“As soon as possible.”
He nods. “It will not be easy for you. People will question your choice, challenge her, even criticize.”
“We are strong enough to handle it, but I am sure that she will win over the people, as she does every person who spends time with her.”
“I cannot say that I love the idea, but…” he pauses and I notice how he swallows hard. “You will be king soon, and you will make decisions that affect your life. I am not in charge of those details anymore.”
“I wish you would try to get to know her, Father. She’s wonderful and—”
“I will speak with her. I owe her my gratitude for extending my life, however short a time it may be. I am still here, and it is because of her.”
“Shall I bring her now?”
“Yes. I am ready.”
I exit the room, slightly in shock, and walk down the hall to see a flurry of activity as dinner is being set up.
“Delaney?”
She looks up at me. “Yes?”
“Can you come with me, please? The King requests you.”
Everyone stops what they’re doing as the room falls silent.
“He wants to see me?”
“He does.”
As I watch the color drain from her face, she walks toward me. “I’m scared,” she whispers.
“I’ll be with you.”
I nod to everyone as I escort Delaney back to my father’s room, and as we walk inside, Delaney immediately curtsies in front of his bed.
He watches her silently for a moment before speaking. “Delaney?”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” she says, looking up. I can see the nerves flowing through her. Her voice is shaky, her breathing heavy. I hate that she has to go through this for me.
“I understand that your quick action earlier today saved my life. I wanted to personally thank you for not following protocol.”
“I am honored to serve the palace, Your Majesty.”
He nods. “Leave us, son.”
A look of panic briefly registers across Delaney’s features.
“Father—”
“I won’t bite her. Leave us.”
“Yes, sir.” I nod at Delaney, hoping she can handle the interrogation I’m sure is coming. Not many can.
“Come closer,” the King says, once we’re alone. “I am weak and wish to speak softly.”
“Yes, sir.” I step closer until he nods at the chair and I sit beside his bed.
“I am not a man that apologizes, but I will not live much longer, and I do not wish to die with regret. I do not know you, but I believe you must love my son very much to do the things you have done to be with him.”
“I do, sir.”
“The Queen tells me that his face lights up when he sees you or hears your name. His voice softens when he speaks of you. His temperament calms because of you. When he left, he was wild, rebellious, and defiant toward me. He refused to be what was expected of him in his role.”
I nod, saying nothing, but trying to imagine a defiant Lathan.
“He did things that were a poor reflection on his esteemed family name. I should have disowned him, but I could not, because I loved him too much. I did not act like I did, I did not show him enough, but I did.”
“Of course, sir.”
“Does he know? Does he speak of me to you?”
“He told me everything he did. He told me how you were disappointed in him and how he left so he didn’t have to face you.”
“Does he know I love him?”
“I think so, sir.”
The King nods. “I want him to know, without a doubt, so the first thing I will do is in regards to you. I must first apologize for my terrible reaction earlier. Will you accept it?”
“Of course, sir.”
“The second thing I must do, and please allow me to tell Lathan myself, is to give you my blessing.” I gasp softly as he continues. “I will trust Lathan that he has chosen wisely. If what the Queen tells me is true, then I am glad he ran away to Boston. I am glad he defied me, and chose his own path, because every man deserves to be loved. I am a lucky man to have found my wife, and I want that happiness for my son.”
“Thank you, sir. I am so honored.” I can’t fight the tears that stream down my face. “Thank you,” I whisper again.
“Come to me.”
I stand and step closer, surprised when he reaches for my hand and squeezes it when I give it to him. “Be a good princess, and a good queen, but more than anything, support him. His life will be an isolated one once he is king. He needs someone he can fully trust. Someone he can talk to about anything. If he needs to scream, swear, or cry, he needs to be able to lie in your arms and feel those emotions. He needs the kind of best friend that only a wife can be. If you can be that for him, you will serve your king well.”
I nod, still crying. “I don’t want you to die. Lathan loves you.”
“I do not want to die, my child. I want to live and see my grandchildren.” His face turns red as he speaks. “I want to hold my wife in my arms for many more years.” He squeezes my hand. “But we cannot fight God’s will.”
“Your Majesty…” I take a deep breath. “Will you speak with Arlan?” His eyes open wide, and I realize I just stepped way out of line. “Forgive me for being so forward, Your Majesty, but he suffers so. He is wracked with guilt.”
The King’s face tightens. “You do not know why I cannot.”
“Because he left home?”
“No. I cannot tell you. Only he and I know.”
“Does it matter anymore?”
The King looks at me and sighs. “I do not know what to say to him. I cannot look in his eyes.”
“Surely whatever he did can be forgiven.”
“It is not what he did. It is what I did.” He glances out the window, then back at me. “It is I that should not be forgiven, child.”
I rub his hand, shocked at this admission. “Obviously, I don’t know what happened, and I don’t care. What I do know is that your son is out there completely heartbroken that you won’t see him. He has spent his entire life in his brother’s shadow, vying your attention, for anyone’s attention, and now, all he wants is to hear that you love him. Can you not do that for him? For yourself?”
He smiles slightly. “You are completely out of line” he starts, but with a lighthearted tone, and pausing before continuing. “I am not surprised. I admit I am impressed with how you defend Arlan and love Lathan. You are brave and passionate—traits I should have expected knowing my son shares those same qualities.”
“I mean no disrespect, sir, but certainly if you have acceptance in your heart for me, a near stranger, you have it for your own son.”
“I cannot promise that it will go well, but…” he pauses, glancing at the door. “I will speak with him.”
My eyes open wide. “Really?”
“Yes. He deserves to hear what’s in my heart while it still beats.”
I nod. “He’s going to be so happy. I’ll go get him now.”
“Thank you.”
“May I kiss your cheek, Your Majesty?”
He actually smiles. “You may.”
I lean forward and plant a soft kiss on his beard covered cheek. “Your son Lathan is strong and brave, and he loves this country. He will honor your legacy, and I will tell our children about you.”
“Please tell them only that I love them. That everything I ever did was to make this country a happy place for them to grow up in. Please tell them that.”
I nod, wiping away a tear. “I promise.”
“Bring my son, please.”
“I will.”
I hurry down the hall back to the waiting group of people, surprised when no one’s eating yet. Everyone looks up at me as Lathan rushes to my side.
“Arlan?”
“Yes?”
“The King requests you.”
His mouth falls open. “Is this true?”
I smile. “It is true.
” I nod at Lathan as I take Arlan’s hand walking with him a bit. “I asked him to speak with you. He is very weak, and concerned about whatever happened between you, but he is ready now.”
Arlan hugs me. “Thank you.”
“Go.”
I watch him walk into his father’s room, then walk back to everyone. Lathan comes over to me.
“Did you cast a spell on the King?”
“No. I just asked him to see Arlan. I said if he could talk to me, then surely he could talk to his own son.”
“Was he kind to you?”
“He was. I’ll let him tell you the rest.”
Caterina walks toward us with tears in her eyes. “He requested Arlan?”
“He did,” I say.
“Because of you,” she whispers. “Am I correct? He refused when I asked.”
“I sensed that he wanted to see him, but something in his heart kept him from it. I just asked him to consider it.”
“And he did,” she says. “Amazing.”
“I just want everyone to be happy. Even though it’s impossible in this situation.”
“Yes, it is,” she says.
“Why aren’t we eating yet?”
“We’re waiting for you and now for Arlan,” Lathan explains.
“The soup will get cold.”
“No, Sarah has a warmer under it. It will be fine until we can all be together.”
“Okay.” We sit down in chairs as Lathan puts his arm around my shoulder. I hope whatever happened between Arlan and his father can be resolved. What I really hope is that sending him in there didn’t just make matters worse.
About thirty minutes pass and Arlan comes out, joining us once more. His face is red and he looks as though he’s been crying. Just as I’m starting to worry about what happened, his face breaks into a smile.
“All is well. The King would like us all to gather in his room for a few brief moments.”
As we walk, Arlan grabs my hand and kisses it. “You are an angel, Delaney. I owe you everything.”
“You owe me nothing. If your problems are resolved, that is thanks enough.”
He pats Lathan’s arm. “You have always been blessed with luck, but you’ve truly been kissed by God himself having found this woman.”
Lathan kisses my cheek. “I couldn’t agree more, brother.”
As we enter the King’s room, his doctor stands nearby, as do several nurses tending to the various tubes and machines around him.
“I asked all of you here for a very specific reason,” he begins. “The people in this room, mean the most to me, old and new relationships alike.” Lathan squeezes my hand. “My fate is uncertain, but one thing we know is that I cannot live forever. Lathan and his mother will meet with palace advisors to release a statement that I am stepping back from the throne, but will continue in an interim role, while Lathan prepares. Obviously, it’s a passive role, as a new king cannot take the throne while another lives. This will give Lathan an opportunity to practice what he has learned with me there to provide guidance if needed. I have no doubt he will be just fine.” He looks at Arlan. “My other son has decided to settle roots here in Havendon and will meet with his brother and me to find a suitable and challenging position within the palace for him. He is excited about the future, as am I. He is highly intelligent, well versed on foreign events, and, as I learned today, has an open and forgiving heart. He will serve Havendon well.”
Arlan beams with pride as the King motions for me and Lathan to step closer. “I want my son to hear what I already told his lovely girlfriend earlier. While my blessing is not necessary at this point, it is something I give willingly and happily. I only pray that I live long enough to see a wedding take place, and perhaps, even a child born. No pressure though,” he says, actually laughing softly.
I glance at Lathan to see his eyes fill with tears. “Your blessing is necessary, Father. For me to know you approve my choice was very necessary.”
“How could I not approve of the woman who not only saved my life, but mended the rip in my heart I allowed to fester for too long? While it’s not obvious to all of you, I believe in love. Everything I’ve ever done since I became king was out of love for this country, for her people, for all of you. I realize now I could have done things differently, better, but in spite of my shortcomings, I have been blessed with two magnificent sons. I am a proud father, and I know that the future of Havendon is safe in your hands.”
A tear actually slides down Lathan’s cheek, which he quickly wipes away.
“Son,” the King says. “Do not hide your emotions as I did. Be who you are when you’re not worried about what I think.”
He nods. “Thank you, Father.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Dear,” the Queen says. “You should rest, and I need to eat before I faint.”
“I would love to eat.”
“There’s enough for everyone,” Lathan says. “Delaney and I prepared a special dish from her hometown.”
“You cooked?” his father asks with a raised eyebrow.
“He did,” Ophelia says. “We witnessed it.” She motions between herself, Arlan, and Tristan. “We even helped a little.”
“What is it?” the King asks.
“Clam Chowder, sir,” I reply. “A cream soup with potatoes and clams.”
His Majesty cannot eat a cream soup,” the doctor interjects. “It is too heavy for his heart.”
The King looks over at the doctor with that intimidating look he gets. “I will eat whatever I like. I am already a dying man, am I not?”
The doctor nods. “But, Your Majesty—”
“But nothing. If I am dying, I will enjoy the remaining time I have left. I will eat the soup.”
I smile. Lathan isn’t the only rebellious one. “I’ll get him a bowl,” I offer.
“Thank you, my child,” the King says.
I hurry down the hall back into the waiting room where Sarah and Maricel still wait. They look up at me with worried expressions.
“His Majesty is well at the moment and wishes to eat.”
Sarah exhales. “Wonderful news, madam. I will serve him a bowl. Is there a special way to serve it?”
“Yes, just a pad of butter and a sprinkle of parsley on top.”
“Yes, madam.” She quickly prepares the bowl, placing it on a tray for me with two slices of bread. “Does his majesty want dessert? We made chocolate mousse.”
“I don’t know, but I know I will.”
Sarah smiles. “Of course, madam.”
I take the tray from her. “Thank you.”
Carrying it back, I set it down on the King’s table over his bed. He leans forward inhaling the aroma, then using his spoon, stirs it around a bit. Finally, he takes a bite as we all watch expectantly. He eats his bite, then a second, then a third. Looking up, he smiles.
“I love it. It is delightful. I want it at least once a week.”
Looking up at Lathan, I smile. “His majesty, the King has spoken.”
Lathan laughs softly. “And so it shall be.”
The following day, I wait in my father’s room for the palace advisors to join us. My mother sits in a chair near father’s bed, and Arlan lingers by the window, accepting my invitation to join. As far as I’m concerned, this is just as much a family matter as a palace one.
Hearing a knock on the door, I turn to see two gentlemen I haven’t seen since before I left home enter. They bow toward all of us, before a man named Gerard steps forward.
“Your Highnesses,” he says to me and Arlan, then turns to my parents. “Your Majesties. How may we serve you today?”
I look at my father who nods at me to start. “We have decided it is time to make an announcement regarding the future of the throne.”
The men nod as I continue.
“The King’s condition is…” I pause, unable to say the words.
“I am dying,” my father says in my silence. “Soon. My heart is weak and will no longer sup
port me. My son will begin his duties effective immediately with me as his counsel. The citizens of Havendon will begin to see his face instead of mine, hear his voice, and respect his decisions.”
The men nod. “Yes, Your Majesty,” Gerard says.
“How would you like the news delivered?” the other man named Geoffrey asks.
“Press release,” the King says.
“Actually, father, I wondered if we could do it. Verbally.”
Everyone’s eyes shift to me.
“Explain,” my father says.
“This will be a terrible blow for our people to hear they are losing their beloved king. I think a personal message from your children would be best. Perhaps Gerard and Geoffrey could organize a press conference and introduce us.”
Father glances at my mother, who nods. “If that is your wish, son, then that is what we shall do.”
“Only if it pleases you, Father.”
“It pleases me.”
I turn to Gerard and Geoffrey. “Can you please compose the message and plan the event? Sooner rather than later. I also want to address that our plans for the Independence Ball are unchanged by these events to alleviate any concerns the people may have.”
“Yes, Your Highness,” both men say, then bow to my parents, then me, then my brother before excusing themselves.
I look down at my watch. “I must excuse myself. I have an appointment in ten minutes at the palace.”
“What for?” Arlan asks.
“Oh, a surprise gift for Delaney. Just to thank her for all she’s done.”
“You owe her more than a gift, brother. When will you propose?”
“I’ll get to it. One step at a time.”
He chuckles softly. “Okay then.”
“See you soon.”
I hurry out and nearly run to make it to the palace on time. Just as I get there, a car pulls up, and the man I’m meeting with steps out.
He bows when he sees me. “Your Highness.”
“Hello. Please come in.”
We walk inside as he carries several bags with him. “I have everything you requested. Are you ready to start, sir?”
Grinning, I nod my head. “I am.”
The following day, after leaving the arms of my beautiful Delaney, I straighten my tie as I wait for my cue to enter the palace meeting room where we hold press conferences. Arlan paces nervously in front of the windows, and I understand the emotional roller coaster he must be on. Neither of us have addressed the public in years. It will be the first time most people see our faces since four or five years ago. I only wish it were for a better occasion.
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