don’t even let him finish, engaging him before he has the chance to finish his thought. I have no desire to talk about the mix of emotions I have about this whole situation. I sure as hell don’t want to complain to him about how damn unfair everything is. I don’t whine. I don’t bitch about the cruelty of a universe that would give someone else a dream meant for me. But maybe it isn’t meant for me. Maybe it’s the sign I’m being sent by a universe that seems determined to keep me from having the man I love and from giving him the future he deserves. The future we both deserve.

  But that seems an awful lot like whining to me. And that is one thing I do not do. One thing I will never do.

  William and I spar for over an hour before he finally raises his hand to withdraw. I’m not sure who even won—we stopped counting after a while, both of us seeming to find solace in the physical activity.

  He pulls off his face mask—beads of sweat line his forehead and his hair is drenched.

  I take off my face mask, too, and I’m sure I look almost as sticky as he does. I’m also a little more out of breath than I realized.

  William smiles, but not the same charming smile as when I first entered. “You and I, Victoria… We are a lot alike.”

  My body hunches forward, trying to find my breath. But I nod. He’s right—we are a lot alike. But he seems more like a brother to me than a lover—we’re almost too much alike.

  “We both use physical activity to cover up our emotional state. We both—”

  “I am not using anything to cover up anything.” I straighten, walking over to the equipment rack to hang up my epée and my face mask.

  He walks over and does the same. “Ah, but I think you are. You may not want to talk about it, but—”

  “You’re right. I don’t want to talk about it.”

  He nods, staring at me for a moment before he pulls off his chest guard. “I’m having some difficulty talking about my own feelings about things, Victoria. I find I’m very distraught about everything that is going on in the palace these days. And I’m not sure of my place here any longer.” He turns to face me. “I thought perhaps you would understand that.”

  My heart twists in my chest as I realize how selfish I’m being. It’s hard to realize it sometimes, but I suppose not everything happening now is only my problem. William is obviously going through many of the same things I am—and I didn’t even realize it.

  “I’m sorry.” I reach out and touch the top of his arm. “I do understand not knowing your place. I’m so sorry I—”

  He raises a hand to interrupt, shaking his head. “There’s no need for apology, Victoria. Being forced to court Lady Clarissa is simply a nightmare.” He chuckles, but it doesn’t seem as though he honestly thinks it’s a very funny joke. “I simply hoped that—”

&
nbsp; “You need a friend.” I nod to myself, frowning. “We both do. I’m…I’m so sorry. I’ve been so wrapped up in what’s going on with me and my relationship, I never even considered…” My voice trails off and I look into his eyes. “I’m really sorry.”

  “I’m sorry to even ask for your ear, Victoria. But things…things are difficult now.”

  “I know.” I almost wince at my own words. “I mean, I know they are for me. You…you probably already know why they are for me. Why don’t you tell me what’s going on with you? I mean, if I can help with anything—”

  “Shall we walk?” He motions toward the door. “It’s a bit chilly outside, but I find I’m quite warm at the moment.”

  “Of course.”

  He extends his elbow to me and I take it before he leads me outside and into one of the nearby gardens.

  We stop when we reach a bench near the middle of the garden. He motions for me to take a seat, and he sits next to me as soon as I do. “My mother loves this garden. She fashioned it after one of the gardens at the Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna she saw when she was a girl. Apparently, she’s been quite taken with gardens since she was very young.”

  I smile, admiring the space. Even though there is a definite chill in the air and there are no flowers to speak of, it’s still a beautiful place. “She’s done a wonderful job designing the grounds. Everything is gorgeous.”

  He nods, pressing his lips together before he turns to me. “Perhaps I should learn to tend to her gardens. It seems I have little else to do these days.”

  I frown, but I’m not able to get a word in before he speaks again. “I don’t seem to have any other way to help my family. Much as I suppose Princess Justine feels. I’ve been thinking quite a lot about what she’s going through. It must be equally as difficult for her, not knowing her place. She seems too kind to be going through this

  “Yes, she seems nice. Caught in the same quagmire we all are, I suppose.”

  He lifts a brow. “Precisely. Her father…” He shakes his head, turning back to look at a nearby hedge. “He is not a good man. It’s nearly abusive what he’s done to her. And I fear…I fear he may take his rage out upon her should he get the chance.”