A Wise Prince: A Poisoned Pawn World Book

by S. E. Rose

  “We’ll see about that,” Jack says as he pushes them toward the palace. We follow him up the back stairs and into the main drawing room where Pete, my dad, and King Michael sit. Clearly, Norddale’s size makes it easy for everyone to get between the palaces in no time at all.

  “Sit,” Jack barks. Lacey sits on a chair, visibly shaking.

  He leans into her face. “Now, you need to tell us everything, and I do mean everything.”

  Lacey visibly trembles under the bravado of Jack’s voice. “I-I…h-he said he’d ruin me if I-I didn’t do it.”

  “Who!?” Jack yells as Lacey shrinks into the chair.

  “L-Lord Johansen, sir,” she whispers, her eyes wide. “H-he had me apply to work here. I needed money for my mother. She is sick and needs to go to Switzerland for treatment. He said he would pay if I did certain things.” She looks away, her face is red with shame.

  “Such as?” Jack urges, his tone softening slightly.

  “I had to report back to him about what happened at the palace. That’s it really, until tonight. He said he needed me to get a box for him. He didn’t say what was in it. I…he said our deal was off if I didn’t. My mom’s supposed to leave next week. She needs this treatment,” Lacey says, her voice shaking with a mixture of fear and worry.

  “What exactly did you tell him?” Jack asks as he sits down across from her.

  “J-just stuff. He wanted to know when and where you all were going. He wanted to know any conversations I overheard. Things like that,” she stutters as tears fall down her cheeks.

  King Michael stands and walks over to her, kneeling down to face her. “Lacey, I’m going to have you go over everything you told him with Pete, OK? I won’t punish you as long as you are honest. I will personally make sure your mother gets the medical care she needs.”

  “Oh, thank you, Your Majesty,” Lacey cries out as she weeps into her hands. The king does something very un-king-like and embraces her like he would a small child. He whispers something to her, but I can’t hear what before he pulls away. She nods and wipes her eyes. Pete clears his throat and she follows him out of the room.

  Everyone is silent as the king’s eyes turn to Auggie who is holding the crown. He walks over to it and Auggie lifts it up for him to take. He does so, his eyes glinting with tears.

  “Where was it?” he asks, his voice hoarse with emotion.

  “Under the lion statue,” Auggie says quietly.

  The king nods, his hands tightening on the crown as though the mere act of holding it can bring back his wife.

  He looks at Auggie and places a hand on his shoulder. “Thank you, son,” he says in a low voice, almost a whisper.

  Auggie nods as the king hands the crown back to Auggie. “See that this is put in its rightful place,” he instructs. The fact that he has asked Auggie to do this is clearly a big deal. Auggie’s eyes glaze over with tears as he nods to his father.

  The king turns to the rest of the room. “Conrad is en route. I have summoned him.”

  “Good, because I have summoned Senator Farrington and his son,” Jack says with a wink. He looks over at Anna and I know whatever she did was the reason they are on their way here.

  “So, that is it? This is over?” Chris asks from the corner of the room. “Can I get my staff back now?” I’m surprised the king had staff removed so quickly.

  Auggie rolls his eyes.

  “We still need to conduct interviews, but yes, staff will all get reinstated one at a time,” the king answers.

  “Well, that was…an uneventful culmination of events,” my father says.

  “It usually is,” Jack answers. “If it’s done the right way.”

  Chapter Thirty

  Auggie

  I place my mother’s crown back in its spot in the vault as Anna and Chris look on. We all stand in silence for a long moment. I set the pink diamond in the middle of it, noting that the crown jeweler will need to be called to replace the missing diamonds and reset the pink diamond.

  “I still can’t believe it was here the entire fucking time,” Chris mutters.

  “It’s fitting, in a morbid sort of way,” Anna adds.

  “Well, it’s where it should be now,” I state. Chris and I both wrap an arm around our little sister as we stand in silence and reflect upon the events that have led us here. I’m not sure how long we stand there, but Chris’s phone buzzing eventually breaks our impromptu sibling moment.

  “Dad wants us back upstairs,” he says. And with that, we all head back to the drawing room as our guests arrive.

  Senator Farrington and Jared are led into one room. And according to Jack, Bill and the senator’s brother are being arrested as Jack speaks to them. Jack’s agents are taking down the forty-four society, one member at a time.

  In another room, Conrad Johansen is meeting with Pete, Anna, and Dad. Kate and I watch video feeds as the two conversations carry on in each room. Jared is the first to cave under Jack’s expert questioning skills. He spills about his father and uncle’s plans, how Bill and he were just pawns in their game. He admits to kidnapping Kate and her sister, partly to make the president do what they wanted but also because he still thinks Kate wants him.

  I can feel my jaw clench as he talks about her.

  I turn back to Johansen talking to Dad. He admits nothing, but eventually, Anna pulls up her computer screen and shows him the money transactions she has found. He still admits nothing as Pete calls in the police to arrest him for conspiracy against the royal family.

  It’s hours later that everyone is seated around the dining room table back at the Summer Palace as Tessa serves her famous mac and cheese and dotes on everyone like they are made of china. We all appear weary. It feels like the last two days have been two weeks long.

  My father raises a glass. “To our children,” he says toward the president and his wife.

  “To our children,” the president says.

  Then my father turns toward me.

  “August, I know you often feel overlooked. And it’s no surprise with Chris being the heir and Anna being…well, Anna.” He chuckles. “You have worn the façade of…well, I think we all know of what…but deep inside, you have always been a truly good and wise prince. Just remember that you are loved and valued by everyone in this family and by your country. I am very proud of you, my son.”

  I blink to keep the tears away at my father’s kind words. He has never spoken of me like this and especially not in front of foreign heads of state, although I think everyone now knows that Kate is my girlfriend and thus the president and his family are more than just heads of state. There’s much more to be discussed. Conversations that will be had in the coming days, but right now, everyone puts all of that aside to be here, together.

  “Thank you, Father,” I reply as I lift my glass. Kate grabs my hand and squeezes it, giving me a big smile. I look around the room at everyone. And for the first time in my life, I feel…complete and understood.

  Epilogue

  Six months later…

  Kate

  I look at the text from my dad. He and Mom are at a friend’s cabin in upstate New York. It’s been six months since he stepped down as president, citing health reasons, although we all know it wasn’t related to his health.

  The press is still circling around the Farringtons and Johansen like vultures as they go through the court process. No one knows the real story of how we figured out their plans to take down the governments of our nations, but it’s best that way. I hope it stays a secret.

  I completed my graduate program four days ago after defending my thesis to my faculty advisor and two other professors. I decided to graduate without any fanfare as our family has had quite enough in the past few months. Ashlyn even took a semester off of school. She’s still shaken over the kidnapping, but she’s improving with each day.

  I still visit Andrew at his home. He’s finally out of the hospital and improving. Auggie joins me for weekly visits to the hospital to read s
tories to the children. He grumbles about it, but I know he loves it.

  I lean against the door of the horse barn as Auggie mounts his horse. He looks positively regal. I get on my horse, and we ride out to the field, the same one from all those months ago.

  “Now, don’t go over the edge this time,” Auggie teases me as we let the horses drink from a small stream at the edge of the wildflowers.

  “Very funny,” I say to him with a glare.

  He winks at me and I try to fight the grin that wants to spread across my face. I can’t stay mad at him. He’s just too cute.

  “Let’s let them drink. We can set up a picnic here,” Auggie states as he jumps down and grabs the picnic basket.

  He helps me off my horse, and I lean against her as I watch Auggie, a prince, down on his knees laying out cheese and crackers and fruit and champagne.

  I giggle.

  “What’s so funny?” he asks me.

  “Nothing,” I lie.

  “Hmmmph,” he mutters as he finishes.

  He’s still on his knees as he surveys his work. He holds out a hand for me and I walk over to him. I start to sink to my knees, but he stops me with a shake of his head. His hands tremble against my legs.

  “What’s wrong?” I frown.

  “Kate…you crashed into my life with no warning. And even if I had been warned, I would have never believed how I’d feel about you. You’re my everything. I can’t imagine living a moment without you in my life. I don’t know where the future will take us or what it will bring, but I do know that there’s nothing we can’t do if we do it together. I want to be the man who supports you, who…is by your side as your equal, you're confidant, your lover, your…husband.” My eyes grow big as he reaches into his pocket and pulls out the most beautiful ring that I’ve ever seen. It’s an intricately carved platinum band with small diamonds encrusted within the design and a single teardrop-shaped blue sapphire in the middle.

  “Marry me, Kathryn? Let me be yours, forever,” he says.

  My shaking knees give way and I fall into his arms. My eyes fill with happy tears. “Yes,” I breathe.

  His grin is so genuine and so boyish it gives me goose bumps as he puts the ring on my finger.

  “I love you, Kate,” he murmurs as he kisses me.

  “I love you, too, Auggie.”

  “You sure you want me forever?” he asks against my lips.

  I grin. “A wise prince once told me that you’re a work in progress, but I’m up for the challenge.”

  He laughs. “I’m not so sure about that wise part, but I’m definitely a work in progress.”

  “I’m sure,” I reply as I lean in and kiss my Prince Charming.

  The End

  ***

  Want more romantic suspense? Read the Deceitful Destiny Series now!

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  Acknowledgements

  As soon as I wrote A Fierce Princess, I knew Prince August needed his own story. He comes off as silly and superficial, but I knew that there was so much more to him.

  I did something new in this story. Maybe you noticed. I changed the characters’ names in their headings throughout the book. This was intentional. These characters grow so much throughout the story and I wanted to show that with their names.

  There are always so many people to thank when I write a book. You know who you are and I love you all! Your support means everything!

  About the Author

  USA Today & International Bestselling romance author, S.E. Rose lives near Washington D.C. with her family. When she's not wrangling her cats or keeping up with her kids, she's plotting her next story.

  She loves all things wine, coffee, and cats. In her non-existent free time, she enjoys traveling, going to concerts, binging on her favorite shows, and reading, especially if it's a good mystery or comedy.

  Learn more about upcoming books from S.E. Rose at www.seroseauthor.com or follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

  Other Books by S.E. Rose

  Deceitful Destiny Series:

  Island (Book 1)

  Secrets (Book 2)

  Bravura (Book 3)

  Determination (Book 4)

  Home (Book 5)

  The Poisoned Pawn Duet:

  A Fierce Princess

  A Valiant Prince

  Perfectly Imperfect Love Series:

  Undeniably Perfect

  Novels:

  Chronicles of a Hot Mess

  Chronicles of a Rockin’ Mess

  The Decoy

  Novellas:

  Neighbor in Apartment No. 5

  The Tinsel Tango

  The Fighter

  Want to learn more? Visit www.seroseauthor.com.

  Want more romantic suspense?

  Prologue

  Beginning of August

  Laura’s Playlist: “A Bad Dream” by Keane

  As I open one eye, I can see the sunlight starting to creep across the sky in a small line above the water. My face is half-buried in a pillow and half-facing the open window. The fresh sea breeze gently blows in, filling my nostrils and making me want to eat and curl deeper under my blanket.

  It is a little too early to go for my morning walk and meditation ritual, so perhaps a few more minutes lying in bed wouldn’t hurt anything. I breathe in deeply and close my eye again.

  It is as I lie there breathing in the salty sea breeze that I hear a noise. My eyes shoot open and I gaze out the window. The cottage is a mere one hundred feet from a walking path along the North Sea. It was far enough from town that there had been very few people out here over the past few weeks. The cliffs of the shoreline are several feet farther out from the path and then the sea lies beneath.

  My eyes readjust to the barely visible light outside and I can just make out a figure on the path. Whoever it is stands there looking at the cottage. My skin prickles as I realize that someone is watching me. Of course, it is too dark to see inside, or is it? Had I locked the door last night? I had not been locking the door. The cottage is two miles from town or a twenty-minute drive by car on winding back roads. Who is there? Maybe it’s Jack? But it seems much too early for him. I blink and look again as a million thoughts begin flying through my head and my imagination at this early hour begins working double time.

  Squinting in the darkness, I see that the person is holding something. But I can’t make it out, a bag, a suitcase, what? Slowly I roll out of bed. I am used to having my cat lying next to me, so I move cautiously. After a minute, I chide myself, remembering he isn’t there. I position myself to look out a nearby window that is closed, but when I get there the figure is gone. I stand staring out the window and decide to investigate further. I realize I need something to protect myself. Glancing around the room, I see a hiking stick in the corner and grab it. I quickly shut all the windows and lock the back door. And then very slowly I turn the handle on the front door and peek my head around it. The sunlight is starting to invade the night sky now and I can see a little better than before. There is no one there. I push the door farther open, and holding the hiking stick in my right hand like a bat, I very slowly step out onto the front path. I swivel around quickly assessing that no one is against the house and then continue walking toward the hiking path out front. There are woods about a quarter mile behind the house, but the forest ends abruptly on either side with fields cutting into it. There are very few trees in the forest as it is maybe an eighth of a mile wide and a quarter mile deep. It is dark in there and I can’t see anything but the treetops. I scan the trail looking right and left. I see no one. I peer down over the cliff and watch the sea crash against the rocky coast below. A little ways down from me, there is a small fishing boat not far from the breaking waves. There is a light coming from it, maybe a flashlight or a small lantern, but there doesn’t appear to be anyone on it. Strange, I think to myself. Perhaps my eyes are playing tricks on me. I decide to go lock the door and head bac
k to watch the boat until the sun reveals whether it has an occupant or not.

  I turn and walk the short distance back to the cottage while continuing to scan my surroundings for movement, nothing. I open the door and grab the key from the hook. Then I shut the door and lock it before heading back down to the cliff. Now I can clearly see the bright orange glow of the sun just starting to peek up over the horizon. I glance back down toward the boat, but it is gone. I look out at the sea, no boat. I look up and down the jagged coastline and see nothing. How is this possible, it was just here? It hadn’t even taken me five minutes to walk back and forth from the house.

  I look back at the sea. It is choppy and I wonder if perhaps the boat is out there, and I just can’t see it over the waves. I scan the waters again and again and see nothing except the rolling white tips of each wave. Finally, as the full sun makes its way over the horizon, I turn and walk back to the cottage.

  I lock the front door behind me and decide to make tea. I throw on my yoga pants and a t-shirt. I’ll wait for Jack before going to walk today. I always walked to the left for some reason and pass him while he goes in the other direction, away from town. I don’t like the idea of going right, as the grass in the fields is taller in that direction and I am not able to see people coming toward me. My city girl instincts have always told me to stay where I can see my surroundings.

  I put the kettle on while I pull the tea out of the cupboard. I stare at the window, willing Jack to appear. The whistling of the tea kettle startles me, and I jump. Sighing at my irrational fear, I pour the water into my teacup and continue staring out the window.

  The minutes tick by slowly. Being so far north, the sun rises very early, and it makes me wake when I should be sleeping. I normally wake at 6:30 a.m. at home, but here I had gotten up with bright sunshine each morning by 5:00 a.m. I peer over at the clock on the microwave, 6:45 a.m. I have been standing there for over an hour and still no Jack. Jack is methodical, since the first day I saw him, he always passes my cottage at 6:50 a.m., just a few minutes after I leave for my morning stroll. We pass each other not far down the path from the cottage, so that it is still in plain view as we speak. Sometimes, if I am fast enough, I make it to a big rock near the path where I lay out my travel yoga blanket and meditate to the sound of the sea below.