by Rye Hart
I hated packing up my house, and the worst part of it was not having anywhere to go. Patrick was in the kitchen nursing a paper cut, and he had unpacked three boxes looking for a bandage.
“These things hurt worse with cardboard for some reason. Look, it’s still bleeding.” He held up his finger, and I took his hand and gave it a kiss.
“I’m sorry, friend. Thanks so much for taking care of me.”
“Yeah, well, just remember that when my handsome prince comes along.” He lifted one of the boxes and stacked it on another. “You’ll like it at our place. Edward has already changed the sheets and had a Scentsy burning. I hope you like the smell of leather; it’s his favorite. The entire house smells like a new car, but I can’t get him to stop.”
“It’s fine. Thanks again for taking me in and I promise it won’t be for long.”
“Nonsense. It can be for as long as it takes and in this city, you never know.” He stacked another box, and I was glad to have his muscle with some of the boxes that had packed heavy.
My phone rang, and it was a number with an unknown area code. I put the phone down and pushed it across the table away from temptation.
“You should take it. Stop avoiding him and see if things could work out.”
“You have no idea what’s it like. His mother will never accept me, Patrick. She doesn’t even accept her granddaughter.”
He narrowed his eyes. “What do you mean?”
I let out a long breath knowing it might be best to go ahead and let him know about the situation with Esme. It wasn’t my gossip to tell, but maybe he’d understand. “Esme is his daughter, and she hasn’t even been given his name yet. Her mother was a common woman who had a drug issue, and they had Esme and then she died. I don’t think his mother ever accepted her and they didn’t want him to keep the child. They tried to get him to have her adopted out, but he wasn’t having it. To this day, his mother treats her horribly and ignores her existence. Her own flesh and blood. Even the King won’t extend the birthright. Enzo said that upon his first orders, he’s going to give Esme the Roche name, and the title of princess.”
“What about the Queen? She won't still be in charge in some way?”
“No, the country has a monarchy, and the honor falls to the bloodline, not the spouse. So, she’s going to be even more pleasant I’m sure when the King dies, leaving her the Queen Mother.”
“Wow, and we think our politics are bad. But you know, some people are just that way, Cindy. Take Edwards parents. They know he’s gay; have known it since he was in high school, yet they insist on trying to introduce him to women. They hate me, and I’m not allowed at their house.”
“I had no idea.” I thought that everything was perfect with the couple. “You always say how great it is.”
“It is great, honey. Between me and Edward. We’re the ones who matter. But don’t get me wrong; it hurts. I’d do anything to have them accept me. But I have to live with knowing it might not ever happen. And as for what anyone else thinks, we’re content to tell them all to go to hell. Our love is stronger than all of it.”
I hadn’t ever considered that my issues with Enzo could be so similar to Patrick and Edward’s. I wished it was different. I’d do anything for the Queen to like me too. But with those stories floating around, it would never happen.
“Enzo told me he love me,” I admitted to him
“What? And you still let him get away?”
The phone rang again before I could respond, and Patrick leaned forward and glanced down at it. “It’s Aramis calling again.” He snatched the phone, and I jumped up and tried to answer it, but he stood up and was at least two head’s taller than me.
“Hello, this is Cindy’s phone.” He stared at me wide-eyed and then his face fell, and he paled. “Yes, Ma’am, one second please.” He put out his hand shaking the phone as if it were urgent. I gave him a shrug, but he pushed it on me.
“Hello, this is Cindy.”
“Cindy? This is Queen Ophelia Roche, of Aramis. I’m Enzo’s mother.” I glanced over at Patrick who was still in shock that the woman had called. “Are you there, dear?”
“Yes, ma’am— Your Majesty. Is there something I can help you with?” I waited for her to threaten me, to tell me that I was unwelcome near her son or in his country and that if I didn’t obey her, there’d be hell to pay, but none of that happened.
“My son has his coronation on Friday, and I’m afraid he’s been a bit out of sorts since your recent breakup. I have spoken to Lucas and asked him what we could do to bring him around, and he seems to think that you would be the only answer.”
“With all due respect, I wasn’t sure that you’d want me to be anywhere near your son considering the incidents at the charity gala.”
“My husband is dying, Cindy. Call it, stress induced empathy, but I am in a position to soon mourn the only man I’ve ever loved. I hate to see my son lose two important people. As for the incidents, Lucas explained them both, and I’m quite sure that my son wouldn’t choose anyone unworthy of his daughter’s affections, which I’ve heard you earned.”
“Yes, Esme and I hit it off. She’s a wonderful girl; you should be very proud of her.” I wanted to ask her why she wasn’t, but I didn’t want to be disrespectful after her invitation.
“I think in time, Esme and I might have a better relationship-- say if someone like you were here to bridge that generation gap.”
“Are you inviting me to the coronation or into your family?”
“I suppose I’m doing a little of both, dear. If you’re interested , I can have my private plane pick you up tomorrow and put you up in the castle for an extended stay.”
I glanced up at Patrick who had been listening with his ear as close to the phone and my head as possible without touching. He nodded quickly, and his eyes widened.
“Is Enzo expecting me?” I wondered if he had put her up to it and she was only doing so begrudgingly.
“Well, it wouldn’t be much of a surprise if he was. In honesty, dear, I’d like to present you as my peace offering for a happier future. His father asked me to try and support my son on his decisions as the King, and I’d like to start with this one.”
“Thank you. I’ll be ready.”
“I’ll send my assistant, Sabine for you. I’ll have her call you back shortly. Thank you, dear. I can’t wait to meet you in a formal capacity.”
“And you as well, thank you.” The phone went dead, and I stood there a moment not quite sure what to think.
“Do you need me to pinch you, honey?” Patrick grabbed my arm and started jumping up and down, but inside I couldn’t help but hope that it wasn’t too late to work things out with Enzo. His mother and Lucas had orchestrated the reunion, but what if he didn’t want it?
“Enzo is miserable, and she’d like me to come and make things better for him. She wants me to attend his crowning.” I sat down at the table and looked around at all of my things that were packed up. Luckily, I had already moved my clothes to Patrick and Edward’s house, but I was going to need some dresses to take on my trip. “I don’t have anything to wear!”
“Leave it to me. We’ll get this stuff unloaded at the storage unit and then Edward, and I are taking you shopping.” He jumped up, but I grabbed his arm to steady myself.
I let out a sigh and finally let myself be excited for what was to come.
CHAPTER NINETEEN - ENZO
A coronation ceremony had always sounded like a big deal until it actually came time. A king only got his crown in one of two ways: because his father died, or something had happened that was life-altering. Either way, it usually wasn’t an exciting ceremony, and even though others found a reason for celebration, I couldn’t think of any.
I sat with my father in his room the entire day before, and we’d talked about the duties and what would be expected of me as we had ever visit since his decision to renounce the throne to be present for my coronation. But I was having a hard time concentrating.
“You look like a man with too much on his mind, and somehow I don’t think it has anything to do with your crowning ceremony.”
“Do you think you could have ruled as a single man?”
My father smiled and nodded his head, but that wasn’t his answer. “I had a feeling it had something to with a woman. Your mother tells me that you have met someone back in New York. A girl who worked as a waitress during the gala season.”
“She wasn’t a waitress, but she worked the charity events. She coordinated the entire event series. She was amazing at it; a born leader.” I couldn’t help but remember my first impressions of her. How she’d been so strong and such a leader.
“She sounds like a busy woman.”
I shook my head. “Not anymore. I cost her the job, and she left me uncertain that she could fit into our lifestyle.”
My father cleared his throat. “The royal life is not for everyone, son. And most have misconceptions about how we live, how we feel, or that we’re even human at all sometimes. What do you think she couldn’t handle?”
I met his eyes. “She didn’t like the way Mother treats Esme, for one. And she doubted that she’d be happy in a place where she was unwanted. We caused a bit of scandal back in the States, and she didn’t want to ruin things for me.”
“She sounds like a considerate young woman. She put your needs ahead of hers; she’s already proving to be a fine partner; someone who could step back and let you shine. Your mother has often times had to do that for me.”
“I gave up. I had to get back home and I just, I didn’t want to have to coax her. I wanted her to want to come with me. Instead, she ran as fast as she could.”
“She probably realized how serious things were getting.”
“Or she didn’t think that she’d ever be accepted. Why would she if my own daughter isn’t?” I got up and walked to the window.
After a long awkward silence, my father cleared his throat again. “Will you be at dinner tonight?”
“Yes, Father. Of course.” He knew that Esme and I always attended formal dinner with him and Mother.
“Very well, then. Very Well. I think I’d like to rest now son. Leave me to my peace.” He excused me, and I headed off to spend the rest of the few hours before dinner fitting for my robes and preparing my mind for what was to come.
Lucas came into the room just before dinner. “I thought I’d come see you on your last day as Prince Enzo. I thought I might have to squeeze in a few disrespectful jabs while I can still get away with it, for tomorrow I shall address you as King Enzo.” He was very dramatic, and I knew he was worried about his position. I didn’t have to promote my assistants, but there was no way I was going into this without him.
“I’m sure you’ll still have a chance to rib me now and then when the others aren’t around. As my lead attendant, I’m counting on it.”
His eyes turned down as he nodded his head and bowed. “It will forever be my honor, Your Royal Majesty.”
“Not Majesty, yet my friend. Tomorrow. Tonight, we drink.” I poured myself a drink and lounged back against the couch which had always been my favorite. I would miss it once I was down the hall in the King’s chambers and considered for a moment taking it with me.
Lucas poured himself a drink too. “How are you? And don’t give me any bull.”
“I miss her.” I closed my eyes. “I wish I had time to run to her, but I can’t disappoint my family or my country. I will be king and perhaps after I’ll go to her and see if her heart has changed.”
“I’m sure you’ll see her again. I’ll even bet you that she’s missing you just as badly.” He put the drink to his lips and took a long pull.
“You know as well as I do that she’ll move on in no time. Some man will come along and sweep her off her feet, and I’ll be a distant memory.”
“Ah, I don’t think so. No, I think she’s crazy about you.” The bell tolled for dinner and Lucas got to his feet, and after giving me a quick bow, he offered to walk me to the dining hall.
He paused outside the dining hall and shook my hand. “Have a nice dinner.” He chuckled and walked away, and I let out a long breath before going inside and taking my seat. As usual, my mother would wait to walk in with my father, and minutes later they arrived. I stood as she helped Father to his seat at the head of the table. She took her place to his left, and I sat on his right. And once she sat, we did too.
“Esme should be along soon,” said Mother in her usual clipped tone.
Esme knew she was supposed to be down on time and I hoped that she’d have a good reason for being late. My parents sipped their wine and held hands across the table as I’d never seen, and after a moment, I began to get nervous.
“Maybe I should go check—”
My mother’s head turned, and she smiled and nodded at the door as Esme entered with her nanny, but after a scolding look at my daughter, who was smiling ear to ear, I looked up and realized the woman with her, wasn’t Margarite at all.
I shot to my feet. “Cindy, you’re here?”
“It’s not a daydream, son.” My father let out a chuckle, and then Lucas entered behind them as well as Margarite. “Tonight, we have a few special guests.”
I looked at my mother who was smiling and as we all sat at the table. Esme offered her seat to Cindy and taking the other side of me.
“I can’t believe you’re here.” I couldn’t take my eyes off of her. She was in a gorgeous white dress with sparkles that made her blue eyes shimmer as she took my hand.
“Well, when the Queen asks, you come.” She gave a smile toward my mother and inclined her head, but I was stunned.
“Mother?” The woman had never approved of anyone or anything before, and though I didn’t understand what had changed, I wasn’t going to question it either. “That’s wonderful.”
“I want my son the King to be a happy man, so I thought it only appropriate that you have a strong, charming woman by your side.” She glanced down at Esme. “By both of your sides.”
Esme giggled, and it was the first time I’d ever seen her smile at my mother. It was then that dinner was served and we all sat for the very first time as a family, all getting along and making pleasant conversation.
As dessert was being served, my father tapped his wine glass, and one of his attendants stepped forward and brought a paper and pen. Father cleared his throat. “Attention,” suddenly it was so quiet that I could hear the ticking of my father’s pocket watch. “Tomorrow we honor my son as the new King, and all of his rules shall be respected as law across our country. But tonight, I still have time for one last royal decree.”
I sat taller in my seat and hung on my father’s words. This was his last official decree, a time when so many pardoned the accused and changed frivolous laws; I knew before this small gathering that he was about to announce something of great importance.
“Esme Mira, daughter of the deceased, Sofie Mira, and His Royal Highness, my son, and future King Majesty of Aramis, Enzo Seraphino Roche, I hereby declare that you, my granddaughter, are my blooded birthright and shall be recognized as such in all means of title and dignity from this day forward. Such is my last and final decree.” He raised his glass high. “All hail Princess Esme Roche.”
I couldn’t believe it. What I had planned for my first decree had been my father’s last.
Every glass raised and Esme jumped from her seat and ran around the table into my father’s arms.
And the rest of us joined in, “All hail Princess Esme Roche.”
CHAPTER TWENTY - CINDY
My eyes stung with tears as the King announced Esme’s birthright and I wanted so badly to jump up and hug her too. After she’d hugged the king, the queen held out her arms and pulled Esme in close.
“My beautiful granddaughter.”
“Thank you, grandmother.” Esme then ran around the table and fell into her father’s arms, and he looked over at his mother and mouthed a silent thank you. We enjoyed the rest
of our dessert and then the Queen and King and the new Princess, took off to the sitting room to give me and Enzo time to ourselves.
“Lucas and Margarite seemed like they were up to something,” I said, as we walked out behind them headed for Enzo’s chambers.
He narrowed his eyes. “I’ve warned him about that, but in the spirit of true love, perhaps I’ll let it slide.”
“Were you surprised to see me?” I held my breath preparing for his answer.
“Yeah, I’d say speechless was more like it. I think time stood still in my world when you walked in smiling with my daughter like we’d been one big happy family for years.”
“I was shocked when your mother called me and invited me. I wasn’t sure if she was sincere or if it was a joke at first. I thought, what if I get ready and head down to the airport and no one shows for me. I knew I’d be devastated. I wanted to come and see you so badly.”
“You could have called. I’d have made arrangements to bring you, but I’m glad my mother took the time to make it happen. It means so much to me. And Esme,” He held his hand over his heart. “I can’t believe my father did that. You’re the only person I told. Did you say anything to my mother?”
“No, not at all. He thought of that all on his own.” He stopped in front of a large door and pushed it opened, holding it for me to go inside.
I entered his royal chambers, and my mouth hung open at the incredibly ornate room. It was like something out of a fairy tale, and the gold-gilt furnishings were all oversized and truly fit for a crowned prince.
His bed was draped with thick curtains, and I could imagine us entwined together atop the silk sheets. I had a feeling he had the same idea as we walked inside and he pulled me to a stop and then into his arms. He stared deep into my eyes, and my heart stuttered in my chest. I was in love with this man..
“I’ve missed you like crazy, Cindy. I don’t want to be without you ever again. I want us to build a life together. I want you to be my wife.”
He had said it so fast that I wanted him to say it again. “What?”